2. The Pacified Place

XX Hospital, Dandledore.

The reechoing of the rain was so prominent, tiny droplets lashed the window glass amplifying it's sound. She took a deep breath as she wondered why it rained so heavily on an ordinary summer night, even the forecasts were wrong, it was especially rare to have rain fall in the city. She indeed wanted to hear the night owls howling and the night bats screeching. She hated the rain, it made her feel weak. She hated the feeling of weakness but the weather was not what she could control. Day in, day out, four healing days had passed without the clock halting it's arrows even once, it went fast as always. It was peaceful but in this placid ward, even with the comfortable beds, one thing was unbearable.

Tommy Gnayer Hamford was still in police custody.

Tommy hadn't said a thing to the police yet, It felt like a miracle, he hadn't even called too. She desperately wished to be out of this tranquil place to face the real world. There was no noise here, there was barely any sound or people, everyone minded their business and stayed out of fights, it felt unreal, there wasn't even a portable network service here. It was like the world was giving her another chance.

Tomorrow was the day of her discharge, she requested it since she had to go back to work and most of all, take care of unsorted issues like Tommy's.

      * * *

"Yes, I'm not changing my mind, their father is still out there." Jane said as firmly as possible. She didn't want her emotions to be shown at a time like this. Her stern manner of speaking showed severity and her face didn't mask her utmost authority.

"Surely, you seem to have a biased mindset about letting people care for your kids." Helen liu spoke letting her eyes reach Jane's, she always committed that act when she knew Jane was in the wrong.

"It's not a biased thought, it's a factual thought, you can never know what Nannies and Butlers would do to their employer's kids, this is the best thing I could come up with, it's my final decision, miss Liu." Jane whispered as they walked along the hospital hallway, she knew the empty corridors could bring about the echo of her voice. It was the day of her discharge and they were headed to sign the discharge papers at the reception. She anticipated a big fight in the nearest future and that fight needed no children in her way. She felt her decision was for the safety of her kids.

"Well, I don't think your final decision is the best decision, why would you send kids with wealthy and healthy living parents to an orphanage, that's awful, really." miss Liu let out her voice in a hushed tone as well but her emotions were as clear as day. She had developed a familiar bond with Ellen and Evans, seeing them go to a place like that would be a painful experience, and even to Jane.

"I need not your opinion on this, find the best orphanage with the best learning facilities in the city across, they'll be moving there today." Jane said as she hoisted the pen in her hand to sign the papers.

"Thank you for your patronage, get better soon." the lady in a nurse receptionist outfit yelled. She wanted to be heard of how well and nicely she treated the patients at the reception.

Lady Jane chuckled.

"Thank you for your heartfelt service," Lady Jane said as she looked up at the desperate nurse. Lady Jane instantly searched her purse and gave the nurse her business card. "You'd make a good family nurse, contact me soon." lady Jane insisted. Surprise enlightened the nurse's eyes and envy took hold of the minds of her colleagues', it was rare for a rookie to get acknowledged by the successful wealthy ladies of Dandledore but now a mere rookie was given a business card of a billionairess in public. The young nurse collected it with a firm smile. In actuality, lady Jane acknowledged her not because she looked nice, submissive was a better word. Tommy would be able to cope with her hopefully, her sly plans to put Tommy to rehab wouldn't work without an attractive nurse who'd force him to take his medications. Lady Jane felt sorry for the nurse because she already knew the moment she step foot out of that hospital ground, she would be contacted. Everyone wanted a pretty nice salary after all.

Lady Jane stepped into the passenger seat of her black maybach exelero, she expected Helen to say something but the secretary uttered not even a sigh. Miss liu hadn't spoke since lady Jane said that her opinion wasn't needed, she sat in silence as she thought of how harsh she had been just a while ago.

"I'm sorry, it's just—this is hard for me too." lady Jane consoled miss liu while looking through the windshield.

"It's alright, I understand." miss Liu replied. Her turns were smooth, like the car was hers to claim. The area was as serene as a cloudless sky, quiet and peaceful, exactly how the lady liked it, There were houses settled but the people were not in sight, not even cars were around the area. It made lady Jane realise that she'd never been to that hospital, but at the very least, she felt at peace a little for the past 4 days.

"We're heading to the office boss, the Chairman isn't happy with your absence." miss Liu blurted. For a second, lady Jane thought her life was peaceful.

What a delusional place.

"Okay." lady Jane concluded.

      * * *

Upon the arrival of lady Jane Hamford, the managing director of XX food productions plc, she was welcomed with a lot of greetings, cards and flowers by those who wanted to be secretly favoured by her but most of all, a pile of work as expected. The office was still the same as always,the fresh wooden smell of most of the expensive furniture, the familiar golden name plate on the large table made of the beautiful red brown timber of mahogany, 'JANE HAMFORD' and just below those letters 'MANAGING DIRECTOR of the producton team' was inscribed. She was personally assigned by the chairman himself and as satire as it seemed, to the lady, it was only considered a side job. A cover job indeed. Signing documents and rejecting most of them was trivial, what was complex was having to deal with supporter clients but now the meetings were piled up.

What a pain!

She wasn't well known, her face was barely on the news but it was still risky showing her face to people. What if someone knew exactly who she was?

"Come in." lady Jane commanded. Miss Liu made her way closer to the large office table where lady jane was seated atop the red brown leather chair with her legs crossed parallel style. The office was way too comfortable.

"Here are the reports on the orphanage I found in Hanneston City 150 miles away, I think it's far enough, it should take about 3 hours to get there." miss Liu emphasised. Lady Jane thought her secretary was still being rebellious about the issue but apparently she was going along with the plan.

"Let me take a look at the documents." the lady said. The header indicated 'St. Francis Catholic Orphanage', moving them to a God-fearing environment might be good, maybe if she had stronger faith in God then her personal life would be as tranquil as it looked on the outside. The pictures on the documents were impressive. It had almost everything a child would be comfortable with, she was willing if the images she saw from the document weren't forged.

"I guess you agree?" miss Liu asked."It's probably the best around here."

"Yes okay, I'll give them one last kiss then they can be moved, don't tell them where they're off to,i won't change my mind even if they end up hating me." lady Jane mumbled. She thought it was okay to be sad, it was just a one time thing anyway, she just needed a little more time, she felt it was just an act of protecting them. She fought back her tears as the lump forming in her throat grew bigger, hiding it was as hard as keeping the whimpers that filled her voice in. It had taken her a while to come to this conclusion. Being a mother was her only weakness, it's the reason Tommy always used them against her, he would yell and torture them with words whenever he thought she did something wrong. The kids were too young to face all this drama which is why they must be protected, she loved them so much that no matter how much she had come to regret her past, she would go back to birth them a second time. It wasn't Tommy's fault. Just like he said. It was all her fault and she knew it.

"And Tommy called, you should probably visit the police station." miss Liu glared at lady Jane. Miss Liu had been expecting lady Jane to press charges but she didn't, because they'll both go to jail if he's investigated.

"Guess he couldn't hold out for more than four days," lady Jane said as she gave a thin smile. "I'm done with the packaging and distribution documents, you can send them to my assistant now, please make photocopies and send them to the packaging and distribution teams each, i'll call the driver." lady Jane continued. As much as she maintained a calm demeanor, the emotions she felt couldn't stay hidden. She was scared. What if when she brought up the idea of Tommy going to a rehabilitation centre and he ends up snapping again. That was the reason they met in a hotel to talk after all, it was also the reason why he snapped in the first place. This time, she had to say it in a public place, the police station.

Lady Jane gently stood up to adjust the beige halterneck and the white trouser suit that hugged her feminine curves. It was her best type of outfit since it showed off her authority. However, wearing corporate clothes in the summer wasn't comfortable but she couldn't back out because she gave in to the notion 'you are what you wear'. After she called Mr. Coleman, the driver, she hurried to the door while she grabbed her purse from the counter close to the bookshelf. Lady Jane walked through the office hallways as her shiny black stiletto heels intensified her footsteps. She could feel stares of both admiration and of envy pierce her reticent soul. She believed it was the behaviour of humans to react on impulse and gossip unknowingly. If only they knew how she got to where she was today.

As usual, the driver showed his chivalric behaviour by opening the right back seat door of the silver office Toyota car as she immediately stepped in, one heel at a time. He closed the door, bowed and rushed over to the drivers' seat.

"Good day, Lady Jane." driver Coleman greeted. He was a loyal hard worker as usual, he set the music tracks to the chilled beats lady Jane usually listened to on her way home from work, the soothing calm sound was enough to put one in a state of tranquility.

"Good day, Mr. Coleman, I hope you and your family are doing well, but of course you look healthy as always." she said while remembering his wife and three kids.

"yes, thank you, I'm living well." he gestured with his right hand. He looked happy.

"Your wife must care for you, you caught a good one." lady Jane gave an inaudible laughter while the driver responded with a grin. She noticed that Mr. Coleman wanted to say something but rather than engaging in a serious conversation, he restrained himself because he knew the lady wouldn't accept personal questions. He felt it was best to maintain a formal relationship. Lady Jane looked out the window as she allowed the soundtracks pleasurise her ears. The sounds made Dandledore look so entertaining but in reality, the city was far from entertaining. It was just a city full of people trying to look for a means of survival. The world was poor but the people of this city wouldn't accept, they put their feet to work in search of ways to make a living. They would do anything for gain even if it was to become a serial killer for money, they would, and willingly. However, lady Jane was no different from them. She was a successful billionairess after all.

Few minutes passed and Dandledore police district building came into vision. Sudden anxiety welled up in her. Mr. Coleman parked the car at the far end of the parking lot where the car was safe.

"We're here, Lady Jane." He spoke as he turned back to look at the lady just for a second.

"Thank you for your hard work, you can go home, I'll take it from here since I might be a little late." lady Jane replied just as fast. She opened the door as he did the same hurriedly, he may have wanted to show off that chivalrous act again but he was a minute late.

"I do not mind waiting, secretary Liu personally told me not to leave you be." Mr. Coleman blurted as he gesticulated.

"It's alright, go home to your family, if I wanted protection, i would have hired a bodyguard." lady Jane responded while signalling for him to hand her the keys in which he did.

"Take care Lady." Mr. Coleman said as they parted ways.

Lady Jane wasn't famous but the stares she felt as she entered the building was consistent, and as noisy as the place was, the clacking of her heels could still be heard. The policemen welcomed her with questions.

"Yes, His name is Tommy Hamford." she answered them nevertheless, she was given a seat but she still felt uncomfortable since she hated noisy places.

"And who is he to you Miss?" the police officer with the pale blonde hair and stony grey eyes retorted, he seemed to be a smoker or rather that's what he looked like.

"My husband, I'm Mrs Hamford." lady Jane declared with a firm smile while the officer was stunned with surprise.

"Oh, I'm sorry ma'am, do you have any proof?" the officer stuttered. lady Jane couldn't tell if he was doubting or if he was just doing his duties. The officer wondered how she became the wife of a detainee.

"He has a rose tattoo on the lower part of his nape and look, here's our wedding photo and a picture with our kids." lady Jane said. She expected this so she came prepared.

"Okay, that should be good enough ma'am, Mr Hamford is a suspect of attempted murder but we can't get hold of the victim, we've been waiting for her to press charges by now but it's been five days, I'm sorry we can't let him go free until this is sorted out ma'am." the officer spoke so confidently yet blindly, after all, those photos could be photo shopped yet he accepted without confrontation, besides, she was the victim, couldn't he see. It looked like they hadn't investigated much and that was what she was hoping for.

"I was the victim and it wasn't an attempted murder, it was a mistake and as you can see, I'm very healthy without any injuries. I want my husband out of this cell, I'll pay any amount." she explained showing him utmost confidence as she spoke, it was all a lie but it was safer this way. Her subconscious told her otherwise but as usual she ignored.

"I see, my assistant will check the CCTV of what happened on the day of the incident, wait a minute ma'am." he already agreed to free them the moment she said she'd pay any amount, he just didn't want to make it seem like he only cared about the money by giving in too quickly.

"There's no need for that, officer, please accept this." she insisted as she handed him a signed cheque note. This was illegal but he collected it and avoided her gaze. She smirked.

Humans are all the same after all.

"I see, wait a moment ma'am." the officer responded, he was still trying to play it out cool, she knew acting selfish would save her for a little while. He stood up and grabbed some keys.

Lady Jane sat and waited with her legs crossed until Tommy came into sight, their eyes met, he looked normal but tattered, she realised she took too long to come to the station. Tommy took a seat beside her still staring at her. She was suddenly reminded of the old Tommy. The drugs had worn off so his grey eyes weren't as dilated as they'd be when the drugs were taking effect. He looked at her with pleading eyes so she wondered whether he remembered what happened the other day. Tommy was seated but he still looked as huge, his brownish-blonde hair was all roughened now but he still looked good. It was his good looking smile that lady Jane got so attracted to. How could someone look so good just after coming out of a custody suite?. She started to have second thoughts while looking at his face, she couldn't mention going to a rehabilitation centre to him anymore. She therefore decided to let it go just one more time and once again, her subconscious warned but she ignored.

"You're free to go, Mr and Mrs. Hamford but be sure not to get in community trouble again, goodbye." the police officer concluded while putting the documents together. The couple stood up to thank him and took off.

Tommy got in the passenger seat while lady Jane started the car, her mind was full of thoughts, she missed the kids, she wondered if he missed them too? Did he want to see them too?. Her plans had failed, she couldn't suggest rehab in there and not in the car too. Its not that she's scared, she just has a soft spot for him, she knew it was a bad idea.

"What about Ellen and Evans?" he asked as he turned to face his wife.

"On a school trip." she blurted while she flinched, the only lie she thought of was ridiculous.

"What kind of school takes 8 yr olds on trips." he scolded.

"Their school I guess, what's bad about going on a school trip, are you being over protective right now?" she feigned a chuckle as she drove off with her eyes plastered on the windshield. "Don't worry, they're okay." she told him while giving him a sly smile. He fell for it.

"Let's just go home and rest while the kids are away darling." she concluded while locking her eyes with his for a moment. She couldn't tell whether he was being gullible on purpose.

They had a quiet swift ride back home. She was already carried away with the normal way Tommy had been acting since the police station. They both didn't want to talk about the accident that had happened. He took a shower while the lady humbled herself to prepare Colconnan for dinner, a dish he liked with microwaved bacon. She set the table then thought of how long it was since she made dinner. To her, it didn't feel like reality. The aroma of the flavoured mashed potatoes hit her nose. She admired her well cooked meal while she waited for Tommy.

After a while, she felt Tommy's big hands on her arms as he slowly patted her to wake up. She realized she had dozed off.

"You made dinner mhm," he mumbled as he sat on the opposite side of the dining table,his hair was slightly wet from the shower and he had no shirt on. The big house with not much sound and just the couple eating dinner together reminded her of the old days. She thought that maybe they could go back to the old days.

"Thanks for dinner." he gestured while he ate some more.

"You're welcome, eat some more, you must be hungry." she said while stuffing her mouth with Colconnan potatoes. She was a natural at cooking.

"It's atypical for you to cook." he joked as he watched her eat.

She got annoyed. It wasn't atypical for her to cook, she was just a busy person. She simply wanted a taste of a normal evening with a normal husband. She quickly cleared her plates and proceeded to the bedroom. Their bedroom. She laid down as she organised some documents in her laptop. Tommy laid beside her and the idea of them going to sleep together and waking up in his arms the next morning excited her.

Her thoughts were caught short with Tommy's lips crashing into hers ever so dominantly, his palms cupped her cheeks which had already turned beet red. She made way for his tongue as she moved the laptop aside before damage befalls it. His palms moved from her plump cheeks to her pink ears and then the smooth nape of her neck. He wasn't gentle but she followed still. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he topped her with his body wrapping her in whole. She could feel his veins erupting as he moved his lips to her pale white bosom. He planted kisses upon kisses till she started making strange sounds like tiny stray moans. He got more aggressive but she didn't like it. His kisses moved to her breasts as he started undressing her as hurriedly as he could. He pulled his pants off and flipped her over with his hands tugging her hair and then she was reminded.

He was the man who knocked her over after all. His hold was tight on her slender waist, she could feel his blood pumping and the bulge protruding just against the middle of her buttocks. it was as hard as it had always been whenever they did it. He pressed her head to the bed and held her hands together so firmly with just one hand as he inserted all of his manhood into her hole with just one ******. She screamed. He hurt her. She had stayed abstinent for a while and she wasn't well aroused.

"It hurts Tommy, stop it, it hurts." she begged but he made no attempt to stop. He just kept thrusting his cock into her.

"Hey, Jane, I know you always have one night stands with other men, why're you pushing me away, can't I have a taste too?" he hissed. The thought of his wife cheating on him angered him more than anything else.

"What do you mean one night stands? You think this is a joke? You're hurting me. Stop it. I mean it. Stop." he yanked on her hair and pinned her tighter.

"Shut the hell up, bitch. You left me in that custody suite to rot while you had your fun fucking those younger dudes. This is your punishment." he spat out like he had been waiting for this moment. She couldn't believe she let my guard down for the bastard, she even made dinner.

"Just bear it okay little Jane? I'm blue balled right now." he thrusted even faster and deeper this time. She held her cries but to no avail, no matter how much tears she shed, he didn't stop, he just kept thrusting deeper into her without pity, without consent. In other words, she was raped.

She was raped by Tommy.

He reached his peak while she laid there pinned to the bed with his juices inside her. She struggled to leave his hold but she was no match for him. He was trash. He wasn't even under the effect of hard drugs this time. He was fully aware. What did she do so wrong?. She gathered her emotions together and wiped the tears that stained her cheeks. She stood up from the bed and looked at him. It was fun for him, he didn't even use a condom. She washed up quickly and wore some clothes. It was cold at night so she made her way to grab a coat. He watched her every move, Her every step but said nothing. She left without batting an eye. She was glad he didn't stop her but where was she going? The other houses she owned were out of town and she hated hotels. She got into her car and drove off. She felt exhausted and stupid, she thought everything was finally going her way.

Unknowingly, she drove to the community where the hospital she got treated not so long ago was. She had no reason to risk this much, what if she got robbed or even killed? A flashy car at 11pm roaming the streets of a placid community. About 10 mins into the place, she sees lights, not street lights but party lights, it looked like a club or a bar. She stopped by and went in. What was she doing at a place like this just after getting raped by her insane husband?. All she saw were a bunch of drunk youths swaying their bodies to some dumb music. She thought to go back until she saw a bar separated from the rowdy area. She walked in there and laid low, she felt it would awkward for youths to see someone her age here.

"Some beer please." she blurted. All she wanted was to calm her nerves down and relax but hopefully her maybach doesn't get stolen.

"I'm sorry, my shift is over but you can wait for the next bartender." the bartender replied. His voice was rich and resonating, it was an attractive sound that gave her the urge to look at his face just to tell if he was also as attractive as his voice. He looked familiar to her. Huge with short curly ginger brown hair? A broken arm wrapped with a cast? Was this the man who saved her...?

It's him.

He's the one who saved the lady.

He's alive.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***