Passage 51
Avery sat in her room at the Jing estate as she swayed realizing she just left her son. Bethany trumped her once again and she hated her with everything in her.Her mother didn't say a word to her and the silence in the house was deafening . She looked at her phone and didn't see a single call or text from Roger . Why hadn't Roger called or came by why didn't he do anything to see if she was okay? What was going on in her life that no one called to check up on her. She seethed inwardly how unloved and unwanted she felt.
She lost the house to her son. Her mother scolded her and told her she was an embarrassment. Even though it was in their native language half of the room understood the implications of the insult. She gave her son up and left without a word to him.
Maybe she was becoming her mother. Maybe all those years watching her mother lack sympathy for anyone unless it concerned herself finally got to her. Maybe she really didn't want to be a mother. There were times when she wished she didn't keep Caden when she give her a look Roger did and it would tear her up to pieces how he can mimic a father he never knew. Was Axel's words prophetic to her own true motives and feeling behind her keeping caden.She wanted to call Axel and apologize and ask for her son back,but at the same time she wanted to enjoy the peace she had right now. She hasn't been back to work since she came home that day .
Just locked herself in the room and did absolutely nothing but stare at the walls. There was nothing more to do in her opinion. Everything and everyone had abandoned her. She wanted her father's sage words to talk sense into her make things right in her head instead of the mess it was right now . But the gross reality was Mr. Jing was with the ansestors and Axel was with Bethany and Caden was with Bethany and her mother favored Bethany. She lost everything that really mattered to her in one fleeting moment.
Avery began to scream and laugh at the same time as she curled up in the center of her bed . She was actually loosing her mind as she was coming to the conclusion she was turning out like her mother. Her father was the one who mainly raised them when her mother went on one of her episodes where she had enough of the kids and dropped them off without a word and took off as soon as her husband came through the door.
She didn't care he worked all day and hadn't been served a meal all day ,or was dirty and tired . She just bolted like a inmate being let out of prison . Mr. Jing had gotten used to her random antics that words didn't do any good . Avery just dropped Caden on Axel. She remembered when she looked at him in the hospital before he opened his eyes her feeling were mixed. She knew she had a son and he was small and perfect but holding him was terrifying.
He began to stir and cry and she panicked. If Axel hadn't been there to take the baby she would have tossed him out of her arms. Originally when she wanted to keep the baby it was under the assumption Roger would get over the initial shock of it all and marry her. When Roger cut her off no calls nothing just nodded his head in the coffee shop and stood up and left without a word. She saw the back of the man she loved for over seven months and he wasn't to preoccupied with using protection or even discussing if they wanted kids or a future in that.
Avery just took it as a type of man that didn't elaborate much on things. Avery laughed again as she kept calling the baby it as she allowed Axel to name the baby since she didn't have a name for a baby since she didn't even know the gender until birth.
" Caden, my little warrior. " Whispered Axel to his small nephew. "Did you knowIn old Scottish and galliec there was a name amongst the clans called mac caidan . Son of Caden. Son of battles. This boy will be a warrior and strong . He will need a strong deserving name for a deserving dynasty." He said softly talking to his nephew a few hours old. Axel was always interested in other cultures.
This name stuck to him like glue. He always like the name and it's meaning ." Caden Zhiyu jing. My brave and wise nephew . I am your shushu Axel . " Cooed Axel as he held the tiny hands of his only nephew. Since then Axel was attached to his little nephew.
Avery in the fetal position in the hospital bed not looking at Axel holding the small baby. Avery layed on her side staring at the wall as she just had a child from a man who she thought loved her.
Avery cried as she always felt Caden was more Axel's than hers. He named him. He fed him. He changed him. He bathed him. He held him when he was asleep. Axel was the only father Caden knew. Avery wouldn't hold him until he was a year old and even then those grey eyes haunted her.
Now she lost her son. To the one person who had always been there for him. She picked up the phone and called Axel.
Axel glared at the phone as he was sitting next to Caden watching him draw some characters on his art desk in fascination. His nephew was quite good at drawing. He sighed as he didn't want to leave his nephew to deal with Avery. He flipped the phone over to dismiss the call. When it went to voicemail Avery screamed throwing her phone as she saw it shatter on the floor.
She immediately ran to grab the phone in panic " no! No!no! " She screamed at the phone " I'm sorry . I'm so sorry." She sobbed uncontrollably as she tried to pick up the fragments of the phone. Why did she get mad like that. Maybe he was with Paul at the gym . What was his schedule yes he usually went in around this time to warm up.
Axel kissed his nephews head as he saw he set up his room and he hung up all his new clothes even played a few games on the system he had in the room. It had been a week since he lived there and he seemed more relaxed. Axel was upset it took Avery a week to try to contact her son after she abandoned him.
Axel went down stairs as Bethany was cooking lunch and he was running late to the gym but he already left Paul know . He ate some cucumbers off the counter from a cucumber salad that was chilling . Bethany was making something light for Caden since Sunny was at school and Axel was waiting to enroll Caden in school district. With Caden not legally his there was a bunch of things that had to be done to enroll him.
Right now they had temporary custody of him due to the live admission from Mr. Saviors paperwork that was taken in the property deliberations. It was a touchy subject but in six months time Axel could claim full custody of his nephew if Avery didn't prove she was capable after her mental breakdown.
Axel kissed Bethany softly as she knew he had to go. Caden stayed in his room and usually came out when Sunny was home . Bethany felt bad for him being thrown into this life so fast.
Axel pulled up to the gym as he went straight to the locker room to change . He knew he was late and wanted to get out there so Paul wouldn't retrieve him. He walked out as he saw Paul blocking Avery as her hair was frizzy and unkempt. Her eyes were red and swollen and her body was jumpy .
" Where is he. He can't ignore my calls when he has my son!" Screamed Avery trying to bypass Paul.
" Avery you can't come up in her acting like this. I know you and your brother isn't on good terms but you can't come here acting irrational." Pleaded Paul trying to keep his voice lowered.
" Irrational!" Screamed Avery and octive higher than needed. " So I'm crazy now, huh? I'm irrational now, huh. I'm the one acting all irrational." Said Avery jumping in Paul's face pushing him .
" Stop it Avery . Go home." Demanded Paul holding Avery hands as she tried to assault him further.
" I'm not going home until Axel talks to me. He has my son. He has my damn son." She screamed hysterically.
" Avery , you left your son. I know all about it. You need to go home . Stop making a scene . Your embarrassing yourself." Pleaded Paul.
" That's all I am . A walking embarrassment. Hmmm. " She laughed as she sat on the ground rocking holding her knees in comfort.
" I don't have a home anymore. Axel gave it to his favorite nephew. I'm his sister and he gave out home to a child. A child." She said softer like she was talking to herself.
Axel wanted to come out and stop Avery from making a fool of herself but if she saw him it be worse. Paul knew how to handle her. He always knew how to calm Avery's tormented spirit.
" Go home , Avery. Axel will call you when he is ready. You put a lot on his plate and he needs time to adjust just like you. I understand you are remorseful for what has transpired . But coming here in his place of business is not the way to do it. Your son is in good hands he is with family." Soothed Paul as Avery's eyes flared and she jumped up and punched Paul in the face . She leaned over him as she wailed on Paul as he tried to cover his head in defence.
Axel ran out and grabbed Avery from behind and pulled her away from Paul. Paul blood spilling from his mouth not was angry . Axel pulled Avery to the parking lot and closed the door locking the door to keep her out. Axel went to check on Paul and he waved Axel off .
" You okay man. I am so sorry " Axel said .
Just then Axel heard his car alarm going off . He ran outside as Avery had pulled out a crow bar from her car and was smashing axels car windows and screaming and laughing. Axel watched knowing not to get between Avery and a crowbar . Paul immediately called the police as in minutes blue lights filled the parking lot as Avery dropped the crowbar knowing she was caught.
Avery spun around like she was doing a display in the ring like one of her match ups . The officers stood back as she smiled and raised her arm like she was expecting an applause from an adoring crowd. She bowed dramatically and blew kisses to the spectators passing by. The officers approached her with caution as they cuffed her as she was bowed forward with her lands held out in front of her then they read her her rights as they placed her in the cruiser.
she began to laugh hysterically. Axel rubbed his face as he saw his sister sitting in the cruiser seat laughing and talking to herself. He had only seen her like this right after Roger left her. It took her months to stop trying to go after Roger every chance she could. Axel had to take the car from her afraid she would get herself in trouble.
Paul made a statement what happened and Axel had to call to get the car towed to a repair shop. He went back inside trying to recover the day ,but found it hard to focus. When Paul drove Axel home Bethany went to greet him and then saw Paul. Bethany worried .
" Axel is everything okay what happened?" She said not noticing the car now missing. Oh my god Paul your face let me get some ice on that." She said bringing them both in the house.
Paul sat with ice to his mouth and Axel staring at the wall processing what just happened. Caden stood at the top of the stairs hearing his uncle come home and stopped as he saw the scene.
" Avery came to the gym and busted out all my car windows . " Axel said shaking his head now.
" Where is she now?" Asked Bethany worried for Cadens safety.
" Down town. They will let her cool off a few days before anything can be done." Said Paul wincing between words.
" Momma did this." Said Caden as everyone looked up to see the boy now mad. " I hate her. I hate her. She ruins everything." He screamed frustrated running to his room slamming the door.
Axel went to go upstairs and handle Caden but Bethany grabbed his arm to yield him." He is angry and still hurting. Last thing he needs is to be desensitized from his feelings. Let him cool off . Don't talk to him angry ,please." Begged Bethany.
Axel nodded and sat back down as he looked at the closed room door . Paul patted Axel on the back as Bethany had to get the men cleaned up and settled before Sunny came home and upset Caden more. She grabbed a spare shirt for Paul and sat the men down to eat . The silence in the room was deafening.
Bethany made a plate and sat it on the floor as she heard the boy inside the room crying. She knocked on the door " Caden I got you food by the door if you want to eat in your room. " She said gently and left it there as she heard the sobs stop suddenly.
Axel saw the door open to retrieve the plate and slam shut again. He nodded seeing that was some progress he wasn't trying to refuse food.
Avery was booked and placed in a holding cell with three other woman. She sat on the empty bench as surgery her shoulders knowing she earned this one. Maggie sat on the ground and smiled at the new commer .
" What you in for , doll?" She mused .
" I busted up my brother's car windows out after he took my child from me." She said partial only telling parts of the truth to the curious stranger.
Maggie nodded ." Ahhhhh. Family drama. " She replied amused .
" Yeah. Always something in this family." She said bitterly.
Meanwhile Regina has came home after she agreed to pay for new windows that cost a fortune to get charges dropped by Roger . A few days in the holding cells were educational. She met a woman named Maggie in there she had been there for a month. Maggie never relenquished what she was serving time for but she was amusing how she was dead set against the floor . Another inmate made her get up from the bench as she wanted to lay down . That inmates name was Beatrice. Maggie nodded to her with respect and patted the ground for Regina to sit right next to her. Regina refused and layed against the bars until the lawyer she requested came for her.
She knew she shouldn't have broke Rogers windows but did he have to lock her up? She felt a little bit aggravated Roger actually had her arrested and refused to drop the charges until she replaced the windows. Damn lawyer she thought about him. She didn't know if she was even mad that he told her she was nothing to him. She didn't know why she felt the attraction to Roger with him being twelve years older than her but she wanted him .
He played with her like a harp string making the sounds he wanted to hear . Then there was Avery. What was the difference between her child and Alexander? They both shared the same father. Why was her brat more important than Alexander? Regina stewed over this as she was dropped off at home.
Meanwhile Christopher gently knocked on the door of Sarah's bedroom. They had been in separate rooms since she came home with limited memory. Sarah sat there flipping through the channels trying to occupy herself. The children were brought in one at a time with Christopher nearby in case he heard a cry. During the day when he had to go to work he hired a person to watch his wife and kids. He called at lunch to check in and brought dinner home .
Sarah was getting tired of takeout since she wasn't particularly fond of fast food in general. When the hired help was out with the kids at the park she would pop in the kitchen and cook some food. When Christopher asked who made it she say "I suppose it was Florence ." And fein ignorance.
Sarah also would wash some items and rearrange the dishes in the cupboard after Florence had placed it in the wrong location. This woman was going to drive her insane with the way she cleaned and placed things. Even the diaper genie stayed full and Christopher had to take it outside. But since she was still not in remembering state of mind she had to play her role.
So far Christopher was better. He checked in regularly and came straight home. He never worked overtime and his law practice was moving up in stature . He managed to recruit old collueges to his side and he hadn't seen a single mysterious call or text when she managed to take his phone he left on the dinner table when he went to shower . Her plan was working except for the intamency .
It had been months since they had sex or a date night and Sarah was feeling neglected. She could put right ask him for it since she was still in a daze. He figure it out if she remembered what he liked in bed but not him in general. Damn it she was punishing herself while trying to correct him.
Her parents only came by when Christopher was home and not by themselves like they used to before unannounced like they had a right to do so. Sarah did enjoy the peace and quiet from this part of the plan. The bandages came off and half of Sarah's face looked raw from the burn that licked her face . Her one arm still held a scar from the burn also. That was the backlash of the accident. It left her permanently scarred.
She had all the mirrors removed from the room and bathroom as she couldn't stand to see her face and body in a reflection. The kirkwalls offered reconstructed surgery to make her beautiful again but Sarah didn't want to leave Christopher unsupervised . She heard news that the other woman lived and they didn't piece together the hit and run . Sarah was proud she thought of the accident to cover her tracks.
But she wasn't satisfied that the woman was still living. She would have to take care of that later. She was right once Christopher didn't have a child with her he would be less devoted to her. Sarah thinking she won overall.
Christopher sat in his office as he heard the saw the door open to his small practice. The receptionist Harper greeted the woman as she approached. Christopher would recognize that voice anywhere. He froze looking around for an exit . He had a private bathroom in his office and he abruptly hid in there.
He heard the door open as Harper tell her to have a seat . Offered refreshments. He sat on the toilet as Regina sat in his office. He was trying to be quiet hoping she go away if he stayed in there long enough. Just then Sarah called as his ringtone sounded off. He tried to silence it as he answered in a low voice. He knew if he didn't answer she would remind him she called for something she needed and Florence didn't grab.
" Hello." He whispered .
" Why are you whispering?" Asked Sarah .
" I'm in a meeting with a client. Can I call you back?" He said insisting .
" Yes. Well no. I need some ice cream and pads . My lady friend came and Florence is not answering her cell . She took the kids to the park so I could rest." Sarah said in a whinny voice.
" Can it wait till I get home?" He said trying to be faster.
"Sure I'll just bleed all over this bed. I'll get Florence to wash it." She demanded.
" Okay give me a minute. I have to get rid of this client first then I'll get the items for you." He said giving up as he heard Sarah hang up the phone.
Regina heard him on the phone as the bathroom echoed . She rapidly knocked on the door aggervated.
" Just a minute. I'm just finishing up in here." He said as he dropped his phone on the floor at the rattling of the door.
He picked up his phone and took a deep breath before stepping out into his office.
" Christopher. I didn't realize you had a new number. And a new practice too. Your getting a lot of new things I see ." She said narrowing her eyes at him.
Christopher paced around the walls trying not to get too close to her at all. Regina wore a flower blue dress with a see through shawl on her shoulders. Her hair was impeccable and as he sat down he can feel his britches tighten a bit as she crossed her legs as she sat down on the end of his desk.
" What can I do for you , Mrs. Zehetii?" He said clearing his throat.
" Mrs. Zehetii. We are on such a formal basis. Christopher darling we both know we've seen enough of each other to be on a more personal basis." She said leaning over to pull his tie to her.
" What do you want, Regina ?" He now said removing her hand from his tie .
" Well I want you. Well your services persay. But I'll take you as well if we can work that into the negotiations." She said now pushing his chair out from the desk to sit on his lap.
Christopher stood up abruptly as Regina held on as she laughed thinking it was a game. Christopher pried her off of him as she looked dejected for a minute.
" Ouch! That really hurt Christopher." She cried.
" Look Regina . I'm in my place of business. Can we show some resemblance of professionalism and less of what ever it is your attempting to do right now." He snapped not happy with her performance.
" I would say by the looks of it you like whatever I'm doing." She smiled.
" I'm a man. It happens sometimes. Please sit down and behave yourself." He demanded trying to straighten himself out.
" Fine. I will behave for now. " She said looking at his pants .
" Let's try this again. What can I do for you Mrs. Zehetii." He said sitting down behind the desk watching her wearily.
" It's about the hit and run. I remembered something. The woman who parked in my spot was also in the parking area outside where I got hit. " She explained .
" Shouldn't you tell this to the police before me?" He interjected.
" Yes well I would but I wanted to tell you first. She drove a minivan color green. She had brown hair and hazel eyes. Very soft on the eyes but you can tell she came from money by the perfect manicured hands . She spoke like she was educated. Her plates on the car was memorable . It said D.A.Y.0 M.M.2 I just thought it was strange how your name was in the tag." She said studding Christopher's face.
Christopher face turned cold as he realized she was talking about Sarah.