Chapter 8
I settled in a small town in Chicago instead of following my mother–in–law’s “helpful” international escape plan.
A few days after arriving, one of my mother’s former students Kira tracked me down.
Both my parents had been university professors–Dad, the brilliant artis, and Mom, whose architectural designs had won international awards.
This particular student had switched careers to become a private investigator.
When she saw me, she grabbed me in a fierce hug, her voice cracking with emotion.
“Jesus Christ, Yunifer, why the hell didn’t you call me sooner? Your mom was like family to me–I won’t let those bastards get away
with this.”
After letting her vent, I invited her inside and laid out my evidence–the videos, recordings, and documents I’d meticulously collected.
Her face hardened with each new revelation. When she finished, she slammed her fist on the table.
“Those sociopathic pieces of shit!” she exploded. “I actually thought when you married Hektor after prison that you’d finally caught a
break!”
“Instead, that manipulative asshole orchestrated the whole damn thing.”
“Framing you, destroying your career, driving your father to his grave, and now literally killing your mother? They belong in cages,
not mansions.”
When her righteous fury finally ebbed, I leaned forward. “I want my life back. Everything they stole from me. Can you help me?”
She nodded but looked troubled. “We still need evidence proving Hektor switched your paintings.”
The situation was complicated–I had sold authentic masterpieces to collectors, but Hektor had created near–perfect forgeries and swapped them without anyone’s knowledge.
The audio confession was damning, but in court, we needed either physical evidence or eyewitness testimony to guarantee justice.
Kira promised to find what we needed, but my compromised immune system had other plans.
I caught pneumonia and spent a week fighting for my life in the hospital.
When I was finally discharged, I was shocked to find Hektor standing outside my rented apartment.
He looked terrible–unshaven, exhausted, hollow–eyed. When he spotted me, his empty gaze suddenly sparked to life. He rushed
forward and crushed me in his arms.
“Thank God,” he choked out. “Please come home, Yunifer. I’m begging you. Whatever you want, whatever you need–it’s yours. Just come back. We can fix this. Please.”
His grip was so tight I–could barely breathe. I pushed him away forcefully.
“Hektor, we’re divorced. I’m never coming back to you.”
5.9%
My rejection stunned him. After a moment, he forced a stiff smile.
“That’s not that’s not real,” he stammered. “I never signed anything. Those papers aren’t valid.”
“You used to be so gentle with me. How can you be so cold now?”
1 regarded him coldly. “Drop the act. Hektor. I know everything you’ve done.”
“What could possibly make you think I’d want anything to do with someone who systematically destroyed my entire life?”
The color drained from his face as my words sank in. His dark eyes filled with unmistakable anguish.
He reached for me again, but 1 stepped back.
Tunifer, please,” he said, his voice breaking. “I know what I did was unforgivable. I’ll spend every day for the rest of my life trying to make it right if you’ll just give me the chance.”
“I didn’t realize until you were gone–I’ve fallen in love with you somewhere along the way. Without you, there’s nothing. My life is just… empty.”
I’ve cut Laria out completely. Told her if she ever comes near either of us again, I’ll destroy her.”
“And my mother-” He ran his hands through his disheveled hair. “She won’t be a problem anymore. You’ll be the only Mrs. Reed who
matters. The entire staff will answer directly to you.”
His voice dropped to a desperate whisper.
“Please. One more chance. That’s all I’m asking for. Please.”
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