Total pages in book: 181
Estimated words: 171979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 573(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 171979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 573(@300wpm)
“I really don’t want to talk about this subject on our wedding night,” Creed began somberly, as if he was afraid of breaking the peaceful night enveloping them, “but I don’t want you to think I’m being deceptive to you ever again.”
Sage set her glass down on a small table as dread filled her.
“I talked to the Ashwoods yesterday. They agreed to stop visitation with the girls.”
“How did you manage that?” Elated, she wanted to jump up and down on the couch.
“While searching for who Victoria paid to take the contract out on you, a friend of mine, whom I asked for help, uncovered how the fire really started. It wasn’t Glory’s fault. The only mistake Glory or her husband made that night was leaving their door unlocked.
“Victoria had come over angry. She saw the candles, the romantic dinner, the girls gone, and lost her mind. She said it was so she could show them how irresponsible they were, I guess. She puts the L in loony. When s napkin caught on fire, she got frightened and ran out of the house without trying to alert them.”
Sage jerked to her feet as blinding rage filled her to the extent she was shaking. She wanted to get in her car and go confront Victoria. What had she done with her car keys …? It took her a moment to remember she had driven here with Creed.
“I need to borrow your car!”
“Wait until tomorrow.” Creed made no effort to move. “If you tell Glory tonight, she won’t get any sleep, and tomorrow is already going to be difficult for her.”
“I’m going to see Victoria!” she corrected him. “I’m going to ki—”
Shaking, she covered her face with her hands. She’d never believed herself actually capable of murder, but tonight, any doubt she could was gone.
Before she could resist him, Creed pulled her down onto his lap. She was so upset at what he had told her that she didn’t try to get up.
“How could a mother do that to her son? I don’t understand! She saw Denny in the hospital, how badly he was burned, saw Glory barely hanging on to life. If it was an accident, why didn’t she say so? How could she be so cruel?”
“I don’t think Victoria could accept not having control over Denny anymore. When she went to see Denny that night and saw how happy they were, how they were building a life without her being able to hold money over their heads, I think she wanted to destroy that life, so they’d have to come begging to her for help, and she’d have Denny back under her control. Regardless of why, Victoria started the fire. With her son gone, she turned to another plan—gaining control over her grandchildren and mold them the way she wanted them to be.”
“The injustice of Victoria letting Glory take the blame for years! That is so sick.”
“I agree. When I was talking to her, there was no doubt she is mentally ill. Maybe Bradford wasn’t aware of how sick his wife is. I have my doubts where that is concerned. He said he would get her help.” Creed soothingly rubbed her back as he talked. “Bradford gave me a check to reimburse Glory for the destruction of her home and the money she had to pay fighting to retain custody of her children. Gather all of Glory’s medical bills, and I’ll make sure Bradford pays for those as well.”
“Thank you.” Having all the financial aspects of Glory’s needs taken care of lifted a huge weight off her shoulders.
“You’re welcome.” He looked away from her as he said, “I wanted to bring this up tonight because I need to get it out in the open. Money will no longer be a problem in caring for your sister and nieces. With the money, you will have enough to buy a home. You won’t need me financially.”
Sage looked at him, trying to read his expression.
“I’m going to sleep in the guest room tonight and give you a chance to think your options through before we get Glory and your nieces in the morning.”
“If we go in the morning,” she corrected him, still waiting for his reaction, which remained elusive.
Creed’s hand slid to the back of her neck caressingly as he talked. “Yes, that’s why I told you tonight.”
“You could have told me before we got married.”
“I could have, but I wanted to marry you. To be honest, even if Bradford is able to hire the most successful psychiatrist in the world, I don’t think they would be able to fix what is wrong with Victoria. I’ve seen a lot in my line of work, and she’s the worst type of psychopath. She’s become fixated on the children, and she feels as if you are keeping them from her.”