Page 58 of Wicked Nasty

Katya was more than just a nanny; she was the love of my life. From the start, our love was forbidden. Katya was and always will be my one true love. Your mother and I were an arranged marriage, a marriage to unite two wealthy families. A marriage born out of blackmail. There has never been an ounce of love shared between us.

I brought Katya in as your nanny to have her close to me, to provide for her, to have her raise you to be the wonderful woman you are today.

But alas, your mother was never going to let that continue. Especially after she saw what Katya meant to you.

There are… more complicated situations that play into this, but those are to be left for another day.

Just know I never wanted Katya to leave. I had no choice if I wanted to live.

I love you, Rebecca. Good luck and godspeed.

Daddy

Tears rip through me like a raging storm, tearing apart my heart and leaving it in jagged pieces. Jim and Liz come around, their warm arms enveloping me as I convulse with sobs. My body trembles uncontrollably as the weight of what has happened crashes down on me.

Through blurry eyes, I can see Jim take out a crumpled piece of paper and slide it onto the table.

"I put some feelers out," Jim says softly. "Katya was last known to be living in Florida."

My sobs quieten as disbelief washes over me. Liz smiles, her eyes full of love and determination.

"We got you a plane ticket. Happy birthday, baby girl."

The words hang in the air, filling me with both excitement and apprehensiveness. I wipe away my tears and take a deep breath, ready to embark on a journey that could change everything…

Chapter sixteen

Daniel

Ghost Town

Asthehourstickby, Becca is nowhere to be found. I pace relentlessly, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.

My heart races as I pace back and forth, trying to understand why I feel so anxious for her.

I tell myself I don't care about her, but my head shakes in disagreement. Confusion swirls around me, like a thick fog, clouding my true feelings for Becca.

My head pounds with confusion and anxiety as Iz's words echo in my mind - Becca was released. But where is she now? Has something happened to her?

Every minute feels like an eternity as my heart wrenches in uncertainty and dread.

As my dad enters the kitchen, his footsteps heavy and burdened, he shakes his head in frustration. I can see the worry etched into every line of his face.

"Her father said he gave her the keys to her car and a letter," he says, his voice full of concern. "But he wouldn't tell me what it was about."

Deliah's lips twist in anger. "Well, that's just bullshit. That letter could hold the key to all of this."

My dad nods in agreement, his brows furrowed with worry. "He also mentioned Becca and her mother had another fight..."

I groan and look up from my seat at the kitchen table. "Again?"

My mom joins us at the table, her expression curious. "What do you mean, again?"

With a sigh, I shift in my chair. "Becca and her mom have never gotten along. And I have a feeling... no, I know. I know her mother gets violent with her."

Tears start to well up in my mom’s eyes and my dad wraps an arm around her for comfort. "She'll show back up, I'm sure."

My mom looks at my dad with anger and hate blazing in her eyes. "I swear to god, if anything happens to her because of that woman..."

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