Chapter 31
Andera’s pov
Number 47. I should hate Thane for how he stood back and watched as Melissa made me hand wash her clothes
Number 48. I should hate Thane because of how he stood me up when I asked him to lunch on our first marriage anniversary
Number 49……
I dropped my pen on the desk. My mind had suddenly gone blank. That was strange, the last time I did this; writing all the reasons why I should hate Thane. I could have sworn I had written nearly five hundred reasons. Now I’m stuck at forty–eight.
My alarm goes off. It’s already nine o’clock. Time to meet with the officer who had caught those men. A cold shiver ran down my spine.n
When I returned in the early hours of the morning, I had filled in Rosa on all that happened, though I left out what transpired
between me and Thane.
Rosa wept for me as I narrated everything; I cried, too, quietly so as not to wake the kids. She was there to support me
emotionally, Rosa had stayed up till I drifted to sleep. She had mentioned something about taking proper measures to ensure our
safety, even if it meant using her ‘traditional Italian ways“.
Today being Saturday, she had taken the kids to the park so I could go to the police department.
“Call me if anything goes wrong. That’s an order.” She said, her voice firm, before wrapping me In a hug.
Timmy’s curious eyes told me he sensed something was off with his Mommy, so I told him I was a little under the weather, it
wasn’t entirely a lie, after what happened with Thane at the hospital…..my insides churned whenever I thought of it, of how I parted my lips so he could deepen the kiss, how I let myself get so far lost in my lust that I made out with Thane.
“Take care of yourself, Mommy, and I will take care of Tiffany and Aunt Rosa. Deal?” I had laughed when Timmy said that to me.
I kissed his cheek.
“It’s a deal, Sweetie.” He smiled.
Tiffany kissed me on the cheek and told me the fairy godmother would make me feel better. Because she helps all the princesses.
“So, I’m a princess?” I had asked Tiffany with amusement.
“No, I am. You, Mommy, are a queen.”
My heart swelled as I hugged my children, my world.
Rosa lifted them into her car, I waved until she drove out of sight, feeling grateful for the three of them, my support system.
With some minutes to spare and a lot of conflicting emotions, I decided to do something I had gotten accustomed to
Chapter 31
+20 Bonus
Writing all the reasons why I hate Thane.
In the first year of our divorce, this was one of the exercises that kept me stable emotionally. I knew my therapist would not have
approved of it, but it worked.
I tucked the paper into my drawer, next to the one where I had written my meticulous, step–by–step plan for revenge.
Last night was a reckless night, today, I am clear–headed. I will act like it never happened because it changes nothing after all; one tiny, Winny, passionate, intense kiss isn’t enough to make me drop my plans for vengeance. Thane will still pay for all that he
has done to me.
He must.
I dressed up in a pair of loose pants and a top. I pulled my hair into a ponytail and paired it with some sneakers. I was about to step outside when the memories of how I was kidnapped right in a public event hit me like a rush of wind.
I went back to my room and took a face cap and sunglasses for a little disguise. Rosa would have told me to take it off if she were
here. She would have laughed at how ridiculous I looked with my auburn hair under a gray cap.
I drove to the police department. I haven’t been to one in years. So I stood outside for a while, composing myself. Once I walked inside, I would have to give my statement of last night. I would have to see the men who had drugged me with that handkerchief
and kidnapped me.
I shuddered. I didn’t let myself think about what they would have done to me if it weren’t for Thane.
Thane, he saved me.
I shake my head sideways to banish the thoughts of him. Once I get home, I needed to write down more reasons why I should hate
him, forty–eight was not enough.
With a deep breath, I stepped into the police station. The air was thick with the smell of coffee. The walls were coated in new paint, and on every desk was a pile of paperwork.
Inside was busy with activities. Uniformed officers took sips of their coffee, some typed on their computers, others chatting with
each other.
mà tránh
Ms Andera.” One of them called me. He was wearing a name tag that read ‘Officer Jerkins. he must be the one in charge of my
case.
“Good day, officer. “I shook his hand.
“Please, have a seat.” He offered. “Thanks for coming in,” he said, his voice firm but gentle. “We’ve made some progress on the
case.”
“Oh really? You’ve been able to find who they are and their motive?” I asked, my trepidation surging.
“Come with me.” He requested.
+20 Bonus
I nodded, following him to a small, windowless room in the back of the station.
“We have inspected the three men who kidnapped you” Officer Jerkins began saying. “It turns out these three men were involved
in some serious crimes–money laundering, extortion…the works.”
I felt a chill run down my spine as he spoke.
“What made them target me?” I couldn’t help but ask. I have never been involved in such crimes before
Officer Jerkins’s expression turned grim. “It seems they had a grudge against your father, Mr Campbell. They were involved in
some shady dealings in Boston, and when your father pressed charges, they had to run away to cover their tracks. They’ve been holding a grudge ever since.”
I swallowed hard, trying to process the information. “And they decided to kidnap me as revenge?” My stomach churned. I was
also planning to take revenge on someone, Thane, but heavens forbid I do something like this.
Officer Jerkins nodded. “It was a hasty, unplanned move. They weren’t thinking clearly. But we’ve got them now, and they’ll be facing serious charges. Would you want to see the men”
shoulder.
I remembered the smirk on the red–haired man’s face and how the other one had slung me over his sl
“No. I don’t want to see them. “. I responded.
Alright. We also did background checks to make sure that they were the only ones working together. You don’t need to feel
worried anymore. You’re safe now.”
I felt a sense of relief wash over me, but it was short–lived. Officer Jerlins‘ expression turned somber once more.
“Andrea, I have to warn you. We’ve had to notify your father about the situation. He’s…not happy.”
“You did what?” Unease made my inside squeeze. Father would not be happy about this. I didn’t want to bother him about the kidnap. He is very protective of me, and if he finds out that my safety and his grandkids are at risk, there is nothing he wouldn’t do. He might even talk me into going back to Boston.
How would I get my revenge if I left Seattle?
“He told me everything, child.”
I shot up to my feet. The chair swiveled backward with force.
Standing by the doorway was my father, Mr Campbell. With four imposing bodyguards, all clad black.
He told me everything.” My father repeated.
He was not happy.
