Hidden [COMPLETED]

Chapter 38

"Well, we both finally have our homecoming!" he said, laughing as he got out of the car and walked toward her.

Becky felt completely confused and looked to her friends for some explanation.

"Oh! You must be wondering how, how the hell am I here, right?" He laughed. "Don't look at them; look at me. I will tell you how."

With each word, he stepped closer until he was face to face with her. Freen's grip on her arm tightened for a moment due to the closeness.

"I obviously blamed everything on your dearly departed father. Lucky for me, he can't defend himself from the grave," he whispered with a smirk.

Anger rose inside Becky, and anguish filled her eyes, but she held back her words. She wouldn’t give him that satisfaction.

"Do you know what kept me going in that jail cell for the past three years?" He let out a harsh laugh and tightened his jaw again. "It was the look on your face when I'm finally out here, when I finally get my freedom back."

"Imagine my surprise when I find out that while I got out, you got in, and inside a mental facility of all places. But I can't say I’m shocked. I knew you'd end up here one day. Do you know why?" He locked eyes with her, which were filled with frustration. "Because the first time I saw you, the four-year-old girl Mr. Armstrong brought home, all I saw was a broken little girl. I could see the emptiness in your eyes."

Then something changed in his gaze. She could see the pure hatred radiating from him.

"Your father was busy chasing after his empire, and your mother was worried about your sick brother. I took you under my wing. I treated you like a daughter. How do you think I felt when I saw you testifying against me in court?"

Becky released Freen's grip and stepped forward, matching his intensity. "Do you think I care about how you felt?" She chuckled dryly. "You talk about being a father and looking after me like you did something great. But we both know that’s nonsense. You only do things that benefit you. You didn’t want a daughter; you wanted a puppet to inherit everything you desired. You wanted me wrapped around your finger."

She scoffed and took a step back. "If you think I left just because of Dad, you’re wrong. I left everything behind because I saw right through you, Uncle Sunny," she said, mocking him.

"How dare you?" he growled, raising his hand as if to hit her. Becky didn’t flinch as she gave him a daring look. He slowly pulled his arm back.

"I won’t stop until I bring everything down. Until I bury every single Armstrong," he said through clenched teeth.

"Good luck with that," she shot back sarcastically.

As he walked away, she turned her attention back to Lyra, who had moved closer and was now hugging her legs. "He is a bad guy," the little girl whispered. Becky lowered herself to match her level. "Don’t worry, love; Mommy's got you," Becky said, embracing her. She looked up to see Freen's hand on her shoulder, looking down at her with concern. She smiled reassuringly in return.

"Can we go home?" Becky whispered. Freen nodded slightly and smiled back.

Throughout the car ride, Freen could sense the tension coming from Becky. She wanted to tell Becky about him being released and how they lost the trial only after Becky settled in. She wanted to give Becky time to process the news. She didn’t want her to go down that same path again. All of that changed because he decided to gloat.

"Are you okay?" Freen asked, placing a hand on Becky's knees to get her attention.

"Yes."

"Talk to me," she pleaded, sensing the lie.

Becky sighed and placed her hand over Freen's. "It's nothing, love. He only says what he means. He’s going to come after the business and after me."

They both had lost a lot because of this man. Even if he didn’t directly kill Saint, he was still partly to blame for Saint's death. She wanted him to pay.

"What do you want to do?" Freen asked, determined.

Becky met her gaze. "I know exactly what I have to do. I will stop him."

"I know you will," Freen said, smiling as she intertwined their hands.

"Are you sure you still want to marry me?" Becky asked, chuckling as Freen looked at her in confusion.

"It’s the worst time to have Armstrong as your last name," Becky added.

Freen frowned. "With or without your last name, I'm going to stand by you to fight guys like him. No matter what, I'm never letting you do this alone." She placed a kiss on Becky's hand.

Once they reached home and Becky was out of sight, Nam, Heng, and Richie approached Freen.

"Well?" Nam asked, raising an eyebrow.

Freen frowned in confusion. "Well, what?"

"Did you tell her?"

"Tell her what?"

Nam sighed. "Come on, Freen, you know what."

Freen shook her head as she walked toward the kitchen. "You all saw what happened. She's even doubting if it's the right time for us to get married. How am I going to tell her that I'm carrying her child?"

"So what? Are you going to hide it from her?" Richie asked, clearly upset.

"She will find out eventually, and trust me, that's not going to go well for you," Heng added.

Freen looked back at them, slowly swallowing a lump in her throat. "She just came home, and she seems fine. Almost like her old self. I can’t just drop something this big on her and stress her out. There’s enough as it is."

"I'm just going to wait. Let her settle back in. Then I'll tell her," Freen murmured.

They all collectively sighed. "Freen, just remember there’s no right time for this; there’s only time, and you choose it."

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