Deception And Betrayal

Deception And Betrayal
CHAPTER 191
VICTORIA'S POV
I stood by on the bridge, waiting. It was night. Cars were still on the road, probably on their way home. Buses were fewer by this time.
Those on foot walked either leisurely or urgently. The former were having night strolls, while the latter were running errands or racing home.
And there was me.
Waiting for someone to show up.
I wouldn't feel bad for doing this. She had betrayed me and showed she was ungrateful.
My own daughter had refused to help me get vengeance. All she was more concerned with was getting money to sponsor the plan I—emphasis on that word—brought up.
Suddenly, the money was suddenly too small, but she was buying all kinds of food and even making plans to get an apartment.
I'd left the place for almost a week now, and I hadn't looked back.
I wouldn't stay and watch my own daughter ignore me like I was some trash.
Everything I'd ever done was for that bitch. I killed and left her father just to ensure she had a good home, and what did I get out of it? Nothing, except insults.
Things were tight for me now. I was bordering on the lines of poverty. I could barely feed myself; even my clothes were all looking old and rumpled.
I'd taken solace in smoking, not just cigarettes anymore; I've added other drugs to the mix—smoking them all. The only good thing that bastard Lucas had taught me.
God help me to lay my eyes on him one more time; I'd end his wretched life.
Nowadays, I barely go out by day because I can't bear to be seen by anyone I know. That would be more shameful if anyone from the elite class saw me looking thin, depressed, and in old, rumpled clothes.
Just then, I spotted him emerging from a corner. It had to be him.
Once he got closer, I knew my guess was right, and he was smart enough to have himself wrapped in long pants, a big hoodie, and a cap so no one would recognize him, just as I'd done.
"Victoria, why did you bring me out here by this time?"
"Hey, Fynn. It's been a long time." I extended a friendly hand to him.
He barely gave it a glance. "We're not friends; let's not pretend we are. The only reason I came out here is because I want to know where your daughter is. If you can tell me that, I'll take my leave."
"Relax. My daughter is pregnant; did she tell you?" I quirked a brow, unoffended that he'd rejected my handshake, producing a crooked stick from my pocket and a lighter.
Smoke filled the space between us as I took a drag.
"When did you start smoking?" He waved the smoke away from his face, his breath a bit choked. He even coughed a little.
To tease him, I offered him the lit stick. "You want one?"
"No. Why am I here?"
"I asked a question." I took another habitual drag.
He moved a bit from me. "Yes. I know she's pregnant; how do you think she's been getting money from me? Money I'm sure you both were smugly spending."
I ignored the bitterness in his tone. "Anyways, she cannot carry a baby to term. She already destroyed her womb years ago. The lies she told against Zyliah—that was actually her. She slept her way through college, hence the many abortions that destroyed her womb. She's having a young girl..."
"...who is pregnant to give her the baby she needs to trap me down. Yes, I know all about the deception."
Shocked, I stubbed the cigarette and put it back in my pocket. "How did you know?"
"Courtney Finley told me. The little pregnant wench you and your daughter decided to use to deceive me contacted me and exposed the truth, but at a huge price." Annoyance tinged his words.
How had Courtney gotten hold of him?! Damn! This has been my way of getting money from Fynn so I could leave this country to go start life somewhere else.
I decided on another route. "Nice. She also recorded you, and if you want..."
A bitter, dry laugh emitted from him. "Are you fucking serious right now? You brought me out here to milk me too, as your daughter and the teenage bitch had done?! At least, Courtney gave me the recorder. Like I said, I only came out here because I thought you'd tell me where Sabrina is. But I can see this is a total waste of my time."
"I know where she is." This was the only opportunity I had left.
"Tell me. And do not even try to ask me for money, because I won't give it. If you won't tell me, you can bet I'll find her myself." He started to walk away.
But I wasn't ready to let this opportunity go. "You should know Sabrina, Fynn. She's smart and not easy to pin. I know her; I'm her mother. I can give you the exact location. I mean, I practically live in the same motel with her."
He stopped. From the streetlights, I could see his expression—it held anger and impatience. "At what cost?"
"Fifty thousand," I mentioned.
"In your dreams, bitch." He turned to go again.
"Twenty." I was desperate. I really needed cash.
He swerved on his heels. "Five thousand."
"What?" That was small and would barely cover my needs. "Fifteen." I bargained, biting down on my lower lip.
Any lower and I would have been hopeless.
"Ten. And that's me doing you a favor, not that you deserve it."
I hesitated. Ten thousand dollars wasn't going to do anything for me. It was a change compared to what I used to spend in a day.
Fuck this life! Poverty sucked.
"Woman, are you taking it or not?" Impatience rang heavy in his voice.
"Fine. Ten, it is." I gave him my account details.
Within minutes, I confirmed the payment from my own end.
"Now where is she?"
"There's a motel I used to stay at with her before I left." I told him the name. "But if you don't find her there, she's been looking for an apartment." I also revealed the address of the apartment because she has discussed it with me. "Those are the places she'll be."
"And if I don't find her there?"
I shrugged. "Not my fault. I've done my part."
"No, that's not how it works. You'll have to refund."
I let out a mirthless chuckle. "You must think you're funny, punk. I've done my part; whether you find her or not, that's not on me."
I left him standing there, walking as fast as I could into the darkness. My phone pinged.
I brought it out to see it was a message...from an unknown number.
And it read:
'I'm sorry, Victoria. I had no idea what came over me. Your money from selling the company is with me. Come to the address listed to get it in two days.
Lucas'
That bastard! I was going to take the money, then kill him. But what changed his mind? I pondered.
Anyways, whatever changed his mind was good for me. It was to my advantage, but I'd still teach him a lesson he probably won't live to learn.
A huge smile spread across my features, regardless. I would have enough money to leave this goddamn country and start life somewhere afresh.
My thoughts straying to Sabrina, I laughed, feeling no remorse for what I've done. When Fynn gets her, she will be in hot soup for sure, and I'll be far away, enjoying my new life.
"Sorry, daughter, Mommy won't be there to save your ungrateful ass this time."
I continued my journey into the night, having a laugh all by myself.