The ambulance finally made it.
I couldn't hang on any longer and passed out cold.
Two days later, I came to, the pain dulled by a cocktail of meds.
My arm was all bandaged up, and I looked like I'd just walked out of a mummy movie.
Sharon and those four other women were still kneeling in the VIP hospital room.
Naturally, Jake was right there at my bedside.
Seeing me awake, Sharon quickly offered me a glass of water, tears streaming down her face,
"Linda, oh thank God you're awake. "
"I've been so looking forward to you coming home to us. If only I'd known it was you, I'd have smothered you with love, not harm. "
"This whole mess was just a huge misunderstanding. Linda, considering we're about to be family, could you find it in your heart to forgive me?"
The other women lurked in the corner, echoing her pleas for forgiveness.
I didn't accept the water she offered. Just gave her a chilly glance.
When I finally spoke, my throat hurt and my voice was nothing but a hoarse whisper,
"A misunderstanding? Forgive?"
"Sharon Harry, I revealed my identity, but how did you respond?"
"If I forgave you now, what about the scars I'll carry, the blood I've spilled, the dignity I've fought my whole life to maintain?"
"You've marred my face, broken my arm, smashed the jewelry I designed with such care, and even destroyed the last keepsake from my mother. How do you expect me to just forgive that?"
"The wedding date has come and gone. Do you honestly think I'd ever accept you into our family?"
"Right now, I'd rather tear you apart myself. Brace yourself for my wrathit's coming. "
Sharon went pale, her body deflating like a punctured balloon as she stumbled back against the wall.
Realizing she wasn't getting through to me, she turned to plead with Jake.
Her voice broke as she begged,
"Jack, I don't expect to marry into the Evans family anymore. But for all the care I've given these last two years, can you spare us the ordeal of prison?"
Jake remained silent, arms crossed, watching their downfall with a dominant posture.
Jake's usually a gentle giant, but his silence now was suffocating, an oppressive force all its own.
Sharon probably hadn't seen this side of him before. She sobbed, her face a mask of despair,
"I promise I'll stay out of your way forever. "
"I know I messed up. I really do. I deserve whatever's coming to me!"
As Sharon continued to cry and slap herself, she kept sneaking glances at Jake.
The other women joined in, slapping themselves too.
Even if Jake didn't call the police, their actions warranted criminal charges.
They were still here probably because Jake had something else in mind.
Watching them beat themselves into a sorry state, I found a shred of mercy and said,
"Dad, I can't stand to look at them anymore. Can you make them leave?"
With a simple wave of his hand, they scurried out, tripping over themselves to get away.
I lay back, exhausted, resting against Jake's shoulder, tears dripping steadily,
"Dad, it's all coming back to me now. I remember everything. "
"I recall how Mom died and who was responsible. "
"Dad, you know now, don't you?"
Jake gently patted my head, nodding softly as he comforted me,
"Yes, Linda, I know. It was Sharon who caused your mother's death. "
"I failed to protect Julia and you. I'm so sorry. "
"But I give you my word, those who hurt you won't get away with it. Not a single one. "