MOMENTS AFTER THE TRAGIC INCIDENT THAT BEFELL ELIZAH HARTMAN
"I heard there's a young and beautiful girl working at your place," said a man with a mustache and a repulsive gaze.
"There are plenty of young and beautiful girls working at my factory. So what if there is? What's your point, huh?" The stout man retorted with a sneer, clearly displeased.
"No, I didn't mean anything by it. I was just asking. Besides, why doesn't she work here instead? You know, in a place like this, they'd make much more money than working—"
"Ah, you're such a scoundrel! From now on, don't ever meet me again. The girls working at my factory are good girls; that's why they chose to work there! Now, leave me alone." The stout man stood up and walked away, exiting the bar with its well-preserved classic ambiance.
"I was just complimenting his workers," the mustached man muttered before moving to sit with a group of middle-aged men. Even after being rebuked by the factory owner, they continued their discussion about the girls working there. They even started betting on who could approach one of the factory girls that night. With wads of cash placed on the table, the mustached man and the others quickly agreed.
They drove an old car toward the factory and saw a young man waiting for someone. They approached him and told him that no workers were left inside the factory, suggesting he leave.
"But Elizah just texted me saying she’s still in the factory," the young man, looking anxious, replied. However, the mustached man assured him that no one was left inside, leaving the young man, Liam, with no choice but to leave. Shortly after Liam walked away, a girl emerged from the factory and tried to call out to him. Unfortunately, before Elizah could utter a word, a rough hand suddenly covered her mouth.
"Come here, sweet girl, come back into the factory." She was dragged back inside, and the factory door was partially shut. Elizah struggled to see who was holding her, but it was futile. The sound of greedy laughter filled her ears, though she continued to resist.
"Hit her if she fights back!" one of them shouted.
A heavy punch landed on Elizah's delicate face, causing her to faint. About four middle-aged men then began to strip her of her clothes. However, before they could completely undress her, the sound of police sirens outside the factory made them panic.
"Did we get caught?"
"Ah, that fat old man must've reported us to the police!" They hastily put their pants and shirts back on and scrambled to escape through a broken window. One of them even injured himself on the shattered glass while jumping out.
"Is anyone here?" A deep, masculine voice echoed through the factory. "Hello?" With no response, the man turned on his phone's flashlight and found a girl lying on the floor. His eyes widened, and he walked back to the door, pulling out a red cloth from his pocket.
"Those stupid bastards. They're in for trouble," he muttered before locking the factory door from the inside. He then walked leisurely toward the girl lying unconscious on the floor
Kneeling beside her, he touched her cheek and said, "Poor thing. Don't worry, though. I'll give you heaven tonight." He tied the red cloth over her eyes and began touching her body. By dawn, he abandoned her lifeless body, leaving it exposed on the factory floor.
---
Mark Roberson woke up as sunlight hit his face. A girl wrapped in a towel opened the window curtains, letting the light in. He opened his eyes to see Julie turning toward him.
"Oh, sorry, did I wake you?"
Mark shook his head, smiling. "Well... I wouldn't mind if you woke me up every time, Julie. Come here, back to bed." Julie smiled and immediately dropped herself beside Mark.
"Have you found the other culprits?" Julie asked softly, her voice weak.
"Yes, I will find them. I promise. Oh, by the way, my colleague contacted me last night. You should know, at the factory, there was a broken window. Bloodstains were found there, besides Julie, your sister's—"
"Really? Oh my God, that blood will be evidence!" Julie exclaimed enthusiastically, looking at Mark with hope and determination in her eyes.
"Yes, that's right. I'll find those bastards," Mark replied confidently with his gaze directed at the ceiling and giving a warm hug to Julie who was caught in the trap.
The sound of the ambulance siren was piercing and terrifying to Julie's ears. A siren's sound was familiar to a nurse, but for a patient, it was frightening. Mark lay motionless, surrounded by medical equipment. Julie struggled to calm herself, but she kept crying, pleading for Mark to be okay. She repeatedly said, “Please, not again. Don’t leave me. I don’t want to lose another person. Please, Mark.” Her sobs echoed loudly.Her wedding gown was still clinging to her body, while the mascara on her eyelids had smeared down her cheeks. Julie looked completely disheveled.The nurse attending to Mark in the ambulance tried to reassure Julie and prevent her from disturbing their focus. Julie understood this—she was a nurse herself—but staying calm in this situation was impossible.There was no way she could relax while her husband was hovering between life and death. Eventually, overwhelmed by the pain and tightness in her chest, she collapsed and fainted just before they reached the hosp
Julie Hartman looked breathtaking in her white wedding gown as she was escorted to the altar where Mark Robertson waited, his heart brimming with joy and emotion.The open-air wedding was magical, with the soft glow of the moonlight and music setting a romantic ambiance. Mark Robertson could hardly describe the overwhelming beauty of the moment as Julie stood before him.When asked if they were ready to embrace each other through joy and sorrow, both confidently said yes, their happiness radiating for all to see.After signing the marriage certificate, the newlyweds proudly displayed their proof of union. But as Julie basked in her joy, her eyes caught sight of her sister Elizah, who was watching her with a mixture of bitterness and discontent."Wait here for a moment, Mark. I need to speak with Elizah," Julie said softly.Mark nodded, turning his attention to some of his colleagues and family members who had attended the celebration."Congratulations on your wedding," Elizah said, ho
"I don’t like him."It was dusk, the day nearing its end, and Elizah was gazing at Mark Robertson, who looked so romantic with Julie Hartman—her own sister."Neither do I."A voice suddenly spoke behind her, making Elizah turn to see Richard, who was also staring at Julie."You heard me?""I’ve been standing here for a while—not too close, but close enough to hear you. So, you might want to be careful with your words," Richard said quietly. Elizah understood his words; she had been quite open about her feelings toward Mark Robertson."So, no one likes him, huh?""At least I know I don’t like men like him. When he talks to others, he acts like they don’t exist, but when he talks to Julie, he acts like the kindest person in the world."Richard laughed, leaving Elizah somewhat confused. Even though she didn’t fully understand his point, there was one thing they both agreed on: neither of them liked Mark. However, Elizah had her own clear reasons, unlike Richard’s ambiguous ones."So, you
Julie never expected that she would soon get married, but not to Liam. Everything happened so quickly, and she was busy with work, decorating, and preparing everything needed for the wedding.She didn’t want to trouble Mark, so she was assisted by Richard and her sister, Elizah, who was beginning to recover from her psychological condition. The hustle and bustle took place at Mark Robertson's new house, where the wedding party would be held in the spacious yard.Julie didn’t want to burden herself with finding a venue for the wedding, so she chose the yard, which was wide enough and would look luxurious once decorated.Just look at her cheerful face—no one could match her happiness there. Many friends came to help, even her mother showed up, though she didn’t promise Julie she’d stay for long.But Julie no longer cared. All that mattered to her was herself and Mark Robertson, and how they would embark on their new life together.“Perfect,” Julie said with a smile as she arranged flowe
"Someone wants to meet you," said a prison guard as he opened the cell numbered 330. He walked out with a pale face, as if he had no will to live. He had been through utter destruction and had no idea what to do after being sentenced to fifteen years in prison for actions that endangered Elizah Hartman's life. He never expected that this kind of trouble will find him and has found him. "I don't want to meet anyone," he said weakly, his voice frustrating the guard, who insisted Liam couldn't refuse because the visitor was someone important in law enforcement."You’re the most despised inmate here, so whatever you say doesn’t matter. You have to do what you’re told."Liam sighed, perhaps filled with rage, but his anger was so overwhelming it left him too weak to show it."I’ve already said I’m completely innocent," Liam muttered weakly, but his body was pulled out of the cell and shoved forward, his hands bound in cuffs."You ungrateful bastard! You should be glad someone wants to vis
News of Justin Dust’s death spread everywhere, making headlines and haunting Julie. Even while at the hospital, she found it hard to concentrate on her work.Richard had to help her multiple times because of her mistakes, but luckily, he was quick and understanding of Julie’s condition.He also knew about Julie’s relationship and her upcoming marriage to a high-ranking police officer who handled dangerous cases, which added to Julie’s anxiety.While replacing an IV tube, Julie’s vision blurred, and she collapsed right next to a patient who screamed, “Help! Is anyone there?”A nurse from the adjacent room immediately rushed in to check on Julie. When she regained consciousness, Julie felt uneasy once again.“You should really take a leave, Julie,” said Richard, checking on her condition. “You’ve got too much on your mind, and your stamina is weak. It seems like Mark Robertson is weighing too heavily on you.”Julie gave a faint smile. “Maybe, but he’s also too perfect for me. I can’t ev