Chapter 8

Alison

Aidan’s words hit me like a blow.

“You can’t be serious,” I said in a whisper. “Is this some twisted attempt to get me to come back with you?”

He shook his head. “I wouldn’t lie about something like this. There’s evidence, Rae. Back at our home. If you come with me, I’ll show you everything.”

I took a step back. I was feeling overwhelmed by everything. I didn’t know what to do. I just stared at Aiden.

Aiden moved closer to me. “I know no apology is going to make up for what I did, but I will keep apologizing if that’s what it takes to get you to come home with me. I let my emotions take over, which was wrong.” Aiden paused, then his voice picked up again. “Listen to me. There’s nothing going on with Mabel. I swear it. Everything I said that day... it was out of anger. I didn’t mean any of it.”

“You’re lying!” I snapped, my voice breaking. “You told me you were going to marry her. That you’d give her everything—my inheritance, my life. You wanted to replace me with her, Aiden!”

His eyes softened, and during that moment he took another step closer. “I didn’t mean any of that, Rae,” he mumbled. “Like I said before, I let my emotions take over. I was hurt, and I lashed out. I was wrong.”

I crossed my arms, narrowing my eyes. “Stop lying. I saw you with her some nights ago at a restaurant. You looked like you were so happy that you finally got rid of me .”

Aiden exhaled sharply, his shoulders sagging. “I was drunk that night. I was trying to make sense of everything that happened between us. Look, if I wanted us to end—really end—I would’ve filed for a divorce, but I didn’t. That shows I don’t want to lose you.”

His words caught me off guard, and I found myself at a loss for a response. Aiden took another step closer, and then, to my utter shock, he dropped to his knees.

“Rae, I’m sorry,” he apologized once again. “I’m sorry for everything I put you through. I regret it more than I can say. But I need to know... why did you cheat on me?”

“I didn’t cheat on you,” I said firmly, my voice rising. “Mabel lied to you. She lied about everything.”

His face softened, his eyes filling with something that looked like hope. “Then come back with me,” he pleaded. “Let me make it right.”

I hesitated, thinking about what to do. After making up my mind, I nodded toward him. “Get up, Aiden.”

He stood slowly, his eyes staring at mine as he spoke. “Does this mean... you’re forgiving me?”

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “Yes. But only because I need answers. About my father. About Damien. About everything.”

A genuine smile broke across his face for the first time in what felt like years. “You won’t regret this,” he said.

As we made our way to the car, I couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy. I was free from Damien’s clutches, but Aiden’s accusation about Damien being involved in my father’s death left me shaken. Could that be the reason Damien helped me at the pub? Did he know who I was all along? Did he want me dead, too?

We hit traffic on the way back, and I noticed Aiden constantly texting. “Who are you texting?” I asked. “Is everything okay?”

“It’s fine,” he said quickly, glancing at me. “Just business.”

I didn’t believe him, but I let it slide. I wasn’t in the mood to argue anymore.

When we finally arrived at the house, the sight of it felt surreal. The memories of my time here—both good and bad—flooded my mind. The moment we stepped inside, Mabel appeared at the top of the stairs. Her expression twisted into one of fury the second she saw me.

“Why did you bring her back here?” she snapped at Aiden. “After everything she did? Or have you forgotten so soon?”

“I haven’t forgotten,” Aiden replied calmly. “But I’m ready to move past it. It’s either you accept that, or you leave.”

I watched as the color drained from Mabel’s face. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, and for the first time in a long while, I felt a sense of satisfaction seeing her crumble.

“You always have to take everything from me!” she spat, shoving my shoulder as she stormed past.

Aiden turned to me. “Do you want me to kick her out? Just say the word, and she’s gone.”

“No,” I said quietly. “I don’t care about her. I just want answers.”

“Then come with me.”

We walked upstairs, the familiar creak of the floorboards beneath my feet stirring long-buried memories. This house had originally belonged to Aiden’s father. He had gifted it to us after our wedding, saying he wanted his grandchildren to grow up where his son had.

“This holds the answers to everything,” Aiden said as we stepped into the study.

He handed me a small box, and I hesitated before opening it. My heart was pounding. Summoning the courage, I finally opened it. There were documents and photographs were scattered inside the box.

“What is this?” I asked.

“Read it.” Aiden urged me, and I glanced through every document.

“These are pictures of Damien with your father, and my father.” I said in a shocked tone.

I knew when this picture was taken. It was when I was away in London trying to figure my career path. My father.

Sent me several pictures of himself before attending the club. He had asked me if his choice of outfit was perfect, and I remember telling him he looked amazing.

That was the last time I got a text from him. The next thing I heard was that he was gone.

“Alison!” Aiden’s voice made me snap out of my thoughts.

I peered at the box going through it, and my eyes widened. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.

Aiden must have seen my expression, because he spoke up. “There’s also a recording of Damien confessing to the crime. Check deeper and there is a document displaying his gun purchases and basic information about him.”

I followed Aiden’s instructions and checked the box. My eyes landed on the little recording device. I pressed it and the sound of Aiden’s voice echoed in the study.

“I killed the men at the club.”

Damien’s voice boomed loudly as I played the recording. “All of them,”

“This is…”

“A lot, I know, but this also shows that Aiden is a monster.”

“How did you even get a hold of this?” I asked curiously.

“During the time, father and I were investigating after the incident occurred. My father didn’t want to stop. He wanted to find the killer and avenge your father’s death. When Damien realized we were going to expose him, he killed him. He threatened me afterwards, telling me he was going to end me if I informed the police.”

“I’m sorry you went through this.” I said, and another question popped into my mind.

“What of Alberto? How do you know him?”

“He was one of the men who helped during our investigation. I guess he had an unsolved rivalry with Damien and wanted to see him and his gang locked up. He fed us with information about their gangs, and that’s how we became close.”

During that moment, Aiden moved closer to me.

“I know this is a lot to take in, but ever since Alberto talked about you stealing for Damien, the only thing that crossed my mind is how you can help us finally get the justice we need.” Aiden said.

“Helped you how?” I asked.

“For you to work for Damien it means he trusts you, and Damien never trust anyone according to what I gathered. Alison, you are our ticket to ending Damien.”

“I don’t know if I can do it. Damien sounds dangerous, and I have seen—“

“He killed your father, Allison. Are you just going to let him live freely after he took the one thing you loved away from you?”

Aiden’s words struck a nerve. He was right. I couldn’t let him walk free. Men like Damien should be dealt with, and the universe has presented me with a chance to do so. I shouldn’t be taking it for granted.

With a hardened face, I looked at Aiden.

“How do we take him down?” I asked.

“Now, you’re talking baby.” He pulled me closer, planting a kiss on my forehead. “Thank you for forgiving me.” He whispered. “And thank you for helping me do this.”