Page 187 of Rhet

“I don’t want to go back there.”

“Your father and my father arranged it. They didn’t want us together,” A single tear runs down her cheek.

“What?” I feel like everything is coming at me all at once.

“Your dad didn’t want you to be tied down. My dad didn't want a Banner as a son-in-law.”

I swallow as things are falling into place in my mind.

“Did Barrett? Did he?” I couldn’t complete the sentence.

“Yes” she says I pull her into a hug and wrapped my arms around her.

“I’m sorry Char. I didn’t know?” I rest my chin on her head allowing her to cry.

She pulls away and wiped her eyes “We were both too young.”

“You should have come to me,” my anger was simmering.

“Rhet you were twenty-one. There was nothing you could have done,”

I nod “But there is something I can do now.”

“I loved you, Rhet Banner. I know you have a new life now, but I loved you.” She cries.

I look at her “I realized that I never really loved you.”

She gasps at my words, her hand reaches for her necklace.

“I loved the idea of us. However, now that I know what love looks and feels like. I know that I never really loved you, and you deserve better than that.” I’m being honest.

She bites her lips and shrugs “I know. But that lady in there you do love.”

I couldn’t deny it “She is my everything,”

Charlotte smiles sadly “At least I was able to save her.”

“For that I am grateful. The elevator pings again, the door opens and a nervous Dr. Javier is standing in the corner.

I step in, the door closes, and I press stop. The elevator comes to a halt with a jerk.

Dr. Javier has been working off a debt for years from Dad.

His black hair shines under the fluorescent elevator light.

He pushes up his glasses and stares up at me, “If I give you this would my debt be wiped out.”

I stretch my hand forward, not answering him.

He shakes as he passes me the case. I open it and I see two stringers of grey fluid.

“What will this do?” I ask as I zip the case up.

“Kill him. The potassium will trigger a heart attack. I added in three more minerals like ricin to complete the job.” Javier is shaking.

I press the stop button and the elevator begins to move down.

“Where do I inject it?” I question.

---