“What does that matter?” She asked, sounding offended.
“Mom..answer him.” Ben stated, and I knew after this..we were leaving. We all already knew the answer to this.
“I mean..a few times a month..” She whispered.
“Try again.” Neal snapped.
“Fine..a few times a week..I just..I wanted to explain myself to Ben..I felt bad for lying to him for so long!”
“You’ve lied to every single one of us..and me and my kids..we are a family..we don’t tolerate when someone we love is being neglected..and you have neglected that girl since the moment I disappeared..” Neal was seething.
“Johnnie doesn’t feel that way..does she? We were close after you disappeared..we depended on one another.” Heather said, looking at Johnnie as she finally lifted her head up and met Heather’s gaze.
“No..you depended on me mom to pick up all the pieces..and I did that. But you didn’t even notice how much it broke me. How much it broke Ben..and then when you chose Dave..it was the final straw.” Johnnie explained, making me lift my arm and wrap it around her back while I glared at Heather.
“So it wasn’t just about the affair and you marrying Dave..it was about how you didn’t even give us a second thought..”
Fuck..I am so proud of Johnnie for saying this..and yet I almost wish she would throw her damn drink at Heather all at the same time.
“I’m sorry..I am so sorry..I don’t know why I did that..I don’t know why he had so much control over me. I promise I will be better..just give me a chance to prove myself..please..just one more chance.” Heather pleaded and before anyone could say anything else, our food arrived, making the table grow quiet.
We watched as the plates were set down, and after the waiter left..I saw Ben open his mouth to speak.
“I’m afraid that your one more chance could cause my family harm..so I will have to say no.” Ben said, making Heather gasp in shock before hanging her head in defeat.
“Johnnie? Do you feel the same?” Heather asked sadly, making my wife bite her lip as her eyes filled with tears.
“I’m sorry but I have to agree with Ben. I need to think of my family first. Caspian and Everett are the most important thing to me..and I won’t do anything to put them in danger.”
Damn fucking right. That’s my girl..God I love this woman..and now I’m ready to get the hell out of here and as far away from Heather as possible.
***Trigger Warning For Situations of Potential Self-Harm***
(Heather)
I looked across the table, watching as my once happy family stood up to leave. How did it all come to this?
“What if I prove myself? If I show you I have changed!” I rushed out, reaching for Johnnie’s hand as Capsian quickly intercepted.
“You’ve already gotten your answer, Heather, if I were you..I would try to keep what little dignity you have left.” Caspain snapped, making my jaw clench as I wished I could slap that boy across the face right now.
That man has done something to my daughter..ever since the summer we spent in Florida, he has changed her. Johnnie never went against me before that. But with Caspian in the picture, there is no way I can get through to her.
He was the whole reason this all started..if he hadn’t told people about the affair..if he hadn’t brainwashed my daughter and convinced her I was this evil villain, then everything would have been perfect.
“Johnnie, if you ever want to reach out or just talk..I am here..I promise I will make this up to you one day, to both you and Ben.” I said, ignoring Caspian completely as I quickly grabbed my bag and turned to leave..even Neal wouldn’t look me in the eyes.
I thought at least he would want to reconnect..maybe even give our relationship a second chance. I mean..it wasn’t me who tried to have him killed.
I stepped outside, my hands trembling as I quickly reached down, grabbing my phone from my purse as I realized I had ten missed calls.
That’s when I saw the private number pop up again, knowing exactly who it was.
“Hello?”
“I only have ten minutes..how did it go?” Dave asked, making me scoff as I headed for my rental.
“How do you think it went, Dave? Caspian wouldn’t even let me speak half the time..” I gritted through my teeth as I knew Dave would be annoyed.
“What about Ben? Was he open to giving you another chance?” Dave asked, making me go quiet.
“No…so can you please leave me alone now? I’m done playing your games Dave..” I snapped, truly despising this man as he continues to torment me..even having him behind bars didn’t help me. Dave was a very charismatic man and was able to sway a guard to give him a cell phone.
He even had a few of his old friends come to “check” on me when I stopped visiting him. But he won’t go anywhere near the kids..not since Alder took control of King Corporations. Considering he works with Viva’s family now..apparently, Dave King does have a little fear in him.
But me..I have no one to protect me..and Dave said if I could keep an eye on the kids, and tell him what’s going on..he would leave me alone. Besides..I wanted my family back..I wanted them to forgive me and to forget this ever even happened.
So much for that.
“I want you here tomorrow Heather. You know the drill..” Dave said lowly, making my eyes widen.
“No, I’m not doing that again!” I rushed out, feeling a shiver tremble through me as memories from our last visits rushed through me.
Dave always made me do things when I was there..disgusting things during our conjugal visit.
It didn’t start out that way..at first it was sweet and emotional when we met up..but then something changed.
I went to meet Dave in the same room I was always taken to but when I walked in, it wasn’t just Dave waiting inside this time.
Dave had asked me to perform a favor for him in exchange for some money he had hidden away.
I was desperate..having to work as a waitress and live with an old friend was degrading from how far I had come..so I was desperate.
It was only oral sex..but still..the act was demeaning and Dave watched the entire time. I learned later on that the man I did it to was a prison guard.
I don’t know why I said yes..but I got the money a couple of hours later and things started to look up. I came back, expecting to do the same and within three months I was able to get my own place.
“Heather..this is the last time I promise..it is very important okay?” Dave said firmly, causing me to scoff.
“That’s what you said last time..do you know that I’m being followed now? I think it’s that same man Dave..” I whispered harshly before glancing around me, feeling paranoid that I was being watched.
The fbi knows Dave has other accounts that they were never able to locate..and they are after me now..I’m sure of it.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.