Flames of Wrath by J.L. Campbell

Author:J.L. Campbell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Odyssey Media
Published: 2023-08-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Geneva

I’m getting soft, but this is my baby.

She’d never been one to shy away from anything in life. That had been her strength. But today, she was avoiding an unpleasant but necessary task. Maybe she’d forgotten how strong and determined her child could be. Lowering the screen on the laptop, Geneva looked at Alexia across the table. This afternoon, she was her usual bubbly self. The only blip had come as she dove deeper into whatever she was now writing. Alexia had sucked her bottom lip into her mouth and was now staring through the window. She needed a break.

“Lexi, baby. Can I ask you something?”

Her breath hitched while she inhaled. “It has to be serious if you’re not sure you can ask.”

Geneva patted her hand. “I don’t want to upset you, but some questions do need to be asked.”

Her eyes clouded, and her baby’s hand went halfway to her forehead before she laid it on the table. She hadn’t regained all her strength, but the progress she made each day was encouraging and restored Geneva’s faith that she’d make a full recovery.

“Um, how much of what happened—”

“I remember.” Alexia peered at the screen, then sighed.

In slow motion, Geneva laid trembling hands in her lap. “Everything?”

“Some of it.” Alexia turned her head toward the window, then touched the site where the drainage hose had been located. “Most of it.”

Geneva waited, then Alexia said, “All of it, I think. It’s been coming back gradually.”

“Oh, baby.” Geneva averted her gaze as hot tears scorched her eyes. After working hard to provide her children with the advantages in life, her daughter shouldn’t have the kind of bad memories that were the stuff of nightmares. Hard things that would stay with her until she died. The violation. The pain. The rejection from her friends. It was enough to make Geneva want to scream about life’s unfairness. Instead, she strengthened her resolve to see her new, all-consuming project to the end.

The other challenge she faced was Spence. After that wonderful interlude with him, he wasn’t talking to her. His attitude disturbed her, because Geneva would have preferred if he’d say what was on his mind. He chose to brood and avoid her company, as if that would solve their problems.

“I’m so sorry…for all of it. When you’re ready, we can talk about therapy.”

Several micro-expressions flickered across Alexia’s face so quickly, Geneva had trouble analyzing them. If she had to guess, she’d say Alexia was uncertain of what she wanted to do.

“Honestly, I think I’ll be fine.” She pulled her hand from Geneva’s grip as a tear streamed down her cheek. “My first time should have been special. I’d never say I’m glad this happened to me, but it certainly showed me who my friends aren’t.”

“Yes, those people were never your friends.”

“Deja—”

“Let’s not talk about any of them.” Geneva rubbed her arm and sat back. “They sicken me.”

When Alexia smiled—a sad replica of her usual bright grin—it was the last reaction Geneva expected.

“What about forgiving

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