Shadows of her Father

ChAPteR 3

Etta laid on the bed, her chest heaving as she struggled to catch her breath. Her mind was racing with thoughts of Victor and what she had just witnessed. She couldn't believe that Victor was capable of such violence.

Etta's thoughts turned to her own safety. She knew that Victor was a powerful and ruthless man, and she had just witnessed him commit murder. She realized that she had to get out of there, and fast.

Victor stood outside Etta's room, his fist clenched as he raised his hand to knock on the door. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, but his anger and frustration still simmered just below the surface.

Etta opened the door, her eyes flashing with defiance as she stood aside to let Victor in. "What do you want, Victor?”she spat, her voice in fear.

Victor closed the door behind him, his eyes scanning the room before coming back to rest on Etta's face.

"We need to talk, Etta," he said, his voice low and even.

Etta crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes flashing with fear. "I… d…don't want to hear it, Victor, I know what you're capable of. I saw what you did to Hector."

Victor's face twisted with rage, and he took a step closer to Etta. "You don't know what you're dealing with, Etta," he snarled. "You don't know what I'm capable of."

Etta stood her ground, her eyes flashing with defiance. "I'm not afraid of you, Victor," she lied. "And I'm going to make sure you pay for what you've done."

Victor's face turned red with rage, and he raised his hand, his fist clenched. "You're going to regret this, Etta," he hissed. "You're going to regret the day you ever crossed me."

Etta didn't flinch, despite the threat. "I'm filing for divorce, Victor," she said, her voice firm. "And I'm going to make sure you never hurt anyone again, the feds must know about your criminal empire, you’ll rot in jail!”

Victor's face twisted with rage, and he took a step closer to Etta. "You'll never take me down, Etta," he snarled. “Those who tried to take me down are not alive!."

Victor's face turned beet red with rage as he slammed his fist onto the wall, making Etta jump. his voice echoing off the walls. "You think you can expose me and get away with it?"

He took a step closer to Etta, his eyes blazing with fury. "I'll never let you do it," he snarled, his voice low and menacing.

"I'll kill you before I let you ruin me."

Etta tried to step back, but Victor was too quick. He grabbed her neck, his fingers wrapping around her throat like a vice. Etta's eyes widened as she struggled to breathe, her hands clawing at Victor's arms.

"File for divorce due to irreconcilable differences," Victor spat, his breath hot against Etta's face. "And don't even think about trying to expose me. You'll regret it."

Etta's face turned blue as Victor's grip tightened. She tried to nod, but Victor's grip was too strong. Just when it seemed like he was going to squeeze the life out of her, Victor released his grip, throwing Etta to the floor.

She lay there, gasping for air, as Victor loomed over her. "Don't forget," he snarled, before turning and storming out of the room.

Etta lay on the floor, gasping for air, as she struggled to process what had just happened. She couldn't believe Victor had just tried to strangle her. She was shaken, her body trembling with fear.

As she slowly sat up, Etta's eyes scanned the room, as if searching for an escape route. She knew she had to get out of there, away from Victor's toxic grasp.

Etta's hands flew to her throat, rubbing the tender skin where Victor's fingers had dug in. She winced in pain, feeling a wave of nausea wash over her.

She stumbled to her feet, her legs wobbly beneath her. She knew she had to keep moving, to find a way to protect herself and her daughter from Victor's wrath.

She kept on thinking about the dark fear that had gripped her just moments before. She looked down at her hand, at the wedding ring that had symbolized her commitment to Victor.

With a sob, Etta pulled off the ring, holding it in her palm as if it were a poisonous thing. She wept bitterly, the tears streaming down her face as she mourned the loss of her marriage, of her innocence, of her sense of self.

With a cry of anguish, Etta flung the ring away from her, watching as it sailed through the air, a small, glinting thing that seemed to disappear into nothingness. She stood there, weeping, feeling the weight of her chains lifting, ever so slowly, from her shoulders.

The next day, Etta and Victor found themselves in the same room, the tension between them palpable. They were in the living room, surrounded by the opulent furnishings and decorations that had once seemed so impressive to Etta.

But now, the lavish decor only served to highlight the ugliness of the situation. Victor's eyes narrowed as he looked at Etta, his gaze cold and calculating. Etta, meanwhile, couldn't meet his eyes, her gaze drifting instead to the floor.

The silence between them was oppressive, heavy with unspoken words and unresolved emotions. Etta fidgeted, her hands twisting together in her lap. Victor, on the other hand, seemed perfectly at ease, his shoulders relaxed, his expression unreadable.

Danielle rushed into the room bubbling with excitement.

“Daddy!” She screamed with joy”

“Yes my princess” he replied with a wide smile on his face.

“I had a dream about Unicorns, they were so big daddy!” She smiled

Etta’s heart was broken, she was filled with sorrow, she kept on questioning herself.

“What are my doing to do?, how am I going to safe myself and my little daughter”

She covered her face and wept with bitterness.

While secretly wiping her tears, she called out for her daughter.

“Danielle” she called faintly.

“Yes mommy! she said gleefully as she ran towards her mother.

“Mommy! mommy!! Mommy!! I was telling Daddy about my unicorn dream, they were…so many..and and anddd and..beautiful mommy! She said spinning with excitement”

Etta looked at her with sorrow, all she saw was her innocent child, with deep sadness she pulled Danielle to her chest hugged her and cried her heart out.

Danielle was confused about what was going on, she whispered to her mom softly, while caught up in her mother’s arms.

“Mommy don’t cry, don’t be sad, I’m always here for you, I love you”

Hearing Danielle’s words made Etta drown in tears and sadness.

“I love you too my beautiful baby girl, Mommy will always love you.”

Victor walked into the emotional scene between Diane and Etta.

“My lawyer will be here any minute, you should call yours too” he said sternly leaving the room.

“Asesina” he called out,

“Yes Daddy” she responded bouncing in excitement.

“Carolina is coming to take you to the mall and to the beach. He said softly.

“Okay daddy, mommy was crying, I told her not to cry, and I’m always here for her “ she uttered with a wide smile.

“You really know how to melt hearts” he spoke meekly.

Carolina walked into the room wearing a white sundress and a pink bag

“Diane sweetie, are we ready to go”

“Yes Aunt Carolina, she nodded happily.

She ran towards her mom giving her a big hug

“I love you mommy always.”

“Be a good girl my child”

“Bye mommy “ she said softly.

“Bye Daddy” she screamed with euphoria

“Bye princess” he replied giving her a high- five.

As Danielle and Carolina walked out the door

Etta was thorn, she felt empty, she buried her face in her hands and cried.

“Your lawyer should be here any minute, stop wasting your tears, you’re so weak” he said in anger.