Chapter 418 - Four Hundred And Eighteen: Her Dream
Reina's point of view:
Niklaus said it was time to leave and heck I wanted to go home too. This place was too suffocating, which intensified each time I stared at Angela's large frame on the display stand.
"That could have been me," That was the thought in my head. She had died in my place, and what pained me the most was the fact she died in the hands of a criminal - a criminal that wasn't worth a quarter of her life.
I searched around the church for my kids. They were a bunch of trouble but I liked it that way because their troubles have been a source of distraction to me lately. Honestly, with his good behavior, I had thought Neon would change Allen and Ailee, but what the twins did was to influence him instead - confirms the fact that bad behaviors rub off faster on a person quicker than the good counterpart.
Suddenly my thoughts changed direction to Jennifer, I wondered how she was doing in that mental asylum. Perhaps, when all of this is over, I would take Neon to meet her - she was still his mother anyway. Don't mind my kind-heartedness, I'm quite sensitive to the word "mother" lately.
It wouldn't surprise me if I become a tireless advocate for the care of mothers. Angela's death taught me a big lesson and now, I've figured out my life mission. I'm going to help every parent and child - it wasn't just restricted to the mothers, fathers too - out there who've fallen out with one another.
The family was a big deal, a good family produced better kids which in turn produced better citizens for the society and country. Broken homes were a big deal, it weighed more heavily on the kids- parents should not just know that fact?- they should feel it as if it were their own pain.
And then, to the illegitimate ones, I want a society where they're accepted and recognized, where they're not ostracized for being the result of an illicit relationship - which wasn't the case often. Rape was real.
The idea seemed unachievable in my head but I knew it was possible. I had the money, resources, and power. It was time to make that change. The world being a better place starts from the family. But then, if the family is divided, what then happens to the world? And no child should suffer for the crimes of the parents. Society should not shackle nor exploit those innocent souls, they deserve love too.
"Thank you," Kim appeared out of nowhere, startling me although I didn't show it. Our relationship after my mother's death was so so. We only worked together because of the burial and she must have perceived we would go back to the no-talking terms after today.
"You don't need to thank me," I told her straightforwardly, "I didn't do it for you,"
"I know, but you still deserve to be thanked. I would never have done this all by myself. You might not have known, but you were a source of strength towards me during this bad time,"
I could already imagine how hard it was for her to say those words to me. I mean, we're talking about the proud Kim here; the Kim who couldn't stand the sight of me and treated me like garbage.
"I have a question for you,"
She turned to me with a mix of wonder and curiousness which wasn't expected. I mean this was the longest normal conversation we've ever held when we were not organizing Angela's burial.
"What is it?"
"Those years, you mistreated me, did it make you happy? Seeing me at my lowest point, how did it feel like?" I couldn't help but ask. I've always wondered how much joy bullies derived from abusing their victim.
"Is not the joy," Kim said to my astonishment.
My brow raised at that comment to which she explained,
"Is the power that comes with it. Yes, maltreating you then made me happy but the greater happiness was the power that came with it. Seeing you below me, made me feel powerful like you were meant to be there and would always remain there - you proved me wrong by being the woman you are today
"So what's my point? Most times I didn't beat nor maltreat you because I wanted to have a good laugh at your misery, I just craved dominance - like God-level kind of glory. I wanted you to squirm and tremble at the sight of me. I called you scumbag - amongst the many others - because I wanted you to be one so I could prove that I was greater, better, and more competent than you.
"But then power comes with its curse. No matter what you did, I craved to bring you down because I was insatiable. To be honest, you might not have realized it but you saved me by sending me away to Africa. I was slowly turning into a monster I couldn't recognize," Kim turned to me, took my hand with this rare kindness in her eyes, saying, "Thank you for saving me, Reina,"
I took a deep breath, beginning to comprehend the load of information I just downloaded. To think that I always thought of myself as inferior when I was Maya when it had been psychological manipulation all this time.
"Fine, if you say so," I said, checking my time and still searching around for those kids. I'll kill them once I get my hands on them.
"You should get Tommy to come around sometimes," I announced and watched confusion grow on her face.
"My kids never got to know Angela, I would not deny them the opportunity of knowing their nephew too," I said to Kim, taking my leave before she could respond. Just like I said, the sins of the father should not be visited upon the children anymore - Tommy is ignorant and innocent of all things.
I resumed my work of finding the kids and in no time located Neon with a stranger, probably his latest target - they are a terror. My kids were the most questionable when on good behavior - you should never trust them.
"Excuse me, gentleman," I faked a smile to the startled young man after I caught Neon who had attempted to slip away as soon as he laid eyes on me - yes, he's been corrupted that much by Allen and Allen.
"Now, lead me to the others,"
I commanded Neon amid the questioning look from the young man. Catching one of the triple troubles means catching all of them.
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