CHAPTER 116

The news of Willian Thatcher's death spread like wildfire, reaching the nearby town where Mack and Lek had stopped to send Bill a telegram. The concise, impersonal text outlined the events on the dusty road, informing everyone that Willian had tried to escape and was unfortunately shot in the chest, meeting an untimely end. The mounties were wounded, but there were no fatalities. The telegram was like a brutal blow, an unwelcome message that heralded the end of a tumultuous story.

Bill received the message with a grave expression. His tired eyes absorbed the words while the seriousness of the moment weighed heavily on his shoulders. William, a prisoner and, despite everything, a father who raised Elizabeth, was now beyond the reach of justice or redemption. A shadow of sadness clouded his eyes, but duty would allow no time for mourning. There was still a way to go, a road that had now become even more difficult to tread.

Meanwhile, in a modest house in the city, Wynn and Jack sat down with Beth and her mother to deliver the painful news. The atmosphere was heavy with grief when the words were spoken. The sadness that hung over the room was palpable, and the silence was interrupted only by the muffled sound of restrained sobs.

Beth, a strong woman whose heart was intertwined with William's, took the news like a stab. Her eyes filled with tears as the cruel reality of Willian's death settled in her chest, it was still hard to believe that the man she had called father all her life would be so cruel... The pain was sharp, cutting, as if a part of her had also been ripped away. Beth's mother, Elizabeth Delayne, a woman with deep wrinkles who knew well the challenges of life, held her daughter's hand tenderly, sharing her silent grief; that man was her brother, and even though she knew all the harm he had caused throughout his life, the loss of her only sibling pained her greatly.

Wynn and Jack, meanwhile, shared the story of the events on the road, describing the chaotic confrontation and the fateful moment when the bullet hit Willian in the chest. Each word was a knife plunging deeper into the open wound, but they knew that the truth had to be revealed.

The crying echoed in the room, a sad symphony that resonated with the lament of loss. The tears united those who shared the same grief, while the news became a dark shadow hanging over the small gathering. What had once been love now turned into mourning, a pain that seemed unbearable.

However, o time progressed, a subtle transformation began to manifest itself. The tears, although persistent, were accompanied by a sigh of relief. Beth and her mother, now aware that Willian no longer posed a threat, felt a weight being lifted from their shoulders. The emotional storm that had dominated their lives now gave way to a resigned calm.

Beth, despite her broken heart, found solace in the certainty that Willian would no longer carry the shadow of cruelty and persecution. Her mother, a silent witness to Beth's difficult life, shared this feeling. The pain of loss persisted, but freedom from living in fear now offered a peculiar kind of consolation.

So, in that little corner of sadness and resignation, Willian Thatcher's story found its epilogue. The pain of loss would remain, but with it came the peace of knowing that Willian's tumultuous journey had come to an end, leaving behind a trail of pain and relief.

In Hamilton, the news of Willian Thatcher's death reverberated through the streets, penetrating the homes and hearts of the residents like a shockwave. Grace, a middle-aged woman who lived in the best part of town, was going about her morning routine with a beautiful breakfast table, when her eyes met the bold letters printed in the headline of the paper newspaper she was holding. Her heart squeezed as she read the attention-grabbing words that echoed the tragedy:

"Controversial Figure Willian Thatcher Meets Tragic End: Escape Attempt Results in Fatality on Hamilton Road!"

The headline was like an icy hand squeezing Grace's chest, stealing her breath. Her eyes remained fixed on the words, unable to completely believe the news in front of her. William, the man whose name was a shadow over the city, had met an untimely end in a desperate attempt to escape justice.

"Hamilton Scandal: Millionaire Willian Thatcher Arrested for Attempted Violence Against His Own Daughter! Desperate Attempt to Escape Results in Fatality!"

The newspapers spared no detail, highlighting the turmoil surrounding the attempted transfer to the maximum security prison...

"A Tragedy That Shocks the City: One of Hamilton's Most Powerful Men Falls Apart While Trying to Escape Justice!"

Grace, a woman who had observed the uproar caused by the presence of that news in Hamilton, felt a mixture of conflicting emotions. The fear she now felt was enormous and it could shake her business and damage her company.

As Grace walked around Hamilton's stores, she took the opportunity to sit in a café and while she read the printed lines, the voices of the locals echoed in her mind. Some were sure that William's departure was a blessing for the city, while others saw the tragedy as the end of a history of injustice and persecution. Opinions might vary, but everyone was affected by Willian's death in some way.

Grace closed her eyes for a moment, allowing the gravity of the news to settle in. The city was now free of Willian's presence, but the news didn't bring the relief she had hoped for, she had always loved that man regardless of how he acted... instead, it would leave behind a strange feeling of emptiness, a realization that something that had once been a threat had now become a memory.

The tragedy unfolding on the pages of the newspaper resounded through the streets of Hamilton, where conversations between residents were filled with sighs and murmurs. Opinions about William and his death varied, but the certainty was that the city had experienced a remarkable chapter in its history.

As Grace folded the newspaper, her eyes reflected the complexity of the emotions circulating. Willian Thatcher, in one way or another, had left an indelible mark on Hamilton, and now, with his death, the city was faced with the task of reconciling with the past while facing an uncertain future. The news, printed in black and white, was more than a headline; it was the epilogue to a narrative that would leave its mark on the city's memories.

A few blocks away, in the backstreets of the city, Ju, Willian's secret lover, was reading the same newspaper with a subtle smile dancing on her lips. She, who had been a shadow in the millionaire's life, seemed to find satisfaction in the tragedy that was unfolding. Old Willian, who had once represented a bridge to a comfortable life, was now in her past.

While many mourned Willian's death or debated the shocking accusations, Ju celebrated. The money, luxuries and apparent freedom were now hers to enjoy. The revelation of the circumstances of his death served as a bitter taste of triumph, a revenge she believed she had won.

However, for Ju, this victory was only one stage in her plan. She knew that the shadow of the scandal still hung over Thatcher, and this could fall back on her, and remaining in Hamilton could result in her own downfall. Her phone rang, interrupting her thoughts of momentary triumph. It was Ronald, an old childhood friend who had shared intimate moments with her over the years.

Ju's soft voice sounded through the phone, inviting Ronald on a trip. She knew his feelings for her well and knew she could count on his loyalty and passion. Ronald, who had been in her bed many times, didn't hesitate to accept the invitation. The opportunity to spend more time with Ju, combined with the promise of a trip, was irresistible to him.

While the city of Hamilton struggled in the waves of scandal and sadness, Ju began to chart her own path, away from people's critical gaze. She was determined to free herself from the bonds of the past, from the rough hands and judgmental stares. For Ju, this journey was not just a geographical escape; it was an act of emancipation, an opportunity to reinvent herself on a new horizon and start her life far away.

While the residents of Hamilton continued to digest the story that was unfolding before them, Ju quietly slipped away, taking with her the secrets and memories of a closed chapter. Her fate, like that of everyone else in the town, remained uncertain. Hamilton's complex narrative continued to unfold, with each character carrying their own shadows and vendettas.

The sharp sound of the train whistle echoed through the station, announcing the start of a journey that would take Ju and Ronald beyond Hamilton's known borders. Suitcases were stacked and packed, ready for a new life far from the city that had witnessed scandals and tragedies. Hand in hand, Ju and Ronald boarded the carriage, watching Hamilton gradually disappear through the window.

The train, a metallic echo of the outside world, began to move, propelling them towards an uncertain future. Ju, his eyes fixed on the ever-changing horizon, couldn't contain the laughter that bubbled up from inside him. The sound of the locomotive and the gentle movement of the rails seemed to mark the beginning of a new era in her life.

Next to her, Ronald shared the joy of escaping the bonds of the past. He admired Ju not only for her beauty, but also for the cunning and determination she had shown over the years. He knew of the many things she had suffered, as well as her vengeance, but he hoped to be able to make that woman happy, and free of that hatred... The journey was more than just a geographical journey; it was the promise of a new life, a blank page on which they could rewrite their stories.

As the train pulled away, Ju looked out of the window with a twinkle in her eye. She had money now, a fortune that would provide her with comfort and independence. The idea that Elizabeth was emotionally damaged after the attack, and the revelation that she was no Thatcher, gave Ju a sense of triumph. Her revenge plan was complete, and she was satisfied with the emotional damage she had caused.

The idea that Charles, the man she had always believed to be her soul mate, was actually her attacker and that today he had nothing either, was a cruel irony that only increased the intensity of her revenge. Ju knew that Elizabeth was immersed in a sea of confusion and pain, and that was enough for her. The emotional wound inflicted on the Thatcher family and Charles was her personal victory.

As the train sliced through the countryside, taking them to an unknown destination, Ju smiled, feeling victorious. The constant sound of the tracks served as a soundtrack to her escape, a melody that marked the end of a chapter in her life. With every kilometer away from Hamilton, Ju felt lighter, as if she were leaving behind not only the city, but also the ghosts of the past.

Ronald, by her side, shared her enthusiasm, looking forward to a new and promising life with the woman he loved. They were two wandering souls, escaping the shadows that haunted them, heading towards a future where they could be the architects of their own stories.

As the train continued its journey, Ju wondered what fate had in store for them. She knew that the road ahead was unknown, but that only fueled the flame of adventure in her heart. The smile persisted on her face as, for the first time in a long time, she felt the sweet taste of freedom.