Married To My Sister's Husband novel Chapter 24

JUDY

The car stopped and I looked out of the window to see where we were.

We were at an abandoned factory sitting on a parcel of land I had purchased few years ago, hoping to put in work and turn it into one of Luthel Inc's pharmaceutical someday.

But for today, it would be serving a whole different purpose. I opened the door of my Mercedes S600 guard and the smell of wet decayed grass and messy puddles here and there hit me, making my nostrils tingle.

I quickly walked into the factory building as I was shown the way in by 2 of my security personnel-that escorted me here in a Range rover sentinel just for extra protection.

The risk of being here was very high, given my high profile in the society and all, so it's best not to get killed out here, or even worse- get caught.

But I had urgent business to attend to and it'll go without saying that the risk would be worth it.

We took the stairs to the 3rd floor of the building were we met with other of my men- Baron, Pope and Jack, who were guarding a raggedy looking man, beaten and tied up in a wooden chair.

His eyes were blindfolded and his mouth was gagged with a piece of dirty looking cloth.

"Has he said anything relevant yet?" I asked one of the men watching him.

"Nothing yet ma'am. But he was insistent on meeting you in person." Baron replied.

Yes, I had this man kidnapped and will do worse if he doesn't tell me what I wanted to know. He requested I be here, so I took the risk of coming here. But if he's trying to trick me by lying, I'll have his head and that of his entire family.

"Wake him up." I ordered, and Jack slapped the man a few times into consciousness.

He winced in pain from the sensitive parts of his body that has sustained bruises from my men's beating.

"Take off his blindfold and gag, I want to be able to hear what he has to tell me." I ordered, and his eyes and mouth were free in an instant.

The moment his eyes fell on me, it was as though he felt a bit of relief and that bothered me all little.

"Mrs Luthel" he greeted.

"Do you know why you are here, Frank?" I asked him, not wanting to be here any longer than I should be.

"Your men kidnapped me on my way home from work, and they've been accusing me of something absurd that I can't even understand, let alone believe." He replied frightened.

Since he doesn't understand what was going on, I'll just have to properly explain everything to him.

"About 3months ago, there was an accident and my daughter died in that accident. You were the detective i paid a huge sum of money to cover up every and anything that would pin my other daughter the case, I'm i right?" I asked him sternly.

"Yes ma'am, you are." he answered trembling.

"You were ordered to destroy every evidence of my daughter's involvement to that case and in return, I established you and your household in the most gratifying way possible, is that right?" I asked again, making sure he is completely on board and I'm not amiss here.

"Yes ma'am." He replied.

"But about a week ago, series of pictures resurfaced and they landed in the hands of my precious daughter- the same daughter I had paid big money for, so she would never to find out. Now, only you and I knew what happened that day, so if I didn't send those pictures to her, I figured the next person would be you. And boy- did you make it difficult to find you." I told him clearly.

He knew this was time for re-evaluation because, anything he says now would either end his life and that of his family or set him free.

"Ma'am, I'm telling the truth, I didn't..."

"You thought you could use those pictures to blackmail my daughter into giving you more money, right?" I asked in a haste, catching him by surprise.

"But that's not true, I swear on my daughters lives. I did no such thing." He confessed nervously.

If he didn't send it to Livy, who did? He and I were the only ones with the memories of what happened that day.

"Mrs Luthel, we made a deal because you trusted me, and I'ld be a fool to break the trust of such a powerful woman for just a few more bucks. So, just give me sometime and I'll find out who exactly did this." he stated assuredly.

Well, he was a detective and up until now I've had no issues working with him. If he really wants to find out who did these, then he can be my guest.

But, if it turns out that he just swore falsely with his daughters lives, then they are better off without a father like him.

"Fine. You find out exactly who gave my Livy those pictures- and...who is trying to blackmail her with it. You have 72hours and of which...your family will be in my special custody, just for your motivation" I replied, sending terror all through his face with the mention of his family.

I don't plan on harming them in anyway. To them it would be like a vacation in one of Luthel Inc's luxurious 7star hotels for the next 3days, unless of course he fails to find out who is behind all of these.

Then I'll be responsible for making his wife a widow and his daughters- fatherless.

"Please ma'am- I'll do anything, just don't hurt my family" he pleaded with sorrowful eyes.

"Then I suggest you start searching. Let him go." I ordered my men, and they hurriedly let him lose.

I headed out the same way we came with my security in front. It wasn't until I got in the car was I able to breath properly, even my cheffur noticed the color leaving my face.

Alex has been in the family even before I got married to Julian- my daughters father, so he was trusted until he's found unworthy of that trust.

"Should we head to the hospital, ma'am? You look faint," Alex asked me as he looked through the rare mirror, but I shook my head in protest.

"I need to be at the office, I've got some investors coming over for lunch by 2, so I can't afford to be absent." I replied, while putting a call through to Baron.

"Make sure you keep close eyes on him, Baron. And do not let him communicate with his family in anyway, have I made myself clear?" I asked intensely.

"Very clear ma'am." Baron replied through the phone before I ended the call.

I opened my purse and brought out a pill container. I opened it and took out one pill from it and swallowed. I opened the armrest by my side and brought out a bottle of spring water and took a sip from it.

Lately, with the anxiety and sleepless nights I've been having, my health has deteriorated even further. The headaches had intensified and it's slowly beginning to after my daily performance.

This is the reason why I can't leave anything to chance anymore. Livy has to step up, unless Luthel Inc would go under, but that would be over my dead body.

I already spoke with a judge who said Markian and Livy's marriage have to be at least a year old in other for them to be able to file for a divorce. I couldn't express my relief at the news, but I wondered how Livy would react to it.

She's been acting like her memories were coming back which would be impossible because they were taken away from her by hypnosis.

Few days ago she had confronted me about the same issue as last time. She pleaded that she wants her memory back, but I refused.

Of course she must have found out that she and Markian couldn't get divorced since they've barely been married for up to 3months.

"You won mother- you always do. No matter how hard I try to fight or stand up to you, I never win. I can't get rid of Markian, so until I find out if it's really me in those pictures, I'll have to suffer every time I see him because I can't tell him anything." She sobbed.

"You were never meant to see those pictures, but you did. So, you'll just have to pretend like you didn't and go on with your life." I said to her casually.

I didn't want her to drag this issue further, and it's best if she just keeps shut about because, if the wrong people hear about this matter, it won't be easy getting her out of it this time around.

"I killed my sister! Your daughter! Don't you hate me? At least look me in the eyes and tell me you are disappointed in me! You...can't be so unfeeling to the point that you don't care about what I do, or the person I turn out to be." She replied sadly.

Her eyes were swollen prior to coming her, and I knew just how much the truth must be hunting her now, which was what I was avoiding.

But letting her have those memories back would only cause her more pain- so much pain her poor heart won't be able to contain it.

Oh, forgive me Livy but I can't fulfill your one desire this time, not after weighting all the risk at hand.

"Your sister is dead! And she died because she was weak but you are strong. You made a sacrifice for the greater good, so why would I hate you for doing that? You don't have those hurtful memories anymore, so why would you want to remember? Trust me, your life would be easier this way." I reassured her, hoping- no praying, she would concede.

"Just like 8yrs ago, when I had to spend the night at the police station? I asked you why you didn't come to get me the next day and all you could say was, 'the bitter truth should not be told, your life would be easier that way'. But it never was. Turned out you had to save your precious daughter's life while I was at the station all night". She scoffed with tears in her eyes.

"C'mon mom- Sophy was your favorite after all, so you must have held a grudge against me. Why don't you stop lying and just tell me the goddamn truth for once!" She requested loudly, shocking me.

That was another memory that I asked to be taken away. On their senior year, Livy bashed another kid in her class pretty badly and her father happened to be a lawyer, so they filed a report against Livy.

The police got to her before I did, but before I could go to the station to see her, I met Sophy who was bitterly crying.

She held a small bottle with a greenish acid inside of it, and she threatened to consume it if I went to the station that day.

So, even when Livy had called directly from the station, I lied and told her I was held up at work and couldn't come to get her.

Ild give anything to make her forget what I did that day, and I did- I made her forget, but now she seems to have remembered.

"Your sister would have killed herself if I had come to you that night. She had always been weak, and a weakling can not seat on the throne I had prepared for you both. So, I'm not angry with you... in fact, I'm proud of you." I told her encouragingly, but she wasn't buying it.

"What...is...wrong with you. I am a murderer with no knowledge of what I've done! I need my memories, I'm going insane here! Please." She pleaded redundantly.

"I can't do that. Now if you have nothing else to do or say than to wallow in your self pity, then you'll have to excuse me- I have work to do." I said, dismissing her sternly.

Could there really be a way for her to regain her suppressed memories without help? I wondered as the pounding headache in my head suddenly rendered me unconscious- barely mobile enough to even reach for my phone again.

MARKIAN

"Alex, how is she?" I asked anxiously with Livy behind me.

We arrived at the hospital just 15mins after Alex had called me to inform me that Judy collapsed few minutes ago.

"The doctors are with her now, but they've not been able to tell me anything yet" Alex answered.

I could see the light lift from Livy's face, and for the first time in almost a month, I could read her face and it's emotions. She looked pale almost as if she was nauseous and would throw up at anytime.

"Did anyone see you come in here? The press, paparazzi- maybe?" I asked being cautious.

Judy would hate it if she regains consciousnesses but finds the press outside the hospital doors. She hates looking or being painted as weak by this gossip news channels, so for her to be hospitalized would be seen as a risk she wasn't willing to face even though unconscious.

"No. I rushed her here from a meeting downtown, after I noticed she wasn't responding to my calls." He answered truthfully and a bit anxious.

It was as though Livy's legs failed her as she slumped on the bench close to us. I rushed and held her in place, steadying her while she recollected her senses.

I could feel her trying to resist my touch and holding back her tears. My heart boiled with anger at her attempts of resistance but I guess I deserved it for everything I had put her through.

I wanted to release her from my hold, but the feeling of regret and disappointment lingering around my for the past few weeks vanished with my next line of action.

So involuntarily, I pulled her into a comforting hug, and surprisingly it brought me peace and genuine happiness.

I missed her terribly- her voice, her sweetness, the way she trembles when I'm mad at her, her innocence like the way her face turns red each time I was close to her.

It's been almost a month since I held her this close and honestly, I could stay like this forever. With her in my arms, I was feeling like a freaking superhuman with the world in my grasp.

I don't fully understand what I was feeling for this woman, but I want to fight to keep her close to me and safe from every form of danger.

She didn't repulse me anymore, in fact I didn't want to let go of her at this point- until I heard soft sobs escaping from her lips. They were so soft, it could easily be missed.

"You can cry all you want Livy, I'll hold you so you won't have to feel like you're alone. I promise I won't leave you." I proclaimed unconsciously, unaware of how those words could escape my lips.

Those were almost the same comforting words I had said to Sophia when we were both lost in the woods 16yrs ago, but somehow, it felt right repeating them to Livy.

I held her even tighter as I felt her give up on her resistance and held on to me, like she wanted me to be with her just as much as I wanted to be with her.

Slowly her sobs became louder and she began to cry, while my heart was breaking into tiny little pieces.

Would it be so wrong if I fall in love again?

Because I want to- I really, really want to love this woman that fits perfectly in my arms right now.

I want to learn how to be selfless and courageous as to sacrifice my life for someone who might never be mine. I want to have faith that things will get better even if there's no ray of sunshine in the sky.

I want to be with Livy- I want to be like Livy.

I pulled her away from my chest so I can look at her face. It was all wet and red, and so were her eyes.

I took her chin in my hand and raised her face to mine.

"Would it be ok if I said I love you?" I asked like those word were threatening to choke me to death if I didn't say them to her.

She seemed to have frozen for a moment at my question and so was I.

We stared at each other for few seconds that felt like a lifetime because, it seemed like time for us froze.

I felt tears roll down my cheek. Wait... was I really crying? I guess I couldn't help myself seeing those sad and sorrowful eyes of hers.

I was ashamed of myself for not being able to protect her from her pains, so I just buried my head at the crook of her neck this time and I patted her back gently to pacify her as she continued to cry even louder.

Few moments passed, then a doctor came out to meet us.

"Are you Mrs Luthel's family?" he asked.

Livy had stopped crying a while ago and just sat on the bench very quiet and still, while I stood up and paced about.

I was nervous of what news the doctors might have of Judy.

"Yes. I'm her son-in-law and she is her daughter. Doctor, is she alright?" I asked anxiously.

"She's fine, she just fainted as a result of extreme fatigue and lack of sufficient rest and sleep that's all. We had to do lots of tests to see if there were other causes, that's why it took longer. She's conscious now so you all can go in and see her." the doctor revealed and that gladdened my heart.

I shook his hand - thanking him before he left.

I turned to Livy excitedly, expecting a cheerful smile from her but I got nothing.

Her face had gone blank again, totally unreadable and emotionless.

"The doctor said we can now go in to see her. C'mon, let's go in and see her." I suggested.

"I know what the doctor said- I heard him. If you want to see her, you can go by yourself. I think I'll head back to the office now, I've got work to do." She replied plainly.

This is mental. How can she possibly say all these after the way she had cried for 30mins.

"What do you mean by 'work'? Your mother is being hospitalized and you want to work?" I asked very upset now.

"It's good she has you and I'm glad it wasn't anything serious, but...I rushed here misguidedly thinking she was critical, isn't that enough? I'm glad she is ok, but I don't see any point in wasting more time here. I have work to attend to, and I'm pretty sure even she would understand that" she replied disdainfully.

This is just too much and I wasn't going to stand for it. Something about the way she just said that made me snap.

"She is your mother, and someday when she is no more you'll regret your decision today. I don't know what has come over you, but this is not the Livy that I married. The lady I married was brave, compassionate and lovely, but now you're just an emotionless weakling." I blurted in anger as I left her to go see Judy by myself.

I never truly got over my mother's death, so it provokes me whenever I see someone else acting horribly towards their mother- I just snap.

Maybe it's because I know I'd give anything to still have mine with me today.

I knew I had hurt Livy's feelings with my words, but I was becoming frustrated with her attitude lately.

Few days ago, she badged into my office and requested I fire the old Accountant Manager, as she would very much like to be Castlehill's new Accountant Manager.

Well, since it very well corresponded with one of the clauses in our contract, I had no other option but to cede to her request.

She has been working at Castlehill ever since then but no one knows about our relationship, although rumors have been flying around the company.

I don't hate it so much, since seeing her at the office has been a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day for me, despite how forceful she was in gaining that position. And no matter how late it may seem for me, I still want to make amends.

But this behavior of hers right now was beyond heartless.