Yours, Until Needed
Chapter 90: Mayor Roa

Chapter 90: Mayor Roa

Trigger warning: Non-graphic depictions of physical, mental, and sexual abuse.

Alyssa’s story did not get any lighter. She described what had happened to her poor cousin once she lost all her money.

"Joseph managed to win councilor by relying on blood money. Our family’s blood money."

"We thought his treatment of Ara might improve now that he’s reached his goal. But it got worse when he realized he couldn’t extort anything from her anymore.

From emotional and psychological abuse, Joseph proceeded to add physical abuse into the mix. But he was smart enough to keep it in areas that weren’t visible to the public. That was his way of protecting his political image.

"One day, Ara found him on their bed with his secretary. My poor cousin couldn’t wrap around the idea of Joseph cheating on her, but her shock didn’t stop there because instead of throwing out his secretary, Joseph threw out Ara."

There was absolutely no basis for my actions, but I had to look at Lucian to ensure he was listening well. Because I’m not Ara, and I’m not against blood baths.

Alyssa continued without noticing my gaze.

"This drove her into madness. She stayed with us after we found her groveling outside their house. She stopped being responsive, and there would be instances where she’d rush back to their house, trying to beg him to take her back."

By now, she’d started sniffling, and we could only push the box of tissues toward her.

"Then Ara found out she was pregnant. She was so overjoyed while the rest of us panicked about it. And we tried stopping her from going back to him." Alyssa’s face started to redden, but she pushed forward.

I did not like the sound of that at all. And I couldn’t help but lean forward, no longer touching the seat’s backrest.

"But she escaped us. Ara managed to get to the Town Hall, where she threatened to expose Joseph if he didn’t take her back. She used her pregnancy as a way to threaten his public image."

"She was so proud of herself when we found her packing her clothes. She said she would finally get the family she’s always dreamed of." Alyssa spoke with a hint of longing as she talked about Ara’s dream.

"When we asked her, she said Joseph sounded very excited and even asked her to return. Of course, we were skeptical. Who wouldn’t be?"

"But Ara refused to listen, and even now, I regret not tying her to that bedpost. Screw kidnapping charges!" Her eyes turned into slits, looking ready to spit venom.

Rina’s so close to biting her nails, which she’s long removed from her list of bad habits, but I couldn’t blame her. Even I felt the same way.

"We didn’t see her for more than a week. By the time we found her, she had been confined at a hospital in another Town as a Jane Doe."

"But soon after, we received annulment papers as well as summons for adultery and defamation. He claimed that Ara had been in a relationship with multiple men and that her pregnancy claims were aimed at discrediting him."

BANG!

Alyssa slammed her fists onto the table, and I flinched at the impact of both her fists and words.

"Of course, he would say that because he had her drugged, kidnapped and raped. With photos and videos to boot!"

She went on to describe how that fucker used her as a campaign tool. He was allegedly a model husband, an excited father-to-be, who found out that he was being cuckold. He also claimed that the child she was carrying wasn’t his.

"Holy fuck." That escaped the normally professional Mitchel, but everyone probably had the same thoughts.

"Her child did not survive the physical and sexual abuse she experienced. And what little sanity she’s managed to keep all this time just snapped. She became a vegetable until the day she passed."

She sniffled more, having to pause to compose herself after that ordeal.

"My parents tried seeking justice for her. We used up what was left of our assets, but Ara couldn’t give us any information. On the other hand, Joseph won in the elections. It was even a landslide win." She scoffed.

"He tried milking her to death. And even then, he still found use for her grave, showing his merciful and magnanimous side by ’forgiving’ her at her own wake. In front of the cameras, of course."

Given the force she exerted, if Alyssa had a knife, it would have been embedded deep into the table.

"Is this why you had to leave Loretta?" I finally asked.

"Yes, boss." She nodded, pain evident in her teary eyes.

"Guys, I have no idea how we’re going to do this, but I won’t be able to sleep well knowing that guy’s alive and well." Rina slouched at her seat, brows furrowed as she glanced at us.

"I want to return the favor," I said because there really was no escaping this. Anyone with a working conscience would probably think the same way.

"You mentioned trying to seek justice. Do you still have your findings from back then?" Lucian asked, his cheek resting against his fist.

"We have her old diary, and maybe I can check my parents’ storage...Sir." Alyssa looked surprised when Lucian spoke. She was probably so caught up with her story that she forgot about her audience.

But Lucian just nodded, ignoring her flustered behavior.

I told them, "If no one has a problem with it, we’ll leave the following day for Loretta. I want to hunt this guy down myself."

We just needed to see first what our investigation teams could come up with before seeing it for ourselves.

But then I remembered how they knew each other personally, "Will it be safe for you to come with us? If you’ll risk your safety, you better stay here to coordinate, Alyssa."

"No, Boss. I’ll be fine. I’ve long prepared for the eventuality of encountering that prick. And I wouldn’t miss this for the world." Alyssa said, her fists clenching at her heart in determination.

Lucian looked at me and Rina, scowling a bit before dampening our vengeful fire.

"This operation ends when I say so. I don’t care if you’ve accomplished your revenge before that happens, but acting like vigilantes could get you killed."

He’s right because what’s stopping a guy like Joseph Roa from doing that to another person?

"Fine, we’ll do this as carefully as possible. So, Alyssa, you’ll have to control your emotions, especially if we encounter him in person. But I promise we’ll try our best for our company and your cousin."

__

"If you’ve got something to say, just say it. Stop staring like some lunatic." Lucian’s face was pretty much devoid of emotions, even as he stared back at me.

We’re back home, and I’ve spent time with Chester, trying to lighten my earlier mood. But I still couldn’t help but stare at my husband, who was busy working on tasks he wanted to assign his subordinates.

"It’s nothing. I was just wondering what men think about when they cheat." I answered honestly.

I couldn’t help but question what kind of mental gymnastics they went through to conclude that it’s okay to cheat.

Unexpectedly, Lucian scowled at my statement, "Fine, but why stare at me in particular? Do I look like a cheater?"

Oh. I guess that would piss off anyone.

"Not exactly. But I can’t help but wonder, considering my past experience."

Lucian looked like he was ready to bonk me in the head, but I had to get it out of my system.

However, before I could even start my lecture on why I was very intrigued, Lucian stalked over, fishing me off my seat, only to be deposited in our room.

He then proceeded to show me how mistaken I was.