The Debt (Now on Radish)

Chapter 8

I'm reposting this because on the wattpad app, only half of this was posted. Strange, huh? If you still can't read it all on the app, please read it on the site. Don't write a bunch of "I can't see it" in the comments. I can't fix it. Enjoy :)

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I kissed my wife's forehead and excused myself for the festivities. Who in the hell comes to my home on a Sunday, unannounced? I ran up the flight of stairs, grabbing my pistol from the desk in the hall and entered my study quietly. When I entered, I put the gun down on the desk. There was no need for weapons between friends.

"Colin! What are doing here? I thought you were in India." I said, moving to embrace my best friend.

"I was, but I was on my way home a few months ago. When I returned home, I had a letter from Annabeth saying that you're a married man." Colin said, returning the hug. "Where is the wife?"

"Downstairs with my siblings. She insisted on decorating the tree as a famil today." I said, looking at my desk. I had all of thier portraits lined up. Imogen, Annabeth, Bambi, Barnabus, Caiden, Edgar, Edna, Mum and Father. All the important people in my life. "I've been cooped up in here since we came homeand she was tired of it."

"Why? Are you looking for your father's will? Anna told me about Aaron--"

"No, it's not about my father. It's Jack. He knows I am married now." I said sullenly. "I think I know who tipped him off, but I'm not about to go pointing fingers until I know for sure."

"Adalynn?" Colin whispered, I nodded. I had this suspicion that Jack and Adalynn were related some how, I just didn't have the information.

"Some of the staff reported seeing a few figures lurking around the property, and it's rumored that Jack is back in the country." I said, wringing my hands together.

"What does he want with you and your wife?" Colin asked, moving closer to me.

"Jack wants to make my life miserable. He wants to start with my Imogen, and end with Edna." I said.

"Revenge for Jenny and Archie." Coling stated, I nodded once again.

"He vowed to make my life hell. The only thing stopping him is me." I said, running my hands over my face.

"Come on, lets go join everyone. I'm sure that Anna is dying to see you." I said, slapping him once on the back before we moved out of the room.

"Will you allow Anna and I to marry?" Colin asked. He had been on my father's heels ever since she turned eighteen. They were perfect for each other, but father had a hard time letting go of his daughters.

"After an appropriate mourning period, old friend." I said as we descended down the staircase. "I do have my limits."

"And I respect them." He said. We reached the botton of the stairs and walked in the direction of the living room. We merely caught up on lost time as we walked into the sitting room. The moment we stepped in, I caught sight of my beautiful wife lifting Edgar up. Her hair was in a sloppy bun, that allowed whisps of her hair to frame her face in the most spectacular way. Her freckle dusted face lit up her cheekbones when she smiled, like just then. She lowered Edgar and smoothed down her apron and skirt. I glanced over at Colin, who was staring at my wife as well. I was not jealous because I knew he loved my sister. But he was enchanted by my wife.

"You never told me she was an Irishwoman." Colin murmured. I nodded with a smile.

"Her name is Imogen, and she's eighteen." I said.