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Chapter 5 : Crossroads Between Vengeance

"Mother," Aishleen called out, breaking the silence and her wandering thoughts. Her mother didn't flinch at all, a blink of her eyes being the only reaction Aishleen got before she turned her face away from the fire, slowly looking in Aishleen's direction.

"Oh, Ash. You've arrived," she spoke with a hoarse voice and a smile that seemed unable to reach her eyes.

"How was your meeting?" The way she said it caught Aishleen off guard. But the woman refused to let her mother see, to show any doubt, especially if it would only cause more trouble. She was already afraid of her own choices and had almost withheld her consent from Aishleen, if not for the need to restore the family's wealth and well-being. Therefore, she didn't need to see signs of the woman second-guessing herself. Especially since she already had her own plans for this matter.

"Everything went smoothly, Mother. As planned. Everything is arranged, and all I have to do is wait until he finishes all the preparations. We hardly need to do anything until-"

"Is there a time limit?" her mother interrupted Aishleen.

Aishleen looked up, raising her eyebrows and seeking confirmation from her. "I'm sorry, Mother, but what do you mean?"

"A contract," she said, her body now turned towards Aishleen. "Does the contract set a time limit for your agreement? Before the deal ends?"

Aishleen shook her head in response. "No, Mother. The contract doesn't work that way. The marriage won't end unless we-"

"Then I will give you a time limit," her mother cut in. "Three months. That's all I'll give you."

"What?" Aishleen stared at her with wide eyes, taken aback by her request. The woman took a few steps closer to her mother, reaching out with her hand to negotiate. "Three months is too soon, Mother. I spent almost three years fighting for Father's company with Darrel, and even with all that time, we couldn't accomplish much. How do you expect me to manage with-"

"Fine, then I'll give you six months," she said angrily, as if Aishleen had just said the most unwise thing in front of her. "I'll give you six months to bring down the Seymour Group, the entire company and everything associated with them, along with all the assets and money they've buried to rot, just like they did to all of us. That's why we're doing this, and never, for a single moment, let your wavering mind change after what you promised me."

Her mother's anger was palpable as she stood before Aishleen, her hand tightly gripping the wine glass, threatening to shatter it into pieces with her sheer force. Her other hand clenched tightly at her side, radiating with anger.

"Exact our revenge, Aishleen Valega. Crush them into minuscule, decaying fragments. And if you cannot do it to your father and me, do it to your deceased fiancé. You are well aware of the debts they owe him."

Aishleen felt a chill run down her spine as her mother's words pierced through the air. The intensity of her mother's anger and the vengeful tone in her voice sent shivers down her spine.

She looked at her mother, her expression a mix of sadness and disbelief. The idea of seeking revenge and using her deceased fiancé as a pawn in their game was deeply unsettling to her. It went against her principles and the love she had shared with him.

"I understand your anger, Mother," Aishleen spoke softly, her voice tinged with sadness. "But using his memory in such a way... it doesn't feel right. It's not what he would have wanted."

Her mother's eyes narrowed, her anger unabated. "You think you understand him better than I do? You think you know what he would have wanted? He was our ally, and they betrayed him! It's time to make them pay."

Aishleen took a deep breath, her resolve firm. "I will do what needs to be done to protect our family and our legacy. But I won't tarnish his memory or stoop to their level of vengeance. There must be another way." Her mother's face hardened, disappointment evident in her eyes. "You've grown weak, Aisleen. You're losing sight of what truly matters. Don't forget the stakes here. We have only one chance to reclaim what is rightfully ours."

Aishleen met her mother's gaze, a flicker of determination shining in her eyes. "I won't forget, Mother. I will find a way to bring them down, but I won't sacrifice our integrity and the memory of the man we loved in the process. There has to be a way to seek justice without losing ourselves."

Her mother's anger simmered, but she remained silent, her eyes locked with Aishleen's. The tension between them was palpable, as they stood at a crossroads between vengeance and the preservation of their values.

In that moment, Aishleen knew that the path she chose would not only shape the future of their family but also define her own identity. She was determined to find a way to seek justice without succumbing to the darkness consuming her mother's heart.

Aishleen sat alone in her study, surrounded by stacks of files and scattered notes. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, grappling with the weight of the choices before her.

"What am I willing to sacrifice?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Is seeking revenge worth losing myself in the process? Can I find a way to uphold our legacy without compromising my values?"

She pondered the words her mother had spoken, the allure of vengeance and the seductive power it held. But deep down, Aishleen knew that revenge would only lead to a never-ending cycle of pain and destruction.

"I loved him," she murmured, tears welling up in her eyes. "Darrel was more than a pawn in this game. He was a person, someone I cared for deeply. I won't let his memory be tarnished by my anger."

Aishleen took a deep breath, steadying herself. She knew she had to find a different path, one that would bring justice without sacrificing her own humanity.

"I will honor him by seeking truth, by exposing the corruption and reclaiming what is rightfully ours," she declared, her voice filled with determination. "But I won't let vengeance consume me. I will rise above it and prove that strength lies not in revenge, but in resilience and integrity."

As the weight of her decision settled upon her shoulders, Aishleen felt a renewed sense of purpose. The struggle within her was far from over, but she was prepared to face the challenges that lay ahead.

"I will find a way to restore balance," she whispered, her voice filled with conviction. "For Darrel, for our family, and for myself. I will be a beacon of light in the darkness, navigating the treacherous waters with unwavering resolve."

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