Chapter 2
It's been four days since I lost my father. And for the whole four days, I had been put in this jail cell. My eyes had long been swollen from crying.
As I realised crying would do nothing, the sadness turned into regrets and finally, anger. Who would have thought that the people I referred to as my family would betray me this way??
And all for what? My father's wealth?? Worst of all, I wasn't even a bit aware of their plot. I was too stupid!
It wasn't the first time I had caught Andrew and Amara being so close to each other. Once I went there to pick up some files, I saw them hugging in the garden but Andrew lied that he was just trying to comfort Amara. I forced myself not to make a big fuss about it but didn't realise that was when my father started to get sick.
Andrew was always a better player in our marriage. He acted like a perfect husband in public but in private, I was always the one who had to give in. Yes, he never hurt me physically but he was good at ruining my confidence silently. He made me feel I wasn't a good wife. He made me feel I was not worthy of love.
Recalling all the stupid things I did for his so-called love, I couldn't help but smile sadly, feeling myself pity as well as stupid.
I had tried to appeal to prove my innocence but no one listened to me. They found me guilty because the nurse testified it was I who pulled the drip away from my father and that caused his heart attack to death.
I didn't learn that the nurse was Andrew's sister until Amara came to taunt me. I had never met Andrew's family. I didn't realise they already latched onto my family property like leeches a long ago.
Now I was in this dark cold cell, I bet they were partying and enjoying themselves with my father's wealth. Hatred grows within me as my nails pinched into the flesh.
Suddenly, I heard a clanging on my cell gate.
"Are they here to interrogate me again?"I smirked.
"You have a visitor." The female officer muttered as she opened the gate and pulled me out of the cell.
In the visiting room, I saw a man I had never expected to meet again.
Nicholas Armani.
I felt an urge to run. Why he was here? He must be here to enjoy my miserable situation, isn't he? After all, I had never been nice to him and Nicholas was never a man who forgave easily.
As I stepped back, his next words stopped me in my tracks.
“Catherine wait, I'm here to help you,” He almost yelled out, his voice was full of suffering.
Suffering? What can make the great Nicholas suffer? He was the one who dominated and gave others suffer.
I looked back at him, confusion was written in my eyes. Something flashed in his eyes when our gaze met. I couldn't tell what it was. Nicholas Armani was never a man to be read easily.
"W-why?" I murmured out, having no idea why Nicholas would want to help me.
"I'm sorry, Catherine," he sighed heavily. “If I had investigated Andrew sooner, maybe this wouldn't have happened to you.”
My eyes grew wide. Did he do that? For me? I felt my eyes watered.
"No, Nicholas." I shook my head as tears came out, "It's my fault. It's me who pushed my father to the wrong person. It's all my fault!"
“No, Catherine,” he grabbed my arms as he stated. "It's never your fault. You're the victim too. I know you didn't kill him. The Catherine I know would never kill a person, talk less of her own father."
The concern in his eyes didn't seem fake and I couldn't help but cry harder. After so many days, it was the first time someone believed in me.
"But...I was still the one that pushed him into their hands. If not for my decisions, my father would still be alive.”
Tears came back to me as I remembered my father's face. And then a warm hand wiped them away gently.
"If Mr. Dyson were still alive, he would never want to watch his precious princess languish here." He lifted my head, "Trust me, Catherine. As long as you want, I'll help you fight against them and get back what belonged to you in the first place."
His voice filled with power, waking up my confidence. Yes, I couldn't just sit here crying. Tears weren't going to help, I needed to find a way out and get back hard at Andrew and Amara.
“Then...what should I do?” I looked at Nicholas, who patted my hand soothingly.
“Just two more days, I'll get you out of here safe and sound.”
The guard came in, mentioning that visiting hours were over and I had to leave. I looked back for one more glance and Nicholas gave me a reassuring smile.
Did I do the right thing by choosing to trust him this time?
Two days passed quickly and as he had promised, Nicholas successfully bailed me out of the holding cell. The moment I stepped out of the station, I sighed deeply.
It's been just a week since I last saw the bright sun and felt the cool breeze from nature but it felt like centuries.
If it were in the past, my father would take me to a picnic in such nice weather but now, I no longer had such a chance forever. And this all was caused by Andrew and Amara.
I brushed my long ruffled hair down and put a fake smile on my face. Now that I'm out of here, I would work hard to be strong, strong enough to make my enemies pay.
Then I caught sight of the person I had termed my savior. Nicholas was standing next to his car which was a few feet away from me. I didn't expect he would come to take me in person. He was known to be a busy man.
As I spotted him, he smiled at me as if he had watched my every move for a long time. I somehow felt butterflies in my stomach.
I collected my feelings as I walked over to him. However, his smile suddenly changed into a look of horror and he screamed out my name while running towards me.
I stared at him in confusion and was about to ask what was going on when I felt a sharp pain from my neck to my chest area.
I looked down and saw a red stain on my blouse. I touched it and it turned out to be blood.
My legs felt weak and wobbly so I fell. I was about to touch the bare floor when Nicholas caught me.
"Catherine..."He called as he tapped me on the face.
My eyes were blurry so I really couldn't see much, just his teary and pained eyes as my life slipped away from my body.
So this is it? This is how I'm leaving this cold world. Without being able to fulfill anything? Without avenging my father.
I'm so sorry Dad. For disappointing you.For being the cause of everything.
If only I am given another chance, I will make sure to change all of the things that I did wrong. I wouldn't make these mistakes again.
Slowly and slowly, my eyes got heavy and I couldn't leave them open anymore despite Nicholas begging me to stay awake.
As my eyes shut closed, his voice started to get really distant till I couldn't hear it anymore.
Chapter 3
I could hear distorted voices even though my eyes were shut close. I wanted to know what was going on. Am I in the afterlife??
When the voice started to get clearer, I finally recognized who it was.
I pushed myself to open my eyes because I was dying to see him. Please, God, give me one last chance to see him!
When I finally managed to open my eyes, I saw him standing right in front of me, talking to someone on his phone like nothing had happened.
“Dad...”I called, gaining his attention.
He turned to face me immediately after he heard my voice and I noticed how relieved he looked. He ended the call with the person he was talking to.
"Cathy..."He called as he walked towards me and engulfed me in a very tight hug.
I hugged him back tightly, ignoring the pain I felt in my lower abdomen.
I never really thought that I would see him again, not this soon. I guess it's probably because I'm dead too but I didn't care.
As long as I was in his arms right now.
He pulled away and stared at me when he heard me crying.
"What's wrong Cathy? Why are you crying??"
Cathy...it felt so warm hearing that name again. Dad was the only one that called me that.
"I'm just so happy to see you, Dad. I can't believe that you would be here, with me."
"Why wouldn't I be? You're my daughter and I'll always be where you are." He whispered as he wiped my tears with his thumb making me smile happily.
I don't really care if we are both dead. As long as I am with him again, everything's fine.
"By the way Dad.. where am I?" I asked as I looked around me. I didn't really take the time to check my surroundings when I first woke up but now, I could see that we were at a hospital. A very familiar one at that.
"You collapsed yesterday so I rushed you here." He explained.
"Collapsed?? I didn't really think that dead people could collapse too." I muttered but he still heard me. My statement made his face sink.
"I'm so sorry Cathy..." He whispered and his voice filled with guilt, making my heart pound. Why did he say that? Was he going to leave me again?
"Why? What's wrong??" I asked carefully, my voice was shaking.
He sucked in a deep breath, "I'm sorry...we couldn't save the baby."
"Wait.. what baby??"
Dad was taken aback when I asked that question.
"You've been pregnant for four weeks. Don't you remember??"
Pregnant?? For four weeks?? If I remember correctly, I was only pregnant once for Andrew and that was about three years ago...wait a minute.
"Dad, what's the name of this hospital?" I asked nervously as a crazy thought crept into my mind.
"Saint Paul's hospital. Why do you ask?"
"Can I see your phone?" I asked again after taking a deep breath, ignoring his first question.
I know my questions might confuse him but he still granted my request. This is my Dad, who always put my needs first in everything.
I couldn't control the trembling of my hands as I scrutinized his phone. And as I had expected, the phone was his but an old model, which looked like the same one he used about three years ago.
I clicked on the on button and the first thing that greeted me was the time and date.
"15th of May 2021."
I gasped and covered my mouth in shock. I can't believe it.
But I already died.. how did this come??
"What's wrong Cathy? Why are you acting like this??" Dad asked in worry but I was in my thoughts.
How did this happen? I had gone back in time to the day that I lost my baby. But how? Also why??
My thought came back to my last wish that I made before I died. Was it because God answered me? I am really alive... so is my father and he's also healthy. And I still had enough time to correct all the mistakes.
I laughed crazily in excitement but Dad had a worried look on.
"I need to go get the doctor to check up on you, you're acting weird." He said and wanted to stand up but I pulled him back towards me.
"I'm fine Dad. There's nothing wrong with me." I said in an attempt to make him stop worrying.
"Are you sure? You don't look so good." The worried look still hadn't died off. I was about to reply when the door was pushed open from the outside and Andrew walked in hastily.
His appearance changed the air in the room.
Everything that he did to me came rushing back in full force. Seeing his face brought back the anger and feeling of betrayal within me.
Dad wasn't exempted. He had this annoyed look on but tried not to show it because of me. Dad had never really liked Andrew but he had to agree to our marriage because of me.
I never really understood why Dad wouldn't approve of Andrew but now I get it. He had seen the signs I was too blind to see years ago.
"Cathrine.. I heard that you collapsed. How are you?" He asked in concern as he drew closer to me.
I sneered within myself as he tried so hard to look concerned for my well-being when he was the one who put me in this condition.
In my past life, after I had lost the baby, I found an abortion pill bottle hidden in his closet.
Nothing was wrong with me or my baby until he made me breakfast one morning. I confronted him about the abortion pills I found and he convinced me that he did it because we weren't ready to be parents yet.
He also pleaded with me not to tell my father anything so I kept it all to myself. How could I be so stupid to do that?? I did everything for him and he still threw me away like I was nothing.
Now he was here, acting like he knew nothing and feigning concern for me all because my father was here too. I couldn't help but be disgusted.
I was so stupid that my unborn baby suffered for it. It was my baby. I loved my baby. Even though the father is a scum, that doesn't mean I wanted my baby to die.
Well, since he had no mercy for our child, I need not show him mercy.
I signaled to Dad and he took that as his cue to leave.
After Dad had left, I noticed how Andrew sighed a in relief. I bet he was already exhausted with the act he was putting on. Well, so was I.
"What are you doing here?" I asked coldly. I noticed how surprised he looked when I asked him that question. He probably wasn't expecting that question nor the tone I used.
I had always been really sweet to him even though he always treated me like trash but never again. I will never make the same mistake I made in my past life.
I need to clear out the trash in my family and I'm starting with the biggest one.
"What's with that question Catherine??" He asked with a nervous chuckle.
"Do I need a reason to see my wife?" He asked again as he moved to touch me but I slapped his hands away.
"Wife??" I scoffed loudly. That word sounded so funny to me.
"Now that you mention that, I've come up with a conclusion. I don't think I can continue with this anymore."
I noticed how anxious he looked when I said that and that made me really happy inside.
"W...what are you talking about Catherine??" He stuttered out in fear of what I was going to say.
"I want a divorce."
Chapter 4
"W...what are you talking about Catherine??" He stuttered out.
"I want a divorce." I said out loud. It felt so good to finally be able to say those words and the expression on his face added to the happiness within me.
"What??" He looked so shocked and funny right now. He really wasn't expecting me to say that.
"I said I want a divorce." I repeated even though he heard me clearly the first time. I noticed how his shocked expression immediately turned into an irritated one.
He scoffed; "You really want to divorce me?"
"Weren't my words clear enough??" I asked back with my head head high. I didn't want hum to think he would have any power over me anymore.
"Are you cheating on me?" I was both shocked and angry at the same time when he asked that question.
"You of all people shouldn't be asking me that shitty question."
"Why wouldn't I? The only reason you would dare utter such words is if you already have another man in your life. Do you??" He asked again, in a more menacing manner but I chose not to back down.
If having an 'affair' would be enough reason for him to let me go, then so be it.
The corners of my lips quirked up to form a wide smirk; "What if I d.." I wasn't able to complete my words when he suddenly gripped my neck tightly, thereby blocking my airflow.
I slapped his hands away but he gripped them back, tighter than before. "You really have the guts to cheat on me??" He sneered.
"You really think I would let you divorce me and run off with another man?? Over my dead body!!" He said through gritted teeth. I was slowly loosing my breath but he didn't care.
"You will never ever get a divorce from me. Not now... not ever. I would rather kill you with my own hands than let you throw me away like I am trash." He held my neck tightly with dark murderous gaze in his eyes.
This was the first time he was assaulting me physically amd what's worse is that I wasn't strong enough to fight him back because of my condition. When he noticed I was almost loosing consciousness, he let go of me.
I coughed out as I tried to steady my breath. I could feel my eyes watering as I wheezed in and out like an old person that's on her death bed. My eyes held fear and surprise as I stared at Andrew.
He still have that dark gaze in his eyes. He doesn't love me and he still wouldn't let me go. He really wanted to kill me just because I wanted to divorce him!!
He gave me one last look before storming angrily out of my ward. Right at that moment, Amara my so called step mother entered into the ward.
"Catherine.." She called as she rushed towards where I sat. Seeing her face gave me flashbacks of what she had Andrew did to me. I was reminded of her hateful words and her evil smile as she watched me crumble in my past life.
What was she doing here?? To show me more fake love? To gloat at me? Why didn't she go after her lover??
"Did you and Andrew have a fight? I noticed how angry he was when he left." She asked in concern.. fake concern.
She couldn't even hide her true emotions like she used to. I noticed how happy she was when she asked that question.
"It's nothing." I lied as I faked a smile.
"No.. it isn't nothing. You're eyes are red and watering. Is it because you had a miscarriage?" She asked.
"How do you know that? I haven't even mentioned it to you yet." Her face suddenly went pale when I asked that question but she was quick to wipe it off.
"W..well... hmm... your father told me that on the phone." She stuttered out.
It was obviously a lie but I decided not to push it since all she would do was give me more fake excuses.
"You can tell me if there's something wrong. You know you can always count on me to help you out the best way I can." She muttered as she pressed on my wrist tightly with her hand.
That was her way of telling me that she was the only one I could count on. In my past life, she was the one I had always told all of my secrets and marriage issues to since I didn't have any other friend without knowing she was part of the reason I was suffering.
"It's fine. Everything's okay." I lied as I withdrew my hand from hers. I noticed hard she tried to bury her anger with a faux smile.
"If you say so. I'll just leave you to rest then." She said as she straightened herself up before leaving the ward.
I breathed out in relief after she had left. It was so hard trying to keep up with the acting especially in front of them. I placed my hands on my neck and massaged it softly with my palm.
I know that Andrew's assault was going to leave a huge mark on it. I need to cover it up so dad wouldn't find out because if he does, he was going to go berserk.
Thankfully, I found a scarf amongst the clothes the butler might have brought for me when I was out so I put it on. It was chilly outside so me putting on a scarf wasn't going to raise any suspicion.
As I was alone, I had more time to think. Since I miraculously went back in time to three years before, that means dad's sickness hasn't started yet. He started getting sick a year after I lost my baby which is next year.
That means I still have time to save him. First of all, I need to take him to see a doctor for a checkup just in case and I need stop him from taking any unknown drugs. History can't repeat itself. Not in this lifetime.
It's been a while now and dad still hasn't come back into the ward so I started to get really concerned. I decided to go look for him myself because he wouldn't have left me in the hospital.
I stood up from my bed and left the ward. As I walked down the hallway, I heard a very familiar voice so I stopped walking. It sounded so much like Andrew. I thought he had left. I was confused till I heard Amara's voice.
They can't be doing what I think they are doing. I moved towards the ward the voices were coming from and opened the door a little bit so I would be able to peep.
I saw Amara sitting on a table with her legs wrapped around Andrew's torso. Andrew had his pants down and he was thrusting deeply into Amara. The noises they were making was so loud and unbearable so I shut the door and walked back into my room.
I plopped down on the bed as heart ached due to what I had just witnessed. That scene reminded me of all my pain and it hurt so much. He just killed his only child and the next thing to do was to fuck another woman.
He couldn't even wait for sometime before continuing with his disgusting affair. Worst of all was that they were doing it here, right in this hospital. Are they really that shameless??
No.. no!!! I can't keep letting him have his way with me. I won't give him the satisfaction of seeing me break down. He doesn't want a divorce? Fine. I won't divorce him that easily either.
I will make sure he pays for all he is doing and I will make him beg on his knees to leave me. Choosing not to divorce me now would be the biggest mistake of your wretched life Andrew!!