Reclaiming Her Glory.

two

Sarah

I pushed the door open and cared little if I was soaked by the drizzling rain; what mattered most was finding justice for my son Liam. Rachel was present that night, and her presence is connected to Liam’s death.

We walked through the security compartment of the house with our security guard in charge; Rachel was behind us. She wore a worried expression, perhaps one that told her fear of being caught. Desmond stood behind her, comforting her.

The detective settled behind the desk; Mr. Walter, our security guard, showed him the footage of the time of the accident.

He clicked the time I told him Rachel was seen at the gate, but there was no footage. I rushed forward and clicked the video myself, but it showed loss of connectivity.

“What? What happened to the security cameras?"

Mr. Walter dropped his head down. “I apologize, Mrs. Hariet. Some of the CCTV cameras have become faulty. I was planning to inform Mr. Hairiet before this unfortunate incident.”

My chest became tight; I held on to the table to stop myself from falling over.

Detective James looked at me. "Ms. Rachel Alven was not seen during the time of the incident or prior.”

A tear fell down my face. “I saw a black sedan with her in it; that’s her car. I would never frame my sister for the fun of it; she was here. I’m telling the truth.”

Desmond walked forward. “A black sedan was indeed seen around that period, but that wasn’t Rachel.” A woman walked forward; she had dark, wavy, and long hair just like Rachel.

“My condolences on the death of your child. I’m Linda. I’m the owner of the black sedan. I was a bit lost and mistook your address for a friend I was visiting. I apologize for any misunderstanding this might have caused.”

The detective turned to me. "There's little to no evidence that supports your accusations towards Rachel Alven, Mrs. Hariet. I apologize for your loss, but his death will be ruled as an accident.”

There was only one piece of footage gotten from the scene, and it was Liam running cheerfully into the pool; the rest was the gruesome scene of him dying.

I fell to my feet and bailed my eyes out. My chest ached so much I felt I would pass out.

Rachel fell to my side. “I’m sorry for your loss, Sarah. Liam’s death should have never happened.”

Desmond said nothing, his fists folded by his sides. He walked the detective out.

I turned to meet her eyes. “Even if it’s the last thing I do. I’ll find out the truth about Liam’s death, Rachel. I promise you.”

“Shut up, Sarah!” Desmond's voice thundered through the roof. “Your mother was right. You’d rather delude yourself than believe you caused our son’s death. There was absolutely no reason for you to be at the company annual dinner, but Rachel being there made you anxious. Now more than ever I can’t stand the sight of you. You are responsible for Liam’s death. If you stayed at home, none of this would have happened.”

"Desmond, that’s enough!” Rachel held his arm and shook her head at him.

“You are so gracious, Rachel; she was ready to slander your image and paint you the murderer of our child, yet you defend her.”

I could no longer take it and forced myself to stand. I must get out of here before I run insane. How can I kill my child with my hands? How could he accuse me of such? Once I reached my room, I closed the door behind me and collapsed on the floor, crying till my eyes could produce no more tears.

The next day, Liam's nanny, Helen, turned in her apology letter after she was fired by Desmond. She was to be sued for neglect of her job; for some reason she was later left off. I also found out Mr. Walter, the security guard, resigned.

It has been three days since Liam’s death. His funeral has been arranged to be held the next day. I had gotten so depressed I fell ill.

Desmond knocked on my door, Rachel behind him with a strange woman. I barely struggled to acknowledge their presence.

Desmond, displeased with my reaction, brought the lady forward; Rachel followed closely behind. She has been acting decent lately, not that she has any other options but to pretend in order to hide the truth.

“I’m Doctor Kate, a psychiatrist. I understand you’ve been having it hard after your son’s death. I’m here to provide help.”

"You should leave; you can’t help me.”

Desmond ran his hand through his hair frustrated.

“Will you keep insisting on blaming Liam’s death on your sister?“

“I am not crazy for saying what I saw! No one will make me feel crazy for saying I saw Rachel! I’m not crazy for being a bit suspicious, Desmond!" I yelled and broke down the next second.

He took my arm and drew me forcefully to face him. “Liam was my son too. I never liked his mother, but I loved him. Tomorrow you’d get ready to bid your farewell to him."

Every word, every action was to break me. The spite in his eyes was something I could never grow familiar with.

“I would advise not to escalate her psychological stress. Mrs. Hariet is severely ill. She needs some space more than ever.”

Rachel rushed forward. “How do you mean?”

The doctor cast a sympathetic gaze. “I would proceed with her treatment after the funeral. To provide her some time for grieving.”

***

Caleb

The door of my office suite pushed open, and Lucas walked in. An exasperated look on his face. He threw the tablet on my desk, collapsing on the office couch.

“You’ve turned me into some slave.”

I looked through the files he prepared. “Thank you.”

“Just some thanks?" He looked pissed and straightened up. “Why are you interested in her by the way? She’s married.”

I dropped the tablet and relaxed back in my seat. “She is the last key I need to win my war with Desmond Hariet?”

He sat upright. “She is Mrs. Harriet?”

I nodded, folding my arms and settling halfway into the desk. “His troubled wife, who would need my help very soon.”

Lucas's brow furrowed in more confusion. “How do you know that?”

"Tabloid news and some little private investigations.”

“I only found out their son died in a pool accident, but Mrs. Hariet is insisting otherwise. She speaks with conviction that her son was murdered.”

I nodded, settling on an opposite chair beside him. I push a couple of images. “What are these images?” Lucas asked, suddenly interested.

“I call them the love triangle.” I pointed to Desmond Hariet. “He is the reason for the conflict. Mrs. Hariet was also facing a divorce prior to her son’s death. My investigations confirmed these two have been going at it behind her back.”

“But the lady is Rachel Alven. Her stepsister? She betrayed her sister with Desmond.”

“Ex-lovers.” I added more information.

“What do you intend to do?” He asked.

I played with the black diamond rock situated on the little table. “Stage Mrs. Hariet's first encounter with me.”

"Tomorrow is the funeral of their little son, and you arranged for me to somehow sneak you into their guest list. What are you planning?”

“I need to save her.”

“Her life is also in danger?” Lucas's eyes bulged.

I heaved a sigh. “Will be. Arrange for George to meet me.”

Lucas cast a worried stare at me. “You are much better now; why do you need him?”

I lowered my eyes, a bit hesitant to spill. “I might need to be sent to a clinic again.”

He raised a brow. “It is related to her.”

“Any clinic she will be sent to.”

“Did you hit your head somewhere?”

“I got some intel. Rachel Alven is planning to get rid of her sister quietly. It is not just a simple lover’s quarrel. Sarah Harriet is the heiress to Sam Alven shares and assets."

Lucas had to sit with information I just poured on him. “Sarah Hariet is pointing fingers at her sister for her son’s death.”

“There might be some truth to it.”

“Is it worth it? Your vengeance.”

My eyes darkened as I recalled all that Desmond put me through. His lies and dirt he covered while I fought for my life. My pleas all fell on deaf ears.

“There’s nothing I want more than to see him desolate of hope and life as he left me seven years ago. Death will be some paradise to him.”

Sarah

Dark gloomy skies lay overhead us, threatening a downpour as I stood in despair over my little boy’s grave. Once the ceremony was over, I dropped to my knees into a squat and gathered the flowers I prepared.

Gently I laid them atop his monument. “Don’t be scared, Liam; Mommy is with you. I’ll find out the truth about your death even if it’s the last thing I do.”

Suddenly it started to downpour; Desmond opened his umbrella, and for a moment my heart fluttered until he turned away from me and held it over Rachel’s and Mom's heads. He led them into the car while I was left to battle the cold and drizzle.

The guests all stared at me with some form of pity. Everyone gently dissipated as the ceremony ended and the weather was no longer welcoming. I was all alone. About to break down in tears, I held on; my driver hurried towards me with an umbrella, but before he could make it to me. I felt an arm drawing me to them. My heart skipped a beat as I met the eyes of the person. His woody, enthralling scent preceded his appearance. A deep set of dark brown eyes stared at me; they held an air of allure to them. The mystery and depth of someone dangerous.

I tried to escape their hold, but I slipped on the wet floor. His arm quickly wrapped around my waist and pulled me closer. For the first time in a while, my heart raced.

“What are you doing and who are you?” Scared someone might see me in a compromising situation with a strange man.

“A person who has your goodwill at heart.” He extended his palm. “Take it.” He urged.

I hesitated but took it regardless.

“Keep it on you at all times.” He ordered

I blinked at him, dumbfounded. Why would he give me a RING?