“You’ve got to be joking,” Evelyn said with a small smile but was met with bone-serious looks from her daughter and her strange man.
When she saw that this was not a joke, she lost it. “Are you crazy? Have you gone mad?! Do not for one moment think you can intimidate me into giving away my company because you will be in for a rude awakening.”
“Read my lips. I am not Ethan. Neither am I any of his godforsaken parents, if you try to mess with me, I will bring you down without a moment’s thought.”
April and Colton shared gazes and burst into a round of mocking laughter together. “You didn’t tell me she was this feisty, darling,” Colton said and kissed the space between her neck and body.
“Oh pay her no mind. She is all bark and no bite.” April said, closing her eyes as she leaned into the kiss. “I have her on leech.”
Evelyn’s eyes reddened and she shook with anger. “Just try me. I beg you. Test me this time and see if I don’t bite you. I am done playing your silly games, child.”
She stood upright as she said, “You have two days to return my husband. Two days and that’s all I give you.” Her tone was stubborn and determined. Although April felt threatened, she covered it with a smile.
“Or what, Evelyn? What could a spineless retard like you possibly do to me?” She scoffed, “Do not forget who is in charge. I could end you right here and right now.”
“You could walk out that door and never come back. Or disappear just like your dear husband. I could finish you up without moving a limb. That is how powerful I have become. Need I remind you of the Lontocs? I could easily become the last standing Rivera if I so pleased. Just like I became the last standing Lontoc.”
“Are you sure you want to be on my bad side, Evelyn? Do you want to die?” April wore a formidable look and her jaws squared with anger. Who was this old hag to confront her? She needed to be taught a lesson.
“You are the devil.” Evelyn spat. “I curse the day I picked you up from the orphanage.” She said, her eyes glassy but her poise rigid. “You are the devil I allowed in my home. You are the worst mistake I ever made. I will spend the rest of my life regretting making you a Rivera.”
April smirked. “I thought that wench of a sister was your worst mistake? Did you forget she killed your husband? I mean, didn’t Mr Rivera die as a result of a heart attack? Don’t tell me you have forgiven that wench for the crimes she committed against you.”
At that moment, Evelyn felt like the most stupid person on earth. How could she have missed it? How could she have let this devil eat into her home? How could she have treated her daughter so cruelly only to be bitten by this snake?
How did she fail so miserably at life?
“Since we are on the topic. I will give you a little confession. What if I told you that your husband didn’t truly die of a heart attack? I mean, you weren’t there when his asthma attack took place.” A smirk, “I was.”
“My husband was never an Asthmatic patient,” Evelyn said, refusing to believe it. “Do not think you can deceive me, devil.”
“Just like you never knew I was an asthmatic patient.” She laughed. “That speaks a lot to your motherly and wifely skills don’t you think?”
Evelyn shook her head. This devil was trying to make her crazy. She would never fall for her schemes. She was smarter than that. Too smart to be taken aback by the endless lies that spewed from the mouth of this wench.
“For some reason, I am so loose-lipped today. Since things have gotten to this point, maybe I need to educate you a bit.” She smiled. “Think about it. What are the chances that your late husband happened to have asthma? And the fact that I also somehow managed to be an asthma patient.”
Colton smirked and so did April. Evelyn refused to believe it.
“You see, before you get married to someone, be sure that such person has lived a righteous life or you get caught up in the web when Karma comes knocking.” April took a seat and crossed her legs. “I will tell you a little story. Just to test your nonexistent comprehensive skills.”
“A man impregnated a woman and denied being responsible for that person’s child. After nine cruel months of shame and being ostracised from society, the woman got into labour but had no money or help to go to the hospital.”
“And yet, the bastard in question was the spoilt son of a millionaire. Heir of his father’s company. Long story short, the pregnant woman ended up giving birth at home, alone with no help whatsoever.”
“She died from loss of blood and the child came into the world without a mother.” April wore a tight-lipped smile as she continued. “The child was raised with scorn by some family relatives who were counting the days until they could send her off to an orphanage, while continually telling her the story of how her mother was used and abandoned until death.”
“So you see, with such a cruel background and the exposure to different societal vices at such a young age, that child decided to be smarter than her mother. That little child decided to do what her mother didn’t achieve and pay the ones who put her in such a condition.”
She chuckled, “That child wanted all the money and power she was tired of being the victim even at such a young age, she burned with a thirst for revenge. A thirst that sponsored her to eventual greatness when the opportunity was presented.”
“Who is that child?” Evelyn shook, her eyes wide as she awaited the answer she knew was coming.
“I knew you were stupid. Dumb even. However, I didn’t think I’d have to spoon-feed you every detail. It adds a whole new layer to your uselessness here on earth.”
Colton kissed the temple of April who continued without a moment’s thought. “Since I have decided you are not useful to me, I will give you your big answer.”
“That child is me.” Evelyn’s heartbeat increased and her jaw dropped open. “Oh don’t look so shocked. That makes you look even dumber. If that is even possible.” She said, sharing a laugh with Colton.
April’s face turned serious as she continued. “So don’t be shocked if I said I watched my piece of shit father die when I could have given him an inhaler. Don’t be shocked that I hate June so much as she stole what belonged to me. Do not be surprised if I send you to the pits of hell and take over everything because it was never yours to begin with!”
“Baby, calm down.” Colton kissed the nape of April’s neck but it did nothing to alleviate the anger and bitterness which coursed through her.
“What right do you have to live if my mother had to die?” She sneered. “What right do this family have to live happily when they gave my mother a tragic ending?! All of you… every one of you deserve worse than what you have experienced.”
“And it is my destiny to see you all experience it to the fullest. Or die trying.”
Evelyn felt her heart freeze with fear. At that moment, she was stung with the paralysing fear for the life of her daughter. June was in danger and she needed to warn her.
“And the Lontocs?” She asked with shaky lips, “What did they do to get the evil meted out to them?”
April smiled, shocked her mother could think of the Lontocs in such a situation. She tsked, “They were all collateral damage. To be powerful, sacrifices must be made. Don’t you agree, love?”
Colton nodded, “Of course, It’s been torture not having you in my arms all these years. Our sacrifices are paying off as we have both companies under our control. You make me proud.”
“Awww, I love you so much sweet,” April said, sharing a small kiss before she turned towards her mother. “Now you are just a barrier.” She snapped her hands and some security guards rushed in.
“Please escort my dear mother to her car.” She said with a smile. “Don’t worry, in the time we spent having our sweet interactions, I decided to send a surprise package. Trust me, you’ll love it.”
Before Evelyn could say a word, she was ushered out of the place by the security officials and led into her car which was driven right to the Rivera mansion. Evelyn reflected on everything she had seen and heard.
When she entered her room, she took out the microphones she’d wired herself with and headed to her bedroom for safekeeping. She was going to put an end to this madness even if it cost her life.
Evelyn stepped out of her bedroom, wondering the best way to meet with June. She rushed down the stairs, nearly falling from contact with some lump at the end of the stairs. One look at the said lump and blood drained from Evelyn’s face.
Her husband was laid on the floor, in a pool of his blood, and lifeless.