Chapter 12
Betsy had until the weekend to convince her mother to drop the case, and the pressure pressed down on her like a storm cloud, threatening to burst at any moment. With each passing hour, the reality of her dwindling time gnawed at her insides, making it hard to breathe. She felt caught in a web of her own making, tangled in secrets that could unravel entire lives.
The thought of how her mum might react when she learned the truth made Betsy’s stomach churn. Would her mother be furious for putting Carla—the only other woman she looked at since Becky—at risk? Betsy felt the weight of guilt pressing down on her, especially since she had already caused her mum enough trouble lately. She knew her mum was under so much stress, and the last thing she wanted was to add to that burden or become another source of worry. What if their bond was shattered forever?
As she grappled with these thoughts, her phone buzzed, jolting her back to the present. She hesitated for a moment, heart racing, before reluctantly glancing at a text from Logan.
“TICK TOCK BETSY…”
Before she could process that ominous message, another text arrived, sending dread spiraling through her.
“2 DAYS TO GET YOUR MUM TO DROP IT OR YOU AND MASON ARE BOTH DEAD.”
Betsy was paralysed by fear from the text messages on her phone, entirely overwhelmed by the seriousness of the situation.
After opening up to Carla just days ago, Betsy felt an urgent need to discuss the precarious situation she was trapped in with the Radcliffe brothers. Yet, the idea of becoming a grass weighed heavily on her; she had brought this nightmare upon herself with reckless decisions. Although Carla had shown understanding, after her initial frustration with the teenager, Betsy was acutely aware that she couldn't drag her boss into this any deeper than she already had. At least she had come to terms with the gravity of her mistakes, vowing to protect the factory owner from any further danger. No, this was her problem to resolve, and she was determined to do everything she could to fix it.
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Betsy leaned against the cool brick wall outside Roy’s, her heart racing as she saw Mason approaching. The sunlight cast long shadows, accentuating the tension in their meeting. Mason's expression was unreadable, a mix of concern and frustration as he stopped in front of her.
“Betsy, I told you to stay away from my brothers,” he said tightly, his voice low but sharp.
Betsy took a deep breath, her gut twisting at the misunderstanding. “I know you did, Mason, but you need to understand—”
“Understand what? That you plotted a break-in on the factory?” he interrupted, the anger in his tone only intensifying her anxiety. “They’re dangerous people. You’re putting yourself in harm’s way.”
She stepped forward, urgency clawing at her. “I did it to protect you! They were going to come after you, and I thought... I thought maybe if I gave them something easy, they’d leave you alone.”
Mason’s eyes widened slightly, confusion and disbelief battling within him. “You thought you could just control them? Do you have any idea what they’re capable of?”
“That's why I need your help now!” Betsy felt desperation rolling off her as she ran a hand through her hair. “They’re threatening me to warn my mum off the investigation! I’m out of time, Mason. I need a plan. I don't know what else to do!”
For a moment, silence hung between them, thick and charged. Mason glanced around, checking for anyone that might overhear, then leaned closer, lowering his voice. “What if we turn the tables on them?”
Betsy blinked, surprised by the sudden shift in his stance. “What do you mean?”
Mason hesitated, thinking fast. “We gather evidence of a different crime they’ve committed. Something that can’t be brushed aside. We turn it over to your mum. If we lock them up, they can’t threaten you or me—none of this will matter anymore.”
“Like what?” Betsy asked, her mind racing through possibilities.
“Think about it. They’ve been running a few shady operations on the side, and they’re not as clean as they pretend. If we find something—anything from their recent activities—we could use that as leverage.”
A flicker of hope ignited in Betsy’s chest. “You really think we could do it?”
Mason nodded, his face set with determination. “I can help you, but we have to act fast. I know places they hang out, and I can gather some intel without them knowing. We just need to be smart about it.”
“Okay,” she replied, her confidence strengthening.
Mason’s gaze softened a touch. “But you have to promise me you’ll stay safe, Betsy. We can’t let them catch on to what we’re doing.”
“I will,” she vowed, relief flooding through her. “I’m tired of living in fear. This ends now.”
As they quickly discussed their next steps, plotting and strategising in hushed tones, Betsy felt a renewed sense of strength. With Mason at her side, they would bring down his brothers—a forceful combination of determination and resilience, ready to reclaim their lives from the shadow of danger looming over them. The clock was ticking, but now they had a plan. Together, they’d finally put an end to the threats once and for all.
As their conversation unfolded, Betsy's resolve solidified. The weight of the decision pressed heavily on her chest, but she knew she had to come clean to her mother. “Mason,” she said, her voice steady despite the nervous flutter inside her. “There’s something else I need to do.”
“What is it?” Mason asked, furrowing his brow.
“I have to tell my mum the truth... Everything,” she admitted, feeling a swell of anxiety. “She’s already involved in the investigation, and I can’t keep her in the dark any longer. I owe her that much.”
Mason’s expression softened, and he studied her intently. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? What if it puts you in more danger?”
“It might, but I can’t let her chase after shadows while I’m hiding a major piece of the puzzle,” Betsy replied, her voice firm. “She deserves to know why this is happening, and maybe she can help us understand how to handle it.”
Mason placed a hand on her shoulder, a reassuring gesture that grounded her. “Just be careful, Betsy. Your mum might not take this well, especially when she finds out the lengths you went to protect me.”
Betsy nodded, her heart racing at the thought of her mother’s reaction. “I know, but it’s time to put everything on the table. Once we hand over that evidence, I’ll tell her everything—about the break-in, the threats, everything. I can’t let your brothers use me or hide behind my silence anymore.”
Mason sighed, a mixture of pride and worry flickering across his features. “Alright. I’ll stand by you, but we need to make sure the evidence is solid first. We have to find something that will hold up in front of her and the CPS.”
“I agree. We’ll make sure everything is airtight,” Betsy said, determination flooding her veins. “With the right evidence, we can stop them and protect everyone we care about.”
As they mapped out their next steps, an unbreakable bond forged between them. Betsy felt invigorated, ready to confront whatever challenge lay ahead. This wasn’t just about stopping Mason’s brothers; it was about finally doing the right thing, not just for her sake, but for Carla.
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Carla had spent the afternoon tidying up, making her space feel inviting and comfortable. A soft playlist hummed in the background, adding to the relaxed vibe, but her mind was preoccupied.
Tonight was the night. She could feel it in her bones. The weight of her feelings for Lisa had grown too heavy to keep buried any longer. Carla took a moment to gather her thoughts, her hand nervously brushing against the smooth surface of the dining table.
With a deep breath, she grabbed her phone and opened the chat with Lisa, her fingers hovering over the screen for a moment before she began typing.
“Hey, darling, 😊 What are you up to tonight? C xx”
“Hey, you! Just chilling at home. Why? L xx”
“How about a date night at my place? 🍷 I’ll pick up some wine! C xx”
“Yes please! You really know how to spoil me. 😍 What time should I come over? L xx”
“How about 7? I’ve missed you! C xx”
“I’ve missed you too, gorgeous! You’re always the highlight of my day. See you soon. ❤️ L xx”
“And you are the highlight of mine. See you soon! 😊 C xx”
As she set her phone down, Carla felt a mix of excitement and nerves brewing in her stomach. The familiar scent of vanilla from the candle she had lit earlier swirled in the air, soothing her just a little.
As she prepared for Lisa’s arrival, thoughts of how to express her feelings danced in her mind, intertwining with hopes for what might come next. Tonight, she would finally share her truth.
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Carla glanced at the clock on the wall, its rhythmic ticking the only sound accompanying her frantic thoughts. Candles flickered on the table, casting a warm glow and creating an intimate atmosphere meant for confessions. She spent the afternoon choosing a nice bottle of red, carefully selecting her favorite cheese and crackers, and arranging the flowers she’d bought just hours earlier. Tonight was supposed to be special.
She paced the small living room, replaying conversations in her head, rehearsing the words she longed to say, fighting back the anxiety that twisted her stomach into knots. *What if she doesn't feel the same way? What if she's not ready?* Deep down, Carla hoped she was ready, but the thought of Lisa's reaction—the fear of rejection—held her back like an anchor.
The sound of the buzzer startled her. It was Lisa, her smile brighter than the sun and her blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, framing her face like a halo. Carla felt her breath hitch. “Hey!” Lisa greeted, stepping inside and pulling Carla into a gentle kiss. The familiar scent of her shampoo wrapped around Carla, momentarily dulling her worries.
“Wine’s on the table, I hope you’re thirsty,” Carla smiled, trying to keep her voice steady.
“Always.” Lisa grinned back, her eyes sparkling. They settled onto the sofa, glasses in hand, sharing quiet moments filled with laughter and small talk. Each giggle and glance ignited the fire in Carla’s heart, but the words she wanted to say loomed closer in her mind—louder, more insistent.
As the conversation turned to amusing stories about work, Carla felt the moment was finally ripe. She cleared her throat, her heart pounding as she prepared to bare her soul. “Lisa, there's something I’ve been wanting to tell you…”
Just then, the shrill ring of Lisa’s phone shattered the air between them. Carla watched as Lisa's face shifted from joy to concern upon seeing the caller ID. It was Betsy. Carla's stomach twisted painfully.
“Sorry, it’s Bets, I have to take this,” Lisa said, urgency lacing her voice. Carla nodded, forcing a smile that felt heavy on her lips. She fought the rising disappointment as Lisa answered the call.
“Hey, Bets. What’s up?” Lisa’s expression turned serious, worry deepening the lines on her forehead. Carla could sense the tension building and felt a chill wash over her. It was like watching their moment slip through her fingers like sand.
“Is everything okay?” Lisa asked, her voice rising with concern. “I’m on my way.”
As Lisa ended the call, Carla’s heart broke a little. “I need to go. Betsy sounded upset,” Lisa explained, sliding her phone into her pocket. “I’ll call you later?”
“Yeah, sure,” Carla replied, her own voice sounding distant, void of the enthusiasm she had moments before.
Lisa rushed to grab her things, the magic of the moment completely evaporating. Carla wanted to scream, to vent her frustration at the unfairness of it all. Why did Betsy’s timing have to be so impeccable every single time?
“Everything alright?” Carla tried to sound casual, but the question hung heavily between them.
“I’m not sure, she said she needed to tell me something important, I just need to check in on her.” A frown settled on Lisa’s lips, and Carla couldn’t help but admire her dedication to her daughter even as anger churned within her.
“Of course,” Carla said, wondering if she would ever have the chance to express how much Lisa meant to her.
Lisa squeezed Carla’s hand, a gesture of reassurance and placed a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll call you as soon as I can. I really had a great time tonight,” she said, her voice softening.
Carla nodded, feeling the warmth of that gesture contrast painfully with the chill in her heart. “Me too, let me know how Betsy is.” she replied, forcing herself to sound upbeat despite the ache deep inside.
As Lisa left, Carla slumped back onto the sofa, the flickering candles now casting shadows around the room like specters of missed opportunities. The wine sat untouched, the open bottle a testament to another night of unspoken feelings.
“Bloody Betsy,” Carla muttered under her breath, masking her frustration with a shake of her head. She stared at the door, the faint sound of Lisa’s footsteps fading away, a reminder of the moment lost.
Carla felt trapped in a loop of unfulfilled confessions and interrupted moments. She had to find a way to share her feelings, to tell Lisa the truth. She wanted to be a constant in both Lisa’s world and Betsy’s, but the intermingling of their lives often felt like a labyrinth, with Carla forever standing at the entrance—just out of reach.
Sipping the neglected glass of wine, Carla resolved to wait for the right moment to finally share her heart. It might take time, but she refused to let frustration defeat her. *Someday,* she thought, *she will know the truth.*