Chapter 3

(SIX YEARS LATER)

For the past six years, I have lived peacefully here in Korea.  Far from my life then.  Away from the people who hurt me. To those who only want to kill me so that they can inherit the wealth bequeathed to me by my late grandmother. But thank God, no matter how hard they've tried hurting me, I'm still alive and safe. Thanks to God for always protecting me. And thanks to the person who saved me when I almost died from drowning in the river. He gives me new hopes. He is my salvation. And now he is my husband. 

When I look back at my life then, I can say I am happier now. I have a reason to be happy and content. With them, I can fully smile.

After that steamy night with Stranger, I ran and never looked back.  I was scared so I chose to run.

 What if he's like Josh?  What if he's after my inheritance too? Is wealth really the only thing that matters to them?

 When I was in the arms of Stranger, I felt safe and at peace.  But I can't trust him even if my heart cries out that I'm safe with him. I can't risk my life for him, especially my heart. I can't trust anyone that time because of what happened.

(SIX YEARS AGO)

"Where are you?" Coleen asked in a nervous tone. She is my cousin.

 "Somewhere."

 "Please go home. Grandma is in the emergency room."  

 "W-what? W-what happened?"  I asked in a panicked voice.  "Is she okay? What did the doctors say?"

 "I don't know what happened. Monique just called me about grandma."

 "Okay, I'm heading there now."

 "Take care, Jenny."

 And I turned off the call.  I need to go to the hospital because I am so worried about my grandmother.

 I can't lose her.  She's the only one I have aside from Coleen.

 I was driving really fast when something bumped my car. When I looked at the back it was a black car crashing into the back of my car. And the driver really repeats bumping my back.

 I'm nervous. Someone wants to kill me.  Oh, God!  I need to escape.  I don't want to die.  I do not want to!  I do not want to!

 When he hit the back of my car I crashed into the tree. I was dazed and I saw there's blood in my hands.  My blood.

 Someone, please help... I want to scream with help but I can't.  I just want to close my eyes.

 I could hear someone trying to open the door of my car and I also heard someone talking.

 "Is she dead yet?"

 "Yes, she won't survive."

 "If she's dead, the Mistress will be pleased about the news. We will surely be paid tons of money."

 Someone really wanted to kill me and I'm pretty sure the one who ordered it was from my home.

 No! I will not die. I will not give them the fun. I will live.

 After that, I lose my consciousness.  When I woke up I was in bed and had dextrose attached to my hand.  And I saw Coleen.  And she's crying?

 "What happened?" 

 I forced myself to sit on my bed so she quickly approached me and helped me.

 "Your car crashed into a tree." 

Oh! I remembered. Someone wants to kill me. 

 "It's a good thing someone brought you here. I don't know what to do if you're gone too."

 "What do you mean?"  my forehead furrowed.

 "G-grandma-"

 "How is she?"

 "She's gone."  and she burst into tears.

 "N-no! You're lying, Coleen! She can't be!"

 "She is. The doctors didn't save her."

 "How?" I can't believe this!  "How did she die? What was the reason? The last time I saw her she was still strong."

 Collen lowered her head.

 "Tell me, Coleen!"  

I was so angry that I shouted at her.  I can't accept that my grandmother was dead.

 "S-she fell down the stairs."

 "What?"

 "The nurse watching over her said she saw grandma fall down the stairs."

 "Impossible! She's in a wheelchair so how did she fell. Unless someone pushed her."  

I have a strong suspicion that someone from the house pushed our grandmother.  

"And where was the nurse at those times? Why did she leave grandmother?"

 And I saw Coleen turn pale.  She's still bent.

 "Tell me, Coleen!"

 "I ordered her a moment,"  she answers.

 "With the number of maids in the house, why the nurse of our grandmother?"

 "Because she knows about drugs," she looked at me.  

We both had tears in our eyes.

"What do you do with drugs?"  I asked but she never answered.

 I noticed her face looks pale.

 "What are you going to do with the medicine, Coleen!"

 "I want to drink them."

 I doubt her.  All I know is she never takes medicine because she can't take it.  How come she orders grandma's private nurse because she's going to drink?

 I think Coleen is hiding something from me.  It's either she knew about grandmother's death or she kept something from me.

 "I'm so sorry. If I hadn't ordered the nurse, grandma wouldn't have fallen. I hope she's still with us. I hope she didn't die. I hope she-."

 "Stop!"  I really want to slap her.  "Whatever you wish you could never bring grandma back to life."

 "I'm so sorry."

 "Enough!"  I rubbed my cheek.  "I want to go home."  I want to see my grandmother.

 "We won't be allowed into the mansion."

 "What? And why?"

 "We're being evicted."

 I'm surprised.  What right does that woman have to drive us away?

 "Since when?"

 "Since the other day. After grandma's funeral."

 "What? How many days have I not woken up?"

 "Three days."

 "Three days?"  She nodded.  "You mean, three days ago you called me about grandma."

 "Yes and that day grandma died and the most painful thing was that they immediately cremated grandma's body. Then they kicked us out. I didn't even see grandma even though I begged them."

 I saw her cry and I am angry but what right do they have to do that?

 "I want to go home now!"

 "But-"

 "No buts! It's my house so I have more rights."

 She lowered her head and fell silent.