CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY-EIGHT : ROBBED ME OF MY CHILDHOOD

CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY-EIGHT : ROBBED ME OF MY CHILDHOOD
LEAH’S POV

Every pore in my body froze, and I could barely take in air.

The last time I had seen this face was over two decades ago.

And as if a dam was left loose.

Memories poured into my mind.

Those familiar eyes.

Me seeing them through our window in that small house.

I should have warned mama and papa Derick, but I didn’t.

And then he killed my papa.

He killed Derick.

He was the reason mama Gina had to go back to Richard Harnes.

Everything was overwhelming as I stared directly into the face of the man who had ruined your life from the moment you were born.

He robbed me of my childhood.

Every suffering, every pain I went through was his fault.

He killed my birth parents even before I got to know them.

Then, he murdered the only man who had loved me like his own.

Countless times I had imagined what I'd do when I finally stood before my parents' murderer.

But I never imagined it to be this day.

Standing fully exposed now at the side, not having Ethan’s body shield me anymore, my eyes landed on her.

Vivian Harnes.

And the moment our gaze clashed, I saw the way hatred for me burned deep within her.

Good! Atleast we shared something in common.

My lawyer's words flashed before my mind.

He had said Vivian was released from prison by someone above the law.

And seeing her here, standing beside Ragnar, it was not hard to guess who that someone was.

“You released Vivian from jail?” I asked bitterly even when I already knew the answer to the question.

And I did not need to be told that he was the one who released Jennifer too.

“After years of watching secretly, I finally stand before Ashley’s spawn,” Ragnar muttered with an evil glint in his eyes.

Ethan moved to stand before me immediately those words left his lips, but I stopped him with my hands.

“You know, your mother put up a hell of a fight before she finally died.

I sure enjoyed drawing that last breath out of her dirty lips,” he mocked, laughing darkly.

My hands curled, tightening into a fist to keep myself together.

I shifted my gaze away from him to look at Vivian.

My eyes gleamed with nothing but disappointment, although I should have expected nothing else from her.

“You are working with him!” I gritted.

Feeling a prick of pain knowing this woman watched me grow up in thesame home.

She might have made my life hell, but I at least thought she would have changed after all these years.

But I should have known better.

Her lips curled in contempt. “You know what they say.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend,” she hissed.

“Jennifer might have ruined the elaborate plan that we had for you.

But we can still make it work.

Jennifer can still infatrate into the Landers family as you.

She had your face like we wanted.

So nobody would suspect a thing.

I think this just made our work easier,” Ragnar laughed as he turned to Jennifer.

“Hand over the gun girl,” he suddenly switched as he growled.

My heart pounded loudly in my chest from fear knowing what he was about to do.

History was about to repeat itself.

And this time, it was going to be explosive.

Ethan eyes darted to me in urgency.

His gaze pleaded and I knew what he was begging me for.

He wanted me to run.

To save myself.

But he is mad if he thinks I’m ever going to leave him here.

He dragged me towards himself. 

His gaze sternly on me.

“Run Leah.

Please, I beg you,” he gritted as his eyes gleamed with tears.

“I’ll rather die with you, than run, Ethan.

So don’t ask me that again,” I said, my voice holding nothing but finality.

And he must have heard it in my voice.

He must have seen it in my eyes.

The seriousness, knowing I’ll never leave him alone here.

He breathed deeply, his forehead rubbing gently against mine as our breath mingled.

“Today might be our last day on earth, Leah,” he said softly trying one last time.

“Then we should pray we’ll be together in heaven,” I choked.

“I love you.

Each and every day I love you.

And if God was listening right now.

I ask him to grant me one last wish.

And that's even if I die here today, you must survive.

Our children need you.

And you have a beautiful life ahead of you,” he whispered softly, holding me tighter.

“Then I pray he doesn’t grant your wish,” I replied knowing deep in my heart.

No matter how much I try to convince myself.

There was no way I could leave without Ethan.

“Step away from her boy.

Except you want to die with her,” Ragnar growled.

And it did not come as a surprise to me when Ethan turned.

Giving his back to me, while his head still laid on mine.

I knew what he was doing.

He was shielding me.

“Move away Ethan,” I cried, and this time tears  trailed down my cheeks as I tried to push him away from my front.

“I’m sorry, Leah.

But there’s no lifetime that I’ll be able to watch you die before me,” his voice was low as he uttered those words.

His hands held me steady, keeping from moving.

“I’m a pussy, I know.

But please let me die first Leah,” he said gently trying to make a joke.

But it was not funny.

Nothing here was funny.

Ethan was ripping my heart out to shreds with his words.

“What about me, I cannot watch you die either,” I stammered through my words full blown crying this time.

“Then close your eyes baby girl,” he muttered softly.

Closing in as his lips landed two soft kisses on each of my eyes brows.

“Okay, sir,” I barely choked out.

“Ethan, what are you doing!

Move out of the way.

Don’t play hero for that bitch,” Jennifer cried out in desperation.

And it sounded like she was being held down.

“If you want to die, boy.

Then who am I to stop you,” Ragnar thick voice came as he laughed darkly.

“Move away Ethan!

He is going to sho…”

Jennifer’s words were frozen by the loud sound of gun shot which ripped through the air.

And even this time.

As his submissive. 

I did what my master asked of me.

I closed my eyes.

As a loud sob ripped through my throat.

Knowing I’ve lost the only man who made my insides burn.

My Ethan.