Yuri learned early in life; he might not like it when plans changed. But some changes were beneficial. Here, Yuri’s living situation would get a glow up. He might not ruin Gena as he’d planned for a few years, as she’d be useful in several ways. He’d at first wanted to use her to improve his career while enjoying ruining her for anyone else. Maybe she’d disappear too. But with her uncle’s notice, Yuri could become a made man. Alberto was a protective uncle, oddly to Gena. Punishing her was at her uncle’s whim, and Yuri learned he didn’t do it at the wrong time. In fact, the man approved of Yuri disciplining Gena. Alberto liked the idea of Yuri dominating Gena and using any means necessary to shut her up. They had no intention of ruining Rebecca’s and Everett’s wedding. Alberto wanted to confront a rival of his. Someone he believed he’d destroyed long ago but had resurfaced a few days ago. He must now handle it before certain facts enter the public knowledge and
With the vows exchanged, Josalyn tried to keep the flow going. Her head throbbed, signaling that today was overwhelming. She’d pay for it in the end. That’s part of what she hated. This wasn’t something she could predict or prevent. No one around her understood. She sought a calm space for a brief rest. She had not had that for hours. “Okay, everyone. That’s the last signature! We’re officially married again! At least, off stage.” Which set off a laugh throughout the gathering. The people there had a long day. Let’s set up again. Then we’ll do a second run through. This time we’ll record the ceremony part for the special program. So, this will be a dramatic ceremony. We want to catch comments and gossip. So, guess and give our viewers something to sink their teeth into. Just remember. Rebecca and Everett are perfect for one another. Several of you have cues to base your gossip off of. We want those out there.” Rebecca rolled her eyes at this. They w
Gena couldn’t believe the trouble they were in. The police weren’t standard city police at the stop. No, these were federal agents. They took her uncle and several others. “I’ll come get you when I’m finished with Rebecca.” Gena said. Her uncle stood there in handcuffs and panic crossed his face before his anger got the better of him and he yelled at Yuri. “No, you foolish girl. You’ll ruin everything if you make a scene. Yuri, make her stop and deliver the message to Edward Black. He’s a wedding guest. You know what he looks like don’t you? This is all a mistake and I’ll have it cleared up soon. Gena did nothing foolish. Everett Stone is not worthy of being a member of this family. Marrying him means leaving our family. All connections and resources will no longer be accessible by you.” Alberto’s words rushed out of him while the officers assisted him into the back of a police vehicle. “Uncle Alberto! He’s the father of my baby. Doesn’t
Edward Black looked up when the producer approached him. “Looks like you got your wish. The officers just called and reported that your ex-wife and her cousin are in custody. They couldn’t hold Gena though and she’s on her way here they believe.” The look of dread in the producer’s eyes was not reflected in Edward’s. He knew the woman was petty and vindictive, but she’d never grown up. She’d dig her own grave in respect to her image and reputation. “She doesn’t know what’s happening, does she?” Edward asked. The producer shook his head. “I don’t believe so. Or she doesn’t know the severity of it.” Her uncle’s arrest turned into many arrests throughout Gena’s family and their businesses. Edward’s defense team not only found proof he wasn’t involved in the crimes Gena’s family had pinned on him. They’d found evidence of who orchestrated the crimes originally. They’d found evidence to prove who was the offenders to the mastermind in charge. Now the pro
“So, the rumors about Yuri were true? He hurt those women, and someone paid them off?” Josalyn asked. Jake nodded. His stern expression told her he wasn’t happy about all of this, and he watched the paramedics load Gena into the ambulance. Everyone could hear Gena call out in weak, plaintive tones for Everett. “It looks likely now. Gena was spotted by a parking attendant struggling with Yuri’s driver. He noticed what he thought was blood and called security. They called the police immediately.” Jake tried to ignore Gena’s cries, but Josalyn could see a painful expression mixed with annoyance on his face. She faced a second attack within weeks. This is insane. Who did this? Was it Yuri or his driver that did this?” Josalyn knew little about Leo, Yuri’s driver. Only that he lurked on set when Yuri worked. No one felt comfortable with him around and several times he’d been kicked off a sound stage. “I don’t know about the first attack, but
Josalyn’s day-long headache vanished when an evening rainstorm arrived from the lake. With relief, realizing the headache was a false alarm. The storm lasted an hour. Sufficient to cleanse before departure. The parking lot examination was brief, as they concluded the limousine was the crime scene. Once the ambulance was gone and the police cleared the parking lot of people. The wedding coordinator insisted on the wedding reception continuing. While the inn boasted enough space in their grand dining hall, and the shift into the inn happened fast. The locals suspected it would rain and prepared for it.Jake and Edward kept their promise and the wedding planner guided everyone through the rituals until Jake whispered to Josalyn. “It’s time we made our escape. The boat is ready, and we can be gone before anyone realizes it.”“I thought this time would never happen. Have you heard anything about Gena’s status?” Josalyn asked. She was more than ready to end this even
Jake closed the cottage door behind Josalyn. “It’s just us again. I’ve waited all day for this. It’s been nothing but a pain watching that disaster. But we fixed our mistakes and I’m hoping this means we’re back on the right track again with our lives.” Josalyn listened to Jake and could see his eager happiness. She believed he wanted this to happen, especially after rushing to the hospital with her. Josalyn didn’t want to show her financial situation to him. He’d question the purpose of the medical bills. He was aware of celiac disease, but not its true impact on her. But after he revealed the cottage renovations, and the staff. Josalyn feared their divorce would worsen from the earlier one. Both times he’d promised not to divorce her. Would he fail this time to keep that promise? She couldn’t ask him about that right now. Josalyn struggled with her guilt about Gena and her memories of lying there alone, losing her child. “Jake, would i
Jake led Josalyn into the bedroom, turning on the water and helping her out of the dress. “Can you explain to me why wedding dresses always seem to have either a million buttons or miles of ties holding them closed?” “Anticipation of unwrapping the present? I don’t know, it’s tradition. I’ll be glad to leave this. Do you know how heavy this is? I’ll be honest, I regret not having a reception dress to change into. Dancing was difficult, and using the bathroom was even worse. Men ponder women’s group bathroom visits. It takes many hands to protect a dress like this from accidents.” “Well, it’s served its purpose. Will you keep this dress? I know you sold the first one for rent.” “Yeah, I sold it. But what else could I do? We wouldn’t have had a roof over our heads if I hadn’t. Nor did I get much for it.” “What happened to the photos?” “Some photos were stuffed in an attic drawer. I didn’t have the heart to look at t