“Of course, since Caroline is your aunt.”
“I don’t think your uncle knew about Caroline’s involvement until recently. I meant he knew about my family through your mom. There was a lot of drama between him, Craig and your mom. I remember my mom was always talking about it. There was something about the night of Craig’s murder, though.
“I was in the living room watching TV when the phone rang in the den. I guess my dad didn’t realized I was nearby, so he put the call on speaker. Your mom was on the other end. She was erratic, saying what happened; but the strangest thing occurred.”
“What was that?”
“Craig was in the background talking.”
“Repeat that?” Hayley said.
“I heard his voice. He said the plan went as expected. You really did kill him, right?”
“Yes, I shot him twice in the chest.”
“When you shot him, did you automatically move the body?”
“Yes.” I slowly replied. I thought about that night and what happened after the shooting. I didn’t automatically move the body because I called Lamar. Once I talked to him, I went outside to wait on him.
“What are you saying? That Craig’s still alive?”
“I don’t know now, but I know I heard his voice that night. He said the plan was done and that they had everything under control. I’m not sure what happened after that.”
“And why you never told anyone this?” I asked.
“Because all of this just recently happened. I really didn’t want to get involved in this, especially since I turned down the offer of being a part of the plan. I didn’t need anyone to come after me.”
“We understand that, but if what you’re saying is true, that means I didn’t kill Craig.” I said.
“But I still killed someone because of him.” Hayley whispered and stared at Demetria.
“Like I said, Hayley, you don’t have to worry about me turning you in. Now Morgan’s mom, that’s who you need to worry about. I’m not sure what you all have done to her, but she’s hell bent on destroying you and your family.”
“My family haven’t done anything to her. We didn’t even know her or Morgan until they moved to the area when Morgan was five.”
“Well, maybe you need to talk to your parents, because she did mentioned that they prevented her from being happy.”
Hayley glanced at me while I looked at Demetria and Leslie. Maybe it wasn’t a coincidence why we moved to Mission Glen. Maybe my mom already knew the Stevens and never said anything.
“I need to know if Craig was still alive after the shooting. If he was, how in the hell it happened and where the hell did he go afterwards.” I said.
“And what did you and Lamar burn at the park.” Hayley added.
I leaned back in the booth and sighed. This situation was getting fucked up by the minute. Now, I had to go back to that night to find out what exactly happened.
Kyle
Once Demetria told me what Sophia wanted her to do, I jumped into my car and headed straight to Houston. If anything even happened to my mom, I swear I would not be accountable for my actions. Sophia is nothing but a damn bully and now, it was time for someone to put a stop to her shit.
After weaving through traffic on the freeway and feeder, I finally made it to my aunt’s house. I ran to the door, hoping either her or my mom answered. I rang the doorbell and bang on the door to get someone’s attention. After three attempts, the door flew open and my aunt looked at me as if I had lost my mind.
“What the hell are you doing, Kyle?!”
“I’m sorry, but I need to know if Mom is okay.” I said as I went into the house.
“She’s fine, K. She asleep, but with your banging on the door, she probably woke up.”
I went down the hall to her room and opened the door. I walked in and saw her sleeping peacefully. I gave a sigh of relief, thinking the worse, when she was okay.
“What is going on? Is there something I need to know?”
“Maybe so, but right now, I just need to be close to Mom.”
Aunt Alice nodded as I went to the armchair near the bed. I sat down and took off my shoes before stretching out on the hard fabric. I stared at her, thinking if I would be the same as Morgan. Now that his mom is plotting on everyone, it seemed as if we’re all on edge. Now, none of our lives will be the same.
***
After trying to get some sleep, I woke up with a stiff back. I glanced at the bed and saw my mom sitting up and staring at me.
“What’s going on, Kyle?”
I went over to her and sat beside her. “I’m going to be honest with you. There has been some things going on involving Morgan and Hayley. Now, we know who’s a part of everything; it’s his mom.”
“Really. I should had known.”
“Anyway, turns out the person I’d been dating is a part of the plan. She used me to get information about what happened that night Morgan killed Craig.”
“Oh wow.”
“Demetria revealed that Sophia wanted her to come here and kidnap you. That’s why I came by.”
“Oh Kyle, you know whatever that woman throws my way, I’ll be ready for her.”
“I know, Mom, but Sophia has been very sneaky lately. Hell, her own son didn’t even know what she’s capable of.”
“Listen Kyle, I have been through a lot in my life, so don’t worry about me. At first, her threats did get to me; but now, I’m a different person and I’m tired of her labeling me as a home wrecker when she was the one doing the most dirt.”
“I know, that’s why we’re trying to find a way to get her to confess to everything that she has done. She even conspired with someone to destroy her own son and girlfriend. Now I know that woman is truly gone.”
“Yeah, she definitely is.” My mom said and sighed. “Just promise me that you’ll be careful. I don’t need anything happening to you trying to help your brother.”
“I know. You don’t have to worry about me, Mom; I’ll be fine.”
“You’re my son, so I’m going to always worry.”
“I’ll be careful.”
My mom smiled and gave me a hug. I sighed, hoping she wasn’t right on worrying about me, because honestly, I don’t know what I’m going up against.
Morgan
Once I received a call from Kyle letting me know things were okay with his mom, I went back to putting my plan into action. After the conversation I had with Leslie, I realized I had to think back to everything that occurred up to the point of the shooting. I never suspected anything from the moments of the incident, so it was hard to say if anything was out of the ordinary and if Craig and my mom were setting me up.
“So you can’t think of anything that stood out before the incident that occurred?” Lamar asked.
“No. Craig was still the bastard that he always was and my mom was playing the victim role. That was a typical day in our household.” I said.
“I really think we need to talk to Mom and Dad. Leslie mentioned that something happened between the three of them.” Hayley suggested.
“I really don’t think we need to put the two into this.” Lamar chimed.
“They’re a part of it, whether you like it or not.” Hayley objected.
Lamar shook his head before hitting his fist onto the coffee table. “This is bullshit! They don’t need to be involved, especially since they just had a child.”
“We know, that’s why we’re trying to do what we can so they won’t have to be.” I said.
“And we need to warn them about everything.” Tamara added.
I still couldn’t think of anything, but there was someone I could talk to find out what happened. Maybe this person could actually give me the information I needed.
“There’s only one other option. I have to talk to my aunt.”
“You think Doris will say anything? She is Sophia’s sister.” Lamar said.
“Let’s hope.” I said and picked up my phone. Hopefully she would
n’t withhold information, especially since so many lives were at risk.
***
An hour later and I was waiting patiently for my aunt to arrive. I didn’t think she would come by the cabin now since it was late, but she said she didn’t mind. That, and she wanted to check in to see if the place was still intact.
The door opened and she walked in. She gave a surprised look to everyone that were in the living room.
“I thought we would be alone, Morgan?”
“Anything you can say you can do it in front of everyone.” I said.
She gave a nervous glance and sat down on the couch. “What did you want to talk about?”
“I need you to help me figure out a couple of things that happened when my mom was married to Craig.”
“Morgan, you know your mom and I didn’t really talk, especially during that time. I didn’t like the idea that she was seeing the man, let alone marrying him. That was one of the reasons why we stopped talking.”
“There has been a lot of unanswered questions regarding what happened during that time; now, there’s even more speculation that Craig’s murder was a set-up. I need to know what type of relationship did those two had during and after my father passed.”
“Morgan, I can’t answer that, because I don’t know.”
“You have to know something. I’m sure my mom mentioned something to you.”
“I wish I can help you, but I can’t.”
“What about with my parents? Did they know something about Sophia and Craig or even Morgan’s father?” Hayley jumped in.
“What are you talking about? I didn’t even know Sophia knew your parents until they moved to Mission Glen.”
“Well, evidentially, the three knew each other before Sophia and Morgan moved into the neighborhood.”
“How do you know this?”
“From Travis’ daughter, Leslie.”
Aunt Doris’ eyes grew wide at the mention of Leslie’s name. She knew something.
“Just from that expression alone, you know what happened. Please, if you know anything, you have to tell us. I don’t think my mom is stable right not, and honestly, I think she’s capable of doing something drastic to anyone that crosses her path.”
“God, what are you doing, Sophia.” She whispered.
“So, you do know something.” Lamar said.
She looked at everyone with tears in her eyes. “I’m really sorry. I thought she would had changed from what happened to her before. I didn’t think she would revert back to her old self.”
“And what was that?”
Doris wiped the tears from her cheeks and started to talk. “It all started before you were born, Morgan. Her and your father were having issues in their marriage, from the constant trips he was taking, to your mom having problems becoming pregnant. The two wanted to have a child so much and it was heartbreaking to see that they couldn’t conceive.
“When your dad went on another business trip, your mom was left to do nothing, so she decided to go out and have a little fun. Little did she know, the type of fun she wanted she wasn’t expecting. She went to a bar and started talking to a guy. To her, he was gorgeous and wanted to do a lot more than talk. After hours of flirting with each other, the two left and spent the night together.
“After their night together, the guy didn’t contact her again, which left her devastated, because she really liked him. She went on about her life with Peter until she found out that he cheated on her with Tracy. That literally tore her apart since she felt she was rejected yet again. When she found out who the woman was, she was trying to destroy any type of happiness your dad had because she thought she should had been the one to make him happy, so she threatened her and your dad repeatedly until he got fed up and walked out on her. The only reason he came back to her and to their marriage was because of you, Morgan.”
“Why? I mean, he could had just stayed with Tracy and Kyle.”
“There was a reason for that. When your mom became pregnant, there was a possibility that the other man was your father.”
“Wait, so you’re saying that not only was my mom with my dad and Craig, but also with this mystery man?”
“Your mom was involved with Craig, but the two didn’t sleep together until she found out about your dad’s affair, so he wouldn’t had been your father.”
“Did you know who the other man was?” Hayley asked.
Doris looked at both Hayley and Lamar with pity. I sighed, realizing who the person was.
“It was your father.”
The two looked stunned as they looked from my aunt to them.
“Whoa, hold up. That can’t be possible. I know my parents had problems, but I don’t think the two would act like nothing happened when we all became friends.” Lamar said.
“I know it sounds complicated, but it’s the truth. Sophia met Cedric and the two had a one-night stand. Based on what she said, Cedric was only looking for a woman with no strings attached. He saw her, figured she was doing the same and the rest was history.”
“We knew the two had a complicated relationship, so this is pretty much up their alley.” Hayley said.
“But with Morgan’s mom! This is crazy!” Lamar yelled.
“So you’re saying we all could had been related?” I asked while looking at Hayley. She looked at me and gave a slight shiver.
“Possibly, but thank God you’re not. Sophia had a paternity test done, so everything is fine.”
“Yeah, on that end, but what about everything else. There are still some situations that doesn’t make sense.”
“I know, and I’m getting to that. Anyway, your dad did tell your mom about the affair, but he never said who the other woman was. Of course she was devastated, but at the time, she was pregnant with Lamar, so she decided to stay. She didn’t want her first born to be brought into the world and his parents were not married. I’m not even sure if she knows to this day.”
“How did you know all of this?” Hayley asked.
“From Sophia. Your dad told her after she tried to get with him again. He said he was trying to work things out with Zoe and to not bother him again. So she did what she thought was the best thing and continued things with Craig.”
“Which that doesn’t make any sense at all.” I said.
“I’ll get to that in a second, but going back to your parents, Hayley and Lamar. Your mom was friends with one of her co-workers, who turned out to be Tracy’s sister. She knew about the affair way before Sophia knew about it, which put more fuel to the fire in that situation. Since Zoe didn’t know about her husband and Sophia, she tried to be a good friend by keeping it from her, until she confessed to her years later.
“As for Sophia, with everything that has happened, she just snapped. To make herself feel better, she decided to get back at everyone who had treated her wrong throughout her life, so she gave the house to Rick and moved to Houston to start her plan of destruction. She knew if she moved closer to Cedric and Zoe that she would try her hardest to break them up; what she didn’t expect was for you and Lamar to become good friends.” Aunt Doris said while looking at me.
“This really doesn’t make sense. Why would she act this way if it was just a one-night stand? Was my dad that damn good for her to go that loco?” Hayley asked.
Lamar looked at his sister and shook his head.
“And why wouldn’t she think that Morgan and Lamar wouldn’t become friends? The two were the same age and at the same school. That’s nuts.”
“Sophia’s mind has never really been wrapped too tight, so this was expected of her.”
“Going back to my mom and Sophia. You really don’t think my mom would know about Sophia being the other woman?” Lamar asked.
“I really don’t. If she did, then she’s probably putting up a good front for everyone.”
“How could my dad do something so damn foul, especially since we’re all friends? I’m surprised the truth hasn’t come out sooner.” Hayley said.
> “I can’t speak for your dad, but I think with Sophia, she was being secretive because of you all. Before she went back to her ways, she didn’t want any anger and animosity to show around the three of you. Instead, she wanted to be an adult so you all wouldn’t pick up on anything.”
“Wow. It seemed as if everyone really have been keeping secrets.” Tamara whispered.
“I’m really sorry for not telling you this, Morgan, but I really thought all of this would had stayed buried. I didn’t want any of you to know about Cedric and Sophia and I surely didn’t want you to know that he could had been your father.”
I looked ahead at the door realizing this situation was truly fucked up. This was a bad soap opera that I definitely wanted to get out of.
“As for Craig, he was truly horrible towards Sophia. Although your mom tried to make things work between them, he only wanted one thing, and that was money. He knew that Sophia married a millionaire, and with his company in the pits, he figured he could get what he wanted by marrying Sophia. When your father passed and left that hefty sum, Sophia did help him, but it wasn’t the amount he was asking for; so, in order for him to get it, he thought of this elaborate scheme to get the money he needed to cover his debt, and that was to kill him. That night, the entire shooting was staged, Morgan.”
“So my mom was only doing it to get his insurance policy?”
“She was forced to do it, Morgan. He was going to expose her for a secret she has. Even I don’t know what it is, because she never told me. She had to stage the entire shooting and have him killed so the money could be turned over to Travis.”
“Didn’t they know that with insurance policies, a person has to die from an illness or an accident to receive the money?” Tamara asked.
“With the policy Craig was under, it could had been from any type of reason. The real plan was for you to hurt Craig and that your mom faked an accident, but the plan didn’t go as expected. He usually didn’t carry his gun, but of course that night, he did; he knew you would go to it if he got into it with you. The only thing is that the bullets were blanks.”
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