Chapter 74 Astrid #2
“I didn’t say that. I just need time. I’m working through my issues with Ginger, and we can talk about it in counseling too.” I place my hand over my heart. “I want to love her, Callan. I want to be there for her. I want us to be a family, but my head keeps getting in the way.”
He cups my face. “I love you for wanting to try, and I’m hopeful she will win you over, but what if she doesn’t?”
My heart plummets to my stomach. “I don’t think we should think like that.”
“I can’t lose you again, Astrid, but I also can’t choose between you and my daughter.”
“I would never ask that of you. Never.” I place my hand over his on my face.
“I don’t want you to ever feel like that, which is why we should tread carefully around Darcy.
I want my love for her to develop purely and completely.
I want to cherish her for the person she is.
Because she’s an extension of you and your love.
Not because Gwen wins if I can’t accept her. ”
“I hate that bitch is still finding ways to come between us.”
I lower our hands to my lap. “It won’t be forever. We’ll find a way to make it work.” I hope I haven’t just lied to him, but I want to accept Darcy, and I’m going to do everything I can to move past my issues and be the mother she so desperately needs.
“I know it’s not easy for you, Astrid.” He rests his brow against mine. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but I love you so much for trying. And for being kind to her, even when I see how much looking at her is hurting you.”
“She’s an innocent in all this.” I repeat what we’ve said previously as my cell vibrates in my jeans pocket, and Callan pulls his head back from mine.
“Darcy has suffered enough for the sins of her mother.” I remove my cell and swipe my finger across the screen.
“It’s Paige. Maybe she has an update for us. ”
Paige came to visit at my request the weekend after Callan told me everything.
He was at the cottage with me when we told Paige the truth about Tonya’s death, apologizing for keeping it from her when she tore him a new asshole for concealing it.
She was understandably hurt and angry with him initially, but it didn’t take her long to forgive him.
We all hurt because of Gwen, and Paige quickly channeled her anger in her direction.
We spent days discussing it and potential options. Ever since, Paige has been on a mission to find a way we can take that bitch to court and lock her away for life.
“Hey. I’m outside with Callan, and you’re on speaker.”
“Surprised you lovebirds could tear yourselves away from the bedroom.” I had messaged her last night to tell her we were back together.
“If I’d had my way, we wouldn’t.” Callan winds his arm around my back, and I snuggle into his side.
“I’m happy for you. No couple has ever been more perfect for one another than you two.”
“Thanks, Paige.”
“I won’t keep you long. I just wanted to tell you I’ve found a lawyer in the UK who has experience in cross-country cases like ours, and he seems open to working with us.”
Callan and I trade hopeful looks.
Our best approach is for Callan to press rape charges in London.
The video evidence is damning, and there’s no way Gwen won’t be convicted.
Paige explained that rape victims have lifelong anonymity in the UK.
No person or media outlet can report the identities of rape victims unless they waive their right to anonymity.
As an extra precaution, Paige thinks we have enough to request a private trial, which is not the norm, as most trials are public.
Worst-case scenario, a screen can be requested to block Callan from sight at the trial, and we can ask the judge to clear the gallery while the video evidence is being played.
After we get a conviction in the UK, we should have enough to convince local law enforcement in Vermont to at least relook at Mara’s and Tonya’s cases.
There is a risk that Gwen has someone on the outside who will release the evidence against me for Tonya’s murder, but Paige has contacts in the FBI, and she’s confident the other evidence we have proves Gwen’s hatred of me—enough to make the setup believable.
I also have grounds to press charges against Gwen for hacking, harassment, and stalking, and Paige thinks everything combined is enough to stop a murder charge being brought against me.
Callan is hesitant. He doesn’t want me to do anything that might jeopardize my freedom, but I want to do this.
I need to do it. To reclaim my identity and safety so I’m not looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life.
Gwen did her best to ruin my life, but I’m fighting back.
For me, and for Callan. He fought for me, and now it’s my turn to fight for him.
I still feel huge guilt. For enabling Gwen to trap him.
For giving up when I knew deep down he would never have cheated on me with her.
I walked away. Cut him out of my life and never looked back.
We both made mistakes that cost us years, and I won’t make the same mistakes again.
Gwen needs to pay for her crimes, and if that means I have to take a risk, so be it.
Anyway, we’re a long way away from there, so we can have that argument later.
“That’s great, Paige.”
“It’s a step in the right direction, but I’ll caution you both again, this is going to take time. We’re talking about multi-jurisdictional laws, extradition, and a ton of other complications.”
“We’ve got time, and we need to do this right. We’ll only get one shot at it,” I say.
“I also have an update on the other thing we discussed, but I’ll tell you that in person.”
Paige is looking to find someone who can get to Gwen in jail. An inmate who needs a favor or owes a favor. Someone she can do a deal with in exchange for her getting a confession from Gwen on the murders. If this plan works, we can accelerate the US charges.
“You’ve been busy,” Callan says.
“I want justice for my soulmate. That’s all the incentive needed to work around the clock to bring that murdering bitch down. I’m only sorry capital punishment is outlawed in Vermont, and we can’t bring federal charges because I want that cunt dead, but I’ll settle for life in prison instead.”