Chapter 32 Adesua Ridley
Adesua Ridley
Adesua sat in Central Park, watching young children play at the Fall Festival.
That would have been her, Kavita, and Amelia.
Not anymore, though, as the idea she now had of Amelia was not the one she’d grown up with.
She couldn’t stop thinking of Amelia and who she was now versus who she’d always been.
Adesua never would have thought her own sister would murder someone for them.
She didn’t like the thought that it had gone over her head.
Adesua waved to Joseph, as he was looking for her.
They walked and walked until they were entirely out of sight of the large crowd at the festival.
As time passed, they ended up in a part of the park she had never before roamed to.
Adesua and her sisters would usually rush to get the best picnic spot in the sun on a good day like this.
Joseph led her down a winding wooded pathway that made it feel like they were no longer in the city.
The trickling sounds of the nearby ponds and fountains made her enjoy the serenity and solitude as she and Joseph walked hand in hand.
Joseph stopped and turned around, gesturing to the natural environment.
“Welcome to the Ramble, where we can ramble until our hearts end.” He laughed at his joke before continuing.
“Really, Adesua, I wanted to bring you here badly because every place we go, I found the outside world trying to creep in on our every move. This place was my getaway as a young boy. I’d come here and write poems, thoughts, dreams, and my despairs, because everything else was and is a distraction.
I could finally hear myself think in a place like this, and I wanted to show you somewhere very special. ”
Adesua looked up to the sky and was pleased to see not buildings, but instead the sun peeking through every little leaf that offered lovely shade.
Even with all the beauty around them, she couldn’t help but think of their relationship and ties with Harlem.
Years ago, Joseph was the one who’d introduced her to all these powerful people.
The politician he had made her get involved with had then stepped away, trying to make his hands clean.
“Joseph, why am I the only one taking the fall for the corrupt things going on in Harlem? When you and I both know what my intention was from the beginning?”
Joseph was taken aback, because not even a calm part of the park could stop her mind from going. He sighed before figuring out an answer.
“Adesua . . . I . . . Well, the shipment you got involved in with the politician ended up being something I had no idea was so corrupt. They just promised me it would help the community and that having you involved would make it untouchable.” He knew he had been placing blame on her as well.
The jig was up. If her whole family was put in the spotlight for problems others had created, he should be too.
“I will take the fall, Adesua. If and when it does come out. You have my word.”
She started her walk back to Mr. Pierre.
Words had no value to her anymore, and what the public thought didn’t matter to her.
They were still Ridleys above all else. Adesua made it home in time for dinner.
Not like they had sat together as a family in a long time.
Father and Mother had escaped to God knew where after the press conference.
Once dinner was served, Adesua stood up.
“I would like to kindly ask all staff to close the doors and leave for the rest of dinner.”
Omar and Wei looked at each other, confused.
Kavita sat there, emotionless. After what had happened to Franklin, there was nothing that could surprise her at this point.
Diego stood up and walked over next to her.
He knew exactly where she was going with this, and he was going to stand by her side and defend her no matter what.
“Diego and I found out a few weeks ago that Amelia is the one who killed Dale. We didn’t want to rush to conclusions without hearing it from her, but she told me herself.”
Diego spoke up. “Amelia claimed it was an accident, but we must tread lightly if she is capable of doing this with no remorse. I hate to say this wasn’t the worst thing we found out.”
Wei pushed his plate across the table. It broke.
“What is it, Adesua?” Wei said with utmost anger.
“She is our father’s only real child.”
Omar stood up, flipping his chair backward.
“I knew it. I knew it. It all makes sense. Father has been using all of us. He never had any plans for us. We were the cover-up after his mistake of having Amelia.”
Henrik shrugged, on the brink of tears. He stayed quiet because now he was just as guilty as Amelia.
“None of us had the chance to lead the Ridley Line,” Wei concluded.
It was silent in the grand room. What took Mr. Ridley years to orchestrate was a lie they had all been living since being adopted. They were only seen as his spares. Amelia was always the chosen one. Adesua knew this. They all did.