Myron's POV
"Fuck! Fuck! Fúuuuccckkkk!" I screamed, picking up the vase and throwing it across the room. It shattered in impact with the wall, it's debris scattering everywhere.
"What the hell, Myron! I thought you said this was a full proof plan? You said you had the word of the commissioner that she wasn't going to get out. You said the men killed her. So who did we see today? Her ghost?.....
Tiff went on blabbing and ranting. It made my blood boil. I needed silence so I could think.
"Shut the hell up!" I yelled.
"Don't shout at me you bastard!" She retorted, her hand flying across the air. I felt a sharp sting on my cheeks. My eyes widened in surprise.
"Did you just slap me?"
"And I'll do it again if you don't....
The next second, my hands were on her neck. She doesn't get to do that.
"You're hurting me." She choked out but that didn't stop me.
Her eyes were starting to water and they had turned red. She hit my hands, desperate for air.
"The..baby... I'm sorry." She struggled to say.
I finally let go and she ran away from me, coughing.
How did this happen? Stephanie was out? She's alive? And what's with her little display today? My mind was a whirlwind of questions but there was no answer.
Wait! The commissioner. Her better have a damn good explanation for this. I took out my phone and dialed his number.
"Hello, Mr Myron...
"What the hell is going on?" I asked cutting him off. "How is that bitch out of jail and alive? You said it was an easy job."
"I'm sorry but it was a command from the higher ups. I couldn't disobey."
"What?"
"I'm sorry sir and...
I ended the call, I did not need any further information. But who could it have been? And how did the person get to know that she was in Renegade penitentiary. The setup was a quiet one. Those weren't even real cops.
"What do we do now?" Tiffany's voice interrupted my thoughts though it was quieter this time.
I sighed heavily. "Nothing changes. We'll go ahead with the plan. Tomorrow is our engagement party and the Dario family will announce you as their heir. Who needs the bishop when we have them. We can handle Stephanie after that. Let's not be threatened by her little display. We got rid of her before, we can do it again."
"But what if she shows up and...
"We'll be ready for her. I'll place men to capture her quietly once she shows up. As long as you stick to the script, it's all good."
She gave a heavy breath of relief and nodded. I turned to her and reached for her neck. She flinched a little but did not move. "Does it hurt?" I asked, rubbing it softly. She nodded.
"Good! Be reminded of what I'm capable of before you go running your mouth. Her some sleep, we have an engagement party tomorrow." I shoved her aside and walked away.
****
By 9am, we were set to go. We looked perfect. Tiffany wore a tight, sparkling white dress that showed off the baby bump. Her hair was perfectly styled. I wore my best black tuxedo. We looked like a rich, powerful couple. We were the picture of success.
"Have you redone the birthmark?"
She nodded.
"How about the birth certificate and the fake diary."
"It's all here."
"Good! Let's go."
We arrived in less than an hour. The hall was already filled with people: dignitaries and high class men. This was perfect.
As the car rolled into the venue, my palms were damp. I told myself it was the heat. But deep down, I knew it wasn't. it was her. Stephanie. Somehow, she was still haunting me.
We went straight to the Dario family who were already seated. "Put on a good act." I whispered to Tiff.
"Good morning Grandpa, good morning Grandma." She greeted on her knees.
I could see the joy on their faces. They must be so happy to finally reconnect with the only thing that's left of their estranged daughter. Pathetic!
"You shouldn't be doing anything that'll disturb you or the baby." The old woman said, lifting her up. "Sit beside me dear."
"Good morning Sir! Good morning ma'am!" I greeted bowing slightly.
"You're welcome son!" the old man, Mr. Dario, said with a warm smile. His wife nodded, her eyes kind. They were so easy to fool.
They started the event immediately. First was our engagement. Tiffany and I held hands and smiled at each other. We looked so in love. The crowd cheered and made happy sounds. It was all going according to plan.
Then, the old man walked up to the microphone. His voice was full of emotion. "Today is not just an engagement," he said. "It is a miracle. After many years of searching and sadness, we have found her. We have found our lost granddaughter, the only child of our beloved late daughter."
He held out his hand towards Tiffany. A single tear rolled down his cheek. The crowd was completely silent, touched by the moment.
"She is our family's greatest treasure. And so, it is with the greatest joy that we name her, Tiffany, the official heir to the Dario conglomerate!"
The crowd began to clap, but a loud, clear voice cut through the noise.
"LIES!"
My blood ran cold. I knew that voice. I looked up and saw her. Stephanie. She was walking into the hall, her head held high. She looked proud and bold. My heart started pounding like a drum. How did she get in? How?
I felt a panic I hadn't felt in years. My mind was screaming. I tried to stay calm.
"Security!" I shouted, my voice sounding strange. "Get this woman out of here! She is a troublemaker!"
No one came.
Stephanie smiled a cold smile. "Your men are a little tied up right now, Myron." She held up her phone. On the screen was a picture of all the guards I had hired, tied up with ropes and gagged.
My plan was falling apart.
She walked right up to the old man and woman. She looked them straight in the eye.
"Mr. and Mrs. Dario," she said, her voice firm but respectful. "Myron and Tiffany have been deceiving you."
The old man was confused. "Who are you, young lady?" he asked.
Stephanie took a deep breath. She looked at them with so much emotion.
"I am your granddaughter," she said.