Chapter Forty-four
M y palms are sweating, and it feels as if my heart is about to beat right out of my chest. I haven’t been this terrified ever. I got up this morning feeling confident about what I’m going to do today, but as the hours have ticked down, my nerves have only gotten worse.
I’d stared at myself for a long time this morning after I’d woken up in a new bed, in a new house with a new life. For all of a second, I thought I could just forget about it. I could pretend I knew nothing and go on the rest of my life without ever stepping foot back in that town or seeing my family. But a second was enough for guilt and regret to twist me up. And heartache.
I couldn’t leave it how it is knowing what I know. What kind of person would it make me if I let that monster continue to control all those lives and get away with the horrendous crimes he’s already committed? How could I live with myself knowing River, the man who broke my heart and shattered me into a million pieces, is one of the people my family has ruined?
I don’t blame him anymore for what he did, no matter how much it hurt, but I wouldn’t forgive him for it. I have to be stronger for myself and look after myself now, even if I am still in love with the man who kicked me when I was down.
My whole life is in shambles, everything is rubble and the only person who can put it all back together again is me.
I stop in front of the mirror for the final time, running my fingers through my hair even though not a single strand is out of place. I had none of my things with me, no makeup or clothes and had to go out late last night to try find a store that was open for me to grab a few things, but I couldn’t get much.
My eye has bruised since yesterday, the shadow blooming around my eye socket and across my cheekbone but where the cut is, stings the most. There’s an ache there that doesn’t go away, even when I take pain meds. No point in hiding it anyway, not when it’s more proof of how hideous my family is.
I push away my trepidation, there is no room for it now and walk to my car. The drive back to town is quiet, easy and I pull into a parking lot behind the town square, gathering my laptop and the folders I have in the front seat.
My parents are already on the podium, appearing like nothing is amiss while pretty much the entire town stands ahead of them, split down the middle. It’s sickening to see the divide that my family created.
It fuels the fire inside my veins to right their wrongs.
They haven’t spotted me, so I make sure they don’t and disguise myself in the crowd as they get ready to make their announcements.
“If everyone would be seated,” My father steps up to the mic, a pleasant, comforting smile on his face. How did I let that fool me for so long?
The crowd moves around me, finding the fold out chairs or taking a seat on the ground as they wait for him to continue. My mother stands at the back behind him on the left, my brother on the right. I’d be beside my mother right now; in a disgustingly pretty dress she picked out with heels pinching my toes.
I know there is going to be a limited window of opportunity and a glance at my watch shows it to be almost time.
“Thank you all for joining us today, I understand this was such short notice and we don’t do this very often, but for a long time this has been a concern for the entire community, and I wanted to be able to address it in person so you all know I am striving to create the best version of this town for the generations to come.”
My teeth grind at the lies.
“For a long while, the beloved south side of West Rock has fallen into a state of disrepair, with funds unable to cover the damage. Many of the buildings have been condemned or lost in the fires that devastated the community all those months ago.”
There’s a murmuring through the crowd, mostly in agreement but that’s just because the wealthy are the loudest. I glance to where the true victims are sitting, their faces a mix of sadness and anger, all directed toward my father.
“I am happy to announce we now have the funding to create a better and brighter town for us all.”
Behind him, a town map flashes onto the large screen, showing the plans for the south side. Nothing about them is good for us, it’s all money making, malls and condos out priced for the families here, a luxury golf course, a dining district.
“Where are we supposed to live?” My head snaps to the sound of the voice, finding River with his arms crossed as he faces my father, a challenge in his stance.
“There will be many residential areas,” My father smiles at him, “As you can see, these districts will be two to three-bedroom houses, there will be apartment buildings and new cul-de-sacs.”
“You expect us to leave our homes now?” Someone else asks.
“Temporarily, while new homes are built.”
“That’ll just be given to us?” River scoffs, “Seems a bit far-fetched, don’t you think?”
“Son,” My father sighs, “I understand your concern but please allow me to finish.”
“Finish what?” River snaps, “How you plan on fucking us all over?”
My father glares toward him, his mask slipping for a minute but before he can speak, River is talking again.
“I have a question for you, Mayor Winchester, where’s your daughter?”
Almost like clockwork, everyone starts to search the stage for me, whispers of confusion working through the crowd. It’s my time I guess, someone is going to spot me since they’re now all looking, although I don’t know why River cares enough to ask about me. He made it clear about his feelings.
I guess it’s another game, as much as it hurts to think so.
But I’ll think about that later.
Standing, I make my presence known, “I’m right here.”
Someone gasps at my side, likely at the bruising on my face. I don’t dare look anywhere but forward; I don’t want to see River looking at me. I couldn’t handle it.
There’s a shake in my limbs as I make my way to the front, keeping a close eye on my parents who look toward me in shock and a little worry.
“Marly bug,” My father says lightly, “We thought we told you to stay home and rest after that nasty fall.” He says loud enough for everyone to hear.
“I couldn’t miss this,” I tell him with a straight face as I take the steps onto the stage. “And we all know I didn’t fall.”
I can’t help it, my eyes flick to River and I almost gasp at the thunderous expression on his face. He looks about ready to rip everyone to shreds.
“Marly dear,” Nancy, one of my grandmother’s church friends asks, “What happened to your face?”
“Oh this?” I point to the bruising on my cheek and eye, “Why don’t you ask my mother?”
“Marly,” My mother hisses, eyes wide.
My father suddenly grabs me, “Come on, Marly, let’s get you home.”
“Get off me!” I scream.
“Marly!” He yells, his fingers digging in so tight I have no doubt they’re going to leave even more bruises.
“Get your fucking hands off her!” River roars, moving and shoving through the crowd in front of him. “Lay another finger on her and I will rip them off myself.”
“If this is for that boy ,” My father spits, too quietly for anyone else to hear, “I’ll make sure you never see him again. I expect your silence, Marly before I have to do something we are all going to regret.”
“Thank you,” I whisper to him.
“What?” He snaps his head back, confused.
“If I had any doubt about what’s about to happen, you just eased it, so thank you, father. I hope you get everything you deserve.”
I snatch out of his grip just as the recording begins to play across the screen. The videos switch through the several recordings of Liam setting the fires across town, including the one that killed River’s brother. It then cuts to the recording of my father showing up at River’s garage though their conversation is muted, and then it shows all the money my father paid to cover it up.
“Turn it off!” My father yells.
Getting access to the programming for the screen hadn’t been easy but a long call to my father’s IT guy had made it happen. I’d lied and made-up stories which he’d believed.
“Here,” I hand a folder to Nancy, “Take a look at what they have done to you. What they are trying to hide. My father and my brother are murderers. They don’t care about any of you, just the power you can give them.”
“You little fucking bitch!” My brother roars.
I turn in time to see him coming for me, my eyes widening when I realize he has every intention of inflicting serious harm. There’s a gun in his hand and a murderous look in his eyes.
I’m suddenly grabbed and shoved behind a body and the next thing I see is my brother on the ground, his nose gushing blood and River standing over him.
The next few minutes are a blur, chaos erupts all around me, the videos continuing on repeat as people begin to shout and scream. I swing my eyes to my father who is being man handled by a couple of cops and shoved to the ground, my brother is rolling on the floor while more officers point guns at him and scream at him not to move while my mother watches, her mouth stretched open as she wails like a banshee.
Carnage.
I hadn’t realized I was clinging to River until I feel the brush of his hand against mine. My eyes snap to his to find he’s already looking at me, his face soft, eyes full of regret. The knife twists harder into my heart.
“You can let me go now,” I whisper.
“I really don’t want to, princess.” He breathes.
I calm my racing heart and tilt up my chin. Today has been a lot, too much really, hell the last few days have been too much and I’m not ready for this.
“I would like you to let me go now,” I swallow, feeling the sting of tears.
“Princess,” He pleads.
I shake my head, “Don’t call me that, River.”
“Baby, please,” He doesn’t grip me harder as I begin to pull away from him, “Please let me explain.”
“There’s nothing to explain, River,” I sigh, wrapping my arms around myself to fight off the chill that’s come over me despite the heat from the blazing sun, “I know everything, I know my brother killed yours, I know you have those scars because of it and that my family has tormented yours. I understand.”
“No, you don’t, Marly.”
“I do,” I wet my lips, “But I’m sorry, I can’t forgive you, even if I know why you did what you did. I am not my family, and I never have been, but you made me feel dirty, River. You left me alone when you were the only one I ever needed and I can’t keep being let down by the people who pretend to care about me when I’ve never pretended with anyone, especially you. I gave you everything, including my heart but you still crushed me and walked away.”
His face twists with grief and his eyes glaze as they bounce around my face.
“Perhaps it’s for the best anyway.” I shrug, “Not sure we were all that suited for each other.”
“You’re wrong,” He growls.
I smile at him sadly and step closer, pressing my lips to his cheek softly, “Bye, River.”
And then I tip my head up, square my shoulders and walk away, and with each step my heart cracks a little bit more until there’s nothing left to break.