A Wife's Revenge

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A week later. . .

Luckily, the cameras in Seldson Meester didn't record anything. The police had begun their investigation and as far as we knew, there was nothing placing us at the scene of the murder.

"Jane doesn't want to forgive because she feels used and abused. I can't help but wonder if she's done anything wrong by wanting to balance the scales, wanting to get revenge on those who hurt her."

The therapist responds, "Well, Jane was forced into an alliance she wanted no part of. Jane was raped, emotionally abused by her husband and her freedom was stolen from her. Although, Jane wants her husband to suffer for his crimes right?"

"Of course. She wants that." I respond to the therapist. Jane was a pseudo. I'd been seeing Doctor Lively for a few days. I needed it. Witnessing Jennifer's murder had really messed my mind up.

"But does Jane know that she's become like the very person she hates? Does she understand that she's likely to end up getting punished for all her deeds or her intending plans?" The therapist asks, and I'm taken aback. I hadn't done anything illegal until Laurel. I had taken Laurel against her will and if found out, I could spend time behind bars. I smile at the therapist. "We should pick up from where we left next time I visit, Doctor Lively."

***
"Lydia." I say, as I drive. It's on loudspeaker.

"Natalie." She responds, her voice cold.

"I'm not calling to apologize. I'm calling to reconcile. I don't like fighting with you."

"You're not going to apologize? Really?" She asks.

"Of course. I didn't do anything wrong. You know about my plans, you know what this entails so you shouldn't be as pissed off as you are. I have a goal to achieve and I need time to do it. You should understand that."

She scoffs. "You've become selfish. You've no time for anyone including your son, Natalie."

"Don't bring Louis into this, Lydia. Don't. I am a good mother regardless of your agreement or not. I would die for my son. I agree that for a little while, I wasn't spending as much time as I should have but that happens. You are selfish, Lydia. Think about i—

"I'm selfish?" She interjects.

"You are. You always want the attention on you, you always want me to focus on you and I'm sorry, but I can't give you all of my attention. As awful as that sounds. You're my best friend, my sister even. You are a good person, Lydia, but I'm not as great as you are. Well at least, not anymore. Call me when you're ready to talk things through." I say, as I hang up.

As I'm driving, I spot a flower shop. I park my car. I get down and enter the shop.

"Can I get a bouquet of daisies?" I ask the lady present in the shop.

"Oh, I'm not the owner, dear." The woman says, turning around. She was an elderly woman. She had a red pixie cut on that brought out her golden brown eyes. She had on a thick coat of mascara. "Oh." I respond.

"I didn't know you'd be the one I was sent to."

"Sorry?" I ask. Immediately, I scan the room, ready to get on my heels.

"I'm not a killer, dear." The woman says, giggling. I take a step back. She continues. "You have a bright star, let me see your palms." She requests, reaching out for my hands.

"I feel like I can trust you." I say, as I willingly give her my hands.

"You have a son. Have you ever lost a child?"

I nod, tired. "You will have three more blessings, but you can only choose one."

"What do you mean?" I ask, confused.

"There's a storm coming. You must be strong, else, you'll be lost forever. You must forgive and let bygones be bygones." She says, and I jerk off my hand. She continues, "That's the message. Forgive. Reconciliation must occur. There will be atonement, but you can escape it, if only you do not cause destruction."

"Stop talking. I don't know what you mean." I say, walking towards the next aisle of flowers.

"The universe watches. For every action there's an opposite and equal reaction. Don't forget." I hear her saying.

"Hello! Would you like a box or a bouquet of flowers?" A blonde woman comes in.

"Yeah, I would. Who's the woman with the red pixie cut?" I ask, curious.

"Red pixie cut? I have no idea. Maybe she wanted to get some flowers, darn! I just lost a customer!"

****

Taking the box of roses with me, I enter my car. I call aunt Ruth. She doesn't pick at the first ring.

"Hello, aunt. Did you sleep well? Good morning."

"My darling. Good morning. I had to watch Mark all night." She breaks down, "He's not improving." She sobs over the phone.

"What hospital is he admitted in?"

****

"Aunt Ruth." I say, as I enter the room. She looks at me, her eyes swollen and red. She must've cried all night.

"Natalie." She says, getting up. I drop the flowers on the table. We hug.

"I missed you." I say. "Did you cry all night?" I ask, arranging her hair. I look at uncle Mark. I can barely recognize him. He's lost so much weight and has little or no hair left. It seems like he's unconscious or sleeping.

A few hours later. . .

It's about six in the evening. "Aunt, will you be fine? I've got to go home early."

Aunt Ruth nods at me, smiling. "I'm glad you came, although Mark couldn't see you. Thank you, my darling."

I nod. "It's nothing, aunty. You've done so much for me. If you need anything, you know I'm just a call away." I say, squeezing her hands reassuringly.

"Go safely, okay?" She says and I nod.

****
As I'm walking out of the hospital room, Alex's call comes in. I don't want to take the call. I ignore it. He calls again. I respond.

"Hello." I say, more of a statement than a response.

"Hi. . .Natalie? Do you hate me?" He asks.

"I don't hate you, Alex. I hate this situation. I never thought that I'd be married again, I haven't even figured out how to tell my family."

"I understand. I do. I will give you a divorce if you request it, but deep down, I won't lie, I like this. I know you don't trust me and you might not trust my intentions, but Natalie, I don't have any negative intentions towards you. I'm different, believe me." He responds.

"Okay. If you're so serious about me, how about I ask for something? Can you give whatever it is I ask, hm?" I ask, walking towards the hospital exit.

"I don't know if I'd be willing to give my life but, we'll see." He says, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"Give me all your shares in C.I. Transfer everything to me. Then, I'll consider being in a serious relationship with you."

He's silent for a moment. He ends the call. I scoff, shocked at his action. How could he hang up just like that? Did I overstep my boundaries? Was he unto me or did I just trap him in a cage?