Chapter 36 Karen’s request
Roger was raised as a perfect child, making his parents proud. The moment he fell in love with Tonia, he wanted to give her the world because she was the only woman in his eyes.
Little did he know that his obsession would destroy the right woman for him. The change in his demeanor was so drastic that for a moment, Molly thought he was pretending, but the doctor confirmed he was unwell.
“First of all, you have to eat. Second, you have to clean up, and third, you must have a birthday party.”
She organized parties for Delanie and Declan every year, but Roger never liked them. After the surprise one they organized on his eighteenth birthday, he made himself scarce during his subsequent birthdays.
He’d take trips away just to avoid even a surprise birthday party.
“Lani, can you get me soup?” Roger requested, at the same time his phone vibrated. He hadn’t paid attention to it since closing from work yesterday, and upon seeing the caller, his gaze darkened, and he dropped the phone.
Delanie excitedly went to bring him soup, and Molly saw the name of the caller and smirked. “Why are you avoiding her now? I guess she wants you because your identity is revealed.”
Just like all those women, Tonia would not stop calling. “She deserves to be behind bars, but I don’t have a clear head, Mom. I need Karen.”
Molly understood, and Delanie returned with the soup as she began to feed it to him. Roger couldn't taste anything because his mouth was bitter, but he emptied the bowl in his excitement to see Karen.
“What about her parents?” Molly asked, and pain swept through Roger’s eyes. “I don’t want to see them either. They never loved Karen.”
Molly was saddened. She loved all her children equally. “Alright, I’ll whip you up something delicious. You should shower and get a haircut too.” She reached the door and paused.
“Do you want us to invite them to the party?” Roger stiffened, but the look in his mother’s eyes warmed his heart. She wasn’t suggesting they invite them for honor, but rather, to let them know how they could see the promised land without setting foot on it.
“I’ll save my haircut for the party, and yes, Tonia and her parents should attend,” Roger replied.
It was thanks to them that he married Karen anyway, and since they had cut ties, it was time to announce it to the world.
“And one last condition,” Giovanni added after ending his phone call. “You are not allowed to track my movements anymore, or you will never see Karen again.”
Roger smiled, remorse evident in his eyes. “I’m sorry about that. It won’t happen again.”
A few days later, Giovanni flew out of Manhattan to Dublin to honor his promise to Roger.
The news was sudden, and Karen didn’t know how to feel about it. “Van, can you tell me what’s going on? I love this family. They treat me better than my parents ever did," Karen retorted, not hiding her fears.
Van was glad she felt that way, and guilt welled up in his chest. "Forgive me, but there is a party over the weekend, and I’d like you to meet my family."
He wanted to tell her the truth but feared she might refuse to attend. If she did, he lacked the power to force her.
Karen released a breath she didn’t know she was holding. Van’s sudden appearance made it feel as if something was at stake, but she was thrilled about meeting his family. "Of course, I’d love to meet your family," she said excitedly. Oriana was also interested.
All her life, she only met Van’s family once, and that was when she was seven. Right now, she couldn’t wait to meet her half-brother, Roger, again. "Can we come along?" She asked, and Van nodded. "Sure." He knew Roger wouldn’t mind having them.
"Then I’m coming too," Joe sighed, not wanting to be away from Karen. Octavia didn’t have a choice. "If Josh agrees, then we shall all attend the party."
She missed her first son, even if he didn’t want her in his life, and that was the reason she was excited to meet Karen after hearing the full story.
Octavia never thought any woman would be able to melt Roger’s cold heart, but then, it happened somehow.
Karen was excited but also afraid of one thing. What if Roger finds her? "Van, will Roger be there too?" If Roger could work for the likes of Hector, then Karen was certain that he could as well be the bodyguard to anyone at the party.
A lot of things could go bad during parties, and she didn’t want to be there. For the first time in a long time, Van was nervous. Everyone was aware that Karen had no idea about Van’s real identity, but what if she finds out?
"I can’t rule out that possibility, but rest assured, I will be there to protect you," he vowed.
Karen stiffened. Searching her heart, she had no idea about how to feel upon meeting Roger again, but she was certain that she felt feverish when she heard his voice again on the phone.
It was him, but there was just something about it she couldn’t put a finger on, coupled with the fact that Van had warned her not to access the news. "You said before that there was more to Roger than being a bodyguard. What exactly is it?"
Van smiled slightly. The moment she attended that party, everything would be laid bare, and nothing would be hidden anymore.
"If you come to the party, you will know everything. No more secrets."
Now that sounded good. Finally, she would know exactly who Van was and also who sent him to help her. But was she ready to meet Roger? "Will Tonia be there?"
Van nodded. "I'm afraid so."
Karen's teeth clenched together. "In that case, can I also bring someone along?"
If she was going to meet Roger and Tonia, then she needed to have someone by her side. Someone different from the others. "That depends on who that person is. Mind telling us?" Van asked, creating a thick tension in the atmosphere.