SWNOVELS Chapter 26
Chapter 26
Rowan was coughing so hard at the time, and eventually coughed up blood before losing consciousness.
On the night Joana died, Landon was in her room drinking heavily, completely drunk. As he glanced around, he suddenly noticed a canvas covered with a white cloth on an easel,
He knew Joana had an artistic streak, but ever since they got married, the canvas had seen few strokes of her
passion.
Staggering with the grace of a newborn fawn, Landon lurched towards the easel and yanked the cloth away Squinting, he leaned in and discovered the figure of an angel, garbed in a gown as pure as snow
Landon initially thought that she was painting herself, but upon closer inspection, he realized it was the face of a stranger woman.
The woman in the painting had a radiant smile, with clear and bright eyes, untouched by any worldly concerns. Her smile seemed to possess the power to heal, Suddenly, Landon realized that this could be Joana’s idealized version of herself, confident and cheerful.
As this thought crossed his mind, Landon turned to see a woman standing before him. “Joana?” he slurred, his vision blurred from too much alcohol, It took him a moment to realize this woman bore an uncanny resemblance to the angelic figure on the canvas.
Karla had also caught sight of the painting. Joana had truly seen Karla as an angel, But Karta wanted to scream the truth–that she was no benevolent spirit. She was a woman of vendettas, someone who held grudges with a vice–like grip. To many, she was nothing short of a she–devil.
“Who are you?” Landon demanded, lurching towards her.
Karla stood her ground. As he approached, she delivered a kick that would sober up any drunkard, dropping Landon to his knees before her. Grabbing him by the collar, she hoisted him up and slapped him hard across the face. “These slaps are for you hitting Rowan. I’m giving them back to you right now.” Karla hissed through clenched teeth.
Then, with the fury of a tempest, she smashed a beer bottle and pointed the jagged shard at his face. “This cut is for Joana. I want you to remember her every time you look in the mirror.”
With those chilling words, she dragged the glass across his cheek, leaving a wound there.
Landon’s consciousness was fading, and he was at her mercy. Karla couldn’t swallow her rage, and she beat him with fists and feet, a tempest of fury unleashed. Finally, she shoved him against the wall, hands clenched around his throat, snarling, “If it weren’t for the law, I’d put a bullet through your head.”
Burk had been pacing nervously outside the door, regretting his consent to let Karla confront Landon. The door was locked from the inside, and Burk’s anxiety was mounting. Just as he raised his hand to knock, Karla emerged.
“Ms. Karla, are you alright?” Burk asked hastily.
Karla glanced at her hands and remarked. “My hands are a bit sore.”
“Did he did he hurt you?” Burk, incensed, stormed into the room, ready to defend her honor. But what he saw left him dumbfounded. This was her handiwork?
Karla paid no mind to whether Landon lived or died. Rowan was still unconscious in bed, and she needed to be there for him.
And Rowan, he hadn’t stirred for over twenty–four hours.
“Ms. Karla, please rest. I can take care of him,” Burk urged.
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10.22
Chapter 26
She shook her head. “No, I’ll rest when he wakes. I want to be here for him.” Karla longed for him to open his eyes and see her. And she hoped her presence could offer some solace.
During the time Rowan remained unconscious, there was no piano music in the room anymore, which Karla quite missed. She walked over to the piano, lifted the lid, and casually pressed a few white keys. The sound of the plano was still as melodious as ever.
She sighed, her gaze inexorably drawn back to Rowan, her eyes betraying her worry and sorrow. The thought of him waking to the news of his mother’s death weighed heavily on her heart.
Suddenly, Karla heard the click of a camera shutter, the flash momentarily blinding her. Instinctively, she closed her eyes.
When she opened them, she found herself seated on a stool, a corn dog in her hand.
Her mind was a whirl of confusion. Then, turning her head, she saw a little girl licking an ice pop, smiling at her.