27th March 2019;

News spread like wildfire. Anonymous emails reached journalists, TV reporters and websites. It was complete mayhem. Everyone rushing to publish the information first, better.

Exclusivity meant profit. But, Jesse made sure that everyone got the same information. So, each just had to share it for the buzz to heighten, kick higher.

Even newspapers gained from the outbreak, eruption of leads to catch businessmen and women involved in this ordeal, dirty cops and judges, drug dealers, traffickers and kidnappers. Names, faces, addresses and history.

The murder of Mark, and the fire that devoured his house was the catalyst. He'd have gotten away with the charges, if alive, because that's how he always did. Killing him was his justice, the stimulus for fair trials. Everyone else feared his fate, so, they didn't fight off the police when it came knocking on their doors.

The clues were too strong, too real, too accusing for anyone to come out unscathed from this. The evidences pointed to more than twenty capitalists in the USA alone: from investors, financiers and industrialists to taxi-drivers, jobless people, drug addicts, everyone took part of this big issue, small or not, they all contributed.

And they were going to pay for it. Justice prevails sooner or later. Ephemeral pleasures have everlasting side effects.

Most of the girls were saved and brought to safety. Some were already dead, others had no families: either orphaned or disowned.

Aurora made sure the girls and the culprits' faces were all over the internet, the TV, the papers. They were everywhere. And, the people wouldn't keep silent. Families of victims went forward with their testimonies, petitions, manifestations...

It was bedlam. Yet, a beautiful one.

Tom was dragged to the investigation. His wife had no idea about what took place behind her back. So, upon hearing the news, she was rushed to the hospital. The company crumbled in a couple of days. The business went downhill. Laura and Jared were freaking out about something bad happening to Renovatillo.

Their restaurants were safe. Tom's work on the other hand...spiraled out of control. But, a promise was not to be broken and Aurora was going to build it right back up.

Jesse was busier than ever with catching up with her studies. Aidan disappeared, his job calling for him. And, Gus took a seat beside her on the couch watching the news.

"It's chaotic," he muttered, handing her a steamy cup of tea. Thankful, nursing the cup in her hands, she blew on it lightly.

"I would be concerned if it wasn't."

"I'm proud of you." She blinked, glimpsing at him. He smiled genuinely. "I really love you, kiddo." His arms wrapped her in a bear hug that reminded her of Joshua's. "You're like the daughter I've never had, but wished to."

Returning his embrace, she squeezed. "Me too."

Pulling away, he kept her close. "Still going tonight?" She nodded.

Later that evening, Aurora took a long steamy shower, flashes of Sarah and the other maids rushing out of the house plagued her mind. Then, Mark's words tormented her. He was just jealous. Insecure. "Unbelievable." Her mouth gaped at the recollections.

"Rho," a soft voice broke the grand lamentation escape as she stammered to collect herself.

"Yes," she cleared her throat.

"I'm here," his statement held too many meanings. She smiled. "I'm going with you."

"Okay."

After dressing up, both matching in black attire, his arm snaked around her shoulder and he brought his lips to her forehead. "I'm here if you want to talk about anything."

She beamed, "even snails?"

"Even snails." Aidan's head tilted back in deep chuckles.

The police station was packed. Officers scurrying, cases piling, suspects rushed inside, it was hectic. After much negotiation, Aurora was allowed fifteen minutes. So, with a small wave to Aidan, she took a reluctant step inside.

Their eyes met when he lifted his head up. Dark circles, restlessness, lack of sleep, unkempt hair and beard, "You look like shit."

His shocked expression faded slowly. "I deserve it." His voice still sounded the same. Pushing off the door, she took a seat in front of him.

"You do. Dad trusted you."

"He's not even your real father."

"He raised me. He loved me. He is my one and only father." Her eyes narrowed. "How do you know that?"

"I've known your parents since college. Of course I know." He looked away. She scoffed.

Three heartbeats of silence. "Why did you do it, Tom?"

His intense stare unnerved her. "Why wouldn't I? Joshua founded the company; I made it thrive."

"Dad built it up with his own efforts. You had to resort to smuggling drugs and people. Don't you dare victimize or make yourself the better person. Because, we all know, you're not." Her hand slammed on the table before pulling him by the collar.

"You look different." She laughed.

"Why? You don't like my new look? You guys burned it into me." He sighed, deflating. "Gluttony is a fucking sin, Tom."

"So is cursing." He tried to make a joke before looking away in embarrassment. "I just wanted more, okay? I wanted success, money, cars, and luxury. I wanted more of what I had, and what I didn't have. Mark offered that. Joshua didn't."

"So, you threw away the friendship of a lifetime?" He sniffled. "You know, that night...dad told me to go to you for help. I'm glad I didn't." Her nostrils flared, head red from anger. "You sent me to my own death, Tom."

"Rho-"

"Don't fucking call me that." She let go of his crumpled shirt and threw him back on the chair.

"You were the one behind all these attacks, weren't you? Looking for him? Ruining our deals?" He stated in awe at her minimal show off her strength, hands rubbing his neck. "We lost so much money and clients because of you. So, congratulations. Mark was frantic, covering up after you, thinking it was me trying to overthrow him too."

"Well, you did it once. You can easily do it again. So, I won't blame him." Venom dripped from her mouth.

"I wouldn't, though. His presence meant more profits. Yet, he kept accusing and pointing fingers at me." Tom muttered, annoyance seeping in his words. "Little did he know...it's been you all along." He shook his head in disbelief. "We created a monster." Her fingers gripped the edge of the table tightly, afraid that if she didn't, she'd end up choking him to death. "Why didn't you kill me like you killed him?"

A sarcastic laugh tumbled out. "As highly tempting as that is...killing you would actually be a blessing to someone like you. Nothing would hurt a greedy motherfucker like taking away his most precious shit. And, that's exactly what I'm doing." The chair rotated until she came face to face with his somber expression. "The slowest most effective torture thrown your way, Tom."

"I miss the times when you used to be nice." Sadness tinged his voice, with hints of bitterness and anger.

"Oh, the nerve..." she exhaled slowly, covering her eyes to calm herself down. "And, I miss the times when friends were loyal."

"I'm sorry-"

"No! No, you're not. You're just sorry you got caught." His hands rubbed his face. "You just wanted full ownership of the company. You wanted to be more powerful. You didn't expect dad to hand over the company to me that quick. You were furious. So, you started plotting behind his back and planned out his, our murder...with his own brother." Her breathing increased. "Damn it, Tom. You already owned half the city back then." She seethed. "But, guess what? It's all mine now."

His palms dampened from regretful tears. He blinked at her, face falling. "I really do deserve it."

"You think?" She marched to the door, ready to leave.

"Please, take care of my family." His whisper pierced her heart.

"Just like you took care of mine?" And with that, she slammed the door shut not wanting to witness his breakdown.

Aidan was by her side the moment she stepped out, asking if she was alright.

She nodded wordlessly and hugged him in the middle of the police station.

Days of plotting, sleepless nights, their effort was not wasted.

"It's over. It's over. It's over." Aurora kept repeating, chanting to herself as they drove back to her place.

His hand enclosed over hers. "It ended, Rho."

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