Chapter 204 Chapter 204
Mr. Roland walked home that night with his heart beating fast. The road was quiet, and only the streetlights followed him as he moved slowly, lost in his thoughts.
He kept hearing Clara’s voice in his head — cold and heartless.
“I want Savannah out of his life. For good.”
He sighed heavily and stopped walking for a moment. He looked up at the dark sky and whispered, “God, why me? Why won’t this woman leave me alone?”
When he finally got home, his little house was dark except for the small light in the sitting room. His wife, Grace, was sitting on the couch wrapped in a blanket. She had been sick for weeks.
The moment she saw him, she frowned. “Roland, where are you coming from this late?”
He took off his jacket slowly, trying to avoid her eyes. “I went to see someone.”
“Who?” she asked quickly. “Don’t tell me it’s that woman again.”
Roland sat down quietly and rubbed his head. “Grace, please, don’t start tonight. You’re not feeling well.”
But Grace wouldn’t stop. “Answer me, Roland. You promised me you’d stop working for her. You promised!”
He stayed silent, looking at the floor. That silence said it all.
Grace’s eyes widened. “Oh God, Roland! You went back to her again?” she said in disbelief. “After everything she made you do?”
Roland looked up with tired eyes. “I didn’t have a choice, Grace. She’s blackmailing me. You know what she has on us. If she releases those pictures, our daughter will lose her job.”
Grace slammed her hand on the table. “And you think killing people is the answer?”
Roland flinched. “I didn’t say I’ll kill anyone!”
“Then what did she ask you this time?” Grace asked, her voice shaking.
He hesitated for a long time before whispering, “She wants Savannah… Adrian’s wife.”
Grace’s hand slowly covered her mouth. “That sweet woman?” she whispered. “She wants to harm her?”
Roland nodded weakly. “She said she’s pregnant again. Clara wants her gone. She doesn’t care how it happens.”
Grace’s eyes filled with tears. “Oh, Lord. That woman is a devil. Roland, you can’t do this.”
Roland shook his head quickly. “I don’t want to. But she’s threatening me, Grace. She’ll destroy everything. I can’t risk losing our daughter.”
Grace stood up slowly even though she was weak. She walked to him and held his hands tightly. “Roland, listen to me. You can’t obey evil because of fear. You already did one bad thing before — when you tried to harm that child’s food — and you almost lost your peace. Remember how you cried for nights? God gave you another chance. Don’t throw it away again.”
Roland lowered his head. “I know, Grace. I know. But what if she finds someone else to do it? She will still hurt them.”
Grace’s voice softened. “Then let her do her evil alone. Don’t be part of it again. You can pray and tell the truth. God will protect us.”
Tears rolled down Roland’s cheeks. “You don’t understand, Grace. That woman is powerful. She knows people in high places. If she wants to ruin someone, she will.”
Grace shook her head. “No one is more powerful than God, Roland. You’re just too scared to believe.”
He looked at her tiredly. “So, what do I do now? She gave me three days to act.”
Grace looked deep into his eyes. “You’ll go to Adrian’s house tomorrow,” she said slowly. “You’ll tell him everything.”
Roland’s eyes widened in shock. “Are you crazy? If I go there, she’ll kill me!”
Grace held his hand firmly. “Then let her try. You can’t keep hiding from the truth. If you die in fear, what will that change? At least if you tell the truth, your heart will be free.”
Roland sat back, breathing heavily. His wife’s words cut deep into his soul. He had been running from this moment for too long.
Grace wiped her tears. “You’ve always been a good man, Roland. Don’t let that woman destroy what’s left of your heart.”
Roland finally nodded slowly. “Alright… I’ll think about it.”
Grace touched his face gently. “No, you won’t think about it. You’ll do it. Tomorrow morning.”
He looked at her face — tired, pale, but full of faith.
That night, he couldn’t sleep. He lay on his old bed staring at the ceiling while Grace slept beside him. Every sound outside made him jump. He kept seeing Clara’s face in his mind, her cold eyes, her evil smile.
“Three days,” he whispered to himself. “Just three days…”
He turned and looked at his wife again. She was breathing slowly, her chest rising and falling gently.
Roland touched her hand and whispered, “You’re right, Grace. I can’t do this again. I can’t hurt anyone. I’ll tell Adrian the truth.”
Just then, his phone vibrated. He picked it up and saw a message from Clara.
“Don’t forget. Time is running out. I don’t forgive disappointment.”
Roland stared at the message for a long time, his hands shaking.
He turned off the phone and put it under the pillow.
Then he looked up again and whispered, “God, please give me courage. Tomorrow, I’ll tell him everything. I just hope it’s not too late.”
The room went quiet except for the sound of the ticking clock and the faint wind blowing through the window.
Outside, the moon was full — shining gently over a man who was finally ready to face his fears.