Page 95 of Playing With Fire
“How the fuck did we miss this?” he asks. I don’t offer an answer because the question is rhetorical.
“At the time of the trial, I was so torn up, I couldn’t stand tohear about it. So, I stayed away. Now, I wonder if I’d gone, maybe the asshole who got away with manslaughter would be serving time instead of walking free.”
This gets Officer Stewart’s attention. “Someone you knew in the other car then?”
“Someone I loved very much,” I admit, drawing on the strength I found from hearing Will’s voice at the beach. “Is this enough to launch an investigation into Gregor and his firm?”
“Absolutely. Hell, it’s enough to have the SBI in here to investigate our own office.”
By the time I leave Officer Stewart, I’m feeling lighter despite the multi-million-dollar lawsuit with my name on it and probably having no way of paying an attorney to fight it.
As soon as I get back in my truck and buckle Serafina in her car seat, I pull my phone out and shoot Monica a text. I know Jake’s dad’s trial starts today so she’s in court, but I want her to know the updates.
She calls me back when the court takes a break.
“It’s great news that they’re going to launch an investigation. It’s about fucking time,” Monica says with heated anger in her voice. “Look, he works fast and I know he’s already trying to have me kicked off this case. Plus, I want insurance in case he somehow manipulates the SBI’s investigation. Can you meet me at the courthouse tomorrow at noon? The longer we wait, the more time Gregor has to prepare.”
“I’ll be there,” I tell my sister.
“It’s time to get blood under my nails.”
I shake my head.
At least it won’t be Shannon’s.
Chapter 39
Shannon
It’s amazing how quickly humans can adapt to new information, surroundings, and environments. Already, Hudson’s place feels like home. In reality, it felt like home the second I stepped over the threshold that first time.
Last night, Monica and the kids came over for dinner and she and Hudson laid out the plan for getting Gregor out of our lives for good.
The finality of it comes with relief, but also with a great deal of sadness.
It’s the end of an era for me and even though I contributed to my marriage’s demise by having an affair, I still grieve the loss of what could have been, whatshouldhave been, and what we had for the first few years we were married. I grieve the loss of the man I met and fell in love with all those years ago, the memories we shared, the love we once held for each other, and perhaps that’s what’s hurts the most.
Monica and Hudson gave me the option to be present at the courthouse today when they confront Greg, but I declined.
I don’t need to see the moment he realizes that he ruinedhis own life. I don’t need to fan the flames of my hurt and anger in order to get a reaction from him. In fact, reclaiming control over my life means having the power to experience my feelings about Greg and then let them go. No more questioning, begging, hoping.
Just…done.
I feel no joy in his suffering or from tearing a father away from his daughter and if he’d given me even anounceof effort with Serafina, I wouldn’t agree with punishing them both like this.
But a future with Greg in it will only lead to misery and disappointment, and I want my daughter to be wanted by those in her life.
So today, my mom and dad are at Hudson’s with Serafina, Cam, and Ally while I use my sparsely decorated apartment for telehealth appointments as if it were any other Tuesday.
I’ve learned a lot about love, life, marriage, and compromise over the last four months, and while I’m not terribly proud of my choices, I wouldn’t take them back, either. Most importantly, I’ve learned that when it comes to playing with fire, it’s usually the one who strikes the match that gets burned.
I’ll expend no more energy on the man who sought to break my spirit and use me for his own gain. I’ll move forward focusing on my daughter, my boyfriend, our friends and family, and my patients. I’ll live a simple life full of joy and laughter, surrounded by people who love me and support me.
And that is the best revenge of all.
Chapter 40
Hudson
