Echoes of Convergence

The Scars She Hid From The World

REGINA MCBRIDE

The heavy iron gates of the Wilderness Correction Camp groaned as they released me after three years of state-sponsored hell. I stood on the dirt road, clutching a plastic bag that held my entire life, waiting for the family that claimed they sent me there for "rehab." My brother, Brady, picked me up in a luxury SUV only to throw me out onto a deserted highway in the middle of a brewing storm. He told me I was a "public relations nightmare" and that the rain might finally wash the "stink" of the camp off me. He drove away, leaving me to limp miles through the mud on a snapped ankle. When I finally dragged myself to our family estate, my mother didn't offer a hug; she gasped in horror because my muddy clothes were ruining her Italian marble. They didn't give me my old room back. Instead, they banished me to a moldy gardener’s shack and hired a "babysitter" to make sure I didn't embarrass them further. My sister, Kaleigh, stood there in white cashmere, pretending to cry while clinging to her fiancé, Ambrose—the man who had once been mine. They all treated me like a volatile junkie, refusing to acknowledge that Kaleigh was the one who planted the drugs in my bag three years ago. They wanted to believe I was broken so they wouldn't have to feel guilty about the "wellness retreat" that was actually a torture chamber. I sat in the dark of that shed, feeling the cooling gel on the cigarette burns that covered my arms, and realized they had made a fatal mistake. They thought they had erased me, but I had returned with a roadmap of scars and a hidden satellite phone. At dinner, I didn't beg for their love. I simply rolled up my sleeves and showed them the price of their silence. As the wine spilled and the lies crumbled, I sent a single text to the only person I trusted: "I'm in. Let them simmer." The hunt was finally on.

Modern Revenge Scheming

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(that fateful night)

Tracy just called, she sounded worried, and I tried to understand what she was saying.

"It's everywhere Ma'am, Jonathan is on the news again" I listened, quickly picking up the remote to turn on the TV. My eyes watched in silence, it was the same story every year, that Jonathan never missed. I quickly turned it off, contempt filled me, my phone ringing nonstop. It was Jonathan, I wanted to pick, but I know him too well to come up with a good lie.

I thought today would be a good day to drop the news about my pregnancy, but once again he ruined it, Jonathan always looks for a way to ruin everything.

Slowly I turn off the shower and step out, I can't let him find out about the Twins, they were my everything and I can't lose them to Jonathan.

****

Six years later.....

"What do you mean, he is there already" I asked, my tone elevated as I tried to get clearer words of what Benita, my assistant was saying as I struggled with the steering.

"Keep it down, you two" I yelled at Tiara and Tina who were at the back of the car.

They were my sole reason reasons of surviving after such a horrible divorce, knowing I wouldn't wake up alone to an empty bed filled me with joy.

The moment I saw their little adorable faces, I knew just then, they were more than enough but right now they are giving me a migraine.

"I asked you both to share," I whispered, taking the chocolate from them. "Am sorry Benita what were you saying," I asked trying to stay focused

"He is here Ma, the person you are leasing your room to" she summed up at the other end of the line. "And he is so handsome ma'am" she giggled

"Focus Benita" What was this girl's problem with guys, she has been dumped for the 4th time and she is still not seeing the bigger picture here. "Tell him, I will be right there, dropping the Twins at my mom's" I added, ending the call.

"You said we weren't going to Grandma till the weekend," Tiara said, her voice small.

"Come on baby, don't you miss grandma," I leaned down, brushing a strand of hair off her face, she was definitely like her papa.

"I like grandma's, she gives us a lot of goodies," Tina said as she bounced excitedly.

Just 5 years old and I felt a long time had passed me by, watching them grow was the toughest and sweetest for me

I rang the doorbell, and as the door opened, Joy my mom's maid answered with a brightening smile on her face.

"Look who we have here" she teased jokingly

Tina and Tiara giggled, they were so playful sometimes I wondered where they got it from. Brushing past Joy they both headed upstairs, their laughter filling the echoes of the house.

"Be careful you two," I yelled from behind

"Is my mother inside?" I asked curiously

"You can always come in ma'am Claire" Joy ushered

But, I was too stubborn, my mom and I weren't on good terms, and ever since the divorce, she blamed me for being soft and lenient for not asking Jonathan for alimony, for wasting my life, even when insisted I didn't want anything from him.

She had said she was not doing it for me, the only reason she asked for alimony was for the kids, she loved them so much that I sometimes get jealous.

"Here is their stuff" I handed everything to Joy, who struggled to hold each of them. "Why is it so many, are they staying till Christmas" she asked curiously

"Most of it belongs to Tina, you know how demanding that little lady can be" I reminded Joy. "I will pick them up on Sunday so... Good luck" I quickly added, rushing to my car as Joy called behind. I waved, driving off

Feeling relieved, I called Benita. "Is he still waiting?" I asked curiously,

"Yes, Ma'am, should I ask him to leave" she asked

"No, am on my way" I quickly added ending the call

He must be adamant, I thought marching the speed break

I drove into the parking lot and my eyes fell on the offloaded boxes at the back of a sports car, no one told me he drove a sports car, is he going to be trouble, I was too busy to deal with a troublesome tenant

I got out of my car, picked up my handbag, and stepped into the elevator leading to my penthouse, I dialed Benita's number, and it kept ringing till she finally picked

"What with the sports car" I asked curious

"Ohh you saw that, I don't think he's that bad ma'am" she slowly added

"You don't think Benita, you don't think he is a serial killer or thief" I questioned her as she remained silent. "Who drives a sports car and stays in a lease, obviously a good for nothing do-gooder does" I slowly remind her

"You know what, tell him, the room is out of rent and give him a refund" I added

"But-but Ma'am" Benita stuttered

I quickly cut her short, "infact, don't bother, I will do it myself" I managed to say stepping out of the elevator in my apartment lobby

"Where is he," I asked Benita, whose face was filled with worry, "Benita" I yelled

"He-he is inside, he said he wanted to check it out" she stammered

"You fucking did what? how can you let a stranger into the apartment, is there something wrong with you Benita, you are getting fired after this"

"He seemed very convincing and I got so confused and -and" I stared at her trying to understand what the hell she was saying

The door opened and our eyes both stared at the figure coming out

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