Is this destiny?

Sarah thought about all people involved: Madison, and those two who helped her drug and take Aiden to her room, and then there are those who thought that they can keep her in that shed as a hostage in order to use her against Aiden. They all need to pay. Sarah hopes that she can redirect some of this negative energy she feels and use it toward them. Maybe it will help. And it might help Aiden as well.

"While we are here, let's gather information. After that, we go hunting."

Aiden can hear anger and resolve in her voice, and he knows that her anger is directed toward the people involved in the incident, but he still feels guilty. It will take time for that feeling to fade. He understood that Sarah is trying not to add to his negative feelings which are already suffocating. Maybe it's better if they focus on revenge. At least it will give them something to do other than drown in their sorrow. "You have a plan?"

Sarah shrugged. "Nothing specific at this point. I want to destroy each and every one of them. They need to suffer for thinking that they can hurt either of us. Let's use all our skills. We start by hitting on their income sources, deplete existing and prevent new ones. At the same time, we destroy their reputation, and whatever else they hold dear."

Aiden does not want to opose her at this time. But he needs to give a reminder: "I want them to pay for what they did also, but there will be others involved. Innocents. Some of those income sources are businesses with hundreds of employees. For us, it's easy to shut them down, but what about those people? If innocents suffer, that will not help us feel better."

"I agree. Let's get Sophia in this. She can find a way to take care of those people."

Aiden was content with this solution.

Sarah's anger was bubbling inside her when she continued: "I want them to know that we are coming for them. Let them live in fear until we decide to face them. But I don't want to drag this too long. Let's finish it before our trip to France. And… Madison is mine."

Aiden thought about it… before their trip to France where they will meet with Sigma army. That is in about two weeks. "OK. I will take on Liam."

Sarah does not have any objections. She does not like Liam… he wets himself all the time, and faints easily.

Sarah remembered: "Oh, and you should call mom. Let her know that you are awake and doing fine."

Aiden didn't like this. On top of all this mess his mom? How did his mom find out? How much does she know? He will have a lot of explaining to do. Wait... she didn't say which one! What if it's Stella?!!

"Your mom or my mom?" Aiden was not sure which one is worse.

Sarah scooted to the edge of the bed slowly while suppressing any sounds that pain of moving might bring. She lifted herself into a seated position and looked outside, at the darkness… she can see Aiden's faint reflection in the large glass window. He is looking at her back. 

Sarah squinted while answering: "Well... Both of them."

Aiden knows that Sarah would not spill this to Elanor and Stella. She just said that she wants to stay here so that others don't find out. There must be some other circumstances. He inhaled and closed his eyes. "How did they find out?" 

Sarah sighed and it took her a long time before she spoke again. "They called earlier in the morning while you were out. You see… Madison's father accused you of sexually assaulting Madison."

"WHAT?" Aiden was sure that he is hearing things. Maybe the drugs still didn't wear off. After all the trouble he went in order not to touch that wretched woman, he was accused of... what?

Sarah can tell that he is confused and explained: "Madison's father came to file a complaint that last night you assaulted Madison. But I don't know anything beyond that. You should call Nori. Actually, let's call her together. I want to hear also. I'm sure that our moms didn't stay idle considering what happened..."

Somehow, Sarah found it easier to talk to Nori than with Stella about this.

Aiden covered his face with both palms and sighed. "I can't believe this. I assaulted her? From where she gets her ideas? Why doesn't she just go away?"

Sarah is glad to see that Aiden is slowly getting out of his self-pity mode. While they discussed future plans, and at the mention of their mothers, his attention gradually got pulled away from the guilt of previous night. Temporarily, but it's a start. And she is happy that she managed to clean up that morning before he woke up, because if he saw that... it would be much more difficult for him to put this incident behind them.

With all the information gathering they need to do, there will be other things to keep him occupied.

Sarah hopes that it keeps her mind busy as well. Because images which are coming in front of her eyes every time she closes them are anything other than pleasant. And her aching body is a constant reminder that she didn't imagine it. It happened. Sarah wishes that the medicinal cream she applied works faster than usually and that when the bruises and pain subside she will be able to forget. It's one thing to get hurt, but to get hurt by a person she loves the most in the world… it's a different level of pain. She knows that he was drugged, and his mind was not clear, and she is reminding herself of that constantly… but those images are impossible to ignore.

Sarah told herself that Aiden can see her expression, and that even if she can't smile, she should at least be neutral. She needs to be strong, this is not over. Sarah is upset that one night, one incident, one woman can bring them to this state. Is this how strong they are? No, they are much stronger than this… they just need a bit of time to heal, and they will be back to how they used to be… at least that is what Sarah hopes, because she does not want to give up on them.

Aiden refused to call Nori, and they compromised to call her in the morning.

Instead of a calling Nori, they called room service. It seems like forever since they ate.

Dinner was the strangest one they had so far: mix of silence and awkward talks about getting their revenge between bites while avoiding to look at each other. But it will get better. It has to.

The atmosphere improved slightly after dinner. They turned off the lights and went to bed. Talking in the dark was easier, much easier.

Aiden wondered how long it will take until he can hold her again in his embrace and not worry if she is hurting, and not worry if she remembers.

This talk in the dark was good. And after some time it seems that it was not forced. It was almost like how they used to talk earlier, with a difference that now they are fully clothed and not touching at all.

Sarah and Aiden are facing each other, and there is a gap of few inches between them which feels like an endless abyss.

Aiden's heart skipped a beat when he felt that Sarah reached for his hand and their fingers intertwined. That small gesture caused tender warmth to spread inside him, and he hoped that she knows that he is smiling because two of them talking while holding hands, at that moment, was everything.

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