"Can you please eat slowly? No one is chasing you," Dana scolded as she handed me a bottle of water. I quickly gulped it down, surveying her opulent mansion, which seemed like a palace compared to mine. The scent of wealth lingered in the air, making me wonder how she had amassed such crazy riches.
"So, how's life now? Is everything okay? Please tell me you've quit your job and cut ties with Liam," she inquired with an apologetic tone and her words triggered a flood of memories and emotions, and tears streamed down my face. I dropped my cutleries in anger,
"How could you ask me such a question?" I thundered, my hands involuntarily sweeping the plates off the table as I saw a look of shock register on Dana's face. "You left us for six long years, and now you have the audacity to inquire about my well-being? How could you be so callous? Do you have any clue about the hardships I faced all on my own during that time?" I yelled in anger with the room now in chaos as I continued to vent my anger by breaking things before storming over to grab a flower vase.
"I was molested and almost r***d," she bursted out, causing me to freeze in place, unable to shatter the vase in my hand upon hearing her words. Witnessing her breakdown into tears, my heart shattered, realizing the lengths she had gone through.
I had indulged in dirty and filthy jobs, engaging with multiple men to protect her purity, ready to confront anyone who dared to cast a glance her way, because I want to protect her chastity since I can't protect mine. The idea that she had undergone such horrors was unbearable for me to comprehend.
"What do you mean? How did this happen? When and by whom?" I bombarded her with questions, dropping the vase and cautiously approaching her. The sorrow carved on her tear-streaked face and in her eyes spoke volumes of the suffering she had endured. Without hesitation, I enveloped her in a tight embrace, both of us breaking down in tears, united in our shared pain.
Dana revealed how our stepfather would consistently try to molest her whenever they were left alone at home, as our mother was often occupied with her hospital duties during the night shift, while I got night jobs. She endured these harrowing experiences until the day he made a genuine attempt to r**e her. In self-defense, she struck him with a bottle, fleeing in terror only to be struck by a car in her panicked escape.
"That despicable liar had the audacity to tell us that he was attacked and robbed, claiming the injuries on his head were a result of that and when he got home, he said he couldn't find you. I can't believe we were all deceived. If Mom were to learn of this, she wouldn't spare him," I seethed with anger, but she swiftly interjected.
"She knows," she said, meeting my eyes, leaving me puzzled at her words. "She's been aware all along but chose to ignore it," Dana stated firmly.
"No, that's not possible. Mom would never do that," I objected, knowing mom won't do that.
"She would, to shield the man she loves," Dana insisted, her expression unwavering. And the realization that I had been unaware of it all shook me to the core.
"I'm very sorry," I said as we embraced. Following our hug, I told her about my own bad experiences including my marriage to the devil and how Linda betrayed me.
"Well, I'm not surprised she did that to you. I've always warned you about her, but you never listen," Dana said in a mocking tone. "I wish I had listened to her advice," I thought ruefully.
"But why not also reveal that she's your partner in crime? If I recall correctly, both of you work for Liam, and I can see jealousy written all over her face when you land a wealthy client and she gets the short end of the stick."
"At that moment, I was at a loss for words because I can't believe she could really do that to me and I had not realized that Desmond was also privy to the situation. The thought that they may have conspired together left me speechless. What if she had already disclosed everything to him?" I guessed.
"No, based on what you've said, that guy likely has no knowledge of her past. She must have revealed yours while keeping hers a secret," Dana analyzed. "But you know what? I'm no longer that vulnerable girl you once fought for. Now, it's my turn to fight for you. We will reclaim everything together, I promise," she reassured me and am happy as we finally reunited.
I chose to remain with her as she shared her journey to her current position and the story of meeting Jace Prescott. My astonishment peaked when she mentioned Jace Prescott, the heir to PRESCOTT'S EMPIRE and the youngest billionaire in the world. Her descriptions of Jace stirred envy within me, and I found myself yearning for similar luck. Nonetheless, I took comfort in the thought that her life would not mirror my own.
***************************
"Dana inquired, 'Have you called her? Why is she late?" Dana asked as we waited for Bianca's arrival.
Just then she appeared and offered her apologies for the delay, I questioned her again, "Are you sure there's no one inside?"
"Yes, I've secured the premises and the CCTV will be off for the night," she affirmed.
With her reassurance, we entered the building and made our way to Desmond's office.
"Do you happen to know his password? I think it's four digits," Dana queried.
Not sure of what he could have used as his password, we exchanged glances, then I hazard a guess, "0205."
She inputted the code, and to our surprise, the safe unlocked.
Dana remarked with a raised brow, "That certainly isn't our birth date or anything."
"It's Linda's actual birthday date; the one the public knew was fake. Now I realize he never truly loved me,"I lamented as we proceeded to inspect the contents of the safe. To our amazement, we uncovered a gold bar, leaving me utterly shocked.
"Let's see what this is about," Dana suggested, producing a flash drive. We inserted it into the computer and began to watch.
"AHHHHHH!!!!" We all screamed in unison as we watched the horrifying sight before us.