Chapter 3

Arlene's POV 

That whole night, I stared blankly at the ceiling. Memories flowed in and out, of the good times I had spent with Tristan, when we first met, our first kiss. We had been dating for three years and he just threw it all away in one moment.

I was too tired to cry and my head ached from all the events so far. I was too weak to even defend myself or oppose anyone. The moment they all abandoned me, something in me died.

Veronica came by later the next morning, I stared at her blankly while she faked concern.

“How have you been? How is life in prison?” She asked.

“Why? What exactly did I do to deserve this?” I asked, my voice laced with bitterness.

“Oh…nothing. I just needed you out of my way.” Veronica pointed out, folding her arms on her chest.

“I have never done anything to bring your downfall, why did you choose this?”

“Because I need your inheritance! I can't watch you take over Dad's company while I work under you.” She spat.

“But I had no intentions of taking over. I knew Dad wouldn't leave it to me, you're his favourite afterall. You could have just told me, I'll leave everything for you happily.” I explained.

“Ha! There you go again…always the saint, peacemaker. I can't take those chances. You're out of my way now, for good. I can have everyone's attention now, including your sweet boy, Tristan.” she said, with a wink.

“Why have you always coveted everything I own?” I asked, my lips quivering.

Veronica stood up, cackling like some old witch, then she stopped behind me. She rested her hands on my shoulders from behind and said,

“I can't help it. You've always been weak, so it's exciting to take what belongs to you. By the way, your boyfriend is so good in bed…” 

“You didn't! You conniving bastard! My boyfriend would never find you attractive.” I exclaimed.

“You think? He came to me for comfort last night, how could I push him away? I have always wanted him. Too bad, you were too blind to see it. The kiss was so good and he fucked me hard. I wish you had seen it. It was the most beautiful…”

“Enough! I don't care about all of that. Please stop!” I cried out, trying to control my shivering palms.

Veronica leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper.

“You really don’t get it, do you?”

A slow smile spread across her face.

“I planned everything. Tristan is just like you…so easy to manipulate. You rushed home exactly like I knew you would.”

She laughed softly.

“Deleting the text afterward was the easiest part. The blood was fake. The gun was planted carefully so there would only be your fingerprints on it. Everything worked just as planned. Am I not the smartest?” She threw her hands in the air and did a little dance out of excitement.

“You’ll pay for this. I promise you, Veronica. Even if I do it with my last breath.” I swore with the little morsel of strength left in me.

“I'd love to see how you'll do that. I'll get married to your boyfriend. Don't worry, I'll take good care of him. Too bad you won't attend our wedding because you'll be rotting in jail. I'll ensure you die in prison, even if you survive it and come out, you'll be labelled an ex-convict and a psycho.”

“You really are smart. Thank you for ruining my life.” I said finally in defeat.

“You're most welcome. This is my last visit to this prison. See you in the afterlife, Big Sis.” She planted a cold kiss on my cheek and left, banging the door behind her.

The guard came and led me back to my room where I cried like my life depended on it. My whole existence has been ruined, what's the essence of living?

*****

By noontime, the prison guard told me I had another visitor.

When I came into the visiting room, a fairly old woman was already seated.

“Hello. I am Sarah, your defence attorney. I'll be defending your case but I'll need all the details.

I narrated everything to her weakly, mentioning that I'm too weak to defend myself anymore. If they say I'm guilty or crazy, then maybe I am.

She made steady eye contact with me, her eyes full of pity.

“Alright. I'll need you to cooperate with me. All evidence points to attempted murder, but if you admit to having mental issues, your jail term will be lesser. It can be reduced from twenty to fifteen years imprisonment with therapy sessions in between. There’s a chance your sentence could be reduced further over time, if you cooperate and plead guilty. How do you plead?”

My chest tightened at the thought of admitting to what I didn't do.

Guilty? If I said it…everything would end.

But hadn’t it already?

“Guilty.”

*****

(Five Years later)

It has been five years in jail and my life has just been a circle of routines. I had appointments with my therapist four times a week. 

I used to count the days, weeks but I stopped a long time ago. It doesn't make any sense. I won't make it out of this place anytime soon since I still had ten years left

After my trial, no one has visited ever since. My best friend, Mia used to visit but she traveled out of the country for her modelling deals; she had told me during her last visit.

I have already gotten used to the loneliness and boredom. I didn't even know what my life would look like when I'm finally released. Where would I go? How can I start my life afresh again? I lost all hope…until today, at least.

“You have a visitor.” The guard announced.

“For me?”

I frowned slightly. No one came for me anymore. Maybe he's got the wrong inmate.

While the guard led me to the visiting room, I kept guessing who the guest might be. It could be Veronica, she might be here to know if I've died, to scorn and mock me.

The door to the waiting room was wide open and when I stepped inside, an old man was seated.

“Good day.” I said, scanning the room instinctively before taking my seat opposite him.

“It's nice to meet you again, Miss Arlene.” He said with a kind smile.

There was something familiar about him. I scanned my mind trying to remember but it wasn't clear.

Until it clicked. My jaw dropped.

What was the judge who sentenced me doing here?

“You're the judge that convicted me of attempted murder! What are you doing here?” I asked in my defense.

“Please calm down. I have brought a deal you'll be interested in. Hear me out. It will all work out in your favour.”

“I'm not interested. Please leave.” I pushed my chair backwards so I could stand.

“Don’t you want to leave this place? To have your life back?” 

I studied him carefully. Men like this never offered help for free. 

“What do you mean?” 

“Firstly, I am Judge Theodore Brookes, just call me Theodore. I'll help you out of jail in a week time, help you get a new verified identity, you can get a surgery if you wish…only if you agree to my proposal.”

“Which is?” I asked.

“Sign this agreement. You'll get married to my son.” he said, bringing out some documents from his briefcase.

“Just that? You'll get me out of jail just to marry your son?” I had stopped expecting good things a long time ago.

“Yes, but it's not that easy. My son has some…issues. I need you to help him be alive again. He was involved in an accident some years ago. He is bitter and detached from the world, doesn't want to inherit my companies, continue the family line or anything at all. I don't want the inheritance to go to his cousins. That’s why I need you to bring him back. No woman has ever lasted up to a month by his side.”

“He must be some kind of monster.”

“Better to live with a monster and have a life at least. Everything you need will be provided for and I know that you will like to have revenge on the people who set you up. I can help you with that too. I just need to get you out of this place first.”

“You knew it was a set-up?”

“Yes. But you pleaded guilty, so there was nothing I could do. But I can help you now.”

A stranger offering freedom was dangerous enough. Marrying one felt worse.

But then…what was waiting for me here?

“So, do we have a deal?”

I stared at the document. It promised freedom, revenge, and a new life. All in exchange for a marriage I didn’t want. I would live with a guy who might kill me. Well, I was already dead anyway.

What was one more sacrifice?

I slowly reached for the pen.