I heave a long sigh, exhausted after such a mentally and emotionally draining day. I have to remind myself that Alex is a murderer, a kidnapper, and at the end of the day, a criminal. But my heart is too stubborn, and despite all these things, I still manage to love him and it hurts like hell seeing him being taken away. Oh, stop it! I slap myself mentally just as fast, bringing back some rationality to tame those stupid feelings. He killed your mother, for fuck’s sake! I remind myself. And even lied to you over and over again about so many things!
Matthew steps in, draping an arm around my shoulder––small goosebumps appear on my skin at the sentiment, though I don’t really notice. “Hey,” his voice, low and warm, soothes me. “It’s gonna be okay. We are here for you.”
Yet I can’t stop thinking about the arrest that just happened a few minutes ago. “Do you think he will get out today?”
“Well, I'd guess so,” Carice is the first to answer. “He’s gonna call his lawyer and will, most likely, be released on bail.”
Despite the annoyance thick in her tone, a small smile settles on my lips, knowing he should be back home before I go to sleep.
I hear the creaking sound of the main door opening, so I stand up from my seat to check who’s coming. I watch as Maria enters, carrying a plethora of grocery bags. I go and talk to her so that she knows Alex might not come back home in time for dinner. Then, Maria gives a quick glance at the living room where Matthew and Carice are seated before asking me discreetly, “Are they staying for dinner?”
“Um,” that’s a question I wasn’t expecting, but today I’d rather have some company in case Alex doesn’t come back. “Yes, they are staying here for dinner.”
“Alright, then,” she nods knowingly and leaves to continue with her task.
As I’m about to return to the living room, my iPhone starts ringing inside my pocket. Maybe it’s Alex! I can’t help but think to myself with a wistful smile.
As I take it out to check, though, my smile fades away just as fast seeing Emma’s name pop up on the screen.
“Hi, Emma,” I greet once I pick up the call, my voice slightly monotone.
“Hey, how are you?” Emma asks, her tone hurried. “Oh my gosh, I just read the news! Why didn’t you call me?”
“Wait—you read the news?” I ask, quite surprised.
“I mean, my maids did. And according to them, it’s like everywhere that Alex killed your mom. Is it true?”
Well, I see Eric’s office didn’t waste time to do a press release. “Um, they have strong evidence against him, yeah, but Alex told me he had nothing to do with it before being arrested, so who knows…”
“Shit!” Emma exhales loudly in return, without saying much more. “This is insane! And, um, do you know what she died from?”
“We don’t know yet. We are still waiting for the results from the lab,” I tell her.
“Damn,” Emma utters, still in shock. “When is the funeral? Are you gonna have it here?”
“Yes.” I press my lips tight, remembering the video Mom left for me. “Mom’s last wish was to be buried somewhere close to me. So I’m thinking of doing the funeral in Bedford Hills.”
“What?” she snaps in disbelief. “Are you serious right now?”
“Of course I’m serious!” I answer. “Honoring her last wish is the least I can do.”
“And have you spoken to Alex about that?” she keeps enquiring.
“When he gets back home, I will.” Then I pause, thinking something through. “Tomorrow I’ll call Father Thomas. Mom liked him a lot. It’d be great if he could come here and do the Mass.”
“Alright, if you need help with prepping the funeral, you can count me in.” Before I can thank her, though, she adds, “Can I invite Yara?”
My jaw nearly drops at her question. And I’m not sure what I’m supposed to make out of it. “You want to invite my in-laws to the funeral?” I repeat, making sure that’s what I heard her saying. “Because you know if you invite Yara, she’s gonna bring her sisters, her mom, and basically everyone else…”
“I mean, they are your family, too. No?”
I blow out a breath, remembering what that lovely family did to Hendrik and what they also did to my own mother. “Yeah, but they might have something to do with her murder,” I tell her bluntly.
“One more reason to invite them, then.” I raise my brows, taken aback by her answer. “At least Eric can interview them and gather more info for the case.”
To be fair, that’s not an entirely bad idea; if they come to the funeral, Eric can have a word with them, and maybe even have them arrested too. One thing is for sure: Julia is just as guilty as Alex. She was involved in Mom’s abduction and Eric has the proof on tape. Inviting them to the funeral would be a good way to bring them to New York without raising any suspicion.
“You know what?” I say. “I think it’s a great idea. Do you mind helping me with the funeral preparation?”
“Of course not! Tell me what you need and I’ve got you.”
My lips raise up at her enthusiasm. “I will give you Carice’s contact info, my mom’s attorney, so that you can both work on a guest list, and, um, we have to contact the mortician to get everything ready for Sunday. What do you think?”
“Alright, sounds doable. Meanwhile, I’ll reach out to a few event planners that work around the clock.”
“Thank you for everything, Emma.” My tone is lower, but it’s warmer and filled with gratitude for having her in my life. And if there’s one thing I know, it’s that whatever happens between Alex and me, Emma will always be there for me.
“Do you want me to come over? Are you doing okay?” As she asks, I notice that her tone has also switched, now matching mine.
“I’m good. Matt and Carice are here too, and we’re gonna have dinner soon.” As I say those words, I see Maria from afar walking into the living room carrying two lemonades, which she hands to Matt and Carice while they patiently wait for me to finish up with my phone call. I find it rather noble seeing Alex’s housekeeper treat his enemies with such courtesy and respect. Though I’m not entirely sure if she knows who they are, but regardless of that, it reminds me that even at war, respect goes a long way.
After dinner, and while Matt and Carice have become new besties, I check my phone discreetly, hoping to find a new text message from my husband.
Yet, there’s nothing.
Dammit! It’s already ten p.m. though.
Amid the giggles emanating from a joke Carice is telling, I type in while pretending to be paying attention: Did you get out of jail yet? Are you coming home tonight?
Regardless of the arrest, I just hope he’ll come back soon so that we can talk about everything that has happened. I’m not sure how he’ll justify lying yet another time, though. And worse: I don’t even know what we’ll become even if he does come up with a believable excuse.
“Is everything okay, Petra?” I hear Matt asking.
I slip my iPhone back inside my pocket, and turning to him, I smile innocently. “Yeah, of course. I’m just getting sleepy.”