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Nadia Hamilton had lived a good life. Even though she’d lost her husband young and had raised two daughters on her own, she’d done all she could to make their world perfect. It hadn’t been easy, and she’d spent many hours working to provide her daughters with everything they’d needed, but it had paid off in spades when she considered the achievements of Natalia and Anastasia.
Nadia’s heart ached as she made herself lunch. Her life had consisted of nothing but being a mother for twenty-seven years, a single mother and widow for twenty-one, and she missed her girls. But with Natalia on the other side of the city and Anastasia in another state, she’d started to explore other joys in life, like having friends, going to lunch, and spending the day indulging in unnecessary female pleasures. She even had time to pursue her artistic talents with jewellery making when she wasn’t working as store manager of Bras ’n’ Things. She’d always loved her art, but as the sole wage earner, she’d had to pursue a steady job, and Bras ’n’ Things came with great discounts on pretty lingerie and cute pyjamas.
Mixing her stir-fry, Nadia smiled as she thought about her girls. She couldn’t be any prouder of Natalia, who was an intelligent and outgoing general practitioner, and she knew Natalia’s father, the late Doctor James Hamilton, would have been proud too.
Just as he’d be proud of their youngest. Ana was as beautiful as her older sister and possessed the patience and heart to educate and mould the minds of young children. The memories of what Ana had been through still haunted Nadia, yet she remained grateful that she’d raised her daughter with enough courage to stand up for herself.
She’d known she’d done her job perfectly the night Ana had arrived on her doorstep for help. Nadia had stood by her daughter through everything—the hospital, the trial, and the months that had followed. She’d expressed her concerns to the court when they’d fought Rick’s parole, but the justice system ‘rehabilitated’ criminals, and apparently, he was no longer a threat to society.
Today, they were letting him out.
Nadia exhaled and forced the knots in her belly away as she reached for a bowl. She’d done her best for Ana, but they’d known Rick wouldn’t remain locked up forever. And after seeing the fear in her daughter’s eyes, they’d had no choice but to take precautions for her safety. Nadia had suggested Ana get a transfer to the other side of the city, but Ana had wanted to escape Sydney entirely, so she’d supported her daughter’s move to Elizadale. She just hoped that one day Ana could come home.
But as long as Ana was safe and happy, Nadia was content.
Having no plans for her Friday off, she’d stayed home and opted for a cashew and vegetable fried rice. Natalia had been an excellent influence upon changing her diet, and even though Nadia should have put more effort into looking after herself years ago, it was never too late to change.
She was about to eat with her two newest babies, twin chihuahuas Cooper and Colin, when the doorbell rang. She wasn’t expecting anyone, but she left her lunch and headed to the door as the puppies yapped.
* * *
Nadia Hamilton, Rick thought with spite. The bitch who’d convinced her whore of a daughter to press charges and toss him in the lockup. Fucking mothers could never see the flaws in their children. Ana had deserved what she’d got. She was his and he could do with her as he pleased. It was a man’s right. And when he tracked her down, she’d learn her lesson about treating him with respect.
Perhaps he’d teach her mother a lesson too.
Rick arrived in Fairfield in his newly purchased second-hand Subaru Outback and parked outside the little white house. He’d never liked Ana’s mother. She was nothing but a gold-digging slut who’d married a rich doctor, popped out a couple of kids, and was forced into work when the husband had literally dropped dead. Ana had always spoken highly of her mother, but the woman wasn’t anything special. A bit of a looker, perhaps. It was no secret where her daughters had gotten their good looks.
His lip curled as he studied the house. The mother wouldn’t have left it. Ana may have grown up moving from house to house all over Sydney, but the mother had proudly bought this little shithole not long after he’d started dating Ana. She’d still be there and the bitch would tell him where her daughter was or he’d make her. He’d be on his way to Ana within the hour.
Oh, how he’d dreamed of this moment all those long nights in prison.
He stepped onto the street and slammed the door. Power flooded through his veins as he approached the house. The old woman didn’t stand a chance.
Rick rang the doorbell. Waited. His heart pounded. Muscles quivered. He was ready to barge in and demand the location of the whore daughter when he heard dogs barking.
The door opened.
A middle-aged man greeted him.
Frustration floored Rick.
‘Hello. Can I help you?’
Rick frowned. He had the right house. He was sure of it.
His teeth clenched. ‘Nadia Hamilton doesn’t still live here, does she?’
‘Sorry, mate.’ The man shook his head. ‘Dunno who lived here before, but we moved in about two months ago.’