Angie
The bank manager said they had to sell my house before it went into foreclosure. My income from Anthony's pension was insufficient to cover the mortgage at the increased interest rates. I hoped Bella could help, but she had experienced a change in her financial situation as well. Bella thought I didn't know. I found her bank statement. She never received the money a few weeks ago. She had obviously lied about it being a pension payment.
When I saw the deposit the previous month, it arrived through an international bank transfer. The money got converted to US dollars. I shook my head. What did she do? Why did the payments stop? Does it have anything to do with the Testa inheritance?
I had too many questions requiring answers. How many lies had Bella told over the years? It didn't matter. Her lies cost my family everything. Even after selling the house, I barely had enough to live off. What would I do? I was too young to apply for a government-funded retirement home.
It was time to pack up the house. The bank said I had to leave within a few weeks or I would lose any equity. I didn't have any friends in Trenton. My sister lived in Newark. It was a sketchy neighbourhood, but beggars couldn't be choosers. I called and asked if I could move in. She said I was only welcome. Bella was on her own. "Good riddance," I grumbled. Bella made her bed of lies. She wasn't my responsibility.
I noticed Bella never left her bedroom. Bella was likely wallowing in self-pity after the shit she had pulled. I packed the spare bedroom before making lunch. My mother-in-law never appeared.
"Mother," I yelled, "It's lunchtime." She never responded. I went to her bedroom, then knocked on the door. I repeated, "Mother, it's lunchtime." Still no response. I shook my head at her rude attitude. The knob wouldn't turn when I attempted to enter the room.
It took me a few minutes to locate a knitting needle skinny enough to push through the hole to unlock the door. Bella was lying on the bed. The pill bottle containing her heart medication was beside her hand, empty. I wiped a tear off my cheek, then called the ambulance. They arrived within minutes to collect her corpse. The pills fell to the floor as the paramedics and medical examiner moved Bella's body into the black bag for transport.
"You're going straight to hell," I said when her body left the house. Her death was likely a heart attack. I found the will. Bella had left everything to Stephanie after the funeral fees got paid.
My hands shook as I lifted the paper. Her lawyer signed the copies. I sat on the floor and cried. Bella left me with nothing. Why me? She promised to leave everything to me when Joey got sent to prison. I checked the date on the will. She had signed it the previous day.
Anthony and Cathy came home when they heard the news. I was still sitting in Bella's room when they arrived. "Mom? What happened?" Cathy asked. I gave her the papers from Bella's drawer. "Oh. Why did she leave everything to Stephanie instead of family?"
I passed the letter to Cathy. She looked disgusted after reading the words from her grandmother. "It was all a lie? What the hell?" Cathy screamed. "She was a tucking coward. Bella should have told us."
Anthony read the letter. "Maybe she believed the lies her father-in-law told," he wisely said. "I agree with Cathy. Bella's a coward for not telling the truth when it got presented to her."
"I noticed the spare bedroom got packed. What's going on?" Cathy asked. I explained that I had two weeks to move to prevent the house from going into foreclosure. The bank had a buyer who would take possession at that time. "I'll help," Cathy promised.
A knock interrupted our conversation. "Excuse me, Mrs. Morelli. Robin and I are here to get your statement," Eddie Gazarra said. I nodded, then sent Cathy and Anthony away. Eddie and Robin listened while I described the events leading to finding Bella dead in bed.
"Did she commit suicide?" Robin gently asked.
"No. The pills fell out of the bottle when Bella dropped it. The medical examiner believes Bella had a heart attack," I replied.
"We're sorry for your loss, Mrs. Morelli. Is there anyone we can call for you?" Robin offered.
"No, thank you. I can manage," I answered. It was my responsibility to organize such things. Eddie and Robin thanked me for my statement, then left. I wiped the tears off my cheeks, then got to work.
Cathy and Anthony waited for me in the kitchen. They passed me something to eat. I ate without tasting. My children quietly talked about where I would live. "You take her," Cathy whispered.
"I don't have room," Anthony whined. I let the kids bicker about who didn't want me to live in their house. It was disgusting.
Everything had started because of a lie embellished by my father-in-law. Joey was in prison because of the lie. How many people had to suffer? It wasn't right. I had to refinance my house to pay Joey's court and lawyer fees. Bella wanted me to sue Valerie for the money. It was Bella's lie, therefore, my responsibility.
I went to my bedroom and lifted the photograph on my dresser. Isabelle, Angie and Mary Alice stared into the camera. They appeared happy, but the smiles never reached their eyes. "I hope you girls are happy wherever you are," I whispered, touching Angie and Mary Alice's faces. I wrapped the picture frame in bubble wrap, then placed it inside the box with the other photos of my family. It was my hope that Valerie found a suitable father for my granddaughters. I prayed he would be faithful to Valerie. She deserved a better life than what Joe gave her.
While packing up Bella's room, I decided I didn't want the cursed money. How Bella managed to swindle the monthly payment from Stephanie's ancestors was despicable and unforgivable. I tossed Bella's clothes into the donation box. There was nothing in her room that I wanted to keep or pass to the girls. Cathy and Anthony could fight over the worthless jewelry.
Stephanie
"Have you seen Isabelle?" I asked Carlos when I ended my phone call.
"Not since this morning. Why?" he asked.
"Bella Morelli passed away a few hours ago. Eddie just relayed the news. I told Valerie. She promised to tell Angie and Mary Alice," I replied. I shared the story from Eddie. Bella had gone to bed, then likely had a heart attack. She attempted to take her meds, but they had spilled. Eddie wasn't sure if Bella had ingested her medication. It sounded like it didn't matter because she had passed away too fast.
Carlos wrapped his arms around me, then gently lifted my head to look into my eyes. "What aren't you telling me?" he quietly asked.
"Bella left all her money to me," I whispered. Carlos raised an eyebrow. "I think it was her way of asking forgiveness for her misguided actions."
"Babe, the money belongs to your company. Reinvest it," Carlos suggested. I wanted to give it to Angie Morelli.
Isabelle bounced into the room, looking surprisingly chipper. "I heard about grandma Bella," she announced.
"And you're happy?" I asked.
"Not exactly," Isabelle replied. "She was really mean to Mary Alice. I'm sad she's gone but happy she can't hurt anyone else."
"Bella left me the money in her bank account," I said. "I planned to give it to Angie, your grandma."
"No, mom. Angie might think she wants the money, but she doesn't. It had cost her more than Bella could repay. Angie would see it as cursed treasure, and it would haunt her until it got returned to you," Isabelle said. Being too involved with the situation, I couldn't see whatever Isabelle saw inside her brilliant mind.
"I'll have to take your word for it," I replied. Isabelle wrapped her arms around Carlos and me.
"The money should get returned to your company where it rightfully belongs," Isabelle added.
"That's what your father said."
"He's a wise man," Carlos joked. "When's the funeral?"
"Monday. We have time to watch Valerie and Silvio get married, visit Julie, then come home," Isabelle replied.
"We're visiting Julie?" I asked.
"Yep. Dad, I hope you don't get mad, but Julie and I have been talking for months," Isabelle replied.
"Mi hija, I'm not mad," Carlos said. Isabelle kissed his cheek before announcing that she had to find her Uncle Fester.
"Has she been watching The Addams Family?" I groaned. Carlos laughed. I took that as a yes.
Carlos and I left for my appointment with the doctor. We drove to a clinic outside of Trenton. He held my hand as we entered the building and announced my arrival. The receptionist stared at my husband and visibly drooled. I rolled my eyes at her rude behaviour.
Isabelle, Lester and Bobby arrived a few minutes later. I laughed when Isabelle loudly discussed the receptionist staring at her dad. "She's making the eyes where she resembles a bubble-eyed fish more than giving my dad a sexy look," Isabelle said.
I looked at my husband. He stroked my cheek, then gently kissed my lips. Carlos only had eyes for me. "Your dad doesn't even see her," Lester added. The receptionist tried everything to get my husband's attention.
"Nothing is sexier than a man who admits he wants you, shows how much he loves you, respects you, gives his time and attention to you, does anything to make you smile, sees no other girls," I said. "Never settle for less, Isa."
"Okay," she replied.
Lester approached the receptionist, who tried to look around him. The waiting room had five other pregnant women waiting to see the doctor. "Do you always flirt with the husbands of pregnant women? It's unprofessional and disrespectful to the women. What are you hoping to accomplish?" Lester asked.
"I… um…," she stuttered. I noticed the other women smiling and nodding. The receptionist made the other men uncomfortable. It took time for me to find the doctor. I would sooner find another than have the woman shamelessly flirt with my husband.
"Did you fail to notice that none of the other husbands arrived to support their wives? You robbed the men of the time they deserve to learn about their children's development. How did you get this job?" Lester wondered.
"Do we have a problem?" Dr. Kim Tatum asked.
Lester pointed to the waiting room. "None of the other women's husbands accompanied them to the appointment. Your receptionist made my cousin, her husband and their daughter uncomfortable by flirting with him. It's unprofessional and unfair to the women. I bet that's why their husbands stayed home. Pregnancy is hard enough on the women without someone trying to steal their husband," Lester replied.
The doctor shook her head but did nothing to fix the situation. Carlos whispered, "My younger sister, Alejandra is a midwife."
I got called back for my appointment. After changing into the uncomfortable paper gown, I sent Bobby a text message, asking him to collect my file. He knew what to do. I squirmed on the examination table, impatiently waiting for the doctor to enter. She arrived a few minutes later with a nurse and the sonogram machine.
Dr. Tatum moved the ultrasound wand over my belly to view the baby. She took a few measurements before showing us the image. I could see it as plain as day. Isabelle was right. The baby was a boy. "Could you see the gender?" Carlos asked.
"No. It's too soon. Maybe in a few weeks," she replied. I rolled my eyes. Dr. Tatum finished her examination, then dismissed me. She never apologized for the receptionist's behaviour. The foolish receptionist tried to give my husband her number on a scrap of paper. He never reached for it.
I waited until we got into the car before telling Carlos how I felt. "You should call your sister. The doctor lied about the gender. We're having a boy. I let Dr. Tatum examine me, but I don't trust her. She changed the receptionist since I booked the appointment," I said.
"A full BGC?"
"On the receptionist, yes. I didn't see anything concerning in the doctor's past. Now, I'm wondering who hid those vital details," I explained. I sighed, then shook my head. "Neither the doctor nor receptionist are after our child. It feels like something is off. I can't put my finger on it."
I stared out the window while Carlos relayed the information to Hector at Rangeman. My chosen brother would dig into the receptionist's past.
"Babe," Carlos said. I could hear him trying to get my attention, but I got lost inside my mind. "Stephanie!"
"Oh. Sorry, Carlos. I was trying to focus on a memory." Carlos cupped my face in his hands. His thumbs gently stroked my cheeks.
"Relax your mind, Babe. You will remember," he whispered. Carlos tenderly kissed me, then pulled me from the SUV. Isabelle, Lester and Bobby stood beside the elevator, looking worried.
I went to Isabelle and hugged her. "I'm sorry for scaring you," I whispered. Isabelle squeezed tight before releasing me. Lester and Bobby hugged me before we got into the elevator.
The elevator opened on the fifth floor. Isabelle followed Lester to his office while I went to Ranger's domain. I needed his help to focus. Carlos sat in his chair, then pulled me onto his lap, forcing my legs to straddle him. I felt Hector enter the room. Lavender and pine scents filled the air. "Babe, look into my eyes," Carlos said. I gazed into his warm brown eyes. "What do you see?"
"Love, patience, devotion and many other happy emotions," I replied.
"You're doing great, Babe. Now close your eyes," he gently said. I closed my eyes and kept the emotions from his eyes in the forefront of my mind. "Now, picture the receptionist. Where did you two meet?"
"Douglass College. She was my roommate's friend during my first year and lived across the hall," I replied.
"What happened?" Carlos asked.
"I got asked to participate in the photoshoot for Peter Lewis, my friend. Jolene Travers, the receptionist, arrived at the location. She stripped naked and attempted to get Peter to take nude photographs."
"Did it work?"
"No. It pissed off Pete. We arranged another time to meet. She never showed up that time," I replied. More memories flooded my mind. "Jolene could give Joyce Barnhardt a run for her money. She had sex with every man who talked to me except Pete. Jolene didn't know he was gay."
"Did it affect your dating life?" he wondered.
"Absolutely. I remember," I replied, then opened my eyes. "Her parents died in the same plane explosion as my grandparents. Jolene got raised by her older sister. I remembered hearing the story, and I felt sorry for the girl."
Carlos stroked my face. "Is it possible she feels you're responsible for her parents' death?" Carlos asked. I shrugged.
"I don't know. It's hard to pin down Jolene's motive."
The office phone rang. Carlos reached around me to answer the call. "Manoso," he said.
I heard the breathless voice over the receiver. "Carlos, Stephanie forgot to book her next appointment. When should I expect to see you next?" Jolene asked.
"Never," Carlos replied, then hung up. He got Hector to block all phone numbers associated with Jolene Travers. Carlos used the phone to call his sister. He put it on speakerphone for me to hear.
"Hey, Carlos. Long time no hear," Alejandra answered. "How can I help?"
"My wife is pregnant," Carlos replied.
"Woah! Seriously? You got married and never told mama? Dude, she's going to smack you," Alejandra said. "When should I drop by Rangeman?"
"Hi, Alejandra. I'm Stephanie. I had an examination at the clinic today. But I'm willing to let you create a baseline for your records," I replied.
"Sure. I'll be there," she said. "Carlos, can I speak to Stephanie alone?"
"If you're available, head to Rangeman, and we'll have our private conversation then," I suggested. Alejandra agreed. She would get the front desk to call me when she arrived.
Hector knocked on the door. Carlos said, "Enter." He passed Carlos a folder containing information.
"Isabelle helped," Hector replied. "She thought Angel was too close."
"Thanks," I replied. I was still sitting on Ranger's lap, but my back was to his chest. One hand rested on my baby bump as he reached for the papers.
Jolene Travers has one older sister named Kim. The research on Kim was fairly empty. I furrowed my brows. "I have your search on Kim Tatum. She married at nineteen to gain custody of her thirteen-year-old sister. Kim's husband was in the military and passed away when Jolene attended Douglass college. Jolene dropped out after her second year. She had slept with the professors to receive a passing grade.
"Kim Tatum's history got redacted when her husband died during a mission," Ranger announced. "Any reference to Jolene got erased."
"That's why Kim's BGC never showed Jolene."
"I searched Jolene Travers and saw she had a sister, but no details. You couldn't find Jolene through Kim's unless you knew to look," Hector explained.
"Yikes. Stay away from Jolene. She's a man-eater and home wrecker. It seems she enjoys causing friction between husbands and wives. Do you think she'll turn up here?" I asked.
"Not if she knows what's best for her," Ranger growled. I knew there was nothing for me to worry about. My husband would not cheat on me.