Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 71632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 358(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 358(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
Her face flushes.
I keep going.
“I’d never hurt you in the ways you have hurt me, and I can sleep at night knowing my heart is pure. And it made me see, you don’t need punishment. Your life, every single day, is punishment. Your cold, emotionless heart, is how you have to suffer. Because you have to live with yourself, day in, day out. You have to live knowing you’re a terrible person that has done terrible things.”
She swallows, and for the first time, I see a flash of regret on her face.
But it’s too late for that, now.
You can’t come back from what she’s done.
You just can’t.
“So, I came in here to tell you, that I’m done. I’m done with you. With the family. With all of it. I have a new family now, people who love me, and you know what? That feels incredible. So you can have Enzo, and your baby, and the twisted life you’re leading. I want no part in it. What you did to me, you have to live with that. I wish no harm on you, Yolanda. But, from this moment forward, I wish for you to stay away from me. I never want to hear from you again.”
I swallow, because it hurts. Of course it hurts.
It shouldn’t be like this.
“Good luck on your journey, and I’m sorry we couldn’t be what we should. I wish you well, I truly do. But my life no longer contains you.”
With that, I turn and hobble out into the hall.
I lean against the wall, and press my hand to my chest.
That wasn’t easy, but it was for the best.
I deserve so much more.
And today, I made the choice to free myself from anything that was bringing me pain.
And that was her.
It doesn’t feel good right now.
But I know, I just know.
One day, it will.
~*~*~*~
MASON
I stare into Theresa’s eyes, and she stares back.
For a moment, the silence extends into minutes. We say nothing.
She knows why I’m here.
I know why I’m here.
What she did, to me, to Saskia, to all of us. There is no coming back from that.
She stole from me, and in doing that, she nearly got another human killed.
If she wants to live with that on her conscience, that’s on her.
But I’m not letting her get away with taking what is not hers.
“You know why I’m here,” I say, my voice low and gravelly.
She blinks. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“But you do. You do because I came here looking for Saskia. I told you I’d be back. I’m back. I want what is mine.”
“I don’t have anything.”
It burns me, to know that she can still deny and lie, even after everything. Does she have no heart? None at all?
“I’m not goin’ to play your games, Theresa. I’m goin’ to lay this down exactly how it’s going to go. You’re going to go in there, get my jewelry, and give it back. If you do not, I will call the police and tell them you’ve stolen from me. I have video proof. I also have Yolanda willing to speak. It’s up to you, if you decide to go the hard way, but I promise you, I will get back what is mine.”
Her lips purse and her face scrunches up, with frustration no doubt. She was so close. But she was never going to outsmart me. “Why can’t you just let me have what is mine, Mason?”
“Because,” I growl, stepping forward. “It was never yours. You did nothing to deserve it. You didn’t help when she needed you. Not only that, but you stole from me and put a woman in danger. Do you have any idea what they did to Saskia?”
She flinches, and crosses her arms, but she can’t hide it.
“I just want what is mine.”
“They beat her. They were going to rape her. They had their hands on her body.”
She clenches her jaw.
“Can you imagine that, for even a second in your selfish brain? Imagine what that might feel like? To be trapped. Scared. Alone. All because of someone else’s selfish actions? For one moment of your life, can you put yourself in someone else’s shoes?”
She swallows, but says nothing.
“I will get what belongs to me, one way or another. I’d prefer you hand it over. If you wish to fight me for it, go ahead. I’ll never give anything to you. Because you’re selfish, and you’re cold, and you don’t deserve a single thing. The worst part is, I think you know that, deep down. You’re just too caught up in your own need.”
“Leave my house, Mason.”
“Not without that jewelry.”
“It isn’t yours...”
I pull out my phone. “Have it your way.”
I start dialing the police.
Her hands clench, and for a moment, I don’t think she’s going to give in, but finally she cries, “Fine! Dammit! Fine.”