Chapter 26
WILLIAM
I sat upright in my hospital bed, the thick wad of papers on my bedside table staring back at me in mockery.
I’d read every single page, each condemning word, despite the debilitating chest pain that tore through me in waves.
The medical staff reassured me that all my results checked out, implying that I had suffered a panic attack rather than a cardiac event.
Unfortunately, the positive findings didn’t calm my aching heart or the extreme loss I was experiencing.
Grief was an emotion I was familiar with. But with the damning evidence laid before me, my health and well-being had stooped to an all-time low. Of which I was solely responsible.
The documents were provided by Thomas, and they travelled with me from the police station, in the ambulance, to my hospital room, where I was now the lone survivor.
What I had read and discovered shattered me to my very core.
Nikita was a con artist from the beginning, a predator who was selective of her victims. She’d prey on grieving families, ones that were preoccupied with sickly loved ones, and transform into whatever role was needed for the job.
She made herself available, became a vital support until she was ingrained so deeply that they felt as if they’d never be able to live without her.
I groaned, closing my eyes, agony igniting through my nervous system as I relayed every deliberate move Nikita had made. Her manipulation was now so glaringly clear. It made me sick.
Beth and Nikita first met at Palliative Assist, a support group for patients and families to help with the challenges of terminal illness. That’s where it all began.
Nikita was a volunteer who gave a convincing sob story and made a fake connection with my Bethy. That’s how she initially infiltrated our lives. The rest was on me. Yet I wasn’t the only one who fell for her ruse.
Nikita had already manipulated and stolen from two families previously. We just so happened to be the third. By the time she reached us, Jennifer had become a well-trained accomplice, making that illusion more convincing, more believable.
Although they never could have reached so far without my help, wilful participant or not. I had singlehandedly ruined the last moments with my wife and irrevocably destroyed my relationship with my son for a lie.
Knock, knock.
My eyes swept open to the door, expecting some type of hospital personnel. Instead, there stood Colton.
I immediately broke down crying, fighting to keep the sobs under control. He was the last person I expected to hear from, let alone grace me with his presence.
Colton entered, unperturbed by my overt display of emotion. He held a hard expression, not giving anything away as he sat in the chair sidelining my bed.
He leant back, posture straight, looking well put together. The complete opposite of me.
After a few minutes, I was able to recollect myself in order to say, “I didn’t think you’d come.”
“Neither did I.”
“So, why did you?”
“I don’t know.” His brow furrowed, and something flashed over his features. He seemed conflicted, as if he was fighting some mental battle.
I cleared my throat, trying to figure out where to begin.
“I didn’t know Colt, I swear. I would never do something like—”
“Like what? Betray my trust? Steal everything of worth? Rip away my innocence? It’s a bit late for that, don’t you think?”
His statements tore through me like the force of a detonating grenade, shrapnel leaving gaping holes in their wake. If only it were that simple.
He spoke only the truth. So I gave him the one reply I could.
“I’m sorry, son. I’m so, so sorry.”
His mouth ticked up in a slight sneer, my apology only serving to anger him. “I want you to explain it to me,” he said. “How you were able to fall for a snake like her.”
My fingers began to twist in the blanket.
“I’ve been in here a few days, alone with my thoughts for the first time in…
I can’t even remember.” I shook my head.
“A long time. I asked myself that same question. What could make me such a fool, a downright moron to risk everything and lose it all? What was so special about her?”
“Her pussy must have been pretty special—”
I bristled at his crude remark, though I knew his intention was to make me uncomfortable.
What he didn’t realise was that there was a roiling ball of shame forever weighing down my gut, a festering tumour that was impossible to eradicate or cut out.
Nothing he said or did would make me hate myself more than I already did.
When I didn’t answer, Colton said, “Oh, was it true love?”
I sighed, not wanting to believe the truth, yet giving it to him anyway. “I don’t think I ever loved her. Not really.”
Colton was fully focused on me, waiting on my every word. He deserved honesty, no matter how fucked up my reasoning was.
“I was caught in a depressive spiral, a never-ending pit of pain as I watched your mother deteriorate. Yes, I sought physical relief with Nikita, but it was only ever that. Until I lost my Bethy, then subsequently lost you. I was alone and scared, screaming into the void, with only my echo to keep me company. Until someone heard my cry for help and came to ease my heartache, if only for a moment.”
“Nikita,” Colton said.
I nodded. “Nikita. She was there for me. Despite my pushing her away. No matter how many times I tried to keep my distance. She remained steadfast, present, and soon became a lifeline.”
Colton’s hands clenched into fists on his thighs, visibly holding himself back.
“Do you want me to stop?”
“No. You’re being honest for once. Continue.”
I took the verbal jab on the chin and did as he asked. “So no, I don’t think I truly loved her. I just latched onto what she represented. Nikita was my only source of survival, and I held on to that for far too long.”
I risked my luck by leaning forward and laying my palm over his fist, stealing a small connection for myself.
“None of these could ever excuse or justify the betrayal I dealt to you or your mother. I’m just trying to give you my most honest thoughts.”
Colton gasped. The intake was subtle, but I caught it. Which only made another form of self-hatred take over. I sacrificed my son for someone I didn’t even love. The realisation was excruciating, especially when he pushed my hand off, breaking that physical bond.
“I can’t accept that,” he said. “You say you had no one, you say you were alone and lost. What about me? Your son?” His expression contorted in a myriad of emotions.
“When given a choice, William, you chose. But you didn’t expect to choose wrong.
Only now, in the aftermath, do you finally see where your choices have led you. ”
I was about to deny it when he cut me off. “Tell me, Dad, where would we be right now if I hadn’t revealed that your precious wife was the villain?”
I sighed. “I’d still be here, in hospital, awaiting a kidney transplant.”
Colton’s eyes narrowed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I’m dying, Colt.”