Heir Heart E-Book

Torizi Lana

• Herausgeber: BooxAi
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

Veronica’s life was abruptly transformed when a mysterious blackout in her classroom not only led to her hospitalization but also forced her into early retirement at her secluded beach house in Mexico. What seemed like a serene escape quickly unraveled into a labyrinth of hidden truths and dark revelations about her late father’s enigmatic past. As Veronica delves deeper, she uncovers a hidden world brimming with secrets and the shocking reality behind her father’s demise, revealing a family legacy far more complex and dangerous than she ever imagined.

In this thrilling journey of self-discovery, Veronica, accompanied by her loyal canine companions, confronts daunting challenges and cunning adversaries. She embarks on a quest to unearth a long-lost family treasure, a journey that tests her resilience and courage. Through each twist and turn, Veronica realizes that her true strength lies within her own heritage and identity. This gripping novel weaves a tale of mystery, adventure, and empowerment, as Veronica discovers that she has always possessed the power to shape her destiny, grounded in the legacy of who she is and where she comes from.

Leseprobe

HEIR HEART

Revenge of the Lost Inheritance

LANA TORIZI

Lana Torizi

Heir Heart: Revenge of the Lost Inheritance

All rights reserved

Copyright © 2024 by Lana Torizi

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Published by Spines

ISBN: 978-965-578-803-7

* * *

This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

The author does not intend to defame or insult any individual or organization. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

* * *

CHAPTER1

Veronica’s hand flew to her chest, her fingers trembling as an invisible weight pressed down against her. The classroom, once buzzing with energy, spun into a dizzying blur. She could hear the echo of a student’s question, the words stretched and gargled, as if underwater.

As the darkness clawed in, a familiar voice whispered through the chaos - a voice that belonged to a world beyond; it was her father who had left years ago. Each blackout had brought his words closer, a message shrouded in the mystery of the afterlife.

Consciousness returned as a jolt, the sterile lights of a hospital corridor piercing Veronica’s eyes. The rhythmic clicking of the gurney's wheels on the linoleum floor anchored her back to reality. But the reality was that these were no ordinary migraines; they were a bridge to something beyond, something both terrifying and alluring.

Her father's messages were becoming clearer, and more urgent. Lying there, the murmurs of nurses and the beep of machines fading into a distant symphony, Veronica knew a decision loomed over her. She could no longer shield her students, or herself, from the unknown dangers of these episodes. The resignation was inevitable, but it was no longer about the job she was leaving behind, but rather about the gateway to uncovering a truth beyond the shadowy corners of her mind about her father that summoned from the supernatural.

When her sons arrived at the hospital to persuade her to step down, she needed little convincing. However, without her income, paying the monthly mortgage would be impossible. She would have to sell the house. And since none of her sons offered to take her in, she faced some difficult choices: a low-budget trailer home or a chintzy apartment.

Was she really this desperate? She yearned for something better. A nostalgic image of her childhood home—a beautiful Spanish white stucco hacienda with a red tile roof, beamed ceilings, and a room featuring a balcony—flashed before her eyes. Anger and resentment welled up within her as she remembered how her sister Karina had sold their childhood home to pay off her gambling debts. How could she have let it go for such a paltry sum? The house was now worth double!

Could she settle for a trailer home in her retirement, her so-called golden years? But then, inspiration struck. Veronica was her father's daughter, after all. She recalled that he had left her a beach house in Mexico, which her sister had been maintaining because Veronica couldn't afford the upkeep on her miniscule Arizona teacher's salary. That house could be her ideal retirement home, far exceeding any affordable options in Phoenix. She owned it outright; her only financial obligations would be taxes and a trust paid to the Mexican government, along with utilities.

Mexico, with its serene beaches and tranquil sunsets, offered a beautiful haven in which to spend her golden years. And so, amidst the chaos of her present, Veronica found hope, painted in the warm colors of sandy browns, ocean greens, and sky blues, guiding her toward a peaceful future.

“But, Mom, are you sure you can manage life alone in Mexico? Is it going to be safe down there?" her eldest son, Joseph, asked.

“There's only one way to find out,” Veronica replied.

Within a week, she had turned over her Phoenix house to the bank due to mounting debts. Unable to afford the $3,000 for a moving truck, her sons took on the task of packing her belongings. They filled their cars to the brim and formed a caravan to transport her to her Mexican home. They brought her paintings, clothes, jewelry, and an extensive collection of books—though no furniture, as the house was already furnished.

“Now, you boys know that I don't drink much, and I don't use drugs,” Veronica reassured them.

“I've been a teacher all my life, so it's unlikely I'll get into trouble. I don't do wild, late-night, drunken parties, and I have my dogs to alert me if someone comes around. There's no need to worry about me.”

“I also have the rental management company that makes my bill payments; they'll help me if I need anything.”

Her sons unloaded their cars, filled with their mother’s cherished items, carefully unpacking a 12 place setting of Portmeirion Botanic Garden China; a Spode Christmas China set; special gemstone pieces from the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show; her mother's own paintings; four Van Gogh reproductions; an assortment of collectibles; clothing for every season; and, most significantly, her favorite novels and poetry books amassed over years as an English teacher. With everything in place, her new residence abroad truly became her own, a distinct space reflecting her life and passions. When her sons’ cars were empty, they returned to the United States, leaving Veronica in her new home. She felt a twinge of apprehension about her solitude in a foreign land, even though she had the means to stay connected with family and friends by phone. Yet this was her home, a space uniquely her own.

CHAPTER2

Having risen from humble beginnings only to find herself back at square one, Veronica felt oddly at home. Despite attending private schools and living with the rich, she had never fully shed her sense of being an imposter. While she had developed a taste for finer things, she was far from a spoiled, little rich girl. Her father's frugality had remained with her, influencing her to seek out bargains. Although she and her children dressed impressively, thanks to carefully curated Goodwill finds, her inability to budget properly had led her through multiple bankruptcies and divorces. Yet, she had emerged unscathed, driven by an indomitable spirit, aided by her medication for depression, and not without hope for a better tomorrow.

At this time in her life, following her second divorce and with her children finally moving out, Veronica found herself alone. Well, not entirely—she still had Rudy and Riley, her loyal dogs, who she knew would protect her. Well, they were Corgis, not Rottweilers, so they would not win in a WWE cage match, but they’d put up a good fight.

She frequently pondered the sequence of choices that had brought her to this point. Alone in a foreign country, accompanied only by her dogs, she had never envisioned this in her later years. Both her marriages had drained her finances, leaving her only with the Mexican beach house her parents had bequeathed to her—a beautiful property a block from the ocean, to which her sons had recently moved her.

Veronica, nearing 60, had always danced a precarious tango with finances and romantic liaisons. Two bankruptcies and the looming threat of a third had plagued her. Now, the time for her to carve her oath gleamed brightly before her. Deception of age ran through her veins; her other had been a master of it, effortlessly maintaining a façade of eternal youth. Having blurred the year on her driver's license with a strategically spilled drop of nail polish and securing sworn oaths of age-secrecy from her children, Veronica's preoccupation with maintaining her youthful image had never bothered her family. In fact, they embraced having an engaged, community-minded mother who encouraged participation in a plethora of activities, particularly those having to do with animals.

A soft spot for creatures had always nestled in Veronica’s heart, granting her a voice that roared and barked with compassion for all beings great and small. From childhood, her parents had recognized her extraordinary connection with animals- horses grew serene under her guidance, and chickens miraculously laid more eggs in her soothing presence. The twinkle in her eye upon meeting a new creature sparked such joy that her parents implored her to consider veterinary school. But Veronica, moved by her passion for literature, a gift from her father, and, inevitably, by the whims of her heart where poetry and writing were concerned, chose English, and teaching, instead.

Her father, on the other hand, was an intellectual at heart, He had emphasized the importance of higher education and world exploration, cultivating their house to be a home filled with books that ranged from law cases and classic literature to cookbooks. This collection also included what he playfully termed his wife’s “trashy novels”- which were, in fact, popular bestsellers. A true Renaissance Man, he had imparted the joy of lifelong learning to his children, filling their basement with bookshelves that were as diverse in genre as they were abundant in number.

The decision to write, then, felt like destiny to Veronica. She had pursued a career in teaching English and held a lifelong love for books; visiting libraries and bookstores felt like coming home. Now, as a new resident in a foreign land, she decided to channel her love of the written word differently—by starting a community newsletter.

Understanding the importance of fitting in, especially in a foreign country, she set out to connect with her new community. Her dogs could offer love but not real protection, so community ties were essential for her peace of mind. Taking the initiative, Veronica went door-to-door in her American-dominated neighborhood, soliciting articles, announcements, and affordable advertising for her bi-weekly newsletter.

Thus, the “Las Olas Times” was born. Initially sparse, the paper eventually grew to feature a variety of content, including local business news, personal interviews, art and writing contests, local recipes, tidal weather reports, and life events ranging from births to deaths. Over time, it swelled to 10-20 pages of community-contributed material, becoming an indispensable resource and a symbol of the interconnected lives of those who read it.

Starting her day with a cup of coffee, flavored with calorie-free creamer to mimic the luxury of a high-end coffee shop treat, Veronica settled in front of her computer to work on the next edition of her community newsletter. Once a victim of financial ruin, she had learned the value of frugality. The absence of her former husband, Joe, left her alone but also allowed her the freedom to take up a new endeavor. Although the newsletter began as a way to fill her time, it also satisfied her unspoken, nosy curiosity about the lives of her neighbors.

This endeavor gave her an excuse to interact with the community. Veronica learned about local happenings, whether it was the struggling business placing a “Going Out of Business” ad, or the heartbroken individual sharing a melancholy poem about a recent breakup. She even discovered where to find the best tamales during the holiday season. Funding the project out of her pocket, Veronica never expected any pushback—until she ran afoul of the homeowners’ association for using the community name, “Las Olas,” in her newsletter's title. To diffuse the situation, she renamed it “Rudy and Riley's Gazette,” after her faithful dogs.

Wheeling a small wagon loaded with freshly printed newsletters, with Rudy and Riley trotting ahead, was the highlight of her delivery days. As she made her rounds, neighbors welcomed her into their homes, offering beverages and snacks along with additional stories for future newsletter editions. Her visits were generally pleasant, except for the inevitable HOA violation notice from Harry Hillsdale, the cantankerous president of the homeowners’ association. Though he had initially objected to the newsletter, claiming it violated some unspecified board policy, he eventually relented. All he required was a disclaimer on the front page stating that the publication was “not endorsed by the Las Olas Community Property HOA.” Of course, there were a few homes that Veronica chose to avoid. She would get a sudden migraine every time she and the dogs even tried to walk one step up their driveway. The old man with the ferocious Pitt bulls was not very pleasant, and she felt, what her son, Harry, called “her Spidey senses” get very up in arms every time she went near his house. He didn’t want her there and she didn’t want to be there. It was a mutual agreement.

The experience was a subtle reminder that even well-intentioned community projects could ruffle feathers, but for Veronica, it was all worth it. Every edition of “Rudy and Riley's Gazette” not only deepened her connection with her neighbors but also strengthened the community's bonds with each other.

Just down the street, Veronica met an intriguing couple: Dave and Irene Verducci. Dave had recently purchased their house for the surprising sum of $100,000 after the original owner had passed away. Not interested in living in Mexico, the owner's sister had decided to sell. Dave, hearing about the deal from the long-time caretaker of the property (an old construction buddy,) consulted his wife. Irene took one look at the property and instructed him to “Write a check immediately!” The couple had been married for 40 years; Dave was a contractor and Irene a secretary. Dave's philosophy for maintaining a happy marriage was to buy his wife a condo in another country. They had been visiting Mexico for years, and Dave credited the trips with strengthening their marital bond.

Soon, Irene and Veronica started spending time together, often visiting the Malecon for drinks and conversation. Veronica would bring her dog, Riley, for protection and companionship.

“Your dog seems incredibly in tune with you,” Irene observed. "She stops when you stop and sits when you sit. What else can she do?"

“Believe it or not, Riley is something of a detective. She's helped me solve a few cases. It may sound crazy, but we have a unique understanding of each other,” Veronica confided.

Irene chuckled. “Well, that does sound a bit 'far-fetched,' no pun intended. But I know dogs have heightened senses and perceptions that we don't fully understand. Perhaps you have a deeper connection with Riley than most people have with their pets. Let's leave it at that.”

“Thanks for not thinking I'm crazy,” said Veronica, relieved.

“I didn't say that,” Irene replied. And they both broke into laughter, pouring just a little more cement into their already building friendship.

Along with creating a social life, everyday Veronica worked diligently to transform her father’s aging property into a welcoming home. The cracked white stucco that adorned the exterior was a major concern. Not only did the cracks need filling and the walls painted, but the backyard wall also required an extension to give the dogs a secure area for “doing their business.” She sought local expertise to tackle the problem.

Despite her limited Spanish, she relied on Google Translate for assistance. One contractor, Roberto Cameron, arrived in a flashy Cadillac and quoted her 45,000 pesos—an exorbitant amount that felt like buying a new car. Then came Ernesto Moriega in his battered red pickup truck, who offered to do the job for just 30,000 pesos. Veronica hired him on the spot. Her father had always taught her to never trust the worker who came in his new car because that was what you would end up paying for.

“It also showed that he was used to getting his hands dirty and working hard. That’s the kind of person you want working for you,” her father would say.

Water supply was another pressing issue. To ensure a more consistent flow, Veronica invested in a 1,000-gallon tank. However, due to periodic water shortages in her part of town, she remained at the mercy of the city's supply. She discovered she could pay for additional water—at $100 per week to fill her tank—if she ever ran out. It was a costly backup plan but one that provided peace of mind. These were the realities of life in Puerto Bella.

CHAPTER3

Though the prospect of a beautiful future now awaited her, Veronica couldn't shake off the nagging feeling of betrayal. She felt cheated by her sister, Karina, suspecting that she could have had more than just this house if Karina hadn’t sold their family home. Veronica knew she needed to let go and move on, but her current home had only narrowly escaped her sister's grasp. For now, she harbored no warm feelings toward Karina.

“I'll only agree to turn the house over to you if you reimburse me $3,000 for this year's fees that I already paid,” Karina said.

“Fine, I'll send the money via Zelle,” Veronica replied.

“I could make you pay for all the renovations I did," Karina added, “but I guess that would be un-sisterly of me, wouldn’t it?”