Shackled Lily (27 page)

Jake was quiet for a second before his emotionless voice stated, “I guess you were right about that heart of yours.” Then he hung up. 

His words shook my shell a little, but I felt comfort knowing the two men I loved were together. Maybe they could both help each other to move on. My head was suddenly filled with the image of Grant in yuppie clothes hitting on various women in the blue bar, and I almost lost my lunch. I pushed away the thought. I had no right to him anymore. He was free. So why did I feel more lost than ever before? I stared at the armoire, knowing a few drinks could numb the hurt. I also knew from experience the pain would only return in the morning. I stared at Grant’s bible and wondered how this little book changed him so much—how it offered him such unending hope.

I sat on my bed and pulled open the worn pages. Yellow highlights stood out against the white pages and seemed to capture a message of peace, hope and God being in control. My eyes scanned the words, feeling more connected to Grant with each one I read.

Before I realized it, I had read the entire book of John, understanding for the first time who Grant was always talking about. Was this Jesus person real? Did He really die on a cross? And why? Why would he do that for me?

I searched more pages for those answers and found one page that Grant had folded. I turned up the edge and noticed he had my name scribbled on the side of the page. Tears stung at my eyes as I read the precious words,

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,”

Grant had always seen my oppression. He always knew I saw life as a prison. He truly believed Jesus could set me free. My hands shook
, and I picked up my phone, dialing the one person who I knew could explain this to me.

“Issy?” Avery asked in a sleepy voice. “Is everything ok?”

My voice was shaking as I spoke. “How do I find freedom, Avery? Real freedom?”

There was silence on the other line before I heard Avery moving around. “You have to believe in Christ, Issy. You have to recognize that you are a sinner and allow Him to forgive you. Then you have to follow him. That’s real freedom, Issy. Everything else is just an illusion.”

Tears were streaming down my face and my heart was racing. I’d never felt so lost and desperate in all my life. “Can you help me?” I whispered.

Avery started crying on the other line. “Of course,” she said and then started praying
. It was all starting to make sense, every word Grant, Avery or even Candace had spoken. Peace rippled through my body as I cried with Avery on the phone. I prayed for forgiveness and hope. I prayed for strength and discernment, and finally, I just prayed for Jesus to change my life completely.

When I got off the phone with Avery, I just numbly looked around my room. The silence was almost deafening, because for the first time since I was thirteen, the screaming in my head had stopped.

23. the letter

Time was my biggest enemy, passing so quickly that suddenly I woke up the day before my birthday and realized I only had one day left before I officially and completely belonged to Robbie Marsh. My father had kept his end of the deal and handed me copies of all seven letters that had gone out on Grant’s behalf. The last three were to go out today and the final letter, the only one that really mattered because it exonerated Grant, was to be put in my hands tomorrow on our way to the office where all the merger paperwork would be signed.

I heard my phone buzz and reached out to grab it. Avery had sent me a text with the bible verse for the day. I smiled as I thought of her. Our friendship had grown exponentially the last few days. I didn’t tell her much about my situation, because I felt the less she knew the better, but we talked a lot about the bible. We were both reading so much and didn’t always understand what it meant. Luckily, Parker was usually around to explain it to her, so she would pass it on to me.

She tried once to ask me about Grant, but I skirted the topic by just admitting I cared about him, but the timing was wrong. As always, she respected my privacy and didn’t push for more information.

I stretched out in the soft, luxurious sheets, wondering what I was going to do today. I had convinced my father to withdraw me from Western, making him realize that my new profession was to be the stunning wife of billionaire businessman, Robbie Marsh, and nothing else. Going back to Western and seeing everyone free to live their life would just be a reminder of how much I had lost. As it was, I found myself falling into despair pretty regularly. I attempted to read the bible and pray when it happened, but sometimes still allowed myself to drink until I felt numb again. Old habits are hard to break, and I was realizing how much I had relied on alcohol to bury my problems.

The sun was now penetrating even my dark curtains, and I knew it was going to be a beautiful day. I silently prayed for an escape, just as I had every day since I prayed on the phone with Avery. As always, the answer was silence and I just sighed. This faith thing was way harder than it sounded.

I walked to my balcony and glanced out over the lake. It was perfectly serene, not even a ripple in the water. I noticed movement in the sand and watched as Junior sat building a sandcastle while Rosa lounged next to him.

I ran to my closet and threw on some airy capris and striped long sleeve shirt before heading out to the beach. I approached Junior and saw Rosa sit up with a concerned look on her face. I gestured that it was ok and sat down next to Junior on the sand and started helping him build the sand castle. He turned his little eyes to me skeptically and pushed up his round eyeglasses before handing me my own bucket to use.

When we had completed the grandest sandcastle of all time, we both just sat back and admired our work. Junior had directed me how and where to put all the sand, and I was impressed at the eye for detail that little kid had.

“I think you might be an architect in the making,” I said affectionately, rubbing his brown hair a little. It dawned on me that those were the first words I had ever actually spoken to him.

He just shook his head. “Nope. Daddy says I’ll run his company one day. I want to be just like him,” he answered, looking as resolved as a six year old could.

“Well, that sounds like a good plan. Just remember you can change your mind one day if you want to.”

Junior nodded and then turned to examine me again. “Where did Grant go?”

I felt my heart constrict for just a moment before I answered him. “Grant decided he wanted to do something on his own. He has this great software idea he needed to pursue. Don’t worry, he is going to be just fine.”

“I miss him,” Junior said sadly. “He would play Frisbee with me on days like this.”

I stood up and brushed off my pants. “Well, I’m not much of a substitute, but I’ll play if you’d like.”

Junior hurriedly got to his feet and ran to get the Frisbee. When he got back, he took my hand in his and smiled up at me. I smiled back and felt the tears fill my eyes. I was powerless against them.

“Issy?” he asked, surprising me by using a name I hadn’t heard in days. “You wont be sad forever. Rosa taught me to pray…and I’ve been praying for you and Grant every day.”

The tears were running down my cheeks now as I squeezed his little hand. “Thanks Junior. I hope you’re right.”

We played Frisbee together until Anna stood on the pier and called for Junior to come in the house. He ran up to me and gave me a big hug before running through the back door. I walked towards the house myself, but stopped when Anna stood in front of me. There were tears in her eyes and she just reached out and embraced me whispering, “I’m sorry,” before running off to the house. I didn’t know which one she was apologizing for…what she did to my mother or for what my father had become. It didn’t matter. It was done. You can’t change the past…no matter how hard you try to.

I glanced back one more time at the sandcastle that Junior and I made
, and smiled. Grant would be proud of me. I nodded in satisfaction and turned to go into the house. Just when I was about to put my foot on the stairs, I heard the doorbell ring. Normally Rosa would get it, but I was right there, so I turned and opened the door. It was a postal worker complete with a hat and funny looking shorts, and he was holding a thin package.

“I have a certified letter for Mr. Andrew Summers,” he stated, but not before getting that look in his eyes that most men do when they see me.

My stomach flipped as I knew exactly what was in that package. “I can sign for him,” I offered in my most charming voice all while moving my body to display the best angles. “I’m his daughter.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but I can only allow Mr. Summers to sign,” he apologized while never taking his eyes off my chest. I smiled internally thinking this was going to be easy. But before I could even begin to move towards him and work my magic, Rosa came storming out of the door.

“You late! Mr. Summers expect letter here two hours ago.” She then grabbed the letter out of his hand and scribbled on his notepad. “Shame on you. She just a girl!”

The man jumped back, horrified
. He apologized profusely, never once mentioning the letter Rosa took from his hand. Rosa pushed me in the house and then slammed the door. I starred at her in disbelief as she handed me the envelope.

“You have two hours,” she whispered.

“My father will fire you when he finds out, Rosa. I can’t let you do this.” As much as I wanted that letter, there was no way I was letting Rosa take the fall for me. She was the only real stable person Junior and I had left in this house. 

She made a ticking sound and waved her hand. “God in control. What can man do to me?” She walked off with a smile
, and I watched her in amazement. I guess that’s the faith everyone has been talking about.

For the first time in days, hope started to infiltrate my heart again. I ran up the stairs as fast as I could and then sat in my closet with the light on. The envelope was sealed at the top, so I used a razor blade to cut a straight line at the bottom seam to open it. Minutes later, I was able to slide out the notarized letter exonerating Grant. My heart was pounding as I tried to figure out an escape route that would work. Robbie’s driver stayed perched in front of my house 24-7, so there would be no leaving by car. I’d have to go on foot and would never make it out in broad daylight. Just as I started to feel the hope slip away, I noticed another small paper sticking out of the envelope. It was a handwritten note to my father on a yellow legal pad.

Mr. Summers,

                            As requested, the attached letter has been notarized according to your specifications. I have checked with our legal team and this letter would in no way be admissible in court if Mr. Forrester was to go to trial on charges of theft and embezzlement.

             
                                                                                                  John

My anger burned red hot inside of me. He was going to give me a fake just in case I figured a way to run. With the anger came clarity and soon I had a plan that I knew would be my only chance for escape.

I ran down to Grant’s office and made a quick copy of the letter and note before heading back to my closet with super glue. I slid the original letter back in to the envelop and sealed back the bottom. After inspection, it looked untouched. I hid the copy of the letter and both copies of the forgery proof in my lingerie drawer, knowing my dad would never go in there. Minutes later, the envelop was sitting on my father’s desk as if it had been there the whole time.

I looked down at my watch and realized I still had an hour before my dad came home. I busied myself with the other arrangements, moving with such confidence and speed that for a moment, I felt like my old self. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror as I passed, and even saw a little spark in my sad eyes.

The front door slammed, making me jump
, and cold shivers rippled down my spine as I quickly hid any evidence of what I was planning. My father was home earlier than expected. I cracked open the door and tiptoed to the stairwell. There was a place Junior would hide where no one could see him, but at the same time gave full access to see the foyer and more importantly, the entrance to my father’s office. I crouched there now, my heart racing in fear and anticipation. If my father realized the letter had been tampered with, my last chance to escape would slip between my fingers.

“Rosa!” I heard my father call out in fury. I couldn’t see his face, just the opening of his office as Rosa quickly approached it. I felt afraid for her, knowing the risk she took helping me.

“Where do you get off signing for my mail?” he continued once she stood in the doorway. His voice hadn’t softened any.

“You no want the letter?” She asked innocently.

I heard my father let out a sigh. Rosa could make anyone go soft. “That’s not the point, Rosa. The letter was certified.”

“Yes sir, but Grant gone now, and no one here to sign for letter. Next time, I let him leave, ok?” Rosa’s voice was remarkable. She actually made my father sound ridiculous.

I heard him sigh again and then he must have waved her off, because she turned around to leave. I watched as she sent a quick wink up to me and then scurried off to the kitchen. I covered my mouth so I wouldn’t giggle and tiptoed back to my room.

Minutes later there was a knock at my door. I had expected him, but still felt my hands start to shake. I said another little prayer and stood, making sure my mask was firmly in place. “Come in.”

My father strode in taking large steps and seemed more confident and self assured than ever. It was the march of a victor, and as I watched him, I had to bite the inside of my lip just so I wouldn’t say anything to give away the information I held.

“I have your last three letters,” he announced
, offering them to me.

I glared at him and took them out of his hand with a nod. I had hoped that would be it
, and he would stroll right back out of my room. Instead, he lowered himself into one of my chairs and smiled. “So, tomorrow is the big day.”

I turned to stare at him, my lip practically bleeding from biting it so hard. “Why are you still here?” I asked through my teeth.

“Come. Sit. This may be the last time we get to talk for a while,” my father said patting the open chair next to him.

“No thank you,” I answered, walking over to put the new letters with the other ones on my desk.

“Kaitlyn, Sit.”

I closed my eyes and got my beating heartbeat under control before walking over to him and dropping in the chair next to him like a spoiled child. “Is this where you threaten me again, Daddy, because I’m not sure how many more people you have on your list that I actually care about.”

My father leaned up in his chair and placed his large hand on my knee before meeting my eyes. His blue eyes looked hard, but sincere, and mine slanted in response, knowing I had no trust left in this man.

“I know you hate me right now, but I also know this is what is best for you. For all of us. My methods may be unconventional, but deep down you know I’m doing this because I love you. I want the best life possible for you.”

I shook my head and met his eyes again. “No Daddy, you did what’s best for you, and you used me to get it. And I want you to remember something as you enjoy your billion-dollar prize. Every time Robbie touches me, I will hate you, and every time he kisses me, I will pray that one day you will feel as dead as you have forced me to become.”

My father’s armor
cracked for just a second. If I hadn’t been staring so intently into his eyes, I would have missed it.

He leaned back in the chair and then pulled out another piece of paper that had been tucked in his pocket. “I noticed you and Avery have been doing a lot of talking these last few days.”

I couldn’t read him and had no idea what he was about to do. “So what? We’re friends.”