Page 12 of Retribution

I sit in the waiting area for what feels like years, but in reality, is only three hours.

“Mr. Breckenridge?” A woman in scrubs interrupts my train of thought.

I stand up, making my presence known.

“Mrs Breckenridge is out of surgery and she has been transferred up to the ICU, the surgery went as well as we could have hoped. However, she will be closely monitored following the surgery. The doctors in the ICU can provide you with a lot more information regarding her condition.”

Thanking her, I begin to make my way to the intensive care unit.

My eyes rest upon her, the reality of the situation now sinking in. I haven’t slept properly in weeks, the reason of it all is lying right in front of me.

Here she is. The most vulnerable state she’s ever been in, her shield, shattered and her guard completely down. She has ceased fire.

The visualization of the situation only makes it worse; it cements the consequences of it. Her luscious blonde locks are now partially missing as a wide bandage wraps around her head with numerous tubes and drips connecting to her body. The body I loved so much, the beautiful body that birthed our only child, now damaged and broken.

I take hold of her hand, as cold as ice, as cold as her heart. Her face that was once a light tan, now a washed gray. Her lips once plump and pink, now a tight blue. Her forehead is littered with cuts, her nose swollen, and deeper wounds sit across her jaw and chin.

Poor Allie.

I pull the chair up to the bed and hold her hand tightly, I’m never going to leave her side, until death do us part.

Chapter 4

Indie

Awakening at the crack of dawn, I creep out of the house before I could wake Scott, not bothering him with my usual goodbye kiss. Especially not after his distance last night. If anything, I’m avoiding him because he decided to roll in, in the early hours of this morning and disturb me, reeking of alcohol.

It’s disgusting and disrespectful.

I haul all of my bags into my car trunk, before accelerating towards Buckland Hall.

The sun has barely begun to rise, but I have to make sure I’m prepped and raring to go as the girls are due to arrive in a few hours.

I’m of course eager.

This is one of the most exciting times of my career, finally getting to see the hard work pay off and get the recognition we deserve.

Pulling up to the beautiful gates, I drive along the pebble stone driveway, the hall pillars echoing the entire front of the ancient building.

Once inside, I set up all of my equipment, makeup, hair, and spare costumes. I want to ensure nothing is going to get in the way of our inevitable winnings. Every single one of my talented dancers has been carefully selected, according to their skill level.

Most dance moms bring their own makeup and hair employees, but you never know when there could be a slip up. I’ve experienced far too many of my own to be ignorant to it.

***

By the time the show ends, I feel like I can finally breathe.

The star of the show is of course Willow Breckenridge. Every other girl is amazing but there is just something special about that Willow.

I’ve never felt such excitement, finding out we’ve won the prize funding for our ballet school.

Scott’s of course, not in the audience, despite my invitation. His lack of presence doesn’t deter me though, I don’t need him to witness every moment of my success.

Willow gets to take home the ‘Star Quality’ award, which I already knew she’d get, I have every faith in her talent and ability. I’m glad the judges can see her how incredible she is.

It’s disappointing for Allie not to be able to experience this moment, knowing it’s something she takes pride in.

Instead, her father is in the audience as Willow proudly pointed out. It’s difficult to make him out in the crowd but I’m just glad he finally decided to show his face for the sake of his daughter. I’m all too familiar with having a lack of parental support in situations like this.

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