Sins Of The Past

Chapter Eleven

Natalie stared at the big clock in the sitting room. It was an Audrigo heirloom which Iñigo had loved so much.

The short hand of the clock rested on one. It seemed to have been there since forever.

At one am in the morning, she was supposed to be asleep in her bed. But she couldn't risk the terror of seeing Tyler again.

She drew her knees closer to her chest while rocking back and forth. If these nightmares continued, then she would not know what to do.

She had been having reoccurring nightmares ever since Tyler burnt down the house and killed himself in the process.

They had moved back to the Audrigo mansion. They were also able to salvage a few things from the burnt house. Iñigo's clock was one of them.

Three weeks after the incident, and she was still having nightmares. She didn't want to tell Ethan, because she knew he would get worried. Only Chloe knew about the nightmares.

She had noticed the dark circles under her eyes and had confronted her. Natalie then had to tell her.

She had urged her to tell Ethan, but she refused.

Natalie felt guilty for what happened to Tyler. She blamed herself for not noticing when he was missing. He had a problem and as a good friend, she should have been able to help.

A tear rolled down her cheek and she did nothing to wipe it away. Then another one followed, and another, until she was a sobbing mess.

"I'm so sorry." She sobbed repeatedly. "So sorry."

*        *        *

"T'was nice doing business with you." Natalie said, later that morning as she shook hands with the men after the meeting in her office. "Penny, please show the gentlemen out."

"Yes ma'am."

Once they left, she laid back on her chair and sighed as she sipped her umpteenth cup of coffee for that day.

She had covered the dark circles under her eyes with some concealer, but she was very sure that she looked horrible.

She should be happy. She just purchased two of the best hotels in Las Vegas.

She tried to smile, but all she could come up with was a grimace. She called for Penny.

As soon as she came, she said.

"Cancel the rest of my meetings for the rest of the day, I'm going home."

"Yes ma'am."

She went straight to Eva's school. The little girl had not asked much questions concerning Tyler.

According to her, he had become a bad guy and had died just like every other bad guy.

Natalie had been surprised and asked her if Ethan had told her that. But she had shook her blonde curls and said that dad hadn't told her anything.

Natalie didn't know whether to be scared that her five year old daughter could harbour such a thought. Or be relieved that she didn't have to explain anything to her.