Chapter 21: Heading Out
" So you getting ready to leave us?", Stella asked.
Violet looked up from the report she was writing. " Yeah, we caught the killer, so now it's time for me to leave. I'm going to miss this place, though", Violet answered, looking around the busy precinct.
" We're all gonna miss you too. Why won't you stay?", Stella replied.
" This isn't my place anymore. I came here to catch a killer and stop him from getting me and Emma. I'm sure Don's more than ready to get ready of her…and me by now", Violet said.
" That's not true. Don loves that little girl like his own. I do have a question for you, though", Stella replied.
" What is it?", Violet asked, turning back to her report.
" Is Emma Don's daughter?", Stella asked.
Violet stopped writing. She looked down at the report she was writing, however and thought about her answer. " What would make you say that?", Violet replied.
" Well, it's just that she has his eyes. And she's about the same age as the time you guys were married. He never mentioned having a daughter though. She is his though, isn't she?", Stella asked.
" Yeah, she is. We were married for five months before I left. However, in those five months, he managed to get me pregnant, and I didn't know until after a couple of weeks after leaving him", Violet answered.
" Why didn't you tell him? Emma seems like his pride and joy, does he even know now?", Stella replied.
" No, I never told him and he still doesn't know. He never once told me he loved me and yet I married him without it. I was so stupid. I can't stay though, he still doesn't love me, he never did. Desired me? Yes. But loved me? No. I won't put myself through that again", Violet murmured.
" But he has a right to know about his child", Stella argued.
" That might be true, but I lost my heart to him once and he handed it back to me shattered. I can't put my daughter through that, Stell. I won't let him hurt her like he did me, she may be young, but she knows more than she lets on", Violet explained.
" But he should know. Violet, someday Emma is gonna have questions, and what are you gonna tell her? What if Don finds out that she's his and you still never told him? He could take her away, do you want that?", Stella exclaimed.
" Don't you think I've thought of that? He's had five years, and probably lots of lovers, I won't let him take my freedom if he's only gonna stray. Did you ever think of that? Do you know what that would do to her? He's the reason I left in the first place, because he was never there, because he never listened to me! I can't take that again!", Violet yelled, standing up and walking away.
" Is he telling us anything?", Stella asked Mac as she walked into the interrogation room.
" Not as far as I can tell. Don's keeping him on his toes though. He's waiting for an opening, but he hasn't got one yet", Mac answered.
" Damn. I was hoping we could get a confession and throw this guy into jail for good", Stella replied.
" It appears not. This guy is being stubborn. He knows we have him but can only connect him to a couple of the things plus the kidnapping of Violet. By the way, how is she?", Mac asked.
" She's good. She finished her report so I believe she's leaving now. She was pretty mad when we finished talking", Stella answered.
" She may have good reason to be if we can't get this guy to crack", Mac replied.
" I hope he does, and soon", Stella said, then left the room.
" Violet? What are you doing here?", Jasmine asked, as Violet walked into the apartment.
" I'm packing before Don gets home. I want to be gone when he gets back. I can't deal with this anymore, is Emma asleep?", Violet babbled.
" Yeah, she is. Do you think that's best?", Jasmine replied.
" What I think is that I need to get out of here, for both my and Emma's sakes", Violet replied, throwing her clothes in her suitcase.
" I think you're running", Jasmine hinted.
" Maybe I am, but I'm doing it for Emma", Violet replied.
" I think you're trying to protect your heart from possibly being shattered by Don", Jasmine suggested.
" I am not. He is my husband, but in nothing else but name", Violet said.
" You two have a daughter together and probably many steamy nights. I highly doubt that it's just in name", Jasmine replied, grinning.
" Doubt what you want but I know that it was only in name", Violet threw back. She began to pack Emma's clothes in the suitcase as well.
" It's okay, Violet. You don't need to hide from your feelings, you know. It's not good for your health, not to mention mine", Jasmine said, placing her hand on Violet's arm to stop her.
" I'm not hiding, Jas. I'm not, really. And you don't need to bother yourself with me. I'll be fine, I am fine. Really, I'm alright, I just need to get out of here. Can you grab Emma for me?", Violet replied, picking up the suitcases.
Jasmine nodded and went to get Emma. Then they left Don's apartment. Violet felt extremely sad at leaving it all behind, but she knew it was for the best, for both her heart and her daughter's.
However, once she got home and they sat Emma down on her own bed, Violet felt the tears well up in her eyes and she let them fall.