Chapter 82 The Driver
Chapter 82 The Driver
Mia’s POV
+25 BONUS
“Taylor. New phone number?” I found the voice recording button on my phone. This is what I have learned from past experience.
“You think you’re so clever.” Taylor’s voice dripped venom. I quickly hit record, grateful for the app I’d installed after our last encounter. “You and your little friends tried to ruin everything.”
“I’m hanging up now. I don’t have time to listen to this nonsense,
“No you don’t!” She was practically sputtering. “I know you’re bend this. You’re just jealous because I have what you never could.”
A laugh escaped before I could stop it. “What exactly do I have to be jealous of, Taylor? Your relationship with Kyle? Or maybe your relationship with Alexander Morton?”
She made a sound like a strangled cat. “You-”
Everything was really strange. I petted Gas’s head. A few months ago, I was indeed jealous of Taylor having Kyle’s love. But now, things seemed to have changed subtly.
“Hey, Taylor.” Calm settled over me, surprising in its completeness. “Save your energy for dealing with the Mortons. I really don’t care about what you said. I’m just living my life.”
“A pathetic life,” she spat. “Alone in that tiny apartment-
“Happy,“.I cut her off. “I’m happy, Taylor. Believe it or not. Can you say the same? Has any of your scheming actually made you happy?”
Silence stretched between us. Then: “You’ll regret this. I’ll make you regret everything.”
“No,” I said softly. “I won’t. Because unlike you, I know exactly who I am and what I want. I got divorced, moved on with my life. But you? You’re still playing the same games, and for what? Has it brought you and Kyle closer? Are you actually happy together?
11
The silence this time felt different. Heavier.
“Stay out of my way,” she finally said, but her voice shook slightly.
“Goodbye, Taylor.” I ended the call, then forwarded the recording to my lawyer. Just in case.
“Does she often harass you like this?” Mom asked carefully.
“Who? Taylor?“I walked to mom. “There was a time, I suppose. Her relationship with Kyle really bothered me at one point. But
that’s all over now.”
I looked around my apartment – at Gas sprawled across my feet, at the ultrasound photo pinned to my mirror, at the pile of children’s center designs spread across my coffee table. At all the pieces of the life I was building.
“Yeah,” I said, meaning it. “Everything’s exactly as it should be.”
Gas nudged my hand, his warm brown eyes full of concern. I scratched his ears, letting his solid presence anchor me.
“Though we might need to work on your guard dog skills,” I told him. “You’re supposed to growl at people who threaten me, not beg for belly rubs.”
He responded by rolling over, tail wagging hopefully.
“Hopeless,” I laughed, but obliged him with more scratches.
Mom watched us with a soft smile. “You know, when you were little, you used to beg for a dog constantly. Your father always
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Chapter 82 The Driver
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said no.”
“I remember.” I didn’t add that he’d bought Taylor a purebred show dog less than a month after moving in. Some wounds were better left unopened.
She patted the couch beside her. “Come sit with me? These old bones aren’t as mobile as they used to be.”
“You were in a coma for years,” I pointed out, but settled next to her anyway. Gas immediately claimed my lap, or what was left of it with my growing bump. “Pretty sure you’re allowed to take it easy.”
She wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close like she used to when I was little. “I’ve missed so much,” she said softly.
“Mom…”
I leaned into her embrace, letting myself be held. “I am so happy you come back.”
The next morning, I found Mom sitting at our kitchen table, staring into her coffee cup. Gas followed close at my heels. Mom
didn’t even realize we were there.
“Mom?” I settled into the chair across from her. “Everything okay?”
She looked up. “Good morning, sweetheart. I made some coffee.”
I nodded and poured myself a glass. “Is there anything I can help you with?”
My mother shook her head, “Nothing.” I took my coffee and sat facing her.
Mom asked, “Do you remember James?”
- “James?”
“Our driver. Back when you were small.” Her fingers tapped against her cup. “Before everything with your father and Helen.”
I frowned, trying to piece together fragments of childhood memories. “Vaguely? Tall man, always wore a black cap?”
“That’s him.” She took a careful sip of coffee. “Do you have any other impressions of him?”
My hand drifted instinctively to my stomach. A habit I’d developed whenever I felt unsettled. “What’s wrong, Mom? All I know is that he doesn’t talk much.”
“Just my guess. I think at that time he didn’t just work for us.” Her voice was carefully controlled.
“Mom, you’re scaring me.” Gas pressed closer to my legs, picking up on my anxiety. “What are you trying to say?”
She reached across the table, taking my hand. “Baby, do you remember that summer when you were six? When you disappeared for three days?”
I know that Mom is talking about the kidnapping. My mouth went dry. “I… we never talked about that.”
“No, we didn’t.” Her grip tightened. “I thought it was better to pretend it never happened. That you were too young to remember anyway.”
But I did remember. Fragments, at least. The smell of concrete and metal. Darkness. And I met a boy, but I didn’t tell anyone about it.
“I think…” I pressed my free hand to my temple. “I think I remember some of it. But I didn’t know it had anything to do with James.”
“You were so little back then.” Mom’s voice seemed to come from far away.
“I need to sit down.” But I was already sitting. Gas whined, resting his head on my knee. “Mom, what exactly did the investigators find?”
Chapter 82 The Driver
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She was quiet for a long moment, studying my face. “Bank records Phone calls. Evidence that may prove James was paid to arrange a kidnapping.”
My head hurts a little. That does sound possible. But I can’t remember anything. Did James take me then? I remember there were several kidnappers, strong men. I have the impression that James was thin and tall. Could that have been him? Memories from childhood seem to be very malleable, and I’m not sure if it was really him or not..
“He was short of money at that time. His wife was ill.” Her tone hardened.
I tried to calm myself down. I was pregnant with two children, and the last thing I needed was to panic.
“Take deep breaths.” Mom moved around the table, wrapping her arms around me. “I shouldn’t have mentioned any of this.”
“No, Mom, I’m fine: A few deep breaths will do the trick.”
But my mind was racing. All those times Kyle had seemed on the verge of saying something. Is this related to the kidnapping? I have always ignored the possibility that the boy could be
- le.
I should have asked about the pendant. The thought of it suddenly made me angry that Taylor had stolen it. She took what was mine and took it for granted. And I just let it happen.
“I have to get it back.” The words came out before I could think better of them.
“Get back what?”
“Mom, I never told you. When I was kidnapped, I met a boy. He was kidnapped too, to be precise. He gave me a pendant. But Taylor stole it.” I turned in my chair to face her. “I hate that I let it happen back then. But I want to take it back now.” I paused, And then teach her a good lesson.”
“Mia…” Mom’s expression was complex. “Is that really a good idea in your condition now?”
“I’m pregnant, not helpless.” But I softened my tone at her obvious concern. “Besides, I won’t do anything dramatic. Don’t worry.”
She studied me for a long moment. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”
“Would you?” I caught her hand.
“No.” She sighed. “I suppose I wouldn’t. You are my daughter, so.
We laughed together. Gas bumped his nose against my stomach, as if reminding me of my priorities.
“Mommy will help you. I also want to give my ex–husband’s family a big present.” Her eyes met mine.
“Mom!” But I couldn’t help smiling.
She kissed my forehead. “I love you, my little Mia.Even though you are a mother now, you will always be my little baby.”
“Oh. Mom, you’re so mushy! “I leaned back in my chair, one hand resting on my small bump while the other scratched Gas’s ears. Gas looked at me with his puppy eyes, I said to myself, “Taylor better hope she doesn’t run into me too soon, or she’ll be in real trouble!”
