Page 195 of Checkmate
Your lack of compassion bothers me. I hope this baby softens you. It might make you care about someone other than yourself.
Despite your past actions, I showed you kindness. No one else, not even the man who loved you deeply, did. Yes, your pregnancy influenced my decision. Yet, I still offered help that you had no right to ask for.
Sophie shifted uncomfortably as her ears tinted pink. Why did she do this to herself? Why did she insist on reading this damn letter?
And to repay my kindness, you stole from me again! I can’t fathom it. But again, I’m not a heartless bitch, so how could I understand someone of your calibre?
I have to say, I’ve enjoyed sitting back and watching the fallout of my billboards. For weeks, Marcus, my parents, Angus, and anyone who had an opinion begged me to call the police. To report your sorry ass and make you pay for the literal crimes you committed.
They couldn’t understand why I was letting you get away with it.
So I’m going to let you in on a secret. This right here is your punishment. You’re cowering in an flat smaller than the one you left Marcus in. You’re too scared to go outside lest someone recognise you for the cheating whore you are. I’m sitting in my beautiful home with a wonderful man who loves me.
Who are you sharing your life with again?
Oh, of course, that’s right. A man who doesn’t love you never has loved you and has already cheated on you.
After coveting my life and trying to chase me out of it, I won the game. I still have the life you want, and you... well.
I think the less said about that, the better, hm?
What good would sending you to prison do, except leave a child without a mother? I’m not cruel, Sophie. No, this is much better.
This is the last time you’ll hear from me. The last time I waste any of my energy thinking about you.
Game over.
Checkmate, bitch.
Karma’s a nasty little thing, isn’t it?
P.S. I hope you can make use of this giant hamper of baby goodies. Rumour has it you could do with the help - I hear business is pretty slow these days.
She wiped a tear from her cheek, refolding the letter into neat squares. Erica’s last words replayed in her head.
Game over.
Checkmate, bitch.
She held the envelope to her chest as she looked around the dingy living room, swallowing past a lump in her throat. Every word Erica had written was true.
She had won.
Sophie had chased a life that was never hers to have and ended up right back where she belonged. Unfortunately for those around her, she dragged them down with her.
Erica was right.
This was so much worse than a punishment given out by the law. This was karma.
And Karma did not favour the wicked.
Chapter 59
Alex
ANOTHER YEAR LATER
“If you look to your left, you’ll see the famous Baltimore hotel where it’s said that every room has a story to tell...”
