25. Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Five
K endra
I zipped open my luggage, tossing in a few more clothes just in case. Tina helped, her eyes filled with concern as she folded a sweater and placed it neatly inside.
"Are you sure you have to leave, Kendra?" she asked softly. "Can't you try talking things out with Antonio first?"
"You know better than anyone how hard I’ve tried," I replied, my voice strained. "He keeps shutting me out."
Tina sighed, smoothing out a wrinkle in the fabric. "I know. But leaving won’t fix anything. It’ll only make both your hearts colder."
I tucked a hair tie into my pocket, shaking my head. "I have to get out of here, Tina. Asheville is suffocating me. Everywhere I turn, I see him or hear his name... It’s too much."
She rested a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Maybe seeing Antonio one last time before you leave would help. You said he's back at his apartment now. Talking might give you both some peace."
My heart raced at the thought. I had seen him last night, just a fleeting glance as he walked into the building. I'd ducked behind a corner, my pulse pounding in my ears as he passed by, deep in thought. Part of me had wanted to call out, to explain everything.
But now that he was within reach, I couldn’t face him. The thought of looking into those piercing gray eyes again twisted my stomach into knots.
"I can’t, Tina. Not yet."
Tina’s expression softened with understanding. "Okay," she whispered, "but promise me you’ll reach out to him eventually. You both need to talk this through."
I nodded, though uncertainty weighed heavily on my heart. Could I ever face Antonio again?
As we finished packing, I glanced around my apartment, a wave of sadness washing over me. This had been my sanctuary, my little piece of peace.
But now, it felt haunted by memories of Antonio—by what we had shared and what was lost.
"I’ll request an extra two weeks off," I muttered, zipping up my bag. "I'm going to Alaska."
Tina's eyes widened. "Alaska? Wow, that’s quite an escape."
I forced a smile. "I need it. I need to get away from everything and everyone. Just me, nature, and some quiet."
"You deserve it," Tina said with a soft smile.
Just then, my phone rang. Tom's name flashed on the screen.
"Hey, sis!" His warm voice boomed through the phone, instantly comforting. "Still leaving at 10 a.m.?"
"Yeah," I said, holding the phone to my ear as I zipped my suitcase. "I just need to stop by the station to finalize my leave paperwork. Tina's driving me to the airport."
Tina leaned closer, grinning. "Hi, handsome Tom!" she called out.
Tom chuckled. "Hey, beautiful Tina!"
“Tina, my brother is married, and Lucinda doesn’t like sharing," I teased, rolling my eyes.
"Being married doesn’t make him less handsome," Tina crooned. "And Lucinda is very pretty."
"You’re very pretty too," Lucinda’s voice echoed through the phone, joining the conversation. "Hello, Tina."
"Hi, Lucinda!" Tina responded with a playful wink.
Tom laughed. "Take care of my sis, Tina.”
“Make sure she doesn’t get lost in the Alaskan wilderness, Tina responded"
Tina laughed. "I’ll make sure she’s packed with enough granola bars."
Tom’s voice grew softer, more serious. "The kids are super excited you're coming. They’ve been asking nonstop when you’ll arrive. Emily’s even planned your first dinner—her famous spaghetti."
My heart swelled. "I’ve missed them so much."
Lucinda chimed in, her voice warm and welcoming. "The guest room is all set for you, Kendra. Fresh sheets, everything perfect. Oh, and I signed us up for yoga classes together so we can relax and catch up."
I smiled, grateful for her thoughtfulness. "You didn’t have to go to all that trouble, but thank you."
"It’s no trouble at all," Lucinda replied. "The kids have also been practicing their Alaska survival tips to teach you."
Tom added, "And I’ve planned a hike for us to get some fresh air and talk. Just the two of us."
"Sounds perfect." Overwhelmed by their love, I fought back tears. “You guys are the best.”
"We love you, Kendra," Tom said, his voice full of affection. "See you in about ten hours. Travel safe."
"Love you too, bro," I whispered, ending the call. I shouldered my bag and took a deep breath. It was time to leave Asheville—and Antonio—behind.
"Let’s go," I said, my voice firm.
Tina grabbed her keys but paused before we headed out. “When do you want me to deliver those documents to Antonio?”
“Whenever you find time,” I said. “Just make sure he gets them.”
She nodded. "Noted."
I gave my apartment one last glance before closing the door, sadness tugging at my heart. Tina helped with my luggage as we stepped into the crisp morning air.
***
As I settled into my seat on the plane, a mixture of emotions washed over me. Relief filled my chest, knowing I was leaving Asheville behind, but anxiety lingered at the edges.
I closed my eyes as the plane took off, my thoughts drifting back to memories I had tried so hard to forget. Eve's face flashed in my mind—the confrontation that changed everything.
I remembered stepping into the dimly lit room, Eve’s smug smile faltering as she saw the determination in my eyes. I laid out the folder, thick with evidence of her deceit—documents, recordings, photos—everything I had painstakingly gathered.
"You're clever, Eve," I said, my voice steady, "but you underestimated me when you thought you could use me."
Her eyes narrowed, but behind her defiance, I saw the flicker of fear.
"You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into," she spat.
I gave her a cold smile. "Oh, I know exactly what I’m doing. I’ve been investigating you for a while. I know all about your schemes, your manipulation, and your lies."
I slid the documents across the table, watching her eyes widen in panic as they skimmed the pages.
"This is enough to put you away for a long time, Eve," I said, my voice calm. "You’ll never hurt the Michaelsons again."
Eve’s face twisted with anger, but I saw the defeat in her eyes. She knew she was trapped.
"Please," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Don't do this."
I leaned forward, my eyes locking onto hers. "You should have thought of that before you tried to destroy lives.”
“Did Antonio or George put you up to this?” she asked, her voice shaky.
“Neither of them knows about this,” I replied firmly. “And I’d like to keep it that way.”
“Then why are you doing this?” she sneered. “Why risk so much?”
I hesitated, the truth slipping out before I could stop myself. “Because I love Antonio.”
Eve’s sharp retort died on her lips. Her expression softened, almost… remorseful. For the first time, I saw a glimpse of humanity in her.
“You love my son?”
“Does that sound impossible to believe”
I straightened my shoulders. “Yes, I do.”
She studied me in silence for a long moment before speaking again, her voice softer than before. “I’m sorry,” she said, shocking me. “I’m sorry you got dragged into my mess.”
The sincerity in her words left me speechless.
“Yes. And I'm grateful my boy has someone who loves him and is looking out for him this way. I can't get to do that anymore.”
“Why can't you? You know you could just apologize, right?”
“Do you honestly think an apology would make up for everything I've done? I've come too far to be able to find my path back.”
“At least let him know you regret your actions. It might be a really long road to forgiveness, but it's a step in the right direction.”
“And how about you? Has Antonio forgiven you? Are you two back together?”
I looked away. Those words stabbed my heart. “I betrayed him. I don't deserve to be by his side.”
“Nonsense! No one other than you should be beside him. In the end, you didn't betray him. Thompson says it was Anne who sent in the story, not you. And, that they'd found a resignation letter you prepared, just in case not turning in that story meant you'd have to lose your job.”
“Well, none of that matters anymore.” I answered, my voice seared with pain. Then, I snapped out of my self-pity. “Let's get back to the reason we're here.” I said, sitting up straight, eyes fixed on Eve, my tone firm.
“What do you want?”
“No more threats from you to the Michaelsons. If you have to leave Asheville and never return, that would be your choice. But one more threat, and I'll stop at nothing to lock you away for a really long time.”
Eve's gaze dropped, and I knew I'd won. I made her sign an agreement, and I gave them and everything I'd dug up on her to Tina before leaving.
***
I opened my eyes, the hum of the plane bringing me back to the present. The flight attendant’s voice interrupted my thoughts.
“Can I get you something to drink, ma’am?”
I shook off the memory. "Just water, please."
I took a sip, feeling the cool liquid calm my nerves. My mind wandered back to Antonio. Would he ever forgive me? Did I deserve it?
The plane hit a patch of turbulence, jarring me from my thoughts. I gripped the armrests, listening as the attendant reassured everyone that it was just a little rough air.
As the plane steadied, I pulled out my journal and began to write, letting the words flow. It was the only way I knew to make sense of my tangled emotions.
Hours passed, and soon, we began our descent into Anchorage. My heart quickened with anticipation, thinking of Tom, Lucinda, and the kids waiting for me. A fresh start.
As I stepped off the plane, the cool Alaskan air embraced me, and I smiled, feeling the weight of Asheville lift from my shoulders.
Tom was there at baggage claim, his familiar grin warming my heart. "Hey, sis!"
I rushed into his arms, feeling safe for the first time in weeks. "Hey, bro."
Lucinda joined us, and we stood in a circle of love, surrounded by family.
"Welcome to Alaska, Kendra," Lucinda said, her eyes twinkling. "We’re glad you’re here."
The kids ran over, shouting, "Aunt Kendra’s here! Aunt Kendra’s here!"
I laughed, my heart beginning to heal.
As we drove through the majestic Alaskan landscape, I let the beauty wash over me. It was exactly what I needed—a place where I could breathe again, where I could begin to piece myself back together.
But in the back of my mind, Antonio’s image remained, a constant reminder of the life I had left behind. The life I wasn’t sure I could ever return to.