BROKEN GROUNDINGS

Samantha's POV The park comprised a symphony of life. Children giggled and pursued one another, the sound of their delight blending with the far-off buzz of traffic and the rustle of leaves. In New York City, the lovely afternoon offered healing and a new beginning. But my heart constricted with an all too-familiar fear as I watched Leo sprint ahead—his joy contagious. Adrian remained by my side, yet I sensed our distance widening. He kept staring at his phone and tapping urgently at it, sending shivers down my spine. "Everything excellent?" Though the knot in my gut deepened, I asked, attempting to keep my voice light. "Just some work stuff," he said, clearly under strain. He raised his head, his eyes softening to land on Leo attempting to ascend the jungle gym. "I'll be right there, buddy!," he yelled. Though it felt fragile, I forced a smile. "Adrian, you are entitled to a rest. Since everything transpired, you have been nonstop. He looked at me, wrinkled brows. "I am not able to afford it. Not when we are rebuilding, not when Victor still lurks in the shadows. I nodded, trying to suppress the irritation. Still, you are also helping us to be rebuilt. Recall. That is also part of this. I do, of course, snap and then soften. Sam, I'm sorry. Simply said, things can get difficult. I have to be all around ready. "Like what?," I pressed; my heart was pounding. Are you anticipating another attack? More family games from your end? He stopped; his phone buzzed once more in his pocket. "I really... I want not to lose all we have created. We will tackle it together, Adrian. But you have to let me into it. If you keep excluding me, I cannot help. His mouth opened to reply when Leo's voice sliced through the tension. "Dad! Look at me!," says At the top of the jungle gym, our son was dangerously poised with arms outstretched as though he could fly. "Leo, exercise caution!" Adrian yelled, his voice tinged with both dread and worry. He ran into the playground without waiting, leaving me standing there and a mix of pride and anxiety building in my chest. I watched as Adrian caught Leo as he teetered back-ward just in time. He cried, "I got you!" lifting Leo skyward. Their laughing permeated the room, and for a moment I had hope. Still, the calm was fleeting. Adrian laid Leo down and his phone buzzed once more. He looked at the television, his face turning to one of great concern. Steering away before I could object, he said, "Excuse me, I need to take this." The gulf separating us opened once more, a canyon created by secrets and unsaid worries. I strolled up to a neighboring bench and tried to inhale deeply. How readily we might slide into this cycle of avoidance was maddening. Closing my eyes, I sought my center. But as I opened them once more, I found Adrian standing beside Victor—a man I had prayed never to see once more. Victor moved up close and whispered something in Adrian's ear, his smile a blow to the belly and I felt the blood drain from my face. Frozen, my heart pounding, I stood. Their topic of conversation was what? Fear paralyzed me even though my instincts shouted at me to step in. Assuming Victor was once more controlling Adrian, what if? I looked around trying to evaluate the circumstances. Leo was blissfully unconscious of the storm building close by, drawn off by the other children. I have to get to Adrian. I closed the distance, my pulse racing. I called, "Adrian," trying to keep my voice calm. "Can we talk??" He turned, his face changing to uncertainty then to worry. "Sam, not now—'" "I am not interested. I insisted, trying to grab his eye: you have to tell me what's going on. "Victor has no place in our life anymore." "Is that so?" Victor interrupted, his voice full of fake sweeteners. "I'm afraid Samantha, that's not totally accurate." I shot back at his remarks. You are not fit for this place. We had misery because of you. Adrian stared conflicted, and the doubt in his gaze tortured my stomach. Just let me have some time, Sam. Sort kindly. "Adrian, no!," I turned back, frustration bursting forth. "You cannot merely amuse him!" He's hazardous! Victor laughed; the sound terrified me. "Dangerous"? Oh, sweetheart, I'm only here to support Adrian in negotiating his new position. He does, after all, have a lot on his plate. Does he not? Adrian's eyes moved between us, perplexity tinged with annoyance. "What are you referencing?" "You think you could just wipe me off your life?" Victor stepped forward, his smile dark. "I have arrangements including Adrian here. You are not escaping that readily. "Plan??" I repeated, a tsunami of terror engulfing me. "What plans?," asked Adrian turned, clearly tense in his posture. Sam, we have to hear him out—" " No! " I shot back, my voice strong. " Adrian, this is a mistake. He just will pull you down. "Or maybe he's the only one who can keep me afloat," Adrian muttered, his irritation spilling over. "You fail to appreciate the pressure I am under! "Pressure:?" I caught it. "Pressure does not originate in amusing the adversary! This relates to more than just you. It relates to our family, our son. You have to make decisions. Victor laughed gently, loving the conflict. "This is quite enjoyable. perfect family drama. But since we might cooperate, what good is fighting? Adrian tightened his jaw, stuck between allegiance and a need to shield us. Victor asked, "What do you want?" Victor straightened and his attitude changed to one of business-like gravity. Adrian, I would like to assist you in power consolidation. Only if you are ready to play the game could we dominate this city together. Please rule this city. I startled them with a question. "You believe that this is about that? You're playing with him! Victor waved his hand with contempt. " Nobody is under manipulation here. There is opportunity here. Samantha, one you are blinded by passion too much to see. The tension in Adrian's eyes blazed. "What are you saying"? "Do not pay attention to him!" I begged, as the walls seemed to be closing. He will simply pull you into the night. We have battled fiercely to create a life free from this anarchy. Why would one wish to go back to it? Victor stepped forward, his voice soft and appealing. "Because, Adrian, power shields your family. It can guarantee a future. Are you aware of this? Adrian turned his eyes from Victor to me, and I sensed the weight of his uncertainty. I have to give this some thought. "Think?" Victor laughed at this. "No, Adrian. You must get moving. Time is short. Competitors are circling and the board is restless. They will pounce; they detect weakness. That is what this is, then? Some folks engage in twisted power play? I growled, a tempest of fury building inside me. "You are exploiting Adrian's fears against him! Victor arched an eyebrow, a smile flashing on his mouth. "No, sweet Samantha. I am only stressing the facts here. You can either join me or fight me. You have to make the decision. "I'm not joining you," Adrian started with a firm but shaky voice. "I have nothing to do with your games." Victor's demeanor worsened. "then you would be better ready for what lies ahead. You have chosen, but decisions have results. Adrian stiffened, and I watched the panic flutter over his eyes. "What are you meant to mean?" Victor answered, his voice low and menacing, "You'll see." "But don't panic; I'll see to it your small family is taken care of while you sort things out." Victor turned on his heel and sauntered away, leaving a heavy quiet in his path. I remarked, approaching Adrian, "We need to talk." Still, he retreated, his visage a mask of doubt. "Sam, I—that's right. "Don't say it." My heart was beating, terror and resentment blending into a poisonous concoction. You cannot allow him to carry on like this. You are aware of his capacity. "I know," Adrian responded, irritation boiling under the surface. "But I have to weigh the ramifications. Should I fail to engage in his game, he could wipe out what we have worked for. And what about each of us? I asked, voice quivering. Regarding our son, what about it? You are running all the risks for what? Capacity? Under control? "I am trying to shield us!" Adrian yelled, his voice resonant throughout the park. Heads turned, but I had no interest. But you're not simplifying this at all! " Protect us?" I said, it hurt cutting across my chest. "By amusing the very individual meant to bring down our family? Adrian, you are not being pragmatic! He shook his head, clearly tense in his shoulders. "I have to act in my company's best interests. You really have to trust me.