JESSICA
I am at a loss of what to do next. I am finally free. I don’t have to look over my shoulder anymore waiting for Sydney to show up and try to drag me back to his den.
The police wrapped up everything very quickly. We were able to leave after William and Luke were both checked out by the EMT’s. Then they took me back to the Wright’s house like it was just supposed to happen. I guess I didn’t really have anywhere else to go, but it still seemed a bit weird. They helped me and I didn’t trust them enough to have a plan. Plus there is nothing left that ties me to these people. They have helped me and now I need to move on.
Dex comes to the house a few days after the arrest and I am still trying to figure out my next steps. He smiles as we take a seat in the sitting room. “Well, I wanted to give you an update. The men that were working for Sydney were contracted to save his wife from a dangerous situation. It has been researched and confirmed that they were under the impression that you were the one kidnapped. At least that is what it says on paper. Sydney could have personally told them something different. They are mercenaries, so they don’t exactly play within the law all the time. They will have to pay some time for their crimes. But that isn’t the big issue. Sydney’s right hand guy is due to spend a great deal of time in prison. He was aware that what he was doing was illegal and he participated completely. He had a hand in everything that Sydney did. He will be lucky if he ever gets out of prison. We managed to collect a great deal of evidence that Sydney wasn’t playing on legal terms.”
I nod. I had hoped that they found enough information to keep them both behind bars for a long time, I just wasn’t sure if that was actually going to happen. I was hoping for at least a head start.
I wait for Dex to continue but he seems hesitant to continue. “What about Sydney?”
His face looks grim. “William wanted to be the one to tell you this, but I thought it would be more professional if it was coming from me. Sydney took his own life in his cell yesterday. There was a note addressed to you. I didn’t think you would want to read it but I am required to let you know about it. I have a copy of it here with me in case you did want to read it.”
I shake my head. I am trying to wrap my head around this whole thing. Sydney never seemed to be the type to do something like this. He was always in control. Never letting anyone put him down. Never letting anyone else make the rules. Maybe this was another way for him to take control.
“You can just give me the jist. I am sure I don’t need to know the whole thing.”
Dex nods. “Well, he wrote about how much he loved you and he just wanted you in his life. He couldn’t live without you. Since he was going to be behind bars and unable to see you, he didn’t want to live anymore.”
“I really don’t know how he can consider anything he did to me love.”
Dex shrugs. “Everyone is different. Not saying it’s right but sometimes people don’t use their brains so much when they think they are in love. Anyway, that isn’t all that I needed to tell you. While filing for his death certificate we looked for a next of kin to notify. Apparently he had no family. But you are his legal wife.”
I looked at him in shock, my mouth gaped open. “But we never got married.”
“I’m sure he forged paperwork somewhere, but as far as the law is concerned you are his only living relative. We contacted his lawyer and he stated that Sydney’s entire estate was left to you. You are going to need to settle his affairs. I hate to do this to you, but we have our hands tied as well. You of course can refuse, but it will make things more complicated. However, it is up to you.”
It is taking a minute for my mind to catch up with the information just thrown at it. I am responsible for everything that Sydney has. There were houses and staff. Some of which were good people, they didn’t have too much of a choice on who their boss was. Businesses that could crumble if there isn’t anyone in charge. I can’t just walk away from all of those people who are going to need answers. Sure the government could take over the companies, but is that the best for the people who work there?
“I will take care of it. Sydney was responsible for a lot of people and I can’t let those people suffer because of Sydney. I’m assuming that I will need to plan his funeral as well.”
“You could just bury him and call it a day. It’s not like the man deserved any respect.”
I chuckle a little. “Yeah, I hear you. However there was a time that I did love Sydney. Before he became crazy. I wouldn’t have moved in with him in the first place if I didn’t. Sure it felt rushed, but it’s in the past now. Some part of me can’t let him not have some sort of service for the people who knew Sydney before he was crazy.”
“Well, the choice is yours. I’m just the one that delivers the messages. I hope that everything works out for you from here on out Jessica. I’m sure you’ll be missed around here.”
I just nod with a sad smile. I forgot that in order to take care of everything I am going to need to return there to make sure that everything is taken care of. At least I know what my next step from here will be. I don’t know about after, but I have that planned. It’s not like I really had a future here. I wanted one, but I just couldn’t see one. I could probably get a job and find a new apartment. But there was no way I could continue to live with the Wrights until that was all figured out. Now I have a plan.
Dex lets me know who the lawyer is that I need to contact before he leaves. Now that I am left alone with my thoughts I don’t like them. I don’t want to leave. I could still leave this stuff to someone else to deal with, but what will my next step actually be? I don’t even notice Luke coming in and sitting next to me because I am so lost in thought.
Luke takes my hand. “I’m guessing Dex came to talk to you.”
“Yeah, I’m just not sure what I am going to do.”
“What do you want to do?”
“I have a lot of things that I want to do. But what I should do is what I am going to need to do.”
He looks at me confused. “What do you mean?”
“I have to take care of the people that were dependent on Sydney and his paychecks that they were receiving. He had legitimate businesses that had people working there that depend on those paychecks. I can’t just let that go to someone that will just let everyone go and close down the business.”
He looks a little sad. “So, you are leaving?”
“Yeah, I think it would be best. I don’t have an apartment here anymore. I don’t have a job. But I can do something about these people. I can help these people to their next steps. Sure I am not thrilled about dealing with Sydney’s last wishes and things of that nature, but I can do right by those people.”
“So, you don’t plan on coming back?”
I look up in those eyes. I have fallen for Luke. Through this whole thing he has been my rock. He has been there for me. But is it just that he was my savior? I don’t even know if he feels the same way about me.
“I don’t know. Maybe.”
He looks away from me. “I hope for what makes you happy. No matter what happens next, make sure that you are happy.”
I squeeze his hand. “I will be.”
Through this all, I know that I will be doing what makes me happy from now on. After spending so much time going through hell, I want nothing more than to just live happily. To not have to stress about Sydney coming after me and making me his prisoner again. I can live my life the way that I want to. I just have to take care of this business and then the rest of my life is mine.