Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Alice’s POV

Blood drained from my face as I subconsciously loosened my hands from her neck. Immediately, Veronica erupted in a theatrical cough, clutching her throat as if I had truly choked her. A deafening silence followed, the air heavy with unspoken accusation. I froze, defenseless at the dark storm arising.

“Smack” A loud slap cut through the silence, landing on my face. My vision blurred with tears as I held my stinging cheek.

“Have you gone crazy? How dare you lay a hand on her,” my father yelled, his voice trembling with rage. “You still haven’t changed your despicable ways.”

I looked at my father, his reddened face filled with an anger I had never witnessed before. Even though I had never had a very smooth relationship with him due to his stubborn nature, he had never laid a finger on me. Here he was, doing it because of Victoria. I bit my lip, my fingers going numb.

I looked at my mother, her expression, a mask of dilemma, torn between stopping my father and keeping quiet. My brother, Nathan, glared at me before averting his gaze. One thing was certain; I was all alone.

“You’ll be punished, 40 whips on your back,” My father declared, his voice leaving no room for argument. I broke in cold sweats, my body trembling uncontrollably.

“Father, please. Show mercy,” Victoria knelt down, revealing the hand-printed mark on her face. “It’s all my fault. Let me be punished instead,” she said through feign sobs. Her fake martyred defense only fanned the flames of anger.

His gaze softened at the sight of Victoria, increasing the determination to discipline me.

“I swear. I…I didn’t touch her. Please believe me,” I pleaded. But it fell on deaf ears as I was dragged forcefully by the guards.

My hands were tied behind my back, and I was suspended by a rope from my wrists. The whip cracked like thunder, a burning sting erupted across my back, drawing an Involuntary scream from my lips. Tears streamed down my face, my body shuddering as the whip prepared to strike again. My white gown was torn, the skin on my back, a bloody mess.

The last whip that fell on my back, caused my body to stumble upon the floor. I could hear the muffled cries of my mother. The last thing I saw before darkness consumed me, was the smug look on Victoria’s face.

I woke up with a throbbing pain and I couldn’t help but arch my back. Memories of the previous event flooded my mind, and my brows furrowed. My mind slipped back to the day Victoria came into our lives. The truth was a hard pill to swallow, and my life crumbled.

Adopted. The label hung like heavy stones on my neck. My biological parents couldn’t be found, leaving me with a family that had already replaced me. At first, the love and attention was roughly equal. But slowly, the balance shifted. It first started with Victoria getting more gifts, to shared laughters and secrets I was excluded from. Now I’m just a ghost living in a place that was once my home.

“Miss Alice,” Nancy’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. “Let me tend to your wounds.”

I stared at Nancy, realizing she was the only thing I had close to a family. She had cared for me when no one else did and it warmed my heart.

“I heard madam Fiona discussing with miss Victoria about the forthcoming engagement,” Nancy whispered. My mind immediately drifted to Michael, and a smile tugged on my lips. Michael was another person who treated me like I mattered.

“It seems,” her voice quivered, clearly struggling with her words. “Miss Victoria will be the one getting en…engaged to Michael,” she stammered, lowering her head while averting my gaze. “What!” I jolted up, my jaw dropping to the floor. “That’s impossible.”

A knock on the door interrupted our conversation. The door swung open, Michael’s handsome face coming into view. “Hello, my love,” he said, his low voice coming out smooth and seductive.

Nancy immediately bowed her head and left the room, leaving the both of us to ourselves.

“You haven’t visited me all these while. Why?”

“Oh, baby. I’ve been so busy with work,” he replied, drawing me closer. “You know I want nothing more than to be by your side.”

“Yet you didn’t come for 6 months,” I retorted, trying not to seem to easy to forgive.

“I‘ve been traveling babe. I promise to stay with you this time.”

I collapsed into his chest, pulling him into a hug. My arms wrapped around his neck, my face burying into the crook of his neck to hide the tears that fell.

He didn’t say a word, just stood still, holding me securely. I let out ragged sobs that carried the weight of my loneliness and buried agony. He gently cupped my face, using his thumb to brush away the tears. Then, he leaned in, planting a kiss on my forehead and my eyes, as if he could heal the pains. His hands traced the wounds from the whips slowly, a flicker of something unknown flashing in his eyes.

“You’re safe now,” he whispered against my ear. “After we get married, I’ll take you far away from here. Then, you’ll never be alone ever again.”

My tears began to subside, my pain turning into peace as I rested in his arms.

“You promise?” I asked through sobs.

He paused, narrowing his gaze, “Yes, my love.”

“Why are you getting married to Victoria instead of me?”

His eyes widened a bit, his brows forming into a knot. “I’m not,” he replied. “My family tried to persuade me. But I can never bring myself to love and marry anyone else but you.”

I smiled before pressing my lips against his. The sweet taste of peppermint lingering on my tongue. Suddenly, he tilted his head back, pulling his lips away from mine before I was ready to let go.

A heavy, pregnant silence descended. The air turning cold. “I’ll see you next week.” Then, he stood up, leaving me confused and in the awkward silence.

The next day, I was dressed in a black long satin gown that was stunning but was last season. Beside me, was Victoria, wearing the latest year’s fashion, breathtaking white gown that revealed her flawless back “You love my dress right? Nathan got it for me,” she uttered, a triumphant smile playing on her lips. I didn’t reply, just walked downstairs.

“Are you ready Alice,” Victoria’s asked, her voice, sweet and melodious. “Father insists we make a good impression tonight. We wouldn’t want you to embarrass our family name.” My jaw tightened, a knot forming in my stomach.

The chauffeur held the car open, and I quietly entered, a stark contrast to the chaos in my head. I sat behind the driver’s seat while Victoria sat behind the passenger’s seat. The atmosphere, thick with unspoken war and tension.

Suddenly, a blinding flash of headlights filled the windshield. Victoria screamed beside me. A trailer loomed, its huge form hitting the car. The world blurred, becoming a chaotic mess of screeching metals and shattering glass.

My eyes fluttered open, my ears ringing. The air was heavy with the smell of gasoline and burnt rubber. Twisted door handles and broken metal parts surrounded me. Looking beside me, the Chaffeur laid lifeless in a pool of his own blood. I wanted to move, but my body didn’t listen, feeling like it was glued to the ground. A sharp stabbing pain radiated from my ribs through my back and shoulder. The agony was so intense, I couldn’t breathe. A wet cough, brought the metallic taste of blood to my mouth. I could feel heavy warmth spreading beneath me, soaking my clothes, a contrast to the cold ground.

After a while, my family arrived at the scene.

“Victoria!” My mum yelled, rushing over her while walking past me. Nathan and father's faces were etched with concern and worry as their brows furrowed deeply. He also walked towards Victoria who only had a thin scratch on her forehead. Nathan stood awkwardly, his eyes darting between me and Victoria.

“Father, I think Alice is badly injured,” he said, his voice filled with urgency. “She should get in the ambulance first.” Before mother and father could take a look, Victoria’s voice rang out. “Oh, it hurts!” My mother immediately offered words of reassurance as they placed her on the stretcher.

“Mr Jeremiah, your other daughter is in a more critical situation. We have to get her to the hospital fast, or she may lose her life,” the paramedic uttered. A flicker of worry crossed Mr Jeremiah’s features, his face, a mask of confusion. “Dad, please save Alice,” Victoria whispered, her face twisted in fake agony. “I’ll endure the pain.”

Mr Jeremiah paused, his gaze darting between the both of us. He squeezed his eyes shut and said through gritted teeth. “Save her first. The other can come later.”

His words settled over me, and I felt like my heart was being carved out of my chest. The feeling of betrayal stung more than the physical pain. Dizziness washed over me, making it difficult to keep my eyes open. I finally surrendered, welcoming the darkness.