June sat in the waiting area of South City prison, waiting for Sharon’s arrival. It’s been two days since June met the president, and news of her recovery swept around town. Everyone discussed what her return to society meant for the international brand that JL has become.
Looking from the outside, one would think that everything had fallen into place in her life but June was far from happy. It was her third day of seeking an audience with Sharon who refused to see her.
Just when she was about to call it a day, the door opened and a beaten-down Sharon was escorted into the room by a police officer.
June felt her breath hitch as she stared down at Sharon who looked pissed. “What do you want from me? My life is already ruined! Aren’t you satisfied?”
Sharon spoke with a raised voice and glowering eyes. The officer made to restrain her but June raised her hand. She could handle it.
“Sharon…”
“Don’t you dare… Don’t mention my name. I don’t want to have anything to do with you or your bizarre family.”
“I’m sorry,” June said with sober eyes. “I’m sorry for everything. I never wanted this to happen-”
“But it did.” Sharon cut her off. “I am locked in here for the next fourteen years and there is nothing you can do about it.”
“Your silly plan flunked.” Sharon spat. “You know, I would have been happy, sitting here in prison and paying for the crimes of my sister without hope of ever leaving here.”
“At least, that way, one of us would have a happy ending.” She seethed. “You made me do your dirty job and left me to hang out dry.”
“It’s not what you think-”
“Let me finish!” Sharon slapped the desk. “Not one trial, not one defence. You never showed up.”
“I was-”
“Lying in a coma?” She scoffed, and June’s brows narrowed. “Was that supposed to excuse everything you and your family have caused me?”
“I don’t get it.” Sharon shook her head. “Why do you get to survive? Why do you get to survive while my sister dies?!”
“You know…” June couldn’t believe it. Lucy didn’t mention telling Sharon of her sister’s demise. How did she know?
“Don’t look so shocked.” Sharon looked hysterical. “I made valuable connections in prison and found out the truth.”
“I knew something wasn’t right when your assistant stopped showing up.” Sharon got up from her seat. “Unless you have a genius plan to get me out of here, I suggest you stop coming to see me.”
Before June could utter a word, Sharon left the place, leaving her stunned. June sat there for a while, processing her thoughts before leaving.
June texted Lucy to cancel the rest of her meetings, took a diversion and headed for the hospital. Soon enough, she sat in front of Rafael who was fixed to the ventilator.
“I don’t know what to do,” She muttered after what felt like a long while. “I promised to get her out of there. I made a promise to her and failed.”
“I failed her, Rafe.” She cried. “I failed…”
June bowed her head on the hospital bed and wept her heart out. While she cried, Rafael’s finger moved and returned to its original state.
June remained in the hospital until late in the evening. She felt weak and tired of everything. Seeing Sharon did something to her.
Something she couldn’t place her fingers upon. When June returned to the house, Luis stood outside. Her heart warmed when he rushed towards her in a strong embrace.
“Auntie!” He said enthusiastically. “I’ve been waiting for you all this while! Come! come!” Luis dragged her into the house and straight to the dining room.
“Easy baby. What’s going on? Is there a party?” She joked, trying to match the young one’s enthusiasm.
“I prepared dinner!” Luis said, gesturing to the array of food. June’s jaws hit the floor.
“You didn’t…” June couldn’t believe it. Luis wasn’t allowed to enter the kitchen, at least not with her mother’s presence.
“It’s my birth mommy’s birthday,” Luis announced shyly, pushing his hair behind his ears. “I wanted to celebrate with you.”
June couldn’t help the tears that pooled her eyes. “I ordered all the things I thought you’d like.” He said shyly.
“It’s perfect baby,” June smiled through the tears. “Mommy would be so proud of you.”
“Are you proud of me?”
“Of course baby. I am so proud of you.” June assured and kissed his forehead.
Luis smiled. “Then would you be my mommy?” He asked, looking distraught when she stiffened. “I know that Daddy is still unwell and research says he might not survive, but would you still stay with me?”
“My baby…” She held him tight in an embrace. “It’ll be my pleasure to be your mommy.” She said amid tears.
“Don’t say such things, Daddy will come back, I promise, just as I came back, Daddy will come home soon.”
Luis hardly believed what she said but nodded nonetheless, he hated to see his auntie cry and would do anything to make her happy.
Dinner went on smoothly and June tucked Luis to bed afterwards. Meanwhile, in North City, Lydia prepared a meal for her husband.
“What is the occasion?” Andre said as soon as he saw the dinner table set in his room balcony.
“Did you forget?” Lydia said with a smile, pouring out a champagne glass. “It’s our wedding anniversary.”
Andre’s eyes narrowed. “Since when did you start caring about our marriage?”
Lydia handed him a glass. “We can always have a fresh start.”
Andre collected the glass with a sceptical look. “How much?” He asked, gulping back the glass. “How much money do you need?”
Lydia blinked confusedly. “It’s our anniversary. We should celebrate.”
A dark smirk laced Andre’s lips and he stalked Lydia to the balcony railing.
“W-what are you doing?” She stuttered, stalling back until there was nowhere to go.
“Celebrating.” He grabbed her jaws and held her tight. “It’s our marriage anniversary, isn’t it?”
Lydia shook her head. “I made dinner. Let’s eat first.”
“Why? I am more interested in having you out here in the open than whatever poison you have in there.” He growled, holding her tightly.
Lydia froze at her husband’s words. She chuckled nervously. “We can always hit the sheets later. For now-”
Andre shut her up with a hard slap to the face. “Too much talking,” he tsked and went on to rip her dress.
“You knew what was coming didn’t you?” He growled into her ears as he roughly discarded her clothes. “You wanted me to fuck you, didn’t you?”
“Andre…” Lydia gritted, “It’s cold…”
Within seconds, Andre stripped her down to the underpants. He held her down to the floor and tried to loosen his belt.
Lydia, who laced her husband’s drink with a substance couldn’t handle it. Pinned to the cold floor in her undergarments while he tried to take her yet again was the height of it.
“Darn it!” Andre was unprepared for the pain that struck him when Lydia raised her thigh and hit him in the balls. “You will pay for that, bitch!” He roared in pain.
Lydia got up, and the harsh wind of the cold night air hit her and goosebumps covered her skin.
“No, I won’t.” She snarled. “This ends now.”
Before her husband could say a word, she rushed to the dinner table, picked up a knife and attacked him.
Andre dodged her attack, forcing her to the floor while they fought tirelessly until the knife was kicked out of her hands.
“B! tch,” he roared and went for her neck.
Lydia felt her air supply cut off and struggled to get out of his deathly grip, all to no avail. Just when she gave up the fight, and resolved to accept her fate, the door burst open and Andre was distracted.
April stepped into the scene dressed in her male outfit. “You!” Andre was seconds from asking her out before a knife stabbed into his back.
Lydia stabbed him so hard that the blade hit his heart and killed him right on the spot. April stepped closer with narrowed eyes.
Only when she confirmed the death of Andre did April speak. “You did it…” She muttered. “You killed him!”
Lydia’s hands shook as she stared into the cold eyes of her now-dead husband. She felt a weight lift from her heart. One that was quickly replaced by dread.
“What do we do? It wasn’t supposed to be like this. How do I clean this up?” Lydia was distraught but April didn’t care.
This was her opportunity and hell would freeze if she didn’t take it.
“What have you done?!” She screamed, and Lydia shushed her. Unknown to Lydia, it was an ambush, April sold her to Leo in exchange for a position.
She met him one of the days and informed him of Lydia’s plan to kill her husband and take over the family while walking him through what he stood to gain as the second in command if Andre was left to die without an heir.
They came to an understanding. Leo takes over the family with her as his right hand.
“You can’t -”
The room door flung open and armed men rushed inside, led by Cordel’s second in command, Leo.
“You b! tch!” He seethed as soon as he saw Andre lying on the floor. “I never believed you would be this stupid. You will pay for this!”