Chapter 85 World crumbling
MIDNIGHT PACK: FINLAY’S HOME
Tommy slumped into the couch in the living room staring into space. His head ached badly from the ride back. After dropping Jovy off, he had practically driven round the Mystic Shadows Fortress and back to his home just to play away time. However, he was back at square one with his thoughts the moment he stepped into the house. Excusing himself from going to work would bother Linda but he doesn’t care too much at this point.
His conscience ate at him so deeply and he could almost feel them like an army of worms denting his heart wall. What was he thinking to have listened to Ava and those awful step brothers of Elena? He could have acted better and sent her far away to somewhere she would never have to worry about getting caught. As much as he wasn’t anywhere related to Jovy, she had been his supposed actual daughter for four years before he got to know and he had loved her with all of his heart. Finding out that she wasn’t his child had really broken his heart but it’s still no excuse to act like a monster too.
Running his hand through his balding hair, Tommy tried to think of a way to get himself out of the mess he was in as soon as he can with the hope that his plans will fall through. If he waited for too long, he might become a victim of either Ava or the three brothers.
Amelia watched him battle within himself from afar as his shoulders shook at every move he made. As much as Tommy had acted cruel and unfair towards Jovy, all he has ever been to her was a good father. He had never made her feel uncertain of who her father was. Amelia owed him a whole lot.
Amelia got off the stairs and went to sit in front of him. Tommy had been so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn’t even notice someone else joining him.
“How do you feel about sending her off eventually?” Amelia asked him.
Tommy jolted out of thought immediately. “Amelia.” Tommy sniffed as he threw his head to the back. “I really wish I could turn back the hands of time but it’s beyond my power.”
“If that is the case, why didn’t you send her off to another part of the world where she can start a new life entirely?” Amelia pressed on.
Tommy lifted his head to stare deep into her eyes. “It’s beyond that Amelia. This is beyond what I can explain.”
Tears laced her eyes. “I feel so bad right now. I wish I had been nicer and caring towards her. All that has ever happened to her is one tragedy upon the other.”
Despite being surprised at her sudden concern towards Jovy, Tommy let it slide since he was also bothered as well. “It’s all my fault.” Tommy mumbled. “I should have been lenient towards her. But it’s all done now, I will never get to see my daughter again.” He sobbed.
Amelia’s heart constricted at the sadness that enveloped Tommy. She wished she could call Jovy and ask her to make an escape. “Why did you despise her?” She asked.
Tommy shut up his eyes tightly. “It wasn’t really Jovy I despised but it was her mother. Every time I looked into Jovy’s eyes it’s almost like I can see Elena living through them. It just made me so jumpy and I wanted to be far away from her as possible. I have done so many bad things Amelia. And hurting Elena and her daughter seem like the worst of them all.”
“I guess your reasons seem palpable enough. I hated Jovy for no reason, all that mattered was me getting everything and she getting nothing. Maybe because I was so crazed with the thought of doing everything my mother asks of me. I feel so awful.” Amelia wailed.
Stretching out his hand, he patted her loose hand. “I am proud of you for accepting your mistakes. Don’t become a bitter adult like your mother and I. Peace appears far from us and the worst of it is, we haven’t seen the end of our mistakes yet.”
“I want to leave.” Amelia announced.
Tommy’s eyes rounded like saucers at the news. “Why would you want to do that? Is this about Jovy? Come on, your mom would have a fit over you leaving.”
She shook her head. “It’s not about Jovy. But she made me realize that all of this isn’t worth it or necessary and I should find a different path before my whole life becomes a nightmare.”
He nodded in understanding. “So where do you intend to go?”
Amelia sniffed back the tears. “I don’t know yet, but I would urge you not to find me when I do leave.”
“I have loved you like a daughter Amelia. I can’t tell you not to do what you want. I just want you to know that you can reach me whenever you want. And don’t worry about money, I would send in some essential amount to keep you afloat.”
Finally letting the tears fall, Amelia jumped at him and hugged him tightly. She had been worried he might not hear her out and call for her mother instead but she knew it would be unfair of her to leave without telling him. Judging by how awful her mother had treated her over the news of her affair with Alice’s father, it made her realize that it was all just about what her mother wanted and nothing else. All her mother cares about is becoming wealthy and powerful and she would do anything to get whatever she wants. Also it’s her way of leaving her shameful life behind and running far from manipulative boyfriend. All thanks to Jovy for making her see life differently.
Tommy patted her back in a hurry and sniffed back his tears too as he checked the wall clock. “If you must leave, it would be better to go now. If not your mother would never let you out of her sight. I don’t know why you are taking this decision all of a sudden but I do hope you would be fine and don’t hesitate to reach out to me. If you can’t reach me I will send you Linda’s contact and she would get you across to me.”
Amelia chuckled lightly. “You both are really dating then.”
“Your mother must be aware if you know.”
“Nothing goes past her.”
“And I know what has been happening between you and that terrible boyfriend of yours. And I know it’s part of the reason you intend to leave. I am glad you are taking this life changing decision.”
“Thanks dad.” She mused.
“Anytime daughter.” Tommy replied as he tried hard to fight back the tears.
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Ava returned to the house after having a long hours of celebration sex with Adrian. She couldn’t hide her happiness knowing everything she ever wanted would finally be hers. Jovy was out of the way and she could own part of her asset. And as for Adrian, she finally has him eating out of her palm and soon she would be tagged one of the richest woman in the pack after amassing all the wealth she lays her hands on.
Humming a happy tune to herself, she danced around while holding a bottle of champagne in hand.
She paused in her move when her eyes landed on a sober looking Tommy, stretched out on the couch ravaging a bottle of whiskey.
“Why do you look like someone who is mourning?” Ava inquired.
Tommy chuckled to himself. Ava must have been too carried away to do a proper cleansing of herself. She reeked of sex so bad and his wolf could sniff out Adrian’s smell from her.
“Shameless!” He blurted.
Ava raised a brow. “What did you just say?”
Tommy nodded his head as he sat up. “Just as you heard it, shameless! Oh! Let me rephrase it, you are shameless!”
In annoyance she threw her bag at him. “How dare you say that to me?”
Tommy laughed hysterically. “I must say Jovy leaving the house has opened my eyes so much.”
Ava gritted her teeth. “If this is part of your plan to deprive me of my share of Elena’s assets then you must be joking. Don’t forget I know how you ended her life.” She threatened, getting into a defensive mode.
“Shut the hell up! You know nothing, and even if you do it’s all an intention to keep me in your palm. You are such a terrible friend!”
Ava chuckled dryly, taking a seat with her legs crossed as she dropped everything in her hand on the couch. “You are really one to talk. You know what? I understand you are in a mood and I get it. If you would hold on to this sauciness for a long time it would be nice for you to get me what I own and all that you owe me!”
“I don’t owe you anything Ava neither do I owe those crazy brothers.” Tommy laughed loudly. “If only they know what I could do to them they wouldn’t have messed with me.”
“What did you do?”
Tommy shrugged and he grinned mischievously. “Nothing much, only had them set up and locked up till I decide on what to do with everything.”
For a week since Elena’s step brothers had come onto him with a threat to expose him if he doesn’t do their bids. He had decided to take a huge risk. First, it was making it seem like he also wanted to get rid of Jovy badly and luckily for him Ava already had a way out. While he scooped enough money to last himself and his new family a life time from the company and investing in real estates from different states. He eventually put up the company for sale secretly, however with a negotiation of maintaining Elena’s shares which belongs to Jovy.
Tommy had followed Linda’s advice to leave everything behind and start a proper life away from all of the entangled mess he has gotten himself into. And as for Ava his plan was quite simple on how to deal with her. He felt more relieved, knowing Amelia wouldn’t have to share in her mother’s misery.
“Answer the damn question! Why are you so quiet?” She bellowed at him.
Tommy stood up and slowly he began to pace the room. “How did you get to fail in everything Ava? You failed as a friend, a wife and a mother. How could you be so cruel towards your own daughter and fault her for something that is partially your fault.”
Ava scoffed. “Don’t you dare act like you care about my daughter than I do. She means the world to me and I am doing all of this because of her!” She argued.
“That’s the exact lie you tell yourself every time. Anyways, I am sure she would be out of Midnight pack by now, free from your clutches.”
Ava stared in shock. “What are you talking about?”
“My point is, you wanted to get rid of Jovy so bad but it became an eye opener for your daughter to see how crazed and awful her mother is.”
No longer listening, Ava ran up the stairs to Amelia’s room, searching through the room she could notice some of her things missing and with a short written note.
‘Please mom, don’t bother to find me. I hope you get healed from your trauma.’ The note read.
Ava couldn’t believe her eyes as she raced down the stairs screaming out profanities. She couldn’t believe Amelia would leave without her guidance. Hot tears sting her eyes as she realized she must have been too harsh on the girl when she is no different from her.
Tommy looked unbothered when she returned. “I guess you have affirmed it yourself. It’s such a shame.”
“Where the fuck did my daughter go, Tommy?” She yelled in his face.
“How am suppose to know? I need you to listen well, I don’t have much time to waste. First off, the company you think you have a right to so bad, it has been sold off and if you think you can threaten me with knowing about Elena’s death, you have got something else coming for you.”
Ava grinned evilly. “I know you and Linda are a thing and you intend to elope with her. I do know where you keep your sons and don’t underestimate me when I say I would find you.”
Tommy looked amused. “Oh wow, that’s amazing on your part. Anyways I am really sorry to burst your bubble. You must think you are quite discreet and that I wouldn’t know of your escapades with Adrian. If you love the father of your daughter so much, why didn’t you just marry him instead? Oh, I forgot. He chose her over you.” He mocked.
Ava had a death stare in her eyes. “Watch your mouth! Watch what you say to me Tommy!”
“Sorry honey, I would have left you to live whichever way you chose to if you didn’t try to become a pain in my neck…which is why you would be getting just how much you deserve. I have sent a clip of you having a loud intense sex with Adrian to Maribel and I am sure Adrian must have told you how crazy his wife is. I bet she is on her way here to smother you.”
“You bastard!” She yelled as her eyes darted around in fear.
“I’m so sorry honey, couldn’t help myself. But on a brighter part, I sent you some money that I guess you deserve and should be able to keep your expensive lifestyle for a while and it’s also a means to an escape. If you love yourself sweetheart, you had better run with your credit card this minute. I wish you all the best.”
Taking a deep breath, Tommy held his jacket in hand and walked out of the house leaving Ava lost and confused on what to do.