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Chapter Eight: Suspicion
Última actualización:
2025-11-28 05:07:03
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Unholy December Chapter Fourteen: The Day of Reckoning
It's Friday morning Ayana barely slept. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw her father's face showcasing betrayal and his betrayal hardening into rage. She'd rehearsed what to say a hundred times, but still none of it sounded right.Dad, I'm in love with Nelson.Dad, Nelson, and I are together.Dad, please don't hate us.Nothing seems rightShe dragged herself downstairs at seven, and she found her father in the kitchen making pancakes—his Saturday tradition, even though it was Friday. He hummed an old hymn, completely at peace with the world.God, this was going to destroy him."Morning, sweetheart." He smiled, gestured with the spatula. "Hungry? Made your favourite blueberry."Her stomach twisted. "Maybe just toast.""You feeling okay? You look pale.""Didn't sleep well." The truth, at least partially.Her father flipped a pancake with practised ease. "I'm not surprised. This whole situation with Thomas has everyone on edge, but I have faith it'll work out. Truth always wins in
Unholy December Chapter Thirteen: Calculated Risks
It's Thursday, but still, there were no reliefAyana spent the morning helping her mother prepare for the church's holiday outreach program, all while fielding passive-aggressive comments about loyalty, discretion, and the importance of supporting long-standing community members. "People are talking," her mother said, arranging donation boxes with sharp precision. "Saying you've been spending quite a bit of time at the centre and that you're very... invested in Nelson's welfare.""I volunteer there. Of course, I care about what happens.""There's caring, and there's.. Hmmm." Her mother paused, choosing her words carefully. "Appearing too involved. You're a young, single woman, and He's an older, unmarried man. People make assumptions, my darling."Ayana's heart hammered. "What kind of assumptions, mother?""The kind that damages reputations." Her mother's voice was sharp. "I'm just saying–be mindful of how things look for both your sakes."Before Ayana could respond, Catherine burst
Unholy December Chapter Twelve: Fallout
Ayana woke to her mother's tense voice drifting up from the kitchen, and the phone pressed to her ear. "Yes, I understand people are upset, but Nelson wouldn't lie about something like this. He's the most honest man I know."A pause. Then, sharper: "Thomas Garrett has been your friend for thirty years, I understand that. But if the evidence is real—and the lawyers seem to think it is—then our loyalty should be to the truth, not to protecting reputations."Ayana dressed quickly, descended the stairs to find her mother at the kitchen table, coffee untouched, Bible open but unread. The phone sat beside her like a weapon."Morning," Ayana said carefully."Morning." Her mother looked up, exhaustion evident in the lines around her eyes. "That was the fourth call this morning. People demanding your father take a stand, either supporting Nelson or condemning him. Half the church wants Nelson's head. The other half wants Thomas Garrett arrested immediately.""What does Dad think?""Your father
Unholy December Chapter Eleven: Corruption Exposed
Tuesday morning arrived with the weight of consequences.Ayana sat in the community centre's main room, helping a fifth-grader with fractions, trying to focus on anything except the closed-door meeting happening in the conference room. Nelson, Dr. Hayes, the board chair, and two lawyers had been in there for ninety minutes. Through the frosted glass, she could see shadows moving, gestures sharp with tension.He was doing it. Exposing Thomas Garrett. Blowing up his own careful world in the name of integrity.God, she loved him."Miss Ayana?" The student tugged her sleeve. "You're not listening.""Sorry, Marcus. You're right. Let's try this problem again."But her attention kept drifting to that conference room door. To the storm about to break.At eleven o'clock, the door opened. The lawyers emerged first, expressions grim and professional. Then the board chair—Mrs. Chen, a retired teacher with steel in her spine. Then Dr. Hayes, looking older and sadder. Finally, Nelson, his face carv
Unholy December Chapter Ten: Making Plans
Ayana told her parents she was meeting with the community centre's HR coordinator about the job application. Not entirely a lie—she was meeting with Nelson, who technically oversaw hiring. The rest was just creative interpretation.Her mother barely looked up from her Bible study notes. "Don't be out too late. We have early service tomorrow.""I won't."Catherine caught her in the hallway and pressed something into her hand. A key. "My apartment. If you need somewhere, that's not his place. Somewhere safer.""Cat—""I'm with Jake tonight. The place is empty. Just—" Her sister's eyes were worried. "Just be smart, okay?"Ayana hugged her. "Thank you.""Don't thank me yet. This is probably going to blow up in all our faces."---Nelson's house was dark except for the porch light. Ayana parked down the street, walked through shadows, and felt the thrill and terror of sneaking around like a teenager. But this wasn't teenage rebellion. This was adult choice with adult consequences.He opene
Unholy December Chapter Nine: Coffee and Confessions
Miller's Diner looked exactly as Ayana remembered—red vinyl booths, checkered floors, the smell of coffee and bacon grease that had probably seeped into the walls over forty years. Sara was already there, waving from a corner booth, her baby carrier beside her on the seat."Ana!" Sara stood for a hug, and Ayana was struck by how different her childhood friend looked. Softer around the edges, tired in the way new mothers were, but genuinely happy. "God, look at you. Boston made you gorgeous.""You look amazing too." Ayana slid into the booth, peeking at the sleeping baby. "She's beautiful, Sara.""Thanks. She's also the reason I haven't slept more than three hours straight in two months, but I love her anyway." Sara signaled the waitress. "Coffee? Or are you too fancy for diner coffee now?""Never too fancy for Miller's."They ordered—coffee, pancakes, the comfortable ritual of old friends falling back into rhythm. But Sara's eyes were assessing, curious in a way that made Ayana nervou
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