Never Look Back by Geraldine Solon Read Free Book Online Page B

woman stepped out of the car and faced her.
    Frozen, Dana stared at the lady, the one person she recognized and could never forget, the woman who left her when she was ten years old. She had shattered her life and killed her father emotionally.
    Adrenaline rose inside, her but she kept her compose by pretending she didn't know her.
    Skully approached Dana and pushed her toward her mother. "I told you I know where your mother is, and now she's right in front of you."
    Her mother put on a straight face and didn't once flinch. "That's my daughter? I don't think so."
    Her words dug into Dana's heart, but she knew her mother faked her reaction and remained calm.
    "You heard what she said. I'm not her daughter, so will you just let us all go? You're wasting your time when you should be looking for the right person," Dana said.
    Clamoring at her, Skully banged Dana's head onto the car and she collapsed.
    ***
    Dana opened her eyes feeling a fierce throbbing pain behind her head. Two people were sitting beside her, but she couldn’t see them clearly. “Where am I?”
    A woman’s voice spoke. “You need to rest.”
    Flashes of memories—the dirt road, Skully, her mother—assaulted Dana. She bolted upright. “You did this to me.”
    "Sh!" Her mother rubbed Dana’s shoulders. “I never thought I'd ever see you again.”
    Although her angelic face tempted to soften Dana’s emotions, she blurted, “How could you leave us?”
    Dana had rehearsed over and over again what she would have done had she seen her mother. She always believed her mother was out there somewhere, never had found closure.
    Her mother paced around the room. Although she’d aged, her skin was still flawless, her body trim. “If I told you the reason I left, you would understand.”
    A roller coaster of emotions grilled upon Dana as she fought back tears. "I was ten."
    “I followed all your shows," she said in a hushed tone. "Cut every clipping and stored photos of you. I couldn’t believe how my daughter blossomed into a beautiful woman. I’m so proud of you.”
    Dana affixed her stare at the windowpane. “How about I tell you how you ripped my childhood apart and only after Dad died did I discover my whole life has been a lie.”
    Marcy drew in a breath. “Your father was a good man. He took care of you. ”
    “Really, Mom? Because he died the day you vanished."
    "I never stopped loving you both. You have to believe me."
    Taking deep breaths, Dana faced her mother and couldn't say a word. Her head continued to throb from the bang.
    “Remember how I used to braid your hair? You always wanted to apply lipstick like me.”
    Dana glared. “There’s no use bringing back the memories. They’re all tainted with lies.”
    Marcy gave her a blank stare. “Your life is in danger, Dana. That's why I left. So I could protect you.”
    “Tell me about it. Each day I spend with you leads me closer to my death. Actually, I think I’m already in hell.”
    Marcy sighed. "I don't where to begin."
    The sound of footsteps came close.
    Dana didn’t budge, one hand exposed while the other clutched the screwdriver tight, ready to pounce at Skully if he attacked her again.
    Marcy eyed the door. "He's coming."
    ***
    A shiny, squeaky pair of shoes approached Rob as he sat at the waiting room of Atty. Chan’s office. A tall Asian man in his twenties, dressed in a fine, pale gray Armani suit. “Rob Hanson, I’m Stanley. Chan. Pleasure to meet you."
    They shook hands.
    “Nice to meet you. You were able to get a hold of my father?”
    “Yeah, I assume you know he’s in Costa Rica —“
    “Right.” Rob leaned one foot to the wall. His father was busy with his new wife trotting the globe. He scrutinized the lawyer from head to toe. “And how many cases have you handled?”
    Straightening his shoulders, Stanley grinned. “Don’t be fooled by my looks. Your father works with the best lawyers." He led Rob inside his office. “Let’s discuss more inside.”
    Stanley