𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐊 ʲᵒʰⁿ ˢʰᵉˡᵇʸ

- 𝟎𝟐𝟐

𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤
-𝟎𝟐𝟐-

Valerie's eyes burned into the mirror whilst she sat at her vanity, staring at herself. The door opened, John hovering there. She didn't flinch. "Valerie," he started. She didn't move. "Will you at least just look at me?"

She looked at him through the mirror.

"Listen, I don't know why you're so angry with me." John scratched the back of his neck.

He flinched when she shoved the chair away from the vanity, jumping to her feet and spinning. "Because it was your actions that led to somebody dying tonight! Can you not see that? What if that had been me tonight, instead of Grace? What would you have done then, John?" She shouted.

John stared at her. "Well, it wasn't you, alright?"

"And you're lucky it wasn't." Valerie scoffed harshly. "But it's only a matter of time until they come after me. Or, I don't know, little Francesca?" She crossed her arms.

"Don't fuckin' say that. Don't bring her into it." John pointed a finger at her.

"No, no I will bring her into it. Because I know what these people are like. They don't care if she's a little girl or a grown woman. They will come after whoever they can— just to get to whoever it was that started it all." She explained, "and it was you, John. It was you who gave the threat and carried it out."

John glared at her. "What do you want me to do? Do you want me to apologise?" He stepped into the room.

She shook her head. "Apologise for Tommy's dead wife?" She asked. "No apology will bring her back." She said.

John walked toward her and she backed away. His face fell, eyebrows furrowed as hurt filled him. "Why won't you come near me, Valerie? Are you.. are you scared of me?"

"Scared of you.." she chuckled, "yes, John. I'm scared of who my husband is becoming. This is not the man I married. The man I married was ready to protect me. He loved me." Valerie whispered.

Her words stung.

John scoffed. "What d'ya mean? I do love you. I don't love anything more than you. Valerie, i'd die for you. You know that." He pointed a finger at her.

"So why are you putting our family in danger?" She croaked, her voice trembling.

John grabbed her wrist to stop her turning away from him. "I cut Angel Changretta to send a message that we are stronger than they are. That if they come near my family, we will kill all of them. I did it for you! Valerie, I did it for you!" John shouted.

"Let go of me." Valerie said firmly.

"If they come anywhere near you or our daughter, i'll kill them." He hissed, his face close to hers. His tone scared her. "Anybody who I deem a threat to you or Francesca.. i'll kill them."  Chills ran up her spine.

"John, let go of me." Valerie repeated. He inhaled sharply and tightened his grip slightly. "I did not kill Grace— understand that!"

"John." She warned, panicking slightly.

When he didn't let go of her, Valerie raised her hand and slapped him. His face turned to the side and his mouth fell open slightly. Valerie gasped and back away, covering her mouth. "John—" She whispered, realising what she had done.