Chapter 10
Just when I thought everything had finally settled, a call came through–from an unknown number.
“Alisha,” the voice rasped, low and hollow, “if you want your child back, come to the rooftop. Alone.“}]
There was no mistaking it. It was Nelson.
Without a second thought, I rushed up to the rooftop, heart pounding like a war drum in my chest. And there he was. Standing right at the edge, holding my baby.§
Our daughter looked so small in his arms–completely unaware of the danger. She didn’t cry. She didn’t resist. Some part of her, deep in her blood, must have recognized him.
“Nelson!” I shouted, holding my breath. “Give her back to me. We can talk about anything, I swear!“}
Nelson looked nothing like the polished man I used to know. His face was gaunt and unshaven, smeared with dirt. His clothes were rumpled, torn. His eyes were bloodshot, wild, like he hadn’t slept in days.
“Alisha, I have nowhere left to go,” he cried out. “Why are you being so heartless? I’m your husband! How could you let things get this far?!”
He trembled as he spoke, rocking slightly on the balls of his feet. The baby was still in his arms, dangerously close to the edge.}
“I regret everything,” he sobbed. “I should never have treated you that way. It was my mother–she made me do it!“}
“I know,” I said gently, inching toward him, every step deliberated and slow. “I know it wasn’t all you. I believe you, Nelson. Just… bring the baby over to me, okay? Let’s talk.“}
“We’ve been running like rats, hiding from people who want to kill us. No money. No food. I had to eat out of a dumpster, Alisha. A dumpster.”
His voice cracked. His arms tightened around our daughter.
“This is all your fault,” he growled. “You could’ve helped us. But instead, you went on national TV and destroyed us.”>
He started to sway more visibly now, teetering near the ledge and I felt my heart seize.
“Nel, please,” I begged, tears threatening to spill. “You want money? I’ll give you money. You want your life back? I’ll help you. We can go back to how things used to be, I swear–just please, come away from the edge.“}
Nelson shook his head violently. “No. I don’t believe you. You’re a liar, a manipulator. You fooled me. You made me trust you.”>
“If you hadn’t tricked me,” he snarled, “I never would’ve divorced you.”
I was almost on my knees before Nelson.
My baby was so small, so fragile. And then, she cried out. Perhaps sensing the distress of the situation. Nelson grew agitated with her cries. He snapped at her to be quiet.
I felt my heart shatter, helpless. I wanted to take her place, to shield her from his cruelty.
Nelson was out of control. There was no love for his own child, no compassion. It was as if she was nothing to him but an inconvenience.
I didn’t know what else I could do.”
Just when I thought I was about to lose it completely, two figures suddenly appeared from behind the rooftop edge.
While Nelson was distracted by the baby’s cries, they acted fast. They grabbed him, holding him down before he could react.
The baby was snatched from his arms and instantly placed back into mine.
The tension that had been building inside me for so long finally snapped. I dropped onto the ground, clutching my daughter tightly, sobbing uncontrollably.
Nelson was taken away by the police. As they hauled him off, he shouted curses at me, calling me a “bitch.”
This time, I made sure he paid for everything. He was locked up and there would be no forgiveness.§
***
On the day my baby turned one month old, I held a grand celebration for her at the finest restaurant in town.
It wasn’t just a party–it was a promise. A promise that she would grow up happy, healthy and free.
I was going to make sure she was strong, not just physically, but emotionally too. I would raise her to be someone who couldn’t be deceived by anyone’s sweet words or false promises.
As the celebration wrapped up and the guests left, I looked out through the back door of the restaurant.”
And there they were. The Reeds, filthy and desperate, rummaging through the trash bins.
(The End)
