Page 130 of Abundance of Obsession

A trembling breath leaves my lungs.

Without warning, a thin stream of tears flows from Damien’s eyes. His gaze still doesn’t apologize, doesn’t ask for forgiveness. But…

It shows his pain. It shows his loneliness.

I know exactly what it means to have other people around you and yet drown in loneliness. As he drowned in loneliness among his foster brothers.

That is the real reason I went through all that hell.

Someone loved me. And that was more than anyone could ever give those boys. Each of us was lost, but not everyone was loved.

“I’m sorry, Damien. I’m sorry you saw it that way back then. Maybe I had a small heart as a child, but I had love in it for every person. If only you’d let me be a sister to you back then, I would have loved you just like I love my sister. And just like she loves me.”

Damien nods slightly. His tears keep flowing.

Now I think I understand why he was nice and charming when we saw each other. When I was feeling sad, he made an effort to look after me. He texted me “good morning” and “good night.” He used his own body to protect me from the gunfire.

I understand his bitterness when he found out the truth about the others.

He was a cartel operative; he killed people. He said himself that he’d done a lot of bad things in his life. But I didn’t want to see him that way.

Now I know that somewhere deep inside this grown man is a child who just wants to be loved. Just as I would have wanted to love him in his adult life.

“Back then… After it was all over, you said that every time I looked in the mirror, I’d see a woman who was her archenemy. You were wrong. I see a woman in the mirror who is strong. Who isn’t a victim but a survivor. I came here intending to kill you. I won’t do it. You’ll live out the rest of your days with the knowledge of your bad choices, the knowledge that everything could have been different. Now I’m finally free from the revenge that has held me captive all these years. I’ll erase you from my memory. You aren’t worth me ever thinking about you again. Goodbye, Damien.”

I turn to Eli, who has an inscrutable expression on his face.

“I’d like to leave now,” I whisper to him.

Eli nods. “Whatever you wish. I just want to have a quick word with Damien.”

“Okay. I’ll wait upstairs. I need some fresh air anyway.”

A quick peck on his cheek, and I head outside.

Freedom.

Chapter 33

Eli

It’s only Damien and me now.

Approaching the table, I pick up something special. Then I walk over to the man hanging there. He’s already half dead.

I catch his eye because I want him to be fully aware of what I’m saying to him.

“You see, my friend, there’s one tiny problem left to solve. Zoe spared your life. Isn’t this woman an angel in human form? It’s unbelievable she gave me her heart. She’s perfect. But—”

I open the container and pour gasoline over him.

Maybe he has no strength left; maybe he no longer wants to live. I have no idea, but he doesn’t say a word.

“I’m not an angel like that. My memory doesn’t fade. Nor do I forgive wrongs. Especially for my woman. I promised her you’d pay for what you did, and I’ll keep my word. Did I mention this basement was custom-designed for me? It’s fireproof, as a matter of fact.”

I pull a cigarette out of my pocket and light it up. The smoke finds my lungs when I inhale. And when I exhale, it goes straight into his face.

“No, I didn’t mention it to you. That was something I told your predecessor. And I’ll let you in on a secret. I was the one who set James Elliot’s house on fire. That’s when I realized it fascinated me. Fire, I mean. There’s something poetic and mysterious about it. But enough talk. My future wife is waiting for me to take her to our home.”