Chapter 2 – Dark Memories

Charlotte faced the same awful experience she was continuously having for the past 18 years… She never loved Gregory.

After nearly an hour's torture, Gregory was satisfied and he turned his back to Charlotte and slept. Charlotte was afraid to get up , so she waited till he started snoring to make sure he is sleeping. Then she got up from the bed carefully and went to the bathroom slowly. Her whole body ached. From the mirror she could see dark blue marks all over her body. It was worse today. This is the way Gregory took the revenge. He was angry as Anna refused the marriage proposal and Charlotte dared to ask so many questions today. Her eyes were filled with tears not because of the pain, It's because she remembered Sylvester. "Sylvester…. Where are you darling….. We need you" Her mind ran to the past.

Sylvester and Charlotte were childhood friends and with the time they became lovers and got married soon . Charlotte was 20 when she delivered Anna. They never wanted to postpone having a child. But it was a huge responsibility, Sylvester was an assistant accountant and worked late hours too. Charlotte was a thrifty wife who saved each penny she could to support him.

On the day of the company's family get-together Sylvester introduced Gregory, the Administration Manager to Charlotte. It was a common thing. Sylvester introduced other managers to her in the same manner. But Gregory's eyes were on Charlotte from that day. Her young and charming face, Her perfect body, her full breast, her thin red lips.....There were many girls but none of them could be compared to the beauty Charlotte had. Anna was on her lap,but he didn't mind it. "I will take her to bed, however…." The only thing Gregory had in his mind.

He began to lay the trap on the same day. On that day the director board was planning to announce the promotions of their employers and reward their hard work. Sylvester was on that list from the beginning, but Gregory acted as he was the one who persuaded the directors to take the decision, and Sylvester believed and respected him more. From that day onwards Gregory became friendlier with the newly promoted accountant and developed a good relationship with his family too. Most of the weekends Sylvester asked Charlotte to prepare dinner for Gregory and she did it well to satisfy his husband. Even Sylvester didn't notice his manager's hidden intentions but Charlotte became aware of it from the lustful eyes he laid on her body. When she talked about it with her husband he laughed and joked "Who can resist looking at a beauty queen like you!"

Day by day Sylvester was given more and more responsibilities by his boss and he became busy. Gregory took that as an advantage and visited Charlotte. But she behaved as a loyal wife and it was impossible to reach her the way he wanted.

One day suddenly when Charlotte was waken up by the cry of Anna , she saw Sylvester still doing some accounts. Her eyes automatically turned to the clock. It was 2.00 a.m. Anna cried loudly, so she went to see her. Charlotte gave her the bottle of milk and put her in the cot. She returned to the study room. Sylvester turned and told her the truth, "I have done a terrible mistake Charlotte, The numbers are huge, I can't settle it." She comforted him but it didn't work. The days went on…..Sylvester got addicted to alcohol.

After few weeks,she got a call in the mid night. She froze for few seconds then she hurried to the hospital carrying 3 year old Anna with her. But she was late. He was dead.

It was a car accident. He was drunk and he couldn't control his vehicle and crashed into a building. His head was damaged. He died on the spot leaving his family alone in this world.

Charlotte was a housewife, the only income was Sylvester's salary. Without that how could she survive? Fortunately they owned the small house they lived. She planned to find a job. Till then she could spend the money which will be given to her from Sylvester's company. But no! The evening after the funeral Mr.Gregory and HR manager visited Charlotte, not to give money but to ask money.

She couldn't believe her ears, "No Sylvester was not a fraud, he was honest and worked till late night for your company"

'I'm sorry Mrs.Jones. May be you don't know the bad side of your husband. We warned him to return that money, I think he has hidden all the things from you. You better pay all the depts. if not we have to go to the courts." HR manager warned her and left. Gregory was still there like a cunning fox who is ready to catch the prey.

"Charlotte, I am always there to help y…" Charlotte stopped him, "Please leave"

It was late at night, she thought how she can pay and how she can live, how Anna can have a good education, a decent life. But she was not able to find answers for any of them . she was helpless. She married Gregory as the solution for all her problems. But it was a fatal mistake.

She was a plaything for him. When Gregory was happy he drank madly and he became mad and harass her sexually. When he was angry he did the same thing. She tolerated all these things. It was unbearable for her when he used her beauty to win contracts and bids. She had to sleep with those clients too. She hated her life, but she loved Anna more, so she decided to live that life.

After thinking deeply about what happened to her, Charlotte came to a decision. "no matter if I die, I will never make Anna's life a mess."