REVENGE OF THE MOURNER

You Have to Protect Your Wife

Inside the Chief of Police's room at GHPD office...

Joseph sat behind his desk, leaning back in his chair with his chin slightly raised. In front of him, Kevin stood at attention.

“So, what did you want to ask, Lieutenant?”

“It’s about the man who claimed to have contacted you, sir. Who is he, really?”

“Who is he? Hmm… All I know is, he holds a high and strategic position in the military. He did contact me earlier—asked me to call off the arrest operation you and your team were conducting. You’re wondering why I agreed to his request?”

“No disrespect, sir, but yes. I want to know why you suddenly issued the order to cancel the arrest.”

“Look, I know you’ve got your own agenda with that guy, but this isn’t like five years ago. Things are different now. You can’t touch him—not anymore. Hell, even I can’t.”

Kevin frowned. “You mean Leon? That rapist?”

“Yes. But I suggest you stop calling him that way. Got it?”

Kevin wanted to shake his head. Deep down, his answer to Joseph’s order was a clear “no.”

None of it made any sense. Why was a criminal like Leon suddenly untouchable? Just because some big shot in the military was protecting him?

Seeing Kevin’s tight expression, Joseph sighed. He leaned forward, resting both elbows on the desk.

“Let me make one thing clear,” he said. “I’ve served in law enforcement for over thirty years. If everything goes according to plan, I’ll be promoted in two years, and that’ll be good news for my family. So, Lieutenant, I’m asking you to watch yourself. I don’t want the GHPD clashing with the military. Keep that in mind.”

His tone never rose, but Kevin could tell—Joseph was starting to lose his patience. He nodded silently, then asked to be excused. Back in his room, he walked over to his desk and slammed his fist into it.

“Damn it! What the hell is going on?!” he growled, circling his desk and dropping heavily into his chair.

He stared at the round fluorescent light on the ceiling, and Leon’s face suddenly popped into his mind.

He snorted. Five years ago, he had grinned ear-to-ear when the court sentenced Leon to thirteen years in Ironveil Prison. Now Leon was out—only five years in—and worse, he was untouchable.

“Something is wrong,” he muttered, placing both hands behind his head.

Whatever it was, he swore he’d get to the bottom of it. He needed to pay Leon back for the humiliation he felt walking out of The Vellington empty-handed earlier.

...

Back at Leon’s mother’s house...

An hour had passed since Rose left for work. The front yard was now cleared of the gangster corpses. Leon had taken care of it, with help from Dimitri and a few soldiers he brought along.

After washing his hands, Leon stepped inside and made his way to his mother’s room.

Mary was lying in bed, with Evelyn seated beside her on a vanity chair positioned next to the right side of the bed.

“How are you feeling, Mom? Any better?” Leon asked.

“I think so. I feel good now,” Mary replied. “But it’s your wife you should be worried about. She’s been crying non-stop.”

Leon looked at Evelyn more closely. Mary was right—Evelyn's smooth cheeks were streaked with tears.

“What’s wrong, Eve? Is your arm hurting again?” he asked as he walked up to her.

Evelyn shook her head, wiping her wet cheeks.

“I didn’t know your mother’s condition was this bad. I never knew. If I had... I might’ve done something,” she said between sobs.

Leon looked at her with soft, sad eyes. His wife’s gentle heart was one of the reasons he fell in love with her. It was so tragic that someone this kind was born into the Harringtons.

“It’s not your fault, Eve. It’s never your fault,” Leon said, gently running his fingers through her hair.

Evelyn looked up at him. “Your family suffered so much while you were gone... and I just locked myself away in grief. I was a terrible wife. A terrible daughter-in-law.”

“No, you weren’t. Don’t ever say that,” Leon said firmly. “You’re part of this family too. And now, I’m so happy because we’re together again.”

He gave her a soft smile, still stroking her hair lovingly. Evelyn took a deep breath, trying to stop her tears.

“I’m so happy to see you two together again,” Mary said warmly. “If every day could be like this, I wouldn’t mind spending the rest of my life blind.”

She meant it from the heart, but Leon didn’t like hearing it. He turned to her, walked over, and sat at the edge of the bed, taking her hand.

“You’re going to recover, Mom. You will see again. I’ll do whatever it takes. Just trust me,” Leon said.

Mary turned her face toward him—her gaze, of course, was empty. “I trust you, my son.”

Her sincere smile melted Leon’s heart. It had been so long since he’d felt anything like this. The past five years had been nothing but darkness. No room for sentimentality.

“By the way, I’m worried about your sister. She’s been working herself to the bone lately. If she keeps it up, she’s going to collapse. Would you talk to her, Leon?”

Leon frowned slightly. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll speak with her.”

Dimitri probably knew which strip club Rose worked at. Leon would find that place, and deal with whatever needed dealing with.

Ring! Ring!

A phone rang. Evelyn pulled it out of her purse. As soon as she saw the caller name, her expression soured.

“Who is it?” Leon asked.

“My mom,” Evelyn said, standing up and leaving the room.

Leon watched her until the bedroom door closed behind her. He wondered—what was Verona saying to Evelyn now?

“You have to protect your wife, Leon. Her family might try to come take her away. When that time comes, you need to be ready,” Mary said firmly.

Leon nodded. He had already imagined that scenario. And he knew exactly what he would do when the time came.

“Don’t worry about a thing, Mom. Leave everything to me. Just rest. Try not to think too much, okay?” 

Leon stroked his mother's hand gently and kissing her forehead. Then he stood and stepped out of the room, looking for Evelyn.

Faintly, he heard Evelyn's voice from the direction of the kitchen. Her tone was slightly raised.

As he got closer, her words became clearer.

“No, Mom. I’m not doing that. Leon’s back, and he’s still my husband. I’m not marrying Jonathan—or anyone else.”

Leon stopped in his tracks, just outside the kitchen. He leaned his back against the wall, eavesdropping. Unfortunately, he couldn’t hear what his mother-in-law was saying—Evelyn hadn’t turned on the speaker.

“Please, Mom, respect my decision. This is my marriage. I get to decide, not you.”

Leon clicked his tongue quietly. The Harringtons were at it again—trying to pry Evelyn away from him. During the year he lived at the Harrington estate, he’d lost count of how many times they pressured him.

But Leon wasn’t worried. From the way Evelyn had just spoken, he was confident—she’d reject any offer, any demand, any threat. He trusted her completely.

“What? Dad will erase my name from the family registry if I don’t divorce Leon?!”

Leon’s eyes widened. His chest rose. His fists clenched.

“You guys are insane! Do you want me to marry Jonathan that badly? Are you guys really so materialistic that you don’t even care what I want anymore?!”

Unable to take it any longer, Leon finally stepped into the kitchen, striding quickly and startling Evelyn as she turned around to face him.

Before Evelyn could say anything, he took the phone from her hand and brought it up to his ear.

"Stop dreaming. You will never tear us apart. Evelyn and I will be together until the day we die!"

...