Chapter 60 Family Secrets

John stared at Anna in the quickly falling darkness. Her revelation was as shocking as it was horrifying. Ray was one of the most respected businessmen in the Asheville area and came from plenty of old money earned in manufacturing. The McCoy family name was as good as a check in any part of the area. John felt a sick feeling creep up his spine as Anna stared him down.
“Are you going to say I’m lying again?”
“NO,” John said as he raised his hands in surrender.
Anna glared at him, her heart hurting, her brain-twisting as she wondered whether to believe him. He stood back and seemed like he was finally listening.
“He let her die rather than paying to help her.”
“That’s not what everyone was told.”
“Of course it wasn’t, did you expect that it would be? He had been jealous beyond belief and had been abusing us both for years, do you think the great Ray McCoy would want anyone to know that he let her die?”
“I guess not,” John said sadly as he remembered her father. Handsome yes, but his brown eyes held a cruel streak that chilled you to the bone. He had no doubt that her father was capable of something like this.
“Well he did, he refused to pay for the repair of the damage to her liver and heart after the crash. The surgery was going to cost thousands and he wasn’t willing to pay for it. I’ll never forget watching him refuse and walk away. John, he didn’t even look at me or care what happened to me. I might as well have been dead too.” Anna sobbed as she curled in on herself. John slid closer and wrapped his arms around her. She fought him at first but then collapsed in his arms.
“God Anna I am so sorry, I didn’t know all of It and then I made it worse by acting like an A** hole.” John could feel the tears running down his own face mixing with her hair as he tucked her under his chin but neither of them seemed to mind.
“You really just played right back into that horror John. It was like I was a little girl again watching it happen like it was on repeat. “
“I promise I’m not like him, I may be jealous but I would never hurt or leave you alone to deal with things. Please tell me that you know that.”
“John you scared me today.” She said as she pulled back to look into his eyes.
“I know, He said quickly running his hands down her shoulders, “I am so sorry.”
“I know you are, but I’m just not sure if It’s enough this time. The way you acted today was just like my father and it is terrifying.”
“I know, I was stupid and jealous.”
“But I love you,” Anna said sadly “I would always choose you, haven’t I proved that during the hell we’ve been through these last few weeks?”
John sighed, “You have been amazing.”
“So why did I deserve this treatment?”
“You didn’t.” John pleaded as he fell to his knees on the dock and wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her close “Please don’t leave me, we’ve come through too much for this to happen over something so stupid.”
Anna’s heart turned at the sight of her strong, proud husband begging her to forgive him. She’d seen her father do it time and time again but she knew and trusted John. She trusted him with her heart and she had to trust him now to control his jealousy.
“You were stupid,” She said as she wrapped her arms around him. “You hurt me.”
“I know, but please, come home with me.” He pleased looking up at her. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“Marry someone fabulous?” Anna asked trying to lighten the mood.
“Don’t joke about that, I only want you.” He said fiercely as he stood to hold her properly. “Are you going to leave me?
Anna sighed and looked up into his handsome face. This was the face of the boy who’d defended her since they were children still and even though he had made a mistake he was the man who she still trusted to defend her.
“No, but it might take a while to trust you again as far as controlling your jealousy is concerned.”
“I guess I deserve that. I had no idea how bad it was before your mom died. As much as I know about you I never imagined that you were abused by your dad too.”
“It wasn’t something I broadcasted, and then when I went to live with my aunt and it happened again, I just felt so helpless and worthless, and all because of Jealousy.”
“So I basically reminded you today of the worst times in your life. I would never knowingly hurt you. I can learn to be better if you’ll let me try.”
“Yes,” She said softly, “But I can’t take any more jealousy like this, I won’t live this way.”
“I promise you I will do everything in my power to keep you safe from my own stupidity and the idiots in this world.”
“I know you will. “She said as his lips gently touched hers. She gave into the kiss hoping he could keep his promise. She was tired of being the one whose trust was broken.
***
Isabel, Melissa, and May smiled and went over the plans again. It would take a few weeks to put into motion but this should take care of Anna for good. Isabel had wanted a more permanent solution but Melissa and May had opted for running her out of town. It would take the three of them to orchestrate it but she was comfortable with the plan and if it didn’t work she could always go to option two. She hated to think about eliminating Anna, but Isabel was so tired of her getting in the way.
They lifted their glasses and toasted to the end of Anna’s marriage.