Chapter 4

It's been a year since I fled from my pain. I had thought my wound would heal, but I had been wrong. I haven't healed. Neither had I found closure. Instead something darker had taken root inside me. As the Uber driver drives past the familiar streets. I'm reminded of why I had left this forsaken country in the first place. I'm reminded of the pain and humiliation I endured over one year ago. I'm reminded of Darren's betrayal. "I hated this city" Blue murmured

in disgust. Echoing my thoughts. Within a minutes we are at the hospital. I pay him then get out. I stand for a minute. Watching the towering building. Calming myself. The hospital is for werewolves only. It was located a secluded area. We had werewolf government officials who helped us keep it under radar. If I were being honest, I hadn't planned on over coming back. But my godson had been diagnosed with a tumor. Camila had called me crying, afraid and hysterical.

I would do anything for them. So when they both ask me to come, to did. I left everything to come with them. Entering the hospital | locate the elevators a get in. Claire had given me the floor and room number. Given this was the same hospital Krystal was born in, I knew where to go. Minutes late, I'm walking into Mason's room. He's on the bed watching cartoons. Though he was scheduled to have an operation soon. He was calm. Laughing even.

Claire on the other hand looked tired and worn out. Managing our branch here while taking care of a sick son was draining her. This was the other reason I was here. To take care of the company. While she took care of Mason. "Aunty Renny, you came!" The excited shout brings me from my thoughts. Claire eyes snap open. I can see the happiness and relief in her eyes. "Hi baby boy" I greeted him. Kissing his forehead before stepping back. Turning towards Claire, I opened

my arms. She basically falls in them. Sagging in relief. "Hi Claire bear" She sobs. "Oh gosh Renny, you have no idea how much I have missed you. Talking to you on the phone isn't the same as having you here with me." "I'm here now and I will be for as long as you both need me" I whisper softly. Rubbing her back in comfort. She lets go of me then wiped her tears. She stared at me. As if inspecting me. "There is something different about you, I can't wrap my finger

around it though." I just give her a small tight smile. She has no idea just how different I had become. I turned my attention back to Mason as we both take our seats. "How is my favorite godson doing?" I asked. "Aunty" he says dragging the world l'm your only godson." I grin at that. He was right after all. "I have missed you lots. I'm glad you are here." The smile on his face, makes my heart constrict. I always try my hardest not to

think of Krystal. The pain that accompanies those thoughts is something I tried to avoid. "Well l'm here and I thought you lots of presents." "Really? That's so cool. I have been a good boy. The doctor says I'm very brave pup and that once l'm completely healed, I'm get an cream treat. My choice." The calmness and joy in his voice is contagious. For a moment I forget that my heart is frozen. I relaxed into the moment chatting with him. Mason is ten but his outside on life is different. He filled me in on

Especially his new best friend called Jax who comes to visit every day. At that, I looked at Claire in question. She nods her head confirming it's Miranda's son. From there on we chat lightly. had spent about three hours with them, when I cut my visit short. I had to go to the office to catch up on work. I was leaving the room when I came face to face with Darren. He was the last fucking person I wanted to see. "Lauren?" He asked unsure. As if

seeing a ghost or something. I don't answer him just give him a death state. We had nothing to talk about anyway. I was about to bypass him when a body collides with mine. Tiny arms wrap around my waist. I looked down to see the top of Krystal's head. Shit! I so wasn't ready for this. She is my daughter, I love her but I wasn't ready for this. I was still in a dark place. And my mind couldn't reconcile the pain and the love buried deep inside my heart. I wanted to hug her so much.

Fuck did I want to, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I was still afraid of her rejection. Afraid that she was going to push me away. Afraid she still hated me. Her hated words still rung in my ear I couldn't shut out her voice. Her voice as she called me an evil witch and other nasty names Or when she said she was going to pray to the goddess to punish m and send me to hell. I untangle myself from her and leave without a word. It makes me a monster. Walking away from my daughter like that but I can't get past the painful memories. I can't past the

darkness in me. In my hurry to get away from them I collide with someone. "I'm so..." I go to apologize but ! freeze. Miranda stands before me. Looking beautiful as ever. Asif she hadn't destroyed my life a year ago. "Lauren? Oh my god, it's you... long time no see, how are you?" I stared at her like she's lost her mind. Was this bitch being real right now? "Is something wrong with you?" asked completely puzzled.

She answered confused. "No, why?" It's seems you are under the impression that we are friends. Let me remind you that we are not friends and we will never be friends. You took everything from me and I'm back to repay the favor. Karma is nasty bitch. I'm going to be your personal hell. I will destroy you completely Miranda, until there's nothing of you left. By the time l'm done with you, you will wish you were dead." I threatened, my voice going cold and dangerous. With that I bump her shoulders, leaving her shocked and

shocking. I get a cab and go straight to our company. Thirty minutes later I arrive. Ruby's was able to bounce back once I left. We had even been able to open another branch in the island I had escaped to. I was just about to head into the building when I was stopped by two guards. "What the hell are you doin?" I asked gritting my teeth. I was in a bad mood after seeing Darren and Miranda. "What does it look like we are doing?" One of them retorted.

What sort of people did Claire hire while I was away? "Do you know who the fuck I'm?" "The president?" Wait, maybe you are the first lady." The other mocked. I was starting to get pissed and so was Blue. They were humans so we couldn't harm them. "I'm the CEO of this company" I snarl. My nails digging into my palms in anger. I wanted to swipe at them. Teach them a fucking lesson. "Not looking like that" the black haired one scoffed. I admit I wasn't looking my best. I

had worn out jeans, a crumpled blouse and shades. I had taken a direct flight with no stops so l wasn't looking all that put together. "I bet you are hoe, you probably fucked one of the higher ups and now they don't want anything to do with you, so you are here to cause to do with you, so you are here to cause drama the other one snorted in disgust. I stared at them in disbelief. We had started attracting attention. Not wanting to deal with the idiots, I try moving past them.

The tall one grabs me in a painful grip and started dragging me. That was when I lose it. "Get your filthy fucking hands off me." I shouted then using my other hand I slapped him hard. The hit echoed through the room. His eye turn dangerous and he's about to lounge at me when a voice stops him. "What the hell is going on here?" Micah our general manager shouts. "This bitch here is causing problems" one of them answered. Micah turned to look at me and

"Are these the type of fools you hire nowadays Mica? Who are disrespectful to women and even manhandled them?" My voice is could and restrained. "Oh God, I'm really sorry Lauren, so sorry...l apologized on their belief, it won't happen again" he stuttered nervously. I see the color drained from the faces of the guards once my name clicks in their mind. "Oh it definitely won't happen again because they are fired. Get them out of my fucking Company."

I walked past them. They beg me to give them another chance. I ignored them. "What are you all waiting around for? Get back to work or suffer the same fate" I shouted, making everyone scrambled to get back to their stations. I was done being nice. Done being good. In fact I was going to be very bad I was going to be the villain they accused me of being. Hall has no fury like a woman scorned. Darren and Miranda were going to pay. I was going to rain hellfire on all those who hurt me. I was going to watch them as they burned.