Chapter 9[A year after Charlie and Chad's marriage]I had gone to the local market in the province to buy glossaries. It's been a whole year since my sister's marriage and my betrayal of her. And within this year, I tried to live in a village where no one I knew would find me.I plan to live my life in this way to atone for my sins anyway. Mind you, it doesn't mean I have forgotten about my guilt. I still live with it to date.Today, I wanted to prepare a cake for Katya, who has been the friend I made since I moved to this province. I had been staying with her and her grandmother Sidney since day one. Those two had made me feel the love and warmth my parents never gave me. And I'm so grateful to them. Trust me, without them, life would have been hectic for me.Grandma Sid was understanding and caring to the extent that I couldn't even think of my family most of the time.I had cut off contact with them so that I could have a fresh start and live a simple and peaceful life for the r
Chapter 10“Granny, I will be back very soon. I need to do something for my sister in the city. I promise to return as soon as am done, alright?” I said somewhat sadly to Granny. The woman was nothing but an Angel, and I was deeply grateful to her for all that she did for me.“Okay, my dear… Don't worry, I will tell Katya about the urgency of your trip, so don't worry and come back soon.” Granny said as she hugged and blessed my impromptu trip.My sister and I bid Granny Sidney goodbye and headed toward the car Charlie brought. I wonder why she didn't come with a driver to this remote place. Charlie insisted on driving, though I found her not in good condition too.“I'm fine, Marlie. I can drive, so don't worry and just buckle your seatbelt… Done? Let go!!!" As much as I've denied myself all this year, I have to admit that I missed my sister.We exchanged smiles and drove off. Only God knows how much I wanted the journey to be short. I wished the car could even fly, so we could rea
Chapter 11Having lost awareness of my surroundings, I could only hear a voice calling out to me but I couldn't fathom whose voice it was since I dazed out the next moment."Miss, miss, are you alright?" the voice called out again and again. At that moment, I had no clue about what was happening. I was uncertain about the condition of my sister. I didn't even know the condition I myself was in not to talk of my sister.When I eventually regained consciousness, I found myself looking at a white ceiling. I blinked several times to gain my eyesight properly. I tried to take in my white surroundings. "Am I dead? Am I in heaven?" I questioned myself inwardly until I heard that sound of beeping. I looked around again with my eyes and it was then that I realized I was lying in a hospital bed. Hospital? What happened? And then it all came crashing into my head. I remembered Charlie coming to my place and then the car accident. 'Charlie!' I screened inwardly for my sister. Hoping she was
Chapter 12The first thing that struck me was the bone-chilling coldness in the air. Instinctively, I crossed my arms over myself to shield myself from the cold.Throughout the entire path leading to that place, something felt amiss which intensified my fear."Where is this place" I questioned the doctor, but received no response as if It was a rhetorical question.My eyes darted around, scanning every corner in search of my sister, but she was nowhere to be found."Why did you bring me here instead of taking me to where Charlie is?" I questioned him again and still got no response. Where is Charlie's room? And why is it so far from mine? I couldn't stop wondering. There was no way a human being would survive in that kind of empty and desolate plate. And talking of the hallway leading to that room, it was as though the place was a cemetery.Nonetheless, I remained resolute in maintaining a positive mindset. I couldn't allow any trace of doubt to enter my heart, despite the thunderous
Chapter 13Demanding my attention with a solemn expression, Mark beseeched me to follow him. Without hesitation, we proceeded to his office where he designated a seat for me, positioning himself across from me. Retrieving a photograph of a young girl, Mark placed it delicately into my hands. That Puzzled me. The face was unfamiliar. "Who is this?" I inquired still looking at the face of the girl in that picture.Mark, mustering a faint smile, responded, "My younger sister."Why would he give me his sister's picture? I almost questioned him but was caught by the expression on his face.A glimmer of tears glistened in his eyes, indicating his profound grief. Although unspoken, I could sense the unbearable sorrow he carried within him."Has she passed away?" I queried, somehow aware of the answer."A few months ago, at the hands of her male companion," came his sorrowful admission."Then you should understand why I have this pain and the thought of vengeance on my mind." I declared.
Chapter 14I couldn't sleep throughout the rest of the night because of the fear of the nightmare. I requested a sleeping pill and minutes after taking it, I fell asleep.*****{ Another Nightmare }"Excuse me, Mister, can you please move a bit faster?" I asked the driver who was as old as my Dad."I'm sorry Ma'am, but there's a long traffic ahead." He said to me and I sighed. "This was the reason why I told Charlie I didn't want to join them in the first place but she insisted," I stated.The driver noticed my frustrations and suggested we could take another route if I wanted, only that it would cost double the original payment.I instantly nodded... "Sure, no problem. Just please take me to that damn restaurant." I replied to him. I know I may have sounded a bit rude, but I was in a hurry to care.The driver agreed and swiftly made a U-turn.I was grateful when we reached the restaurant sooner than I wanted. After paying him, I quickly entered the restaurant but something seemed of
Chapter 15Mark recounted his encounter with us, explaining that he needed to clear his mind after the devastating loss of his beloved sister Martha. He planned to take a long ride, hoping that the refreshing breeze would alleviate some of his pain."I had no idea where I was going or what was happening around me. All I wanted at that moment was to ride aimlessly until I saw your car flipping," Mark said, his expression filled with sorrow. I could sense the weight on his shoulders as he paused and locked eyes with me.As he continued speaking, his sad demeanor disappeared and continued... He had rushed to our side to check if we were alright, "But you had already passed out." He said.This sudden change in his behavior caught me off guard. Why was I the only one who lost consciousness? Wasn't it Charlie?"What do you mean by that?" I asked him with a serious face."Wasn't Charlie also unconscious when you found us?" Mark's expression proved my sister was not."What did she say to you?
Chapter 16Author's POV[Six months after the surgery]Marlie prepared herself to remove the bandage from her face. Comfortably sitting on the hospital bed, Mark stood by her side with a mirror in hand. After waiting several minutes, all the bandages were finally cleared, and Marlie's tightly closed eyes awaited the doctor's instructions. As soon as he gave the signal, she slowly opened her and gazed upon Mark's smiling face.Standing in front of Marlie, Mark handed her the mirror. "It's time to see your new face."Slowly opening her eyes, Marlie beheld the face that now belonged to her. "You are now Charlie," Mark declared confidently.Yes, she was now Charlie without a doubt, ready to avenge her elder sister's death. Examining her face in the mirror, Marlie declared, "Get ready for me, Chad. You and your family will pay!"*****{Another Six Months Later}In Baristanas Mansion, preparations had been made for Audrey's engagement party. Angelina, with her own wealth slightly below t