Red Hourglass (31 page)

“Vanus, tell your mother that I’ve spared your lives and my debt to her is repaid.”

“I will Janet,” said Vanus. “I’m sorry it ended this way, but I have a feeling we’ll meet again. You shouldn’t have betrayed us.”

“Kelvin, get these
ladies
out of here,” said Johnson.

The Zhong Yuan executives filed out of the boardroom. They were frowning and speaking in Mandarin. They definitely sounded angry. I guessed that the merger didn’t go through.
At least the White Queen will be happy about that
.

“Conan, please see our guests out. Everyone else, clear the floor,” said Johnson. “Scarlet, I have to introduce you to someone.”

Mrs. Wilmar walked out of the boardroom as the elevators closed.

“We’ve met,” I said. “Hello Mrs. Wilmar. How’s your breathing?”

“Mary!” She ran toward me and threw her arms around me.

Her melodic voice saying my name pulled old, familiar memories from the recesses of my mind.
Is she really my mother
? I was filled with a mixture of love and hate. I didn’t know how to respond and I froze.

“My sweet, sweet Mary,” said Mrs. Wilmar. “I’m fine, I’m absolutely fine now. My darling daughter. I’d given up all hope of ever seeing you again.”

“Really?” I stepped back from her. “You knew where I was. I was right where you left me … with that horrible monster. Why didn’t you take me with you, or come back for me?” Tears began flowing from my eyes, burning my cheeks.

“Oh my sweetheart.” Mrs. Wilmar began to cry. “I should have taken you with me when I left. I’m so, so sorry. I wanted to, but I didn’t have enough money to support us. I was terrified that I wouldn’t be able to provide for you and that you’d be taken from me and put into an orphanage. I’d learned of your father’s divorce and I came here to find him, but I was afraid to tell him that I’d had you in secret. I got very sick after we reconciled, and I’ve been in and out of hospitals ever since. When I finally went back to the farm it was abandoned and you were gone. That’s when I told Johnson the truth. We’ve been looking for you ever since, but you’d disappeared into thin air.”

“I ran away because no one was there to protect me.” I started to sob. “You left me with that disgusting drunk to live a life of drudgery and pain. I had to cook and clean and take all his abuse. And then I came here to look for you and I would’ve died on the streets if Mrs. White hadn’t taken me in. I hate you. I hate you so much.”

“Hush, hush. We’re together now. I’ve never stopped loving you.” Susanne put her arms around me and stroked my hair. “I deserve your hatred my darling daughter. I’m a bad mother, but I’m going to spend the rest of my life making it up to you … protecting you. Can you ever forgive me?”

The anger in my veins was replaced by a tranquility I hadn’t felt in years. I was in my mother’s arms again, wrapped in her love. I was returned to that blissful time in childhood when a mother’s love is everything. My happy memories came flooding back and I pictured her perfectly in my mind—her blond hair, her hazel eyes, her smile. I saw us holding hands and running through the sunflower fields.
Am I dreaming
?

“All right girls,” said Johnson. “It’s my turn to talk to my daughter. Let’s sit down.” He took me by the arm and led me into the boardroom. “Scarlet Walters, my dear. Look at you. A secretary by day and an assassin by night, the alpha female, the apex huntress. You are your father’s daughter. It’s in your genes to be at the top of the heap.”

“How do you know I’m your daughter?” I asked.

“As Matilda … Susanne said, we’ve been looking for you for years. When the new health insurance company insisted on DNA testing, it just made sense to find out if anyone matched our DNA. They told us this morning that there was a perfect match and it’s you! BINGO!” He leaned forward and took my hand. “We could hardly contain our joy. I liked you the minute Conan brought you home, and I couldn’t be happier.” He picked up my hand and kissed it.

“I … I don’t know what to say,” I said. I carefully touched his face and peered into his dark eagle eyes. They were like mine, but older.
Is he my real father
?
Is he good or bad
? The eagle was the apex predator of the skies. I’d inherited his lust for dominance. It all made sense now. I was a reflection of my father.

“Princess, you don’t have to say anything right now,” said Johnson. “We know this must be overwhelming.”

“But how can you forgive me for working for your enemy?”

“How can you ever forgive us for abandoning you? Mary, we let you down so, so badly. You had no choice but to go with that wretched woman. As it is, I’m thankful to her. She rescued you, protected you, and sent you back to us. Not to mention, you saved my life today. If you hadn’t contacted Kelvin and Christophe, Mrs. White’s little army would’ve made it into the boardroom and I’d be lying on a slab in the morgue right now.”

“I guess you’re right.”

“Damn straight I’m right. You’re my lost heiress and you’ve proven yourself more than worthy.”

The familiar feelings I got from the Wilmars weren’t lies.
Their blood runs through my veins. I’m the heiress of Wilmar Enterprises.

“We’ll dominate the world together, daughter.”

“What about Conan?” I asked. “I think he wants to take up your offer of becoming CEO.”

“Well, we’ll talk to him. But I can tell you, my son is only thinking about that because he doesn’t want to disappoint me. He’s always been a risk taker, and I’m certain that he’s in the right position as CSO. Obviously we had some major security breaches today, so we need to review our procedures. But there’s no way to stop all corporate espionage, and I’m more concerned about the IT failures. I never wanted those damn centrally controlled electronic locks on everything, and now the board can’t argue with me. Anyway, once the security boys were on it they stopped the invasion. Conan’s excellent at his job and I don’t think he’ll mind if you’re eventually heading Wilmar.”

“What if I don’t want Wilmar to dominate everything at all costs? What if I want some compassion in this business?” I asked. My father squashed anything in his way, just like the White Queen. I’d been homeless, and I wasn’t going to cause that misery for anyone.

“Don’t worry,” said Johnson. “Conan’s already got me thinking about a kinder, gentler form of domination. But you’ll have plenty of time to develop a new vision for the company. I want to see you succeed, and you’ve already earned my respect. I’ll listen to your views.”

“I need time to process all this,” I said as looked into Johnson’s wise eyes.

“Of course. Conan will take you to get your things, and then you’re coming home.”

Freedom

Wilmar security checked my apartment before I went inside.

“We’ll just wait out here for you,” said one of the guards.

“Thanks. I won’t be long.”

Milky looked at me. I sat next to her on the sofa and scratched her furry little head. Everything I’d been told was almost too much, but I knew for certain that I wasn’t safe in New York City. It was time to leave.

I destroyed the laptop and cell phone Vanus gave me. Then I shredded all my fake documents with a blade and flushed everything down the toilet.

I took my engagement ring out of the shoe I’d hidden it in and put it on my finger.
Maybe Conan’s right to have faith in humanity
. I shoved everything back in my luggage and got Milky’s cat bag.

Milky meowed as I picked her up. “Don’t worry little one. We’re going to a better place.”

I opened the door and one of the security guards took my luggage, but I carried Milky. I closed the apartment door for the last time. “Goodbye Scarlet Walters.”

Conan was waiting outside with his limo and two Wilmar SUVs.
I guess we can’t be too careful now
. The security guard put my luggage in the trunk.

“We should get out of here,” Conan said as he opened the car door.

“I told you it wasn’t safe to come back.” I caressed the bandages on his arms and sat into the back seat. I held Milky’s cat bag on my lap.

“I had no choice, but I’m thankful that you were there to save me. You’re amazing,” he said as he sat down and closed the door.

“You’re not welcome. You could’ve been killed. Do you promise to listen to me from now on?”

“Maybe.” He kissed my cheek. “We’re safe now, that’s the important thing.”

“Not for long. We have to leave New York.”

“Mary.” Conan grabbed my hands and held them to his chest. “After everything that’s happened today, I can’t bear the thought of spending another night apart from you. I want to get married … tonight.”

“But I don’t have any identification.”

“Don’t worry about that. You’re a Wilmar.” Conan smiled and squeezed my hands.

“I love you you disobedient, naughty boy.”

“I love you too my incredible Mary.”

* * *

We drove up to the sliding gate of the Wilmar residence. There were armed security guards stationed around the mansion and property.

My mother and sister had decorated the large, open-concept living room. There were bouquets of flowers everywhere, and cherry-scented candles made an aisle along the curved glass staircase and into the living room. It was perfect for a wedding.

“I’m so glad to have a sister,” said Clarissa, jumping up and down and clapping. “You can change in my room upstairs.”

I put on a casual white dress and some lip gloss. I didn’t have time to buy a wedding gown, but I didn’t mind.
A wedding is about love, not the dress
.

Johnson had on a tuxedo. He walked me down the glowing stairs to our family. Clarissa had filled the living room with pieces of art that must’ve come from her gallery. She handed me a bridal bouquet and gave me a kiss on the cheek as I got to the makeshift altar. My mother’s face looked angelic in the candlelight, and my father looked very distinguished as he took his place next to her. Milky was sitting in front of them, purring.

Conan’s was wearing his finest suit and a wide smile. He was breathtaking, like the night sky filled with stars. He was truly the Roman god of my dreams.

The justice of the peace stood between me and Conan and joined our hands. Conan squeezed my fingers tightly.

“You may speak your vows,” said the justice of the peace.

“Mary, I owe you my life, and I love you like I’ve never loved before. I am bound to you, and I promise to devote my life to serving you and making you happy. I, Conan, take you, Mary, as my wedded wife for all eternity.” He gently kissed my hand and looked at me with his gorgeous wolf pup eyes.

“Conan, you taught me how to love again. Together, we are one complete being united as the sands of time in an infinite hourglass. I, Mary, take you, Conan, as my wedded husband for all eternity.”

“You are now husband and wife,” said the justice of the peace. “You may kiss the bride.”

Clarissa turned on the stereo and Conan and I kissed as wedding bells tolled.

“Congratulations my darling.” Susanne gave me a hug as tears welled up in her eyes. “I never thought I would see this day.”

I saw a sunflower field under a blue sky and my mother turning around with open arms to hug me.

Conan lifted me up and swung me around in a circle as our family cheered and clapped. I was surrounded by love, and I’d finally found the happiness I’d longed for. I no longer had to worry about the villainous White Queen or the scheming sisters. I had my real parents, a new sister, and a husband who loved me. I couldn’t ask for anything more.

“Sweetheart, we didn’t have time to get you a proper gift, but we hope this will do for now,” said Johnson as he placed a passport in my hand.

I opened the passport. It belonged to Mary Wilmar.

“How did you get this?” I asked.

“We have connections.” Johnson smiled. “As soon as we got the news this morning, I made a few calls. You’re our daughter and it’s time for you to take your rightful place in the world.”

“You don’t know how much this means to me,” I said as tears rolled down my cheeks.

I am Mary Wilmar. This is who I really am.
All the pain of my past was erased in that instant. I was no longer under anyone’s control. My life was my own to live with my husband.

“Welcome home, Mary,” said Johnson as he wiped my tears and kissed me.

* * *

We drove in a convoy of limos toward Chicago.

“You look as dashing as ever,” I said, I looking at Conan. “I’m so glad we’re married.”

“Me too.” Conan squeezed my hand and kissed me.

The sound of bursting tires shattered the night air.

Winda.

What did you find for yourself through the journey of the Red Hourglass? Help others find their truths by sharing this book. The sequels will be released annually in October, on Halloween.

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