บททั้งหมดของ Love, Obsession, Torture: บทที่ 161 - บทที่ 170

ROBIN“NOOOOOO!” Lindsey’s scream ripped through the room as she collapsed onto the sofa, breaking into uncontrollable sobs.I broke free from Jack’s grip, hurtling towards her and gathering her in my arms. In barely a month I’d been the bearer of two horrible news: one for her husband’s infidelity, another for her husband’s death.“I’m so sorry Mummy.” She accepted my hug, cocking her head onto my shoulder and intertwining her trembling fingers with mine. Across the room, Lana turned away, planting her face in Mike’s chest, resuming her soft wail.“What happened to him?” Lindsey whispered. “How… how did he die?” I shot Jack a worried look, swallowing down the lump of guilt building in my throat.“Mrs Betton,” Jack began gently, taking the vacant seat next to her. “The father of your daughters died a hero.”She frowned through her tears.“What does that even mean, Jack?” She sniffled, her confused eyes appraising his.“He died protecting Robin, Lindsey. Millicent’s bullet was meant fo

ROBIN“Oh God!” Mum broke down all over again, sobbing into George’s letter until fresh tears soaked the paper in translucent patches.Lana and I moved to either side of her, wrapping our arms around her as we shared in her grief and the emotions our dad’s final words had stirred. She wept on and on for a number of minutes before her quaking sobs tailed off.“I’m fine, girls.” she whispered at last, heaving a thick sigh. “I have to be strong for the two of you.” She sniffled, sweeping the tears away from her eyes.“I’m good.” Her lips curved into a forced smile as she stroked Lana’s cheek before cupping mine.“I think you should look through the will as well,” I mumbled, gently fingering Dad’s letter.“He wanted you to have a look.”She shook her head.“I don’t care about the will, darling. You should know, your father and I built everything we had together, but the Crawford name is pretty big shot.”“Mum’s being modest. Grandad owned vast amounts of land and several oil companies.” M

ROBIN“Hey,” I said softly to Mike, sinking gingerly into the squashy cushions of Lana’s bed. She lay curled up into an orb, her arms braced around her knees, face buried between her thighs. She had been devastated ever since she read Daddy’s letter—downhearted and outright shattered. Emotions that seemed to be drawn out by regret…regret over not having spoken to our father before he passed, and I understood her. My last conversation with George was certainly helping me navigate this difficult time. Before he died, I knew he loved me very much. I knew there was nothing he wouldn’t do for me, I also knew he would lay down his life for me and his grandchildren—and he did, as grotesque as that may have felt. No love could top what he did for me and my babies, but that act of selflessness had left an insurmountable pain, one we’d have to live with for a long time.“How is she doing?”“She’s been like this since morning, Robin. Not responding to anything I say. I managed to get her into th

ROBIN“Thank you,” I whispered, snaking my arms around Jack’s head as he rested it on my exposed, protruding belly.“It’s an honour to bathe you, Robin. I’ll gladly do it for the rest of my life,” he said, trailing gentle kisses across my belly. “Shit! I felt them kick, baby!” he cried, quickly shifting around me and planting his ear against my skin.“Oh… oh, really?” I shrieked, feeling my hands around my stomach as the kicks grew stronger by the second. It was surreal. “Oh, my God, Jack.”He heaved himself up, propping his weight on one elbow, his eyes glowing with warmth.“It’s a priceless feeling to experience, baby. I owe you my life for carrying our babies.” He reached forward and kiss me softly on the lips, rendering me useless with the whirlwind of emotions consuming me.“I love you, Jack… I’m glad we’re doing this together. Thank you too. So much, for everything you’ve done for my family… having us here in your mansion… taking care of—““Never thank me, Robin.” He shook his h

ROBIN“Hey, guys. What’s going on?” Margaret clambered, sloshing out of the pool, dripping with water.“I’m teaching Mag how to swim.” Lana said, taking a swing of her Bloody Mary.“Daytime drinking?” I scrunched up my face, eyeing the alcoholic drink. “And you’re using Mag? I thought we were sticking with my Maggie.”“I actually love Jack’s pet name. I like Mag better,” Margaret blurted, dipping her head into the water.I pouted, irritated. “Margaret you—you told me you liked Maggie, remember?”“I did. I just… didn’t really. I didn’t want to hurt your feelings.”“Oh, you sly little child!” I exclaimed. Lana and Margaret erupted into fists of giggles.“Okay, Mag. Again. Let me see you scull through the water. Your hands should be fanning through it freely, propelling you forward… slowly.”I sat gingerly beside Lana at the edge of the pool, dangling and swishing my legs in the water and letting the coolness soothe my skin. I exhaled, shoulders sagging.“Are you okay?” Lana asked, guidi