No More Waiting, She Chooses Love



He went silent, but I could tell he was digging deeper.

"Why? Why won't you just tell me?" My patience was wearing thin, my hand thumping against the back of his seat.

Screech-

The car screeched to a stop, his hands gripping the steering wheel so tight his knuckles turned white. I spotted the stress on his face and my breath hitched.

"It's about money," he finally said, though his gaze was averted.

But he wasn't facing me, and I couldn't see his expression.

I thought about Susie Collins' illness, "Is it to pay for Susie's medical bills?"

Ernest rummaged through the glove compartment, pulling out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. It took him a few tries to get it lit, "Felicia Hudson, my father was responsible for your parents' death. It's a debt of life. A debt passed from father to son. I owe you."

He didn't answer my question directly but dropped this bombshell instead.

I watched him smoke, "So, how do you plan to repay this life debt?"

His cigarette trembled between his fingers, but he didn't offer an answer. Instead, he asked, "What did Lord tell you?"

He was dodging the topic of our feelings, but I was too preoccupied to care, relaying Lord's words to him.

After I finished, Ernest asked, "What do you think?"

I turned to look outside at the abandoned factory where I had been kept for hours, "I think Lord is using me as a pawn."

"Hmm?" Ernest's eyes met mine in the rearview mirror.

"He had Shirley Travis bring me here,

filled my head with all this

information. On the surface, it looks like he wants me dead, but then Shirley lets me go. It's clear he wants me to know the truth, to redirect my anger towards the Wagner family."

Ernest kept his gaze on me, though I continued to stare out the window, "Lord wants me to hate the Wagner family, making me aware that even if he was the one who bribed your father to go after my parents, the real puppeteers are still the Wagner family."

"And what can you do about your hatred towards the Wagner family? You can't touch them," Ernest challenged, making me face him.

"Are you provoking me, or do you think I'm incapable?"

We locked eyes, and he pressed, "If it's true that the Wagner family orchestrated everything, what will you do?"

His question tightened my chest.

Although thad suspected my

1

parents death was linked to Herschel, I hadn't fully considered the possibility. What should Ddo about Herschel and his family?

Call the police and have them pay for their crimes?

Or confront them, seeking a clear explanation, and sever ties with the Wagner family once and for all?

I didn't know. Before making any decisions, I needed to confront the Wagner family about the truth.

"Ernest, take me to the Wagner family," I decided.

He didn't say anything, just snuffed out his cigarette and fired up the car.This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

When we arrived at the Wagner family's doorstep, I got out, and Ernest followed suit.

Seeing his determination, I asked, "You're coming in too?"

"Your dispute with the Wagner family also involves my father," Ernest replied, leaving me with no argument.

Together, we entered the Wagner estate. The housekeeper greeted me warmly, adding, "Miss Felicia, Mrs. and Mr. Wagner have been expecting you."

Their anticipation sunk my heart. They knew I was coming, which meant Lord had already tipped them off, lending credibility to his claims.