ANNALISE. PRESENT ~ How can I burn your image without confessing I am a sinner? ~ Thinking about old times was stinging my chest. I couldn’t believe how much hatred Vincent had stacked inside his hollow heart. I know I deserve it but ruining himself along the way of revenge would gain him anything? But, I guess, I should have prepared myself for this horrible outcome. I am his sinner after all… "Elise? What happened?" Edmond called, dragging me out of my thoughts. I have begun to daze off recently. “You okay? Where are you lost?” He asked, perplexed at my lost self. Exhaling, I rubbed my temples, "Nothing." "Are you sure? You seemed to be lost in a daze." He inquired further, it was obvious on my face that something was bothering me. "Don't vex, Edmond. Everything is alright." Sighing, I forced out a smile, waving my hand off to shrug these thoughts off so I could focus on work. "If you say so." Humming, he pulled away. I didn’t want to remember the tale of yesterday.

"Hey, Elise? How are things going? Is everything alright?" I received a call from Linda during Lunchtime. She frequently called me to know if everything was alright or not. She was among those few people who knew what happened. She knew, we all worked together after all. "Yes. Everything is alright. How are you, Linda?” I smiled, reassuring her. I didn’t want her to be vexed about me. "I am doing alright at the moment. Can't wait for the baby to come. Um… Is Boss treating you right? After what happened…" She asked worriedly. "Yeah. Don't worry about it. He was in my Mother’s debt after all. He couldn’t leave her in pain." I tried to tell her sweetly so she won’t take stress. "I see. Glad to hear it. Even if he does anything, just bear with it. It's just a matter of a few months then I will be back." She encouraged me to go on. Honestly, I don’t have another option. "I see. Anyways, I am working right now. Why don’t we catch up later?" I suggest happily. It would also ref

ANNALISE.I never want this to happen, I swear I never intend to reach this point. I thought my betrayal would pass like a phase but I became his perennial sting.What have I done?“I am sorry. Please forgive me. Please…” I continued to beg, hoping not to forgive but at least I could lessen his resentment and give him a new path in life.Staying where we lived would only hurt him. “Don’t cry, Annnalise. I… don’t have words for your consolation.” He whispered gently in my ears. Sobbing in his arms, I felt an unstoppable equanimity when he embraced me back, at his warmth. His arms were unfathomable.They blinded me to carve me, I wanted him to hold me like that. It was illicit but it felt heavenly. “I-” I opened my mouth to speak something but the worst case scenario became reality.What I prayed to never occur, happened at the most unwanted moment. I was in his arms and Victoria called us hesitantly.“Vincent?” Gasping, we both pulled away, my body froze with tears staying on my

After some painful moments, I took a moment of silence. I didn’t want to stay where they were but I had no choice. Looking at Annalise and Edmond from time to time intensely. Hoping Annalise would notice my gaze and refrain from his closeness. ‘Who are you to me that I feel possessive over you? Who are you to me!?’ Narrowing my eyes, a strange grief flickered in my eyes. Listen to my silence, hear what I cannot speak. ‘Why do I feel this way for a cheater? Why do I crave the attention of such a low person?’ But, lost in worry, she didn’t care about anything else until the doctor came and informed us that the surgery went successful. “Oh, thank God!” We all exclaimed in delight at the same time. “I am so happy.” Beaming, Annalise grinned with tears of felicity pricking her eyes. Upon hearing it, Annalise ended up crying from happiness and involuntarily, she hugged Edmond. Exhilaration took its effect only, she wouldn’t hug him like that or else, right? "Don't cry. She is fine

On our way back, my hands were behind my back, trying not to espy her graceful aura but I couldn’t stop myself either. The way she lowered her gaze, took a bite. Licked her lips from nervousness. She knew I was looking at her. ‘Why do I still find her beautiful?’ “You look horrible, you know.” I said this for my own satisfaction. ‘Why are you so compelling?’ “Hmm, I think that too. I have stopped grooming myself.” She nodded, not arguing about it. “Is that why you are looking at me constantly?” She asked, tugging her hair behind her ears, she believed in my words. “Do I look bad?” She asked again, glancing at me in nervousness. “You do.” No, you don’t. “I see…” Humming, we both began to walk again, not talking further. "Why did you warn Edmond to stay away from me?” After a moment of silence, Annalise finally spoke up. I knew she would ask this. I didn’t want her to but she did and answering it was a complex situation. It was unintentional yet unstoppable. “Was his