Chapter 35
SIMEON
Any respect I had for Edward Goldsworthy left when I learned how he treated his wife and daughter.
It’s obvious he was a cruel man who took his anger out on women unable to defend themselves.
I was aware of the conviction. Jack does his homework well, but the charge was a lesser one played down to the courts, and I understand why.
He paid off the judge, and the records were altered to get him off the hook.
It happens a lot, I should know, and the fact he had to pay the judge off in the first place reveals how serious his crime was.
Edward’s pain is obvious as he brushes a tear away from his eye.
“She died in a collision on the mountain. I was informed by the cops who came to my office.”
“Did you ever see the body?”
“No,” he sighs wearily. “Enrico identified her and they buried her before I was told. Yet another cruel form of manipulation on Enrico’s part. Even her mom was unaware, and it sent her to an early grave.”
Alice gasps. “What do you mean?”
“She suffered a stroke when the cops were there. She never recovered and died three months later.”
I swear my blood is boiling at how one family has been torn apart by so much evil.
He places his head in his hands. “I wish I could reassure you, Alice. Tell you a happier story than the nightmare my life became. I lost my family through my vile temper, and I have never recovered from that.”
“But you never tried to find me.” Alice sounds more sad than accusatory, and he lifts his head, and a thousand apologies reflect in his expression.
“It was pointless because Enrico held you prisoner in his mansion. You were allowed no freedom, and he issued a restraining order against me from ever contacting you. He held my life under lock and key, along with your inheritance. He was firmly in charge of it all, and there was nothing I could do, despite how hard I tried. After a while, I learned you had fled to a convent, and I was happy you were safe and away from him. I contacted Sister Agatha and assured her of my devotion and that if you ever needed me, I would be here for you, even if it was just a conversation. I would drop everything to be with you.”
“Sister Agatha?”
Alice is stunned and turns to me and says in disbelief, “She never said. Why didn’t she tell me?”
She turns to her grandfather. “I would have met you. I wonder why she kept this from me.”
That’s a good question, and I make a mental note to get Jack on the case. There is something we are missing here and it’s messing with my mind.
A loud knock on the door causes Edward to wipe his eyes and smile. “Our refreshments have arrived.”
We say nothing as he opens the door, retrieving the tray from another assistant and setting it down on the table in front of us.
As he pours coffee into mugs and hands us one each, his gaze falls on his granddaughter with bitter regret.
“I lost everything due to my temper and learned a valuable lesson. I can never get those years back, never make amends to Sarah and Savannah, but I would like to stay in touch with you.”
He appears nervous, worried even, and Alice smiles. “Of course. Forgiveness isn’t mine to give, but I want to get to know you. I’m aware that people have regrets and deserve the chance to make amends for that. You are my family, grandfather, and that is all I want from you.”
She reaches out and takes his hand in hers, and her soft expression cuts me deeper than any blade. I have never been prouder of anyone in my life than I am of her now.
“We will keep in touch. I want you to be part of my life.”
His sudden smile is emotional even for a man with none. Witnessing two blood relatives reach an understanding will never be a waste of my time. It will never be a bad decision because Alice is right; it’s not up to us to forgive but to decide if we want to pick up the thread and see where it leads.
We leave the Goldsworthy building with a few answers but not all of them, and as we slide into the car, Alice rests her head on my shoulder.
“It never answered the question about my mom. I don’t think she is dead; don’t ask me why, I can’t shake it.”
I grip her hand tightly and drop the next bomb into her world.
“Then there is an important flight to make, angel, because Jack is certain he’s found your mom, or at least uncovered a very plausible reason why this woman could be.”
The shock is instantaneous and she turns to me, tears blinding her eyes.
“Jack found my mom. How?”
“We don’t know for sure, but he has followed a trail that may lead to her door. We are heading there now, and I apologize in advance if she’s not.”
“Simeon.”
She is stunned and incapable of speech as she stares at me with many questions and yet an expression filled with hope.
“I can’t believe it.”
“Believe it when you see it, Alice. I have my reservations, but the evidence is too coincidental to ignore.”
“Tell me what you know.”
As we speed toward my private jet, I fill her in on Jack’s findings, and as soon as we reach the aircraft, her urgency is almost palpable.
She is wrapped in thought as we board the plane and as we take our seats, I only hope it’s not a wild goose chase because going from nothing in the space of a few short hours, Alice may have one more family member to add to her pile.