HARDY-
Joanne’s words struck me like one of those massive Fourth of July launches.
I immediately turned to face her, and her sad eyes slapped something inside me.
I should never empathize with this woman.
I should not.
I would never.
“Is this a new thing? Spitting out crazy random things?” My voice was low but sounded harsh, just like I wanted it to.
Joanne scoffed.
“It’s not crazy, and you know it.”
It was at that instant that I realized she was aware. She was fully aware of everything.
I wasn’t sure where she got the information, but someone had informed her about Lisa and her death.
The night she passed away after returning home from the party the women had organized to honor her pregnancy,.
And it’s possible that she believes everything that occurred with Lisa could happen to her as well.
I would never let history repeat itself.
“I don’t know what you heard, but do not believe anything, these women-
“Bailey’s back.” She interrupted me.
The situation left me utterly stunned.
Truly, I couldn’t even conceal it. She noticed the movement of my jaw and let out a sigh.
How did she come to know about all this?
“Who told you?” I asked.
“It doesn’t matter who I heard from or who told me. The only thing that matters is that I know now, and I want to know whatever is going to happen to me now.” Her voice was surprisingly calm.
And if there was one thing I hated the most, it was being questioned.
It always made me feel like I was unsure of what I was doing.
“You do not need to know. Nothing about any of this should concern you. All you need to do is follow whatever I present to you,” I snarled.
“But this involves my life,” she pinned.
“Which is now in my hands, like I’ve been saying you belong to m-
“But Bailey’s back,” she interrupted almost quietly, her voice trembling a bit at the end.
“And?” I questioned.
“What if I…
She stopped talking.
“What if you what?” I snapped, getting pissed.
I knew what she wanted to say; I wasn’t dumb.
I knew she was scared. I’m scared of it all.
She sighed and looked away.
“I know it all, Hardy,” she mumbled.
“Or so you think?” I scorned.
She moved her thick, long hair behind her head before choosing to speak.
“I know I am nothing but a little experiment for you. I’m like your wooden doll with ropes to lead you towards these ladies and what really happened with Lisa. And we both know this is not my story to write. It’s Bailey’s.
Hearing it all, I know you’re just doing it out of spite. You forcefully got me pregnant when you didn’t even want the baby. If you had gotten me to lie about being pregnant, that would be fine. But you were just being spiteful and got me intimidated. I owe you nothing! And I don’t know who the hell killed your ex-wife, and I know that’s what you’re asking yourself too. But look at me walking into the lion’s den with a baby in my stomach. The women announced they were throwing a party for me. “And what if I die too?”
Her voice faded at the end. She sounded really scared.
But what the hell do I care?
My body was already boiling to the brim.
I immediately started to make myself clear.
“First and foremost, Leave Lisa’s name out of your damn mouth.”
How dare she?
She was nothing. How dare she question my motive?
I scoffed, “What if you die? Didn’t you once try to take your own life? This will probably make everything easier.”
Joanne’s face was drained of color, and a look of horror settled upon her features.
I regretted my words immediately, especially since she was clearly frightened.
But how dare she speak about Lisa as if Lisa meant nothing to me and as if it were her decision for Lisa to leave?
Without Lisa. I am fucked.
Lisa was my existence.
Lisa made me shine.
And someone like Joanne had no right to mention her name or even attempt to compare their situations.
If anything, Joanne should be thankful to me. I received a comprehensive overview of Joanne’s background and her experience working multiple jobs to make ends meet. I witnessed everything, including a fantastic image of the run-down apartment where she lived.
She should be grateful for the luxury I provided. Not challenge my leadership and attempt to undermine my skills.
“You’re not to say anything; just do what I ask you to do! Got it?”
I stormed out of her room, not caring what she looked like.
Or how sympathetically she tried to plead with her eyes.
I stormed into the ‘Know room’ and called for Theodore.
I purchased this house as a retreat for Lisa and myself. Back when I was still under my father’s oversight. Lisa and I would retreat to the mansion I had acquired to escape from the world and my father’s incessant nagging. This space was known as the “know room” because it was where Lisa discovered she was expecting a baby.
It was a memorable day that I have mixed feelings about. I despised everything about this establishment now.
Lisa passed away here-not in this room but in this mansion.
I was only enduring my stay because my strategy would fail if I showed any vulnerability.
I was eager to bring down the person responsible for fabricating Lisa’s suicide.
Theodore walked into the room, and his eyebrows questioned my mood.
I ignored his curiosity.
“Call Brandon. I want the heaviest wine he can offer.”
“Hardy. You know you shouldn’t drink it.
“Don’t fuckin piss me off and call Brandon. You know what? Scratch that. I want all the heaviest liquor he can offer,” I added.
“You’ll ruin yourself. You can’t start with this again,” Theodore warned.
He’s intentionally trying to fuck me off.
“I’ll call him myself; you can piss off.” I turned my back to Theodore to make my quick call.
I’ll ruin myself. It got ruined the day Lisa died and the day I found that letter.
What was there to keep?.
I wanted something heavy to blank me out and completely knock me off my feet. Fix my mind elsewhere, somewhere other than the party announced for Joanne and Joanne being a shitty brat about it and letting Lisa’s name roll out of her ungrateful mouth.
I wanted to forget it all for tonight to be able to live properly tomorrow.
Theodore wouldn’t understand. He hadn’t loved someone the way I did. I would almost think he was into men if he hadn’t picked up a little interest in Joanne and fucked her behind my back.
I hated that he did so; I didn’t care, and I shouldn’t care. But for some stupid reason, I didn’t want him fucking Joanne.
But what Theodore had with Joanne was lust, not love. If he lost her now, he wouldn’t be going crazy like I was now if her name was slightly mentioned.
He had been my best friend since I was a boy, being forced to learn what teenagers would learn when I was just four. I knew Theo understood me when no one else did. But with all these, with Lisa. He didn’t.
And I felt more than alone.
I knew he cared about me enough to stop me from drinking.
He should be glad it was just alcohol and not something Lisa would have to yell from wherever she was.
–
After four hours, I was overwhelmed by the numerous drinks I had consumed.
After a night of heavy drinking, I found myself staring at the empty bottles in front of me, feeling completely captured by my own foolishness.
I’d never underestimate alcohol. It always did the job.
I was still thinking about Lisa, but instead of being angry, I felt more eager and frantic.
I wanted her.
But I felt like I was unable to reach her just now since I hadn’t located her killer yet.
But a wild feeling of assurance was sitting in the warmth of my heart; something beyond my ego was casually high, and I knew it was my determination.
If I should find her who sent me who did that to Lisa, Then I could want her whenever.
Suddenly, I stood up and stumbled towards the room’s door, moving away from the table with the empty alcohol bottles.
As I staggered away, my wobbly legs collided with the table, causing a few bottles to topple over.
I disregarded it and proceeded down the hallway.
My vision was blurry, so I simply followed wherever my feet led me.
I noticed maids moving around, each focused on their tasks. However, upon catching sight of me, they would quickly scurry off or bow so deeply that their faces were almost hidden.
Great.
I wouldn’t want to see their faces. Or anyone else’s.
There was only one individual whose face I longed to see. I felt the intense energy coursing through me and the lingering flavor of alcohol on my lips and breath.
I entered Joanne’s room and found her peacefully asleep, looking like a child tucked in under her covers.
So innocent
Innocent, my ass!
She fucked Theo! And she was making her way toward Kaleb Whyte!
She immediately opened her eyes, probably thanks to the stupid, heavy sound my boots were making.
I stopped to turn them off.
“What are you doing?” Joanne asked, frightened.
I didn’t say a thing and just followed the path my leg took me.
And it took me towards her bed.
–