In that moment, holding the fire extinguisher, I was ready to go down with him if I had to.
Dustin had lost his mind. He was like a ticking time bomb, ready to take everyone down with him.
"Felicia," Conrad called my name softly, like he was trying to talk me down from doing something rash.
I knew his concern wasn't for Dustin's safety, but for mine.
Yet, my threat didn't faze Dustin one bit. He looked at us with disdain, as if we were a bunch of helpless fools.
And why wouldn't he? Conrad was weakened by whatever Dustin had done to him, our housekeeper was too old to put up a fight, and I was pregnant. Dustin had every reason to feel invincible.
"Felicia, you need to be smart about this," Dustin said, his voice dripping with false concern. "You know the only way to keep your family safe is to come with me. You don't want your child to grow up without parents, or worse, never get a chance to see this vibrant world."
"Just hand over what Ernest gave you, and I promise you'll live a life of luxury and security. You can stay here or move wherever you please."
He was still trying to tempt me with promises.
"Dustin, if I did that, how could I ever face my child? How could I live knowing their happiness was built on someone else's misery, on a dirty deal? My child would hate me for it."
As I spoke, I felt a flutter in my belly. It was impossible, of course—this little one had only been with us for a little over a month.
This baby was a surprise gift from above, a result of one unexpected moment with Ernest, now Phipps.
Dustin snorted, "Well, if that's how you feel, there's nothing more to say."
With that, he clapped his hands, and the sound of hurried footsteps filled the room as a dozen men in black stormed in.
"Keep them under control. No one leaves this house until tomorrow's plan is completed," Dustin ordered.
So it was Fanny who reached out to Sinclair for help.
But still, how had Sinclair managed to turn Dustin's men so quickly?
While I was still puzzling over this, Sinclair had approached Dustin. "I've always heard Mr. Wagner is a gentleman, respectful and polite. Quite the reputation."
"Mr. Anderson, we have no business dealings or personal ties. Aren't you overstepping by coming here?" Dustin retorted.
Sinclair casually slipped a hand into his pocket. "You wouldn't see me here if you hadn't messed with someone from the Perez family."
His words made it clear he was here for Fanny.
Dustin looked over at Fanny, who had already rushed to my side, our fingers interlocked tightly.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: No More Waiting, She Chooses Love