A/N: One last time 👆👆👆

I stare at the figure standing in front of me, then laugh, almost hysterically in disbelief.

And to think i thought she was too dumb to try something like this.

"You!!" I say, almost too stunned to actually believe what i am seeing.

"This is your doing?" I hiss.

"Ange......" She starts.

"You stupid, foolish imbecile" I growl.

"Angelo......." She murmurs.

"What the hell is this?" I ask, feeling my chest burn with anger.

She stares back at me without a response.

"Take this off of me right now!" I roar, raising my arm to indicate the chain.

She continues to stand there at the door, her fingers gripping the frame, a wide-eyed look on her face.

"Get this fucking chain off of me Claire. " I snarl, raising my hands up and down violently, not caring that the cast ring attached to my wrist is digging into my bruised flesh.

She takes a step back and starts to cry.

"I am sorry.....are you ok?" She mumbles.

"Do i look fucking ok?" I Snap, my chest rising up and down rapidly.

"I can't believe this......You did this, You did this to me?...Why?"

"Calm down will you....." She snaps back.

"You have me chained to a fucking wall like an animal and locked in a room for two weeks. How the hell do you expect me to calm down?" I grunt.

That causes her to walk out of the door swiftly, leaving it open, and me seething with anger.

I stare at the wide open door. It's too far for me to reach.

This is unbelievable...... Claire?

Claire?

Claire.

I guess it makes sense, only she can do something this stupid.

I almost want to laugh at the situation now.

I have been held prisoner by Claire, thee Claire?

I can picture the laugh on Nick's face when he discovers this, the bloody bastard should have found me already.

And i thought i was being held by some former clients, or people i have pissed off during my work, someone with the intention to kill me. I have been tormented by thoughts of never being able to see my family again, only to discover Claire is a part of this? I can't believe this.

I wonder who her accomplice is, is it her brother? her parents?

Why?

Why would they do this? Is it revenge for breaking off the marriage so suddenly and leaving them to fend off Meraki by themselves. But i commited to handle Meraki and i was doing just just....maybe they got impatient and doubted by intentions.

I can't believe this, Claire!

I gave her the benefit of the doubt and thought she wasn't capable of doing anything to hurt me.....but i guess i was wrong....very wrong.

I fail to sit down again, but just stare at the door that looks like it leads to a corridor that seems to have better light than this room.

I feel just about ready to kill her, her and everyone else involved in this.

I have always protected her, cared for her, even up to the very last minute, i showed concern for her, and this is how she chooses to repay me. Breaking my trust and stubbing me in the back.

Why?

Why would she do this?

What does she hope to gain by this?

*

After a very long time, i finally sit down on the edge of the bed.

Now calmer, i think about what i just discovered more rationally.

If Claire is behind this, then most likely my family is safe. She would not do anything to harm them, well atleast i think she wouldn't, but clearly, i stand corrected. However, I still genuinely believe she is not capable of physically harming them, or me, unless her accomplices want to, which will be problem.

Nevertheless, it is still a comforting thought. My family is safe. As for me at this point, i don't know, but knowing she's part of this, gives me hope of salvaging the situation.

I spend the rest of the day wondering about her accomplices. She was alone when i met her and i can't remember anything after that. So who helped her? Why? What do they hope to gain by keeping me here?

Once again, some of my family members pop to my mind as suspects. I can't rule out anything, or anyone.

The door is still wide open, and sit here wondering how long it will be before she shows up again, but for the first time in weeks, as i watch that light dissappear, to once again appear, signalling the start of another day, i rest easy, feeling like there will soon be an end to this nightmare.

*

Like i said, the world doesn't stop moving. It doesn't stand still for a moment, to let me catch up or catch my breath, it just keeps going.

So much is going on all around me, and i watch as if trapped on the inside looking out at everyone.

Ally just had her babies, two identical girls, i haven't met then yet. Rita has a new job that she is really excited about. Roman proposed to Sienna on his birthday. And Luke, well, Luke and Eva are sort of dating.

Atleast i think they are. I saw him receive a text from her the other day and smile, while replying. After how passionately he spoke about not wanting to be involved with her, I did not see this coming at all, especially after she herself made it clear to me the last time i saw her, that the two will not cross paths anytime soon, if ever again.

I wonder how or who between the two of them started the interaction again. Either way, I will stay out of it and not interfere. Luke can tell me about it if or when he has something to say.

There are also a couple of projects i was part of that the school are running that need to keep going despite my absence, and i hate that i have had to excuse myself from it all and just watch from the sidelines.

All in All, life goes on.

But i notice how no one shares their news with me. From time to time, i overhear phone calls, or conversations, but never get it directly from anyone what's going on in their lives, and in a way, i understand i guess. Everyone is trying to protect me, or is too afraid of making me feel bad by seeming happy in the midst of all this uncertainty we are experiencing, but honestly, i want everyone to live their lives to the fullest and share in their happiness too.

Even Rita and Rachel, with their potty mouths are very reserved and selective with her conversations when they are around me nowadays and i hate it.

But then again, i feel like i am constantly being judged and i don't know how to act. I can't laugh or smile too hard without feeling guilty about doing so, when Angelo could possibly be fighting for his life somewhere right at that moment, even worse, it feels like people look at me like i have no right to laugh and smile, otherwise i will be seen as the evil person that is rejoicing in her boyfriends plight.

And this house, i hate it now, i hate everything about it. I can't see past the tragidy of our current situation and the police and people walking around like it's a crime scene. So now the few happy memories i had with Angelo have been over shadowed by this whole situation and i just hate it here now.

Every single inch of the property is unpleasant, not even my spot outside the house with the good view gives me peace anymore. I need to find a better way to spend my time, because i feel like i am suffocating and shrinking in this house.

"Hey"

I look up to see Nick and Lorenzo approaching me.

"Hai" I respond, to them.

"How are you?" Nick asks.

I shrug. "Good" I say, looking up at the pair of them"

"You've lost weight" Lorenzo utters matter of factly.

The man is very blunt. Funny, friendly and kind, but also very open and blunt.

I know i have lost a little bit, but i didn't think it was that visible.

"I am trying" I say faintly.

Seeing Nick initially brought me alot of comfort. I was confident he would find Angelo, and his presence was reassuring, but after weeks have passed, that comfort has turned into hurt and dissapointment. How could he not find him, he has every resource at his disposal. How could he just not?

They both sit down.

"I am sorry Mary, I know i have failed you, I know i have failed my best friend too...believe me, i beat myself up about it everyday. But we haven't stoped trying.... we have tracked everyone's movement's, phone calls, everything.. I know we will find him, i just know it.....just hold tight." he says.

I look at him and look away.

I just feel mad. Mad at him, mad at Angelo, mad at myself and mad at the world as a whole.

"The least i can do, is try to take care of you. Make sure you are safe, healthy." He continues and it just irritates me further.

Some days i feel strong and confident about the situation, other days i feel broken and lost, i guess today is one of those sad days.

"How's Ally and the twins? congratulations by the way" I say, changing the subject.

I haven't seen him and Ally since the twins were born, and i want to pay them both a visit.

"Thanks...they are ok, all healthy but still at the hospital." He says, a small smile spreading over his face at the thought of his family of four now.

"That's good" I say.

His measured expression makes me feel bad about my initial attitude. Maybe this is why no one will share their good news with me. Everyone is always down playing their joy for my sake and it isn't fair.

I don't want to be a bitter person, so detached from reality and making others uncomfortable.

"I would like to visit soon, if that's alright" I ask.

"I am sure Ally will like that very much. How's tomorrow?"

"That sounds good" I say.

"Actually, Mary, i wanted to talk to you about something, Angelo mentioned to me your mad writing skills, you know i own a newspaper and publishing firm, and we have been looking for some new blood, new talent." Lorenzo utters.

"Did he?" I ask.

"Yep, he even sent me some of your work, and i thought it was really good. So i am here to offer you a job?" He says

"A job?" I smile.

"Yep, seeing as you quit your other job, I could offer you something with more relaxed hours to suit your....condition. what do you say?"

"Well, I didn't quit my other job per se, the circumstances just became.....complicated....I don't know if I am able to commit to anything right now.."

".....like i said, the hours are relaxed and you can work from home. It will be on consultancy basis" he utters.

"Do you offer all your potential employees such sweet deals, or are my skills that excellent" I chuckle.

"Don't get ahead of yourself, I owed Angelo one. If you don't measure up, you will get fired" he says nonchalantly.

"Ahhh" I look at him in playful disbelief, while Nick laughs.

"I will think about it" I say eventually.

"Take your time.......but you start next Monday, i have something special i want you to work on" he says arrogantly.

I laugh again, and welcome the humor, even more so the bossiness. It reminds me of Angelo very much.

*

I look at the open door, like i have for some days now, it's not been two weeks again, but it's been awhile, and today, Claire finally decides to show herself again.

I have been waiting, contemplating, calculating.

Thinking back to our past, I know i need to keep my temper in check if i am to get anywhere with her, unlike Mary who doesn't hesitate to Stand her ground anytime we argue, Claire gets overally emotional and shuts down.

She clears her throat.

Alot of emotions twirl inside my head right now, as the muscle on my jaw jerks. Like a mantra in my head, i remind myself to stay calm, or risk having her disappearing for days again.

"I brought you some warm food" she says, and i notice that she has a tray in her hands.

This will the the first unpacked food i have received since i have been here, and i am i too suspicious to take it.

I stare back without saying anything.

She walks into the room and places the food down, somewhere within my reach. I look at her position, i can reach her, but i am sure the moment i make as if to move, she can can easily step back and stay out of my reach.

I try and think about the best way to go about this.

This is Claire after all. This should not be too hard.

"Ange? Do you need anything else?" She asks casually, and i almost laugh out loud at her attitude.

What the hell is this? We are playing house now.

What i need is my freedom.....but I hold my tongue.....trying to keep myself from going off on her.

The mere sight of her is making me want to explode with fury. How dare she do this to me? The thought getting me worked up again.

I close my eyes and take deep breathes, trying to calm down abit.

When i open my eyes, she is sitting on the far side of the room on the floor, right next to the open door.

I glare at her, remembering how she always hated it when i did that and she looks down.

"Where is my family?" I hear myself say.

She looks up and sighs.

"I don't know, at home i guess" she says nonchalantly.

"So they are not here somewhere?"

"What? No, why would you think that?" She asks, looking genuinely surprised that i thought that.

I scoff.

"Then why the fuck am i here?" I mutter, trying to keep my voice low.

"Because........... because..." she says.

I think about Marianne and consider asking if she is at home too, but i don't want to mention her name to her. I would rather find out about her another way.

"Because what?" I ask softly.

"Because i love you...."she says.

I chuckle, unable to help it.

This is ridiculous. The fact that this is even happening like this is beyond my comprehension.

Where is she keeping me, how has nobody found me yet?

Just how?

"Love? Is that why you left me locked up in here for weeks?" I ask.

"I am sorry, i could have come sooner, but there was so much hype after you dissapeared that i couldn't risk making a move or looking suspicious, I had to stay put" she says casually.

"Where am I?"

"Hartford. Very close to your home actually. Not your new house with Mary. Your family home" she says.

I don't like her saying Mary's name.

"Where? It's not like i will tell anyone" I say.

She sighs.

"I wanted to move out of the family house, but you know mom and dad could never let me live anywhere alone....it took alot of convincing but eventually they agreed, they let me have the old family house, you know, the one in Brentford, i wanted to make a few improvements to the old style to make it abit more modern, that's how i found out about this place." she motions to the room.

There are two other rooms down here like this, they must be safe rooms or something. Honestly, bringing you here didn't occur to me at the time i discovered this place." She says softly.

"Who is your accomplice?"

"I can't tell you that"

"Why am i really here Claire?"

"I told you...because I lo......"

"Cut the bullshit! What do you hope to achieve by this?" I snap.

"After losing everything we had build together for four years...We finally had it back Ange, handed to us on a silver platter, we were married, and could finally be a family. That house you share with Mary, could have been ours, or we could have lived here....but then you went and threw it all away just like that." She mutters.

"You really hurt me Angelo when you went and got that annulment so abruptly...and i thought, maybe i could let things go, since you made it clear you were in love with that other girl so much. And I only want you to be happy.

But then i discovered she was pregnant and it all made sense. That's why you got an annulment so fast, because she is having your baby. I know how dedicated you are to duty, and i also know how much you always wanted kids of your own, so i realised that that's why you are with her. For the sake of the baby.....but.."

"How did you know about the pregnancy?"

"Oh, that. Mom and Dad discovered it the day they ran into you at Dr Vega's office. I heard them talking about it at home. They clearly didn't want to tell me you were having a baby with another woman. But it all made sense really." She says, as if she just had a light bulb moment.

"I love you Ange, you know that...With all my heart, and i will never love anyone else the way i love you. I don't even want anyone else, no one knows or understands me like you do.... i can't bare the thought of someone else having what should be mine, what was rightfully mine." She mumbles.

"And i knew you still cared for me, that's why you came to help me when i asked you right?. It proved to me that we still have hope. Honestly, before that, i didn't know how i was going to convince you about us, especially when i heard you were hosting a party in honor of your new home with her...But when i was told you were out of the house and alone to run a quick errand, i thought that was my chance to test your feelings for me, so i called you to ask for help and you did exactly what i thought you would, you came. You see, you really do still care for me, you don't even have to dig deep to find those feelings." She says gleefully.

I curse myself for falling for her desperate cry for help, I was already out of the house and i thought that i could lend a helping hand..but clearly, I was wrong and that has cost me alot. Marianne will surely have my head for making such a dumb decision.

A couple of things catch my attention about her statement though. The only people who saw me leave the house to meet Hunter over an issue with a client where Ben and Steph, when they were just about to leave too.

I can't even fathom the thought of Ben being part of this sick joke. The heat in my chest is at explosion level.

"What do you want from me Claire?" I ask again. She is beating about the bush and not really saying what she hopes to achieve by this.

"I want what she has Ange. If only we can spend some time together, I know you will love me again" She says seriously.

I can't imagine how any of this makes sense to her at all.

She has always had a troubled up bringing, neglected and ignored by busy parents, then later forced into modeling at a young age and despite being beautiful and successful in her career, she struggled with low self esteem and a sense of self worth for years, growing up in a similar house house, i sympathise with her, tried to protect her like i always did my sister's. I guess that was my problem.

We had our good moments, but fought alot during our relationship, the last stroll of course was the suicide attempt, her parents took her away for treatment and change of scenery. But I see all those months, maybe years of treatment and therapy have done nothing to fix her. No sane person can think this is doable or acceptable. And now i wonder just how dangerous she really is, to herself and to others.

"And if i don't" I ask, trying to gauge the future, love takes two, and i am far from interested in her roposal.

"You will"

"And if i don't Claire?"

"I don't know...I didn't think that far ahead" she admits.

Ofcourse she didn't. She is impulsive and unscrupulous.

I rub my face, and wonder if maybe this is my punishment for my sins. I have made some mistakes in my past, hell, me and Nick has done some pretty shady stuff. I mean Nick lost his child through a miscarriage maybe this is my karma.