Broken Angel Read online

  "What? It's true. I am pregnant."

  "You were."

  "What do you mean?"

  "You lost the pregnancy, Kayla. Now more than ever you need to be strong."

  "WHAT! That... That can't be true. No. No, I can’t lose my baby."

  "They made it happen. That family is cursed! They have blood on their hands. The blood of your parents and unborn child. Fight for this Kayla. Let me help you fight. Take away what they have left. Take their companies."

  I became mute now. I lost my baby. I lost my mom. And now, I am about to lose my mind.

  "Child, together we can defeat them."

  I nodded. Yes! They will pay. Even if it is the last thing I do, they will pay.

  Chapter 16

  I drove with Angel back to the mansion without exchanging a word with him. I sat in the backseat staring out through the window. Although, it was almost sun down and the golden sun was now gone, I still found the view captivating. I looked at the front mirror now and my eyes met Angel's. I moved mine away almost immediately, feeling nothing but pain and even more pain.

  "I'm sorry."

  I looked back up at him, refusing to say a word to him. If he was apologizing for making me lose my unborn child, then he should just save it. The only person I had left in my entire life was now dead. I wasn't even sure I'll be able to stand and watch them bury her tomorrow. My mom and I might have had our differences, but I loved her still and I know she did too. It is my fault she is no longer with me. I pushed her to it. How could I have possibly fallen in love with an enemy? She warned me. She did. I wiped away the tears dropping from my eyes, then looked back outside. It's sad when people kill and get away with it. That's the kind of world we are in now. No justice is made because we are black Americans. As if it is not the same blood that runs through our veins. Anytime a black man dies, he is either buried immediately or burned. But if a white man dies, a state of mourning is declared upon the whole nation. And then, when we take the law into our hands, they ask us why we didn't just leave it to the law. Revenge is the only bitter-sweet justice we live on in LA. And the Morero clan just awakened something brutal in me and I won't rest till I see them crumpled to the floor.

  "We're home." Angel announced then the car came to a halt. I slowly opened the door and got out. I went straight inside the house and then to my room. I didn't dare look Clifford or Matthew in the eyes. They murdered my family and even their own blood. What else could be worse than that?

  I wanted the night to go by as fast as possible, but it seemed impossible. It was like the clock was just intentionally slowing down, enjoying my pain. With every hour that strikes past, my thirst for vengeance increased.

  I thought I wouldn't be able to do it. But I guess I was wrong. Again. As I stood watching the priest say the final prayers for my mom the next day, not one tear fell from my eyes. While everyone else was seated, I remained standing, my eyes fixed on her casket. I didn't feel my world crumbling again. I didn't feel like dying either. Rather, I felt strong and renewed. Something you only feel when you've passed through a sudden breakdown but you still want to keep on going.

  And then they slowly lowered the casket into the ground. A tear betrayed me and rolled down my face. I took some soil and poured it over her casket like they'd instructed then placed the daffodil I'd specially picked for her on the casket. Then almost everyone took turns and started leaving. I stood there, still watching her grave, but no words formed in my head. Was she really gone?

  "Let's go." Angel came beside me and touched my hand. I turned to look at him now, a frown on my face. "I'll give you a minute. I'll be waiting in the car," he added after he read the expression on my face, then he walked away. I followed him with my eyes for a second then I saw Shipwreck coming towards me. He wasn't in black like the rest of us but wore a grey jumper instead. He stood beside me and stared down at her grave in despair.

  "She is really gone," he murmured.

  "Yes."

  "But I know she is resting peacefully with your father up in heaven," he added.

  "No. She won't rest in peace until I destroy that family."

  "She had such a great plan."

  "Yes. When do we start?" I asked with a straight face.

  "I have all the paperwork for the fake company ready. We buy the law firm and then the shipping company goes bankrupt as well. I bet they can't wait to treat their mom."

  "I am afraid they already found the money to do so."

  "How? That's impossible."

  "Remember that day I called you to send me $100 million?"

  "Yes?"

  "I gave it to them to treat their mother."

  "You're kidding..."

  He looked at me now and saw I still had a straight empty expression.

  "Why did you do something like that?"

  "I wanted to give up. I didn't want to avenge my father's death any longer. I did it without thinking."

  "Bullshit!" He snapped, hitting his foot against the ground. "The plan has to change."

  "I know."

  "What do you plan on doing?"

  "We take both companies from them. But only on one condition."

  "What?"

  "You make me sole owner of those companies and you invest in them."

  "Remind me why I am helping you again?"

  I looked at him and smiled. Yes, I smiled for the first time in 24 hours. I slowly walked away, back towards Angel's car.

  "Wait." I heard Shipwreck say after a while, then he walked towards me again. I stopped. "I'll do it."

  "Perfect. I become partner in the shipping company and as the largest shareholder, ultimate owner. We use your fake company's name to snatch that company from them without them knowing. By tomorrow, the shipping company will go completely bankrupt. They will have absolutely nothing to stand against after the court demand they give up ownership to the new fake company which will be in my name."

  "What about the law firm?"

  "It'll die a natural death." I didn't say anything after that again. I knew Angel had been watching us, and I knew he'd ask who Shipwreck is, and that will be the beginning of their end.

  The drive home from the cemetery was a long and moody one. Clifford and Matthew brought a different car so they rode behind ours. I sat on the passenger's seat beside Angel, but still said nothing.

  "You haven't said a word to me since this incident. Talk to me, Kayla."

  My gaze met Angel. I struggled to find the right words to say to him, so I just turned my gaze away.

  "What's going on? I also feel bad that you lost our baby... But we can make another."

  "It's not that," I muttered between teeth.

  "Then what? Or are you going to deny the fact that you've been moody all day. I know how it feels to lose one's parent. I lost my father too, remember? But shutting yourself off is not going to solve anything."

  "I don't want to talk about it."

  "I want to sympathize with you. But you are shutting everyone out."

  I suddenly felt the urge to confront him. To ask him why his family destroyed mine. I guess I wasn't so strong to go on living with an enemy.

  "I want a divorce," I finally said

  The car came to a sudden halt. "A what?"

  "I can't keep doing this. I'm tired of living a lie. It's all over now anyway."

  "What are you talking about? Why would you want a divorce? We just got married for crying out loud. You're my wife."

  "Is that why you killed my parents?" It was out before I knew it. Lukewarm tears started rolling down my face like I'd been suddenly reminded of the truth.

  "What! What are you talking about?"

  "Yes, I know your family had my parents killed. And now my unborn child."

  "This is crazy. Where the hell did you get that from?"

  "Don't bother denying it. Your family killed my father and stole his company from us. And now you succeeded in killing my mom as well. And now you're pretending you care."

  "No.
No. No. I won't accept such allegations. First off, your father died from a car crash. It was days after that we got to know that The Matrix had been used for a loan and was bankrupt. We had an order from the court to repay that loan, and that was why we gathered all the company properties and sold it. And if you didn't know, we're still suffering from that mistake your father made. It took years to repay that loan and that was paid from my father's companies. That's why we are going bankrupt. For your information, that man you spoke to few minutes ago was the one who bought your father's company. I won't allow you to give my family a name it isn't. We helped your family as much as we could. I can't believe this!"

  I didn't know if I should scream or just cry. Shipwreck deceived my mom and I. And he was using me to get the Moreroes’ companies too. Why didn't I see this coming? I felt suddenly stupid and mute.

  "But my mom said your family hated us and wanted to see us destroyed. She always said that," I quickly said.

  "I'm guessing you didn't know your mom and my dad had an affair in college."

  I looked at him shocked.

  "Yes. And then my mom came into the picture and stole him from her. Your mom hated my family right from the scratch. So she used your father's death and painted us the bad guys so you can hate us too. But it's all a lie. And now if we don't get the money to save that shipping company before tomorrow, we'll lose it too."

  "I can't believe this. My mom... My mom lied to me."

  "She lied to you about a lot of things."

  "I got married to you not because I loved you, but because I wanted my revenge on your family. And I killed David because he betrayed my dad and sold himself to you."

  "You want to know why my mom supported us getting married?"

  "Why?"

  "Because she wanted peace. She thought that was the best way to reunite our two families again. But I guess she was wrong." He started the car back now and drove off. I felt really bad, again. I had the urge to confront Shipwreck about this, but I thought of something even better. I was going to play along with this plan of ours, let him invest in the company and transfer all ownership to me, then I'll get him arrested. I just knew something was fishy about him. He brainwashed my mom and now he is trying to do the same to me? What a scumbag.

  Chapter 17

  I felt the cards turning on me already. Though I was yet to tell Angel the complete whole truth about how we planned on destroying his family, and I still don't plan on doing so. I felt really sick from within. I guess finding out the truth about someone or something wasn't as easy as it sounds. All this time, my mom and I had been busy running after an enemy that isn't even an enemy and we've been hugging a friend that isn't even a friend. Shipwreck knew my dad's company went bankrupt and was sold to him, yet he said absolutely nothing. I felt even more sad that I had allowed my thirst for revenge separate Angel and I before our marriage even started. But even after knowing all this, even after discovering that my husband's family isn't the bad guy but Shipwreck, I still wasn't ready to continue what I had with Angel. My mom died thinking they killed my father and took his company and so I could not bring myself to remain with him, even after all this have ended.

  I couldn't help from pacing around the room that night as Angel slept. Most times, I'd look at his face and then feel sad again. I lost my baby. And he'd been so happy about the news of having a baby. And it felt like I was jinxed and that anytime something good happens, life comes and take away something else in return. Life is such a bitch in disguise.

  My husband's company was doomed to fall anyway, but this time, I'd restore back what was lost years ago by my father. Sleeping next to Angel was something I didn't think I'd never be able to do anymore. But I was glad that the one good decision I made was to save his mother, and it happened before all this.

  And like a demon suddenly possessed me, I grabbed a bag I'd kept some of my stuff into and left. Angel was going to wake up and find out I was gone, but to me that was the only option left.

  I called Shipwreck as I walked out from the mansion and got into my car.

  "It's late," he whispered into his phone.

  "I know. I'm sorry. But something came up."

  "What? Tell me."

  "I left the mansion."

  "YOU WHAT?!"

  "Calm down. I just can't keep living with an enemy. Don't you get it?"

  "Okay, okay. But our plan still stands, right?"

  "Yes, most definitely. Now more than ever I want this over and done with as soon as possible. Should I come over to your place so you brief me again on how this is going to work?"

  "Right now?"

  "Yes. Is there an issue?"

  "No..." He hesitated. "No, of course not. I'll give you my address."

  "Don't bother. I have it right here. See you in 10."

  I didn't wait for a reply before hanging up. If I wanted this to work, I had to keep on pretending everything is alright even when I knew it wasn't. Then after all of this, I'll leave town and move to a totally new place to start a new life like I deserve. The last couple of weeks have been a mistake that should have never occurred, but I was willing to give myself another chance at life and see where it leads.

  The drive to Shipwreck's apartment was a short one, but I'd used the map on my car to locate him easily. Who would have thought that Shipwreck was behind my family's fall? I knew something wasn't right when he willingly volunteered to help us, but now, it all made sense to me. He wanted to destroy the Moreroes as much as my mom and he took advantage of her vulnerability and brainwashed her. I wish everything could have just remaiedn the way they were two years ago, when I was still with Alex and my mom's wicked plan of revenge hadn't been borne. Maybe if I knew what I knew today, I'd run to tell her she was wrong and that Shipwreck was the enemy. I got out of my car now and sashayed to his door then gently pushed the bell. It rang for only a minute before the door opened up and Shipwreck stood before me again. I wanted so badly to hit him, even more so because of the fake smile he had on his face. But I didn't. I embraced him instead like I was the victim here and didn't let go until his hands were fully wrapped around me.

  "I couldn't do it. I felt I would explode if I spent another second in the house." I said, slipping away from him almost immediately. I invited myself in and went straight to the living room. "My mom was right. Those monsters should be destroyed. I was just so stupid I fell for their trap." I continued, sitting down on one of the couch in his living room. With how rich this man was, he stayed in a modest apartment, nothing too flashy that would attract attention. So maybe that was why no one really suspected him to be the bad guy.

  "Yes, I'm just surprised you came here to my place." He came in to the living room. "Coffee?" I nodded then watched him serve me some into a mug.

  "I am eager to see the look on their faces when they realize who bought their company." I smiled now as Shipwreck handed me the mug.

  "Okay. Here is how we will go about this. They shall receive a bank order tomorrow, then a grace period of a day which of course they won't be able to meet unless they sell the law firm. The money they recover from it after paying off their debts will still not be enough to pacify the debt for the shipping company, which of course will warrant a court order. Then after it has been seized from them, we shall meet with the bank and buy that company from them too."

  "Don't forget the part where I get to own them."

  "Of course."

  "Can I see the paperwork?"

  He stopped to look at me for a second. "Why?"

  "I have the right to. Don't I?"

  He nodded then left. I took that chance to look around a bit. Nothing unusual or strange... I didn't want him to think I was snooping around so I hurriedly took my seat again waiting for him. It took a while before he finally emerged from the corridor again, but he wasn't holding the files I'd thought he went to pick, but rather, he had a gun in his right hand. I hadn't even noticed he wore a black glove until now. I jumped up, shocked at first.

&nbs
p; "What are you doing?"

  "What does it look like? I am going to do the same thing I did with your father and your mother." He laughed then marched slowly towards me with the gun pointed straight at me. "Or you think I am foolish? I knew you'd confront that idiot Angel and he'd tell you everything. But you know what, I thought you were a lot smarter."

  "I don't know what you're talking about. Drop the gun."

  "Noooo... C'mon, let's not play games here. Listen, I'll tell you a secret, okay?" He came very close. “Sit."

  I hesitated at first but when he pushed the gun against my belly I rushed to sit on the couch. He sat beside me.

  "Killing your father was like taking candy from a kid. I remember very well the night he came over to my place for help. Oh, that fool. I bet he didn't notice I'd tampered with his brake before he rushed out of here that night, foaming with anger and threatening to put me back in jail. I couldn't allow that now, could I? So when he died, I took over all his properties and sold them in pieces. But one family that always fascinated me was the Moreroes."

  "Why?"

  "Why?" He laughed again then got up and went to pour himself some liquor. Meanwhile, I was busy scrutinizing how I'd make it to the door and escape. He turned to look at me.

  "I wouldn't do that if I were you." He murmured then strolled back and sat beside me "You wanna know why, huh?"

  I nodded.

  "They always manage to work it out. And they always have this huge smile on their faces. I wanted so badly to crush them with my hands. But ever since that incident with your father and his reckless mistake and how it affected them, I knew they weren't so strong anymore. Funny, huh? You and your mother were just the perfect bait to go into that family. Of course they knew me well and wouldn't have nothing to do with me if I had approached them, but with you... It was as easy as it was with your father."

  "All these years I have hated the Moreroes thinking they'd killed my father and snatched away his properties, meanwhile you were behind it all this time? You're a monster."

  "Shh-hh... May I should remind you that I am the one with the gun?"