"Your life falling apart is exactly what I want. "
As expected, the four women lost their jobs, the only thing keeping them afloat after their families fell apart.
"Not only will I ruin you, but I'll also make sure your husbands who left you, your kids who betrayed you, and the mistresses who replaced you suffer too. "
They collapsed on the ground, crying hysterically.
"What are you crying for? You should be thanking me. "
In the days that followed, I wore the jewelry I had designed and paid visits to many of Jake's business partners and their wives.
In no time, the companies belonging to the husbands of Sharon's group were bankrupt, torn apart by scandal.
Their new families crumbled, mistresses were beaten, and children became the target of gossip.
These men, now penniless, turned their anger on their ex-wives.
When I revisited the women from Sharon's group, they were either missing limbs or so broken they couldn't care for themselves.
One of them even died under mysterious circumstances.
As for Sharon, Jake told me she fled back to her hometown, penniless and constantly getting beaten.
Her own family turned on her, blaming her for losing the golden opportunity with Jake.
Her brother, Tom, fell into gambling again and racked up huge debts. He planned to sell Sharon to pay off his loans.
When Sharon tried to escape, Tom beat her half to death.
They left her in the mountains, where she was mauled and eaten alive by wild dogs.
"Linda, your mom can finally rest in peace. "
Jake said this with a long, deep sigh, giving me a relieved smile.
It was as if the years of guilt had finally lifted.
I took Jake's hand in mine,
"Dad, I'm ready to come home. I want to be here with you, to take care of you, for Mom. "
He squeezed my hand, his voice firm,
"Good. "
The End