When I got there Henry pulled in soon after and I hopped out of my car, ready to find out what happened…it had to be pretty big to keep Neal away from his kids..Johnnie and Ben were his life. Unless he found out Ben wasn’t his..maybe he suspected Johnnie wasn’t either and decided to stay away. If that’s the case I’m going to be pissed..but I suspect not since what he wrote in the note.
We got to his door and I knocked quickly, feeling my stomach flip as the urge to throw up rose more by the second..
When he answered that damn door..I lost it.
“Neal..what the hell!” I yelled and crashed into him..the sight of my old friend bringing me to tears as he held onto me tightly.
“I thought you would find me soon enough Viv..” He laughed, making me cry even harder..losing Neal was a hard time in my life..he was always there for me and the kids..he was such a huge support and friend.
“What the hell happened to you?!” I asked, resulting in him pulling us into the room and telling the entire story.
I guess Dave did hire someone to take him out..he also told me how Dave threatened Johnnie and he found out Ben wasn’t his.
But I could see the sadness in his eyes..the toll all of this has taken on him did not go unnoticed.
“Neal, we can’t let him get away with this..we have a plan..we are going to take Dave King down.”
He was a little apprehensive at first..but once I explained everything he was more than willing to help out..but before we could do that..he had to see his children.
Neal came to the house and got all cleaned up, my eyes unable to look away from him as I watched in awe.
“I can’t believe you are really here.” I whispered in disbelief.
Luckily the kids were out except for Alder..which that reunion made me sob all over again..I never realized how much my kids loved and missed Neal..he really has been the only positive father figure they had in their lives.
“I know, it’s unreal for me too..do you think..well..are they going to hate me for this Viv?” Neal asked, the rawness in his voice revealing those emotions as I shook my head no before walking closer to him.
“You did what you had to..if Dave was willing to go that far..I understand your fear.” I whispered, making him let out a deep breath before nodding now.
That’s when we heard the front door close, making our eyes widen.
“Their home.” I stated, seeing Neal start to freak out a little before I gripped his hand gently.
“Hey..it’s okay..we will do this together alright?”
After that, I went out and sat the kids down, even Ben had just gotten home.
“Okay kids..there is someone here that wants to see you.”
That was all it took for Ben to jump to his feet as Johnnie followed soon after.
The moment Neal walked out into that room…there wasn’t a single dry eye.
“Dad!” Johnnie yelled before rushing into his arms.
Ben was a little hesitant..the fact that Neal wasn’t his biological dad..I knew that made him nervous..but Neal pulled him into the hug without a second thought.
He finally was able to hold his kids..to see them in person and tell them how sorry he was..of course they understood.
And after that…that’s when things started coming together.
Henry spoke with one of his friends who was a police officer and they had Neal come down to the station to give a statement.
Then they got the warrant for Dave’s arrest..all we needed to do was make Dave comfortable enough to not realize his life would be ruined before dessert was even served.
Alder and I got there first..I told him just to do exactly what his father asked and not give any indication that he wasn’t going through with the engagement.
Then my second plan was being set in motion..now..I have lived in this house for years. I decided to let Dave have it because it was his family’s legacy..so Oliver and I had gotten to know each other very well and still talked a few times a week after the divorce.
So when I told him to try and get Heather drunk.. he didn’t even hesitate to question me..he didn’t like Heather one damn bit..and I don’t blame him.
So by the third cocktail, I knew she was done..she was always such a lightweight..and still is.
The next part of the plan was to make Dave comfortable enough that he would actually believe he had won..that his ex-wife was still pining after him and that he was God’s gift to women everywhere..honestly, that was the hardest part of the damn plan..I wanted to gouge my own eyes out on more than one occasion.
Then that annoying blonde girl had to try and mess with my daughter-in-law.
I saw her eyes snap to Johnnie as she grabbed a glass of red wine and walked towards her..not on my watch..no way in hell does she mess with my girl.
I smoothly stepped in front of her, my elbow lifting as I knocked the glass back, pouring it down her dress..that was more satisfying than I would like to admit..I never like that girl.
So everything was going according to plan by the time we went to sit down for dinner..Heather was fuming as her hand swayed before tilting back her sixth cocktail. Dave was clueless..his eyes focused on me as I stroked his ego to disgusting levels as I had Ben keeping Caspian in check and all Alder had to do was sit there.
Caspian was our wild card..considering those twins from hell kept making comments about Johnnie, but he was able to keep it in.
Then our guest finally arrived..and that was the best thing I had ever witnessed in my life.
The looks on Dave and Heather’s faces were priceless..I will never forget the way Heather’s mouth dropped open and how Dave knew it was over.
In fact, Heather was still crying now as Dave got taken away, and the moment he was dragged out of that door, she glanced up and set her sights on Neal.
“Neal, I had no idea…” She whispered, causing Neal’s eyes to harden as he held his daughter closer.
“Heather..I have nothing to say to you.” Neal stated firmly as Heather clambered to her feet and stumbled towards them.
“Jojo, you know I wouldn’t do something like that..you know I would never hurt dad.” She rushed out making Johnnie stand up straighter.
“But you did..you might not have known about what Dave did..but you betrayed Dad long before that… You betrayed all of us..and now that is something you will have to live with.” She said sadly, her voice trembling with emotion.
Neal hugged her to his chest as Caspian placed his hand on her back in a comforting motion.
“You made your choice Heather. Now go follow it..” Ben added, not even bothering to call her mom as be pointed to the door.
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.