9

Rachel’s POV

I suddenly jerked from my sleep gasping for air as tears flowed freely down my face. The remnants of the nightmare came hunting me, dark and suffocating. My head could still hear the echoes of those annoying words,  feel the weight so heavy pulling my chest so hard.

"How dare you, Rachel! How could you do this to your sister?" Those words kept replaying as I struggled to wake up from my nightmare.

I forced my eyes open, trying to break free from the fear that had gripped me. Cold sweat formed beads on my skin, and my breaths came in short, heavy gasps. As my vision cleared, I realized I saw her seated beside me.

Sophia was right by my side on the bed, gently cleaning my face with a wet cool, damp washcloth. Her eyes were filled with concern, her movements slow and comforting, I felt a move at her kindness.

“The stress yesterday was too much for you that you passed out from exhaustion,” she said quietly. “ I hope you feel better now?”

I blinked slowly, my mind still clouded from the nightmare. The events that happened in the past few days were still as fresh as the morning dew, traumatizing, those reporters, the memories, the humiliation. My head throbbed painfully, but I ignored it. I didn’t want to be the same Rachel anymore, that weak, broken girl.

“I need to get up,” I replied, mumbling softly, trying to push myself off the bed. But the moment my feet touched the ground, I felt so dizzy and my vision blurred making my legs light beneath me.

Sophia hurriedly rushed me over to my side, catching me before I could fall. “Take it easy on yourself, Rachel,” she gently said, guiding me back to the bed. “You need to rest.”

“I can’t, I just can't Sophia” I muttered, clearly irritated, frustration building up inside me. “I can’t just lie here while they…” My voice trailed off, I couldn't bring myself to talk, it was too bitter, just too much to bear. "They did that to me, Noah, Kimberley, my stepmother, Liana, and even Kelvin whom I'd at least expect to listen to me, they've made a mess out of my life".

Sophia took her seat beside me again, her expression firm but calm. “Maybe it’s high time you left,” she said, suggesting. “This place is no longer safe  for you anymore.”

I stared at her, blinking, confused. “I should leave? You mean… I have to leave the country?”

She nodded affirming “ You could go somewhere far away. Somewhere they’ll never find you. I’ll go with you, Rachel. You don’t have to do this alone.”

Her suggestion was valid and I could see the sincerity in her eyes. But I didn’t understand why she was so interested in me. Why would she, a total stranger, be willing to leave everything behind and go to start in a different country entirely?

Hesitating, I glanced around the room that had been my abode, keeping me safe for the past few weeks. The only option was to leave the land I’d lived my whole life. Leave everything behind every single thing and everyone, even if they had hurt me?

“I'm not sure, I can…” I whispered, I felt very uncertain. “I’ve lived here my whole life, and now I must leave,” I said agitated.

“You have no choice,” Sophia replied gently. “ I'm sure they're going to come after you again. You saw what happened yesterday. If you keep staying here, they’ll find a way to destroy you, Rachel.”

Her words hit me,  but I knew she was right. I can't keep hiding here anymore, there was no place for me here anymore. Not after everything that had happened.

“I’ll go prepare dinner,” she said softly, “Take your time,” she said, trying to give me room for response.

As she stepped out of the room, I remained on my spot, staring blankly at the wall, my mind roaming with thoughts of leaving, I considered, escape. But could I run? Wouldn't that validate people's thoughts and give them the upper hand?

I pushed off the blanket, determined not to stress my mind any further. I stood and made my way out of the room, heading towards the kitchen to help Sophia with the dishes. At least it would keep my hands busy, and keep my thoughts from weighing me down.

As I passed through the living room, the sound of the television caught my attention. I glanced over, I froze in my tracks when I saw the image on the screen.

Kelvin.

And Kimberley.

My heart clenched painfully as I saw the pre-wedding photos being displayed all over the news. My jaw tightened as I stared at the screen, my breath catching in my chest.

Kelvin… The man I thought loved me, did too much this time around.

I felt the pang of hurt and betrayal all over again. Within weeks, just weeks, they've gone ahead with wedding plans?

Kimberley stood there in her dress, smiling smugly, standing next to Kelvin, it made me feel sick. I feel like spitting on their faces. Bunch of betrayals.

My leg went weak, too weak to hold me up any longer, I sank onto the couch,  My gaze fixated on the screen, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the screen, watching them all,  Liana, stood beside them, grinning like she had won some lottery.

“Why, what have I done” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “As this been their plan all along? How long had they wanted me out of the way?”

The betrayal hurts deeper than I had ever thought possible. Not only had they destroyed my life, but they wasted no time in moving on without me.

Anger surged up inside me, mixed with the hurt. How could they? How could he?