Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Alice’s POV

My eyes snapped open, heavy, as if they had been glued shut, the sudden sharp light blurring my vision. I wanted to move but my body didn’t listen, feeling like it was hit by a truck. The low, intense hum of medical equipment and distant beeping of a cardiac monitor echoed in my ears. I tried to speak, but only a weak groan escaped as my throat was so dry.

The atmosphere was thick with the smell of antiseptic cleaners and lingering hints of alcohol wipes. Taking a deep breath, a sharp, stabbing pain surged through my ribs, spreading to my chest and back. I groaned in pain, clutching my abdomen.

“Miss Alice!” Nancy called out, bringing a pillow against my chest. “Hold this. It will help with the pain.”

“Tha…thank you,” I managed to speak, my voice coming out raspy. “How did I…get here?”

“You were involved in a car accident,” she said, her eyes welling with tears. My head throbbed, the memories flooding in.

“Where’s father and mother?” My eyes darted around the four corners of the hospital room, searching for them. “Where’s Nathan?”

Nancy remained quiet, lowering her head to the ground. She opened her mouth, but not a sound came out. My chest tightened. They never cared. I had thought that maybe they would. But I was so wrong.

I shut my eyes close, tears streaming down my face. My own father left me to die, to save her. Something inside me broke.

“Is Victoria…okay?” I asked through sobs.

“Yes, she is. She didn’t sustain any major injury.”

“Which ward is she in?”

Nancy paused, swallowing hard before saying, “She…she’s in the one opposite ours.”

“Wait. What?!”

It wasn’t long before I heard familiar voices coming from the other ward.

“Oh, mother. You got me my favourite avocado toast!” Victoria’s voice rang out. “It tastes so yummy. You’re the best mum in the whole world!”

Their voices were like salt to an open wound, making my chest ache. “Don’t worry, Victoria. We’ll bring you home today. The doctor said you can be discharged,” Mr Jeremiah said, his voice laced with a bit of warmth I had never heard.

“I think we should check up on…Alice,” Nathan spoke in a low monotone whisper, as if searching for the right words to say.

“No need,” Mr Jeremiah's deep voice resonated, devoid of any emotion. “The doctor said she’s recovering. Plus, Nancy is with her.”

“Yes, Nathan. Your father is right,” Mrs Fiona added, her voice tight. “She’ll be fine. Our main focus should be on our dear Victoria.”

A knot formed in my stomach. My hands pressed together till my knuckles turned white. “Why can’t they just love me?” I choked out. I bit down on my lips, determined not to let the sound out.

Nancy pulled me by the shoulder, wrapping her arms around me like a warm blanket. “Let it all out. I’m here for you,” she whispered, gently stroking my back, offering a silent comfort.

Three weeks had passed, yet no one except Nancy had come to visit. The fact that the same people who promised me the world had abandoned me, never ceased to amaze me. My bones had mostly healed, but I could still feel some discomfort when moving. I was finally discharged from the hospital with Nancy by my side. I had made up my mind: Nancy was the only family I had now.

Stepping out, I realized they hadn’t sent the chauffeur to come pick me up. “Miss Alice, we have to use a cab,” Nancy said, looking at me worriedly. “It’s fine. I’ll manage,” I replied, flashing a smile that didn’t reach my eyes.

I sat calmly in the cab, its quietness making all my jagged emotions feel relieved, like heavy stones taken off my chest. Unfortunately, the peace was short-lived as four men clad in black clothes and masks jumped in front of the car. In a blink of an eye, two rushed to the driver’s side, while the others opened the back door, pointing their guns. Fear hit me. My body went cold. One of the men gripped me hard, pulling me out forcefully. The force sent a wave of sharp pains to my ribs, making me take ragged gasps. I wanted to scream, but not a sound came out of my mouth.

Nancy rushed towards me, pulling me away from the man, while screaming for help. But one of the men dragged Nancy, his hand meeting her face violently. The slap sent her backward, a bright red mark appearing on her left cheek.

“We don’t want to hurt anyone. We just want her. That’s all,” one of the men said, pointing his finger at me.

A flicker of realization crossed my face. This wasn't a robbery attempt, it was planned. My heart pounded so hard, it almost flew out of my chest.

Two men clamped down on my arms, in an attempt to keep me still. Then, one of the men brought out his gun, pointing it towards me. Time seemed to stop, stretching into an agonizing eternity. I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing myself for the impact. “Is this it? My end. Will they shed a tear when I’m gone?” I thought to myself, the questions clawing in my mind.

Suddenly, Nancy threw herself, shielding me with her body. “Nancy, what the hell are you doing!” I cried out, trying to talk sense into her. “Move.”

“I won’t let anyone touch you,” she muttered through gritted teeth, unwavering determination flashing in her eyes. The air shattered with a deafening, metallic crack, piercing the silence. A bloodied hole appeared on Nancy’s forehead, as her body collapsed to the ground.

Time seemed to stop. The world went silent.

“No! Nancy!” I yelled, yanking myself from the grip of the men. I held her lifeless body, hugging it tightly. “This isn’t possible,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “You can’t be dead.”

My body shook violently as tears poured down. The men grabbed me by the shoulder, pulling me up. Suddenly, I was shot in the chest, blood gushing out of my mouth. My lips parted, instinctively clutching my chest. And the one who held the gun…was Michael, my fiancé. I fell weakly, my body laying helplessly beside Nancy. Regret and unwillingness consumed me. Victoria walked elegantly towards Michael, kissing him passionately, a triumphant smile playing on her lips. “If only second chances existed,” I thought to myself. “I’ll make them pay.” Then, darkness.

My eyes fluttered open, darting around the dark surroundings. The scent of lavender, mold, and something metallic filled the air. The space was defined by damp concrete walls, the roof low, with heavy steel beams. I jolted out of the bed, but an acute chest pain forced me back. The neatly bandaged area, a reminder that it wasn’t a dream.

“Easy there,” a voice rumbled, deep and smooth. My gaze snapped to the source. It was a man sitting beside my bed. One of his legs was draped over the armrest, while the other extended forward, occupying the space with an air of quiet authority. His head rested against the back of the chair, his gaze fixed on me with a calm, unblinking intensity.

“Where am l? Who are you?” I asked, my mind racing, the images of how I was shot, Nancy’s lifeless body, Michael and Victoria, flashed in my head. “How am I still alive?” The memories flooded in with force, making my head throb. The betrayal cutting deeper than the wound.

He chuckled, his handsome face coming into view. My breath hitched, seeing his features closely. His grey eyes were mesmerizing, having a flicker of mystery and dangerous allure. His dark brown hair fell to the side, revealing his sharp jawline and high cheekbones. If I thought Michael was handsome, then this man was the true definition of perfection.

“You’re safe now,” he whispered. “As for who I am…you’ll find out later.” He gestured, dismissing it.

“The most important thing is you’re alive and you have a chance to settle the scores,” he added, a smirk playing on his lips.

His words echoed in my head, a spark of something surging within me. “Marry me and watch them pay for their sins.”

Silence descended, the air becoming suffocating. My brows formed into a knot, my lips pressed into a thin line.

“Why do we have to get married? How can I trust you?”

“Marrying me will give you a status to achieve your goals. But trusting me…that’s all up to you.”

“Why me? What do you want in return?” I whispered, my eyes narrowing.

“Because, you have nothing else to lose nor anything to live for,” he said, his gaze darkening. His words sent a shiver down my spine, laced with a bit of warning.

I fell silent, swallowing the lump in my throat. He was right. I had lost everything. Nothing to live for. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into, but I was willing to take the risk.

“I’ll marry you,” I blurted out, surprising myself. “But you have to promise me one thing. You have to make each and every one of them pay.”

“Deal.”

I smirked, blinded by my crazy thirst for revenge. “Hold on, dear family. My sweet revenge has just begun.”