Chapter 25 Apology not accepted
VICTORIA
“Sorry?!”
Simon's mother growled in anger as she threw the bouquet I brought as a peace offering on the ground.
"What is your apology going to do, huh? Will it heal my son's cracked nose faster, or will it comfort my daughter-in-law who is going through pain after you broke her neck?” She growled loudly as she stomped her feet on the ground.
I narrowed my eyes at her last words. I would have defended myself against Erica’s lie, but it would have only made things worse.
I sighed loudly, trying hard not to show just how annoyed I was at her behavior.
"I offered to fit the bills, but you refused,” I muttered.
She scoffed loudly, her lips twitching in disgust.
“Why in the world will we allow someone like you to fit the bill? We're not poor, you brat!” She spat.
I scoffed loudly, forcing my lips to remain sealed. I was almost on the verge of snapping at her and revealing her son's confession to me.
“I don't know what else to do since you've rejected all my apologies," I said in a calm voice.
Her face reddened as she cursed at me in rage, balling her fist and waving it at me.
“Look here, the only thing I accept is you staying away from my son!" She spat. i
I soffed again, appalled.
I bit my tongue again to remain cool.
After what had happened, it would be embarrassing to add more troubles to the list.
"I will give you any amount of money you want, just keep your miserable self away from him!"
And that was the last straw before I snapped.
“Money?" I growled loudly, and she shuddered, her eyes widening.
“You think I care about your ill-gotten money?"
“Ill-gotten money? My son worked hard for it, you annoying wasp!" She spat out a response.
"Worked hard by deceiving me and cornering my wealth!” I retorted.
She grinned and shuffled closer, staring into my eyes with so much mockery in her.
It's not his fault that you're not smart," the woman mocked, and rage washed through me.
"We'll see who is smarter soon!" I said, picked up the bouquet, and dumped it into the trash can.
She gasped loudly, perhaps not expecting to see the one begging to throw the flowers away.
“The trash can deserves that flower more than your ridiculous son!” I spat at her, then turned and headed to the door.
“You ungrateful brat! Who do you think you are for such an attitude? You should be lucky my son isn't suing your penniless ass, you moron!" She spat out venom.
I paused on my tracks and spun around, my lips twitching up in amusement.
“Sue? Alright, tell the coward you have as a son to do it!" I snapped, and she gasped out.
I drew closer till our faces were just a little space away.
“I'm not penniless, ma'am, and you should learn to give gratitude where due because without me, your son wouldn't be where he is now," I said.
She scoffed loudly, narrowing her eyes at my words.
“Gratitude? Ah! You're right. He should show you gratitude for being in the hospital instead of his company!" She groused.
I sighed loudly and shook my head, knowing she had no change in her.
“Whatever," I muttered and turned around, then walked out of the private ward.
I took the elevator and walked down the hall, then out of the hospital.
I sighed loudly and tossed my hair back, the chase replaying in my head.
He had escaped after jumping off from the balcony, and I was sure he wouldn't escape without an injury.
Last night, he didn't come like he used to, and I knew for certain that it was as a result of his fall from the balcony.
I glanced at my wristwatch and stepped into my car, then brought the engine to life before skidding out of the car park.
I gulped hard when I drove to the crossroad that led to my father's estate and the CID.
“What should I do?" I whispered as I glanced at the two lanes, wondering if I should go to my father or Mr. Thompson.
The more I tried to avoid this case, the deeper it got. How could I just let it go after what that man had done to me?
I shook my head and swung into gear, then swerved into the lane that led to the CID.
I couldn't stop trying to fix the pieces together and figure out who this killer was, but no matter how hard I tried, I ended up with nothing.
If I wanted to find him, then I had to probe deeper and examine the murder cases.
I parked my car outside the building, beside the sidewalk, then walked into the building with my bag strapped around my shoulder and my dark shades on.
As I walked through the busy hallways with my head down, nostalgia slipped in and wrecked my heart. If there was anywhere that felt like home, it was here. The sounds of keyboards clicking away, files being flipped open, voices whispering, phones ringing, and the unending saga of cases and requests.
I couldn't help but wonder how it would feel to come back and work here again.
My lips stretched into a smile, and excitement rushed in at the thought.
The doors of the elevator closed, and it began to travel up to the department where I once worked. It stopped, and the elevator doors pulled open. I walked out of the elevator and trudged silently to the door.
Everything still looked the same, and the corridor was still as silent as it used to be, but there seemed to be an air of sadness floating around. I wasn't surprised. It always happened whenever a case wasn't solved quickly.
My shaking hand stretched out to grab the knob, but I paused when I remembered that I wasn't a worker anymore.
How would my colleagues react if they found me here? What if most of them are gone? What if they don't accept me back? The detectives in the other department couldn't even recognize me, but…
I sighed and shook my head, taking a step back, suddenly having doubts about my decision.
“Maybe I should stay out of it all," I whispered and spun around.
But as I walked to the elevator, I heard the knob turn and my name echoed in the corridor.
My feet froze, and my heartbeat increased at the mention of my name.
“Victoria, is that you?" The voice repeated.
I took a deep breath and slowly turned around to face Roseanne, my colleague.
My lips stretched into a smile when I stared at the blonde smiling lady a few distances away from me.
Her smile widened, and she beckoned for me to move closer.
“Hi–" I paused on my walk and felt my breath hitch when someone limped out from the office.
My eyes were fixed on the limping legs, and the jump from the balcony replayed in my mind.
"Miss Alexander?”
My eyes slowly raised to meet his face. The face of my boss, Mr Thompson.