Page 137 of The Widower
“But what if I die, Daddy?”
“Sweetheart… you’re gonna live a long, long life. Don’t worry about that.”
“You sure?”
“I’m sure.”
“Promise?”
“I promise. I’ll protect you forever.”
I pulled her into a tight hug. My kids are everything to me, and I’d do anything for them—anything.
I felt cold water hit my face, but I could barely see anything. I knew my eyes were a wreck, my face bleeding profusely—and still, the beating didn’t stop.
I was going to die. They were going to beat me to death.
I hadn’t been a good man, not after what happened to my family. I knew what I’d become—someone despicable, a man who could barely stand to look at the people around him—and maybe I deserved this.
The hatred I’d carried in my heart for so long had poisoned even those closest to me, and I knew how deeply I’d failed them. How deeply I kept failing.
Then somehow, by some miracle, I learned I could still feel something good. After I met Hanna and Isabelle, something shifted inside me. I tried to ignore it, tried to keep them away—but I couldn’t. Especially not the little one.
I don’t know what it is about that girl, but I can’t stand being away from her.As clumsy as I am most days, I loved when she worried about a man like me. If she knew who I really was, that would change. Thankfully, she’s still an innocent child.
With Isabelle, it was different—harder. She broke through my walls little by little. At first, she hated me—I know that—but as the days went on, I realized it wasn’t just hate she felt.The more she tried to help me, the more drawn I became to her. I don’t even know when it started, but the moment I admitted to myself that I was falling for her, I let it happen.And that feeling only grew stronger.
“I’ll tell you a secret. You know Isabelle’s little boyfriend? He’s dead now! He didn’t pay me—didn’t even have money when I found him. That’s what led me to you…” He paused, smirking. “What makes you think you’re any different, huh? Tell me!” He burst out laughing. “You’re one tough bastard. Let’s see if this next part finally gets you talking.”
I didn’t say anything—not that I could. After the beating I’d taken, I could barely make a sound. The truth was, I couldn’t take much more. I was at my limit.
I didn’t know if I was dreaming, but then I heard a loud noise echo through the mansion—a blaring sound that reminded me of an alarm going off…
ISABELLE CAMPBELL
The house alarm went off, blaring through every corner of the mansion.
My plan had worked!
Even so, we were still locked inside that room. I prayed someone would come for us soon—and that Colin was still alive.
The plan had been simple. Maybe too simple. I’d deliberately entered the wrong code five times in quick succession, and after a short delay, the house alarm had triggered.
A few minutes later, I heard the wail of police sirens. From the window, I saw at least ten patrol cars speeding toward Colin’s mansion.
I wasn’t about to leave with the kids—not yet. I still had no idea what was happening in the hallways, and until I knew an officer was inside, I wasn’t taking any chances.
We waited for what felt like forever—about thirty minutes—until I finally heard someone enter Colin’s bedroom.
“Police! Anyone in here?”
“Yes!” I shouted, pounding on the door to show where we were.
I peeked through the peephole and saw the uniform.
Thank God.
I entered the original code, and when the door opened, relief washed over me so completely I could barely speak.
