Chapter Forty Four

Bethany was frozen, shock and horror written all over her face. She turned to David, her eyes wide. "Is this true?"

David looked away, unable to meet her gaze. "I..." He stammered, but the words caught in his throat. He had no explanation, no excuse. All he could do was stand there, ashamed and silent.

Mother Superior smiled triumphantly. "See? Even he knows he's guilty. Come with us now, David. You'll be punished for your crimes."

Bethany read the papers she had on her hands and there it was in black and white. David had killed her daughter in-law... Her unborn grandchild. 

"David what is this?!" Bethany shouted. " What is this?!"

David took a deep breath. "It's true." He said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I was the one who caused the accident. But I swear, I didn't mean to! I would never have hurt them intentionally."

Bethany stared at him, trying to comprehend what he was saying. "But... why? Why would you do something like that?"

"I..." David began, but then he stopped. How could he explain something that even he didn't understand? The rage that had overtaken him that day, the darkness that had consumed him, it was something he couldn't put into words. " Mom I didn't mean it was an accident. I promise you I really didn't." 

" Don't call me that! I am not your mother!" Bethany shouted shoving David away from her. " You!" She pointed at him. " You stole my son's happiness! You took his joy away from him! Clive was a shadow of himself because of you! And you dared marry him knowing you killed his wife and child! " 

" Please mom I... "

"No! I am not your mother! I never want to hear you call me that again!" Bethany's voice was full of anger and pain. "You have no right to call me that! Not after what you've done!"

"I'm sorry, Bethany." David said, his voice breaking. "I know there's nothing I can do to make up for what I've done, but I want you to know that I am truly sorry. I wish I could take it all back, but I can't. I just... I just wanted to say that I'm sorry."

With that, David turned and looked at his old nanny. " Get out! You've done what you wanted. Now leave!" 

Mother Superior laughed. " I'm not leaving here without you. You'll be punished!" 

" I said get out! " David shouted.

The old woman's eyes flashed with anger. "You don't get to order me around!" She hissed. "I'll have you know that I still have the connections that I used to have. You'll never be able to escape me. I'll make sure that you pay for what you've done."

"Get out!" David shouted again, his voice hoarse. "Just leave! I don't want to see you ever again!"