REVEALING SECRETS

We get into the car and lock the doors. The curiosity to know about this mystery that has been surrounding my family for ages, threatening to kill me, and the desire to end it itching me.


"So what happened? Did Papa accept your mother when Mom went out of the picture?" I ask.

"It was worse. Riccaford loathed my mother with so much passion and even forbade her to even show her face to him."

Huh?


"Then?"

"My mother never gave up. So, on this particular day, during their last day at a college party, she drugged your father."


OMG! So, they had sex? And Nelly? Nelly was the fruit of that act? So, she is...

"The alcohol and the drug rendered your father a deadbeat. He blacked out the whole night. My mother had sex with another guy that same night and returned to your father's room, and he made him believe that they had intercourse. I was the fruit of that night.

Deep sigh! I feel a bit relieved.

"So, you are the reason why my father has been sending money to your mother's bank account over the years?" I ask, more of a statement.

"Yes, because he thought I was his child. He wanted to be a responsible father, but that wasn't enough for my mother. She wanted more, more than what your dad could give."

"That's why she found her way into their lives again when you were ten. To try and win dad's heart once more?"

"No. To get the only obstacle that stood in the way between her and your father, hoping she would finally have him."

"My mother? So it's true?" I ask.

"She tried to get close to them and find a way to eliminate her every chance she got. It wasn't easy, given how tight the security around you was. But eventually, she got it, and she wasted no chance."

That monster! That's why she tortured her so much and made her experience hell in those seven days she was battling in the hospital. I sucked back the tears in my eyes. It's not time to cry; it's time to find a way to end this. It has dragged on for far longer than it should have.

"And she dared to come into this house after murdering the real queen of this castle? She has no shame! She is rotten to the core, and no wonder she still didn't get my father's heart until his demise."

"And that blew up the little sanity that had been left in her. She didn't spare him either."

"Sorry? What?" I snap at Nelly.

"Your father could have been alive, only if my mother hadn't given up on him returning her feelings. She had already come to terms with the fact that your mother was the only woman your father ever loved. And she took a vow to rip your father off everything he owned. If she couldn't have his heart, then she wanted to have his entire fortune and end his legacy at all costs."

Heck! What?

"What are you saying? My father died of excessive bleeding during the operation, right?"

"Yes, because..." She keeps quiet, looking away for a moment. "Because my mother paid one of the doctors to cut his arteries during the process. The head surgeon who was operating on your father."

No, way! No, but it all fucking makes sense now! I now understand why she had prepared for my father's cremation even before she knew he was no more. She knew what she had done. This monster is that cruel? She would really go to that extent for her stupid, unwarranted revenge? To the point of killing the person she claims to love? What of those does she hate?

She tortures them before killing them—just like she did to mom and nanny Sonnia, and probably what she is planning to do to me.

"And nanny Sonnia? Why did she have to be caught up in this mess? And that charade Gracia pulled on that day—the poisoning of the servants. What was that all about?" I ask.

"Sonnia was just unfortunate to be loyal to you. That's what she suffered for, just like the attorney was loyal to your father. She eliminated him too. And that show was just to scare you. To let you know what she is capable of doing."

God of heaven! How many murders? We have been living with a monster in this house for five good years. Where did she get the courage to face my dad and me every single day, knowing that she mercilessly murdered my mother? Holly God!

Well then, Gracia, brace yourself tight, because my parents' deaths won't go unpunished, and neither will I give you the satisfaction of killing me or my loved ones either.

"Where are my friends?" I asked Nelly.

"In a place far north. Only she and I know of its existence." She responds.

"You are taking me there," I state, holding on to the steering wheel, ready to ignite the car, but Nelly holds my hand.

"Not now, Ellie! You can't afford to be reckless, or you will put everybody's life in grave danger."

She has a point, yes, I know! But we need to do this as soon as possible!

"We will think of a plan once we are on the way, Nelly," I say, but she grips my head tighter.

"No, Ellie! Don't you get it? You need to plan this carefully if you don't want any regrets later. The place is secured with CCTV cameras, and she monitors them from here. The moment you show up there, trust me, your friends will die before you can see them. One wrong move, Ellie, and you are totally screened."

I see. She is a freaking smart monster! And ego aside, Nelly has a good point. I can't afford to be reckless.

"We need to get hold of that CCTV monitor," I speak.

"Here." She hands me a spare key.

"What's this for?" I ask as I grab the key.

"It's for our quarter. She and I will be heading out to that house in the evening. You can sneak in and take a look at the computer. It's always on. I will also pin you the location once we are there." She says.

"Okay."

"Plan this very carefully, and make sure nothing goes wrong, Ellie! One mistake, and there will be none of us left."

Us? She included?

"Even you? Would she really hurt you?" I ask.

"I betrayed her, Ellie! As of this moment, I can't tell what my fate will be if she finds out. That's why you can't fail, Ellie! No mistakes, else we are done for!"

She sure is scared.

"Okay. I will inform Damian and the police. Everything will be alright." I assure her.

"Okay. I will go now. I have been gone for far too long, and she must be wondering where I went." She says this and opens the door, tapping her feet out.

"Nelly?" I call before she closes the door, and she turns to me. "Be careful!" I just felt the need to say that.

The risk she is taking is too much. I still can't believe she is actually the one doing this.

"I will, and you need to be extra careful." She responds.

I nod my head, and she nods hers too. She closes the door and walks away, while I walk to my husband to draw a plan for tonight.