Page 68 of The Off-limits Grump Next Door
I leaned forward, my eyes locking onto hers. "You should have thought of that before you tried to destroy lives.”
“Did Antonio or George put you up to this?” she asked, her voice shaky.
“Neither of them knows about this,” I replied firmly. “And I’d like to keep it that way.”
“Then why are you doing this?” she sneered. “Why risk so much?”
I hesitated, the truth slipping out before I could stop myself. “Because I love Antonio.”
Eve’s sharp retort died on her lips. Her expression softened, almost… remorseful. For the first time, I saw a glimpse of humanity in her.
“You love my son?”
“Does that sound impossible to believe”
I straightened my shoulders. “Yes, I do.”
She studied me in silence for a long moment before speaking again, her voice softer than before. “I’m sorry,” she said, shocking me. “I’m sorry you got dragged into my mess.”
The sincerity in her words left me speechless.
“Yes. And I'm grateful my boy has someone who loves him and is looking out for him this way. I can't get to do that anymore.”
“Why can't you? You know you could just apologize, right?”
“Do you honestly think an apology would make up for everything I've done? I've come too far to be able to find my path back.”
“At least let him know you regret your actions. It might be a really long road to forgiveness, but it's a step in the right direction.”
“And how about you? Has Antonio forgiven you? Are you two back together?”
I looked away. Those words stabbed my heart. “I betrayed him. I don't deserve to be by his side.”
“Nonsense! No one other than you should be beside him. In the end, you didn't betray him. Thompson says it was Anne who sent in the story, not you. And, that they'd found a resignation letter you prepared, just in case not turning in that story meant you'd have to lose your job.”
“Well, none of that matters anymore.” I answered, my voice seared with pain. Then, I snapped out of my self-pity. “Let's get back to the reason we're here.” I said, sitting up straight, eyes fixed on Eve, my tone firm.
“What do you want?”
“No more threats from you to the Michaelsons. If you have to leave Asheville and never return, that would be your choice. But one more threat, and I'll stop at nothing to lock you away for a really long time.”
Eve's gaze dropped, and I knew I'd won. I made her sign an agreement, and I gave them and everything I'd dug up on her to Tina before leaving.
***
I opened my eyes, the hum of the plane bringing me back to the present. The flight attendant’s voice interrupted my thoughts.
“Can I get you something to drink, ma’am?”
I shook off the memory. "Just water, please."
I took a sip, feeling the cool liquid calm my nerves. My mind wandered back to Antonio. Would he ever forgive me? Did I deserve it?
The plane hit a patch of turbulence, jarring me from my thoughts. I gripped the armrests, listening as the attendant reassured everyone that it was just a little rough air.
As the plane steadied, I pulled out my journal and began to write, letting the words flow. It was the only way I knew to make sense of my tangled emotions.
Hours passed, and soon, we began our descent into Anchorage. My heart quickened with anticipation, thinking of Tom, Lucinda, and the kids waiting for me. A fresh start.
