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“Good, I’m glad. I wasn’t sure if you would be upset,” I start.
Before I can continue, Avery sits upright in her bed and reaches out for me. I take a few steps forward to connect hands with her.
“How do you feel, Father Lachlan?”
I grin at the name.
“Play nice, Avery.” I grin with a wink.
Avery giggles.
“It makes it easier to deal with the bishop, that’s for sure,” I say.
“What interesting timing, you meet with him tomorrow right?”
“That’s the plan, but I can’t help but assume this has already made it to him.”
I lean down and give Avery a kiss on her lips. Pulling away, I notice she’s distracted by someone entering the room. Turning around I find it’s her shift doctor.
“Good morning; I have good news. You are all cleared,” he begins.
“Oh, that’s wonderful, thank you,” Avery replies.
“Just a few last bits of paperwork, and you are free to go. Just stop by the reception desk on this level.”
“Will do.”
The doctor heads out the door, and now it’s Avery who’s visibly relieved.
“Finally.”
“Let’s go home,” I answer.
Being home in our space is the comfort we both need. It’s the evening, with the stars shining through the uncovered windows. This moment feels like we are in a world of our own.
Avery is wrapped in a buffalo plaid blanket in my arms, light 1940s music is playing softly, and the fireplace is glowing. It’s the perfect evening. One of the many I look forward to having with her every day for the rest of our lives.
Earlier, Avery spoke to Noah and found out exactly what had transpired. Her divorce will be finalized by the end of the month. Kevin is in jail, being held without bond, along with Missy, Frank, and Greg. Apparently, Missy is willing to talk in exchange for a lower sentence. I doubt she cares if her husband stays in jail for good.
While full details of their operations, plot, and scheming are still unfolding, what we have pieced together is primarily the truth.
Kevin started a shell corporation to funnel money from the company where he was the legitimate CEO. Greg found out about it through a contact of his and blackmailed him into joining his money scheme with Missy, who then got her husband Frank involved.
That’s also why large lumps of real money had been disappearing from Avery and Kevin’s joint bank account. He was being forced to spend his money and also funnel money from his shell corporation scheme to Greg’s operation as well.
It’s a tangled web of lies, deceit, and power games. With so many chess pieces on the board, it was bound to end up like this eventually. It’s one game that I am glad Avery and I are no longer playing.
Avery may have to testify at his trial, but that won’t be for a while. The police believe there is a lot more to unravel as time goes on. Eventually, the world will find out all of the details. Honestly, I won’t think about it again unless one of them gets out and comes for Avery.
As fucking cheesy as this is, she’s my heaven here on earth.
The following day, I met with the bishop. As expected, he did already know all about Avery and me. To make the scandal go away, he agreed that I could leave the Church. It is still a technicality since I took my vows, but I am officially no longer a priest.
After my meeting with him, I decide to head back to my house on the church grounds and finish packing my belongings. I scheduled movers to come to get my boxes later today and bring them to my new home with Avery.
After this, I’m no longer connected with the church, and we can start our new beginning. Looking around the place I once called home feels like one of the last boxes I have to check off before I can move on. Moving forward is the only path I want.
Throughout the day, I notice that some people recognize me. Especially the few women I saw staring at me as I got out of my car and headed inside my former residence.
