Lea sprang up at the sight of Elizabeth Rodgers, almost tumbling over the stand that carried her drip. Lea wasn't someone who ever felt hatred towards anybody. Not even Rosa. But Elizabeth Rodgers was an exception. If there was that one person in the whole wide world who had accomplished that feat, it was her. She hated Elizabeth Rodgers from the fibre of her existence. Ever since she had come across her aunt's journal, she had loathed the ones who were responsible for her family's demise. While acquiring her inheritance, she had learnt that how they were killed.
They were killed in a car crash like she had always known but the brakes in the car were trampled with. When she did a little digging she came across the possibility that perhaps the truck that had crushed them was also commissioned to do so. It had been unbearable to even fathom the situation. So much so that, it was easier for Lea to actually get away from Jake that time. His face reminded her of his mother and what she had done.
And there she was, right in front of her, smiling. Lea felt like it was a sprinkle of salt on her broken wounds.
" Jake... " She called out the man who had promised to be by her side always, only moments ago, without taking her eyes off Elizabeth. " Why is she here? " Lea didn't hesitate. She didn't flinch.
Jake stood up , Phill and Mercy caught up as well. "Mother! Whatever you are trying to do... now is really not the right time. " Phill called out. But Elizabeth kept smiling at Lea, absolutely unbothered. " Quite a feisty kitten, isn't she? She got claws and roars. Does she bite? " Elizabeth inched closer to Lea as Jake and Phill stepped in the middle.
" Phill, please take her away! Lea is really not in the condition for... " Jake was addressing his elder brother when Elizabeth side stepped him. " You cannot throw me out of here. I literally own this place. Besides, it's my blood, fighting death inside. I have every right... "
" You have my family's blood on your hands. You should be grateful I didn't drag you to court despite getting hold of sufficient proof to send you to jail. It would last enough time to make the effects of those botox vanish and your skin yo sag. " Lea snarled. There was raw rage flashing in them. It was such a miracle how the human body worked. Her hatred fuelled her adrenaline and the weakness, helplessness she was facing moments before, was completely gone.
" Oh no! I don't do botox, girlie! This is all natural. I know you might feel jealous. One could easily mistake me for your older sister. Don't you think? " Jake and Phill looked at each other, stunned how they mocked each other without being actually abusive.
" My son is fighting for his life there. I almost lost him. You really don't want to mess with me right now, Elizabeth Rodgers! " Lea's grumble was so deadly and low, it made even Mercy flinch. " You are over estimating your worth Lea Sully... " But before she could finish her sentence, Jake stepped behind Lea and placed his hand over her shoulder in a protective manner. " Mother! My boy is very sick. I cannot handle any of this. Please leave! " Jake pointed towards the exit .
" He is my grandson too! Isn't he? He is my blood... " There was a shift in Elizabeth's tone. " There is something I need to tell, Lea! Just Lea and me. I will leave right after we are done. You have my words. " Nobody looked convinced. " It is something related to her family. " Elizabeth elaborated as Lea's eyes lit up.
" What about my family? " She asked. " Trust me, you won't want them to know. Ask them to leave and I will tell you all. " Lea looked hesitant, skeptical and curious, all at once. As soon as she turned towards Jake he shook his head. " Lea don't... "
" Let's hear her out. I really wanna know what made her drive all the way here. In the middle of the night. " She closed the door as Jake, Phill and Mercy stepped out.
" Now tell me. Make it quick! " It was just the two of them, Elizabeth and Lea. Like it should have never happened.
" You believe I liked your family ,isn't that right? " Elizabeth took a tiny step towards Lea. " It's not what I believe, it's the truth. " Lea shot back. " The truth is that their car was tampered with and a truck was commissioned to make sure they got no chance to live. " Lea gritted through her teeth as Elizabeth continued. " Yeah! You made sure it did. "
" Do you have any evidence to back up your claim? " Elizabeth's eyes scanned Lea like a hawk. Lea scoffed at her question. " Evidence? Like how your company usurped everything even before my parents could be buried? "
" Look, Lea. Today I am going to take a skeleton out of my closet. You need to see it because you and I might soon share the same family name. I didn't kill your parents. Everybody thought I did but I never left the need to clarify. But now I do. Whether you believe me or not, is up to you. " She stepped a bit closer and held Lea by her shoulders and forced her to sit down before sitting down by her side. " I would have never killed them... never could have because... " Lea's frown intensified as Elizabeth struggled to find her words. It was a rare sight. " ... because, I was in love with your father. And so was he! "
Lea felt like her guts did a somersault and wanted to jump out from her mouth while choking and pulling her heart along.