Summary: Kathryn starts anew
Authors Note: It's finished! Thanks to all who have been kind enough to review and give me suggestions. This is sort of a short chapter but it's more or less an epilogue. With the ending I was a little torn because I originally planned a sad ending but I know some people wanted a more pleasing one. I compromised and settled for a somewhat ambiguous ending. Make of it what you will.
Anyway for my next story I was having trouble deciding what to write. I currently have three fics that are unfinished and one bouncing around in my head that I want to write. The thing is I want to write one story at a time but I don't know which to start with so this is what I most likely will do. I'll update each fic once this week (including posting the first chapter of my new story) and which ever one has the most interest I'll finish first. If there is a particular one you want me to update let me know.
Chapter 14: Bittersweet Symphony
* Kathryn *
"On the charge of murder in the first degree we the jury find the defendant, Annette Hardgrove guilty."
And with those words it was over. Everyone including Annette had paid for hurting me. I should be elated but all I felt was numb. When I heard the last juror read off the verdict it was as if someone was reading me a grocery list not the demise of the person I hated most in the world. It really didn't mean a thing to me.
It was now winter in Manhattan as I sat in the back of the court house. Since I was of course thought dead I was disguised. In the front of the room sat Annette sitting beside her lawyer who was now whispering in her ear. She didn't cry but rather just sat there nodding. I suppose she knew what the verdict would be before it was read. It was all really just a formality.
As I watched all of this play out my mind still remained on Sebastian. In the months since his death I had tried my hardest to forget about him. I didn't want to be reminded because I knew that his death was partly my fault. If I had never come back to New York to get my revenge he would still be alive and well. It was strange that with all the misery I had caused people I never regretted any of it until he died. Now I would give anything to take it all back.
Sebastian died saving me and I hated that. I was well aware that I was a monster and yes Sebastian was no saint but it didn't seem fair that I was alive and he wasn't. That night played over in my head nearly every day. The image of him dying in my arms was likely to never leave me and in some ways I didn't want it to.
Moments after he passed away Drake had insisted on getting me out of there as quickly as possible. The police were already on there way and I couldn't be there when they came. I didn't even get to say good-bye to him before they pulled me away to the awaiting limo. It wasn't until I was back in London did I hear the news that the police had identified him as the previously thought dead Sebastian Valmont. Right away a warrant was issued for the arrest of Annette but she had already fled and no one could find her.
Believe it or not I didn't care about tracking her down and making her pay. I didn't care what happened to her and revenge was the last thing on my mind. All I had felt was emptiness and I had learned at that point that no amount of vengeance would fill me up. I had decided to put the past behind me until one day when I came home to find it staring me in the face.
* Flashback *
"How the hell did you get in here?"
Annette got up from her seat on my couch and fidgeted with her now dark hair. Yes blondie was now a brunette and had looked like she's lost a few pounds as well. She was dressed in a pale pink T-shirt and jeans but looked anything but conformable. She looked tired and even though it was only a few months since I last saw her, she looked older. "Nice to see you too Kathryn" she quipped.
Setting my new purchases down I walked over to the bar knowing there was most likely a weapon of some sort behind it in case I might need it. However it was strange I wasn't frightened or angry when I saw Annette again but I wished she hadn't shown up. All she did was evoke a lot of bad memories. Turning away from her I demanded coldly "what do you want Annette? Come to finish the job?"
"No" she replied softly "I've come to turn myself in."
I snickered "do I look like a cop. What do I care what you do?"
"Don't you?"
"Not really" I said turning back to her "now if that's all..."
Crossing her arms to her chest her now brown eyes studied me intently as she asked "you're telling me there isn't just the smallest part of you that wants to see me pay for killing Sebastian?"
"I don't care what you do!" I screamed at her suddenly loosing my cool. "Go turn yourself in or jump off a cliff for all I care. Just get out and never mention his name to me again!"
Annette barely flinched in response to my sudden shift in mood. Taking a step towards me she said "why not? Are you feeling guilty about your part in his death?"
"You're the one who shot him" I hissed.
"Yes but he died saving your life" she retorted.
I don't know why but I snapped. Charging up to her I backhanded Annette hard across the face sending toppling backwards onto the couch. Before she could stand up I reached for the fire poker and aimed it at her chest. Breathing heavily Annette looked up at me and muttered "I guess everything does come full circle doesn't it?"
My mind went back to that afternoon in Sebastian's bedroom when I held the poker to Annette's throat and threatened to kill her. At the time I was so filled with rage at her I couldn't see straight. Now I barely felt a thing as I pressed it into her. "Go ahead do it" she told me.
Slowly I pulled the poker away and set it down in the fireplace. Backing away from her I ordered "just get out, this never happened."
"You can't do it can you?"
"Do what?"
"You didn't kill me right now for the same reason you never hunted me down. You let me go because of Sebastian. He wouldn't want you to get revenge for his death and you know that." She smiled almost faintly as she remarked "it's funny it never occurred to me before but you really loved him. I mean as much as someone like you can love anyone."
Scowling I took a seat across from her on the other couch and asked "so is that really why you came here? You knew I wouldn't turn you in so you've came to rub my face in it."
Annette shook her head "no I want to turn myself in but I want you to do something for me first."
I laughed shortly "do something for you? You are deranged."
"To make a deal with you? Yeah probably but I need this done. Look I'll turn myself in and you'll get revenge without betraying Sebastian's memory. All I ask is for one thing in return."
Rolling my eyes I sighed "what pray tell is that?"
"I want you to get my father released from jail."
I couldn't help but smile at her audacity although it didn't surprise me that much. Shaking my head at her I replied simply "no way. What even makes you think I could get him released?"
"Well you had an easy enough time getting him convicted" she hissed bitterly. "I know all it would take is a few phone calls from you. Why won't you do this? He never did anything to you."
"That's not true after all he is partly responsible for bringing you into the world."
Annette sighed "Kathryn..."
"Look even if I wanted to I can't. I made a promise to Owen that your father would pay for what he did to his friend."
Sitting up in her chair she leaned over and reminded me "Owen thinks you're dead. He wouldn't even know you went back on your word. Besides my father has paid enough for that. Come on, you do this and not only will I confess to killing Sebastian but I won't tell anyone you're really alive."
Normally this would be the part where I laugh in her face before throwing her ass out. God knows that was what I wanted to do but instead I got up from my seat and told her "fine you got yourself a deal."
* End Flashback *
Why would I agree to her god damn deal? Well it wasn't because I felt sympathy for Hardgrove or his stupid little daughter. No I knew that if Sebastian was alive he would want me to take the deal. Everybody won essentially. Annette got to ease her guilty conscience even if it meant spending the rest of her life in jail. Ben got his freedom and I got my revenge. Funny I sure didn't feel like a winner.
After the verdict was read people in the courthouse began to get up and leave. I did as well making sure I was still unrecognizable with my now red hair and black sunglasses. However before I left I turned to look back at Annette once more. Ben who had been sitting behind her was now embracing her as tears fell down his face. His daughter however looked placid as she muttered something in his ear. As they pulled away Annette looked back and her eyes locked on mine. For a moment she looked momentarily startled but then her face soon relaxed and she simply nodded at me before turning away.
On the way back to my hotel that afternoon I stopped at Sebastian's grave. I thought about bringing some flowers but I didn't really see the point. It was sentimental and boring; things Sebastian was definitely not. Standing over his simple headstone I tried to think of something witty to say. For once those words failed me. What should I say? That I was sorry for his death. That it was all my fault. He was the only guy I had ever loved and probably would ever love. I had a feeling I didn't need to say anything. He already knew it.
So instead I simply said good-bye.
* * * * * *
I was officially finished with New York. Even though it was still my favorite place in the world and I would probably always think of it as home, there was nothing left for me there anymore. Not to mention the fact that it would be hard to get around seeing as everyone thought I was dead.
A few days after the trial I left the city and the states for good. Saying a final good bye to Sebastian made me realize I had to make a new start some place else. Instead of going back to London like I planned I went to Tuscany to stay at my villa. It was sad of course given that it was where I was suppose to be starting over with Sebastian but in the end I decided it was the only place for me.
When I arrived in Italy I arrived alone. I had decided to give Thomas and Drake a much needed vacation. They had of course balked at the idea sighting that now was not the time for me to be alone. However I assured them that there was no better time for it. I would get in contact with them when I needed them but for now I had to be on my own.
I had bought Villa Il Turco shortly before leaving for New York. It was beautiful and lush with all the luxuries one could want including a vineyard. After my flight I was exhausted and in desperate need for a bath. I decided I would have a nice long soak and maybe take a nap.
Several of the servants greeted me when I arrived. As they began unloading my things I went inside to have a look around. "Ah Miss. Kathryn, it is good to see you again."
Looking up I smiled when I saw Joseph the head servant. He was an older man who spoke with a think Italian accent. "Hello Joseph" I smiled. "How are you?"
"Oh I am good but I am curious. How did your business in New York go? Is it all finished with?"
"You could say that" I sighed. "I'm going to go up to my room and have a bath. Could you tell the cook to send my dinner up to my room?"
"Of course ma'am." As I started up the stairs he called up to me "oh I almost forgot you had a visitor earlier this morning."
I turned around surprised. No one knew I was there other than Drake or Thomas and I doubted it was them. "Who was it Joseph?"
"He did not leave a name but he was American."
"That's strange I wasn't expecting any visitors. I wonder what he wanted?"
"Well he said he would be back soon and he left you a note. I put it up in your room."
I nodded "thank you Joseph."
Quickly I made my way up the stairs and into the large master bedroom. In the middle of the room was a canopy bed and resting on the pillow was a white lily. Picking it up I wondered who would sent it. When Joseph told me I had a visitor I was sure it wasn't good. Lord knows I had made my share of enemies and any one of them could have found out I wasn't really dead. Still why the flower?
Remembering the note I reached for it and opened it up. As I read it my heart stopped and my breath caught. "Oh god..."
I reread it and studied the handwriting before getting up from the bed. I walked out onto the balcony feeling as though I was in a daze. My hands were shaking while I held the lily in one hand in the note in the other. One thought kept running through my head...could it be? I looked out at the lush scenery around me and smiled, anything was possible.
Keeping that thought I looked down at the note once again. It was only a few words, a question in need of an answer. It simply said:
Have I proven myself to you yet?
*~ THE END ~*