The doctor, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes, stood beside me, her expression shifting from concern to determination as she glanced at the door.

"Mr. Carter," she began, her voice steady but firm, "after seeing your wife's injuries and the trauma she's endured, it's clear she was assaulted by at least four to five men. You cannot seriously believe she is pretending." Her words offered a flicker of hope amidst the chaos, but I could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on me.

As I looked up, expecting some form of understanding, Mr. Carter's face twisted in disbelief, his arrogance palpable. "I don't trust her who claims to have been assaulted," he spat, his voice dripping with disdain. "She must have seduced them; after all, she already did it once. How can I trust her now? I don't have time for her drama."

The doctor's expression hardened, but she pressed on, "Mr. Carter, your unborn child was lost due to this trauma. This is serious."

His response was cold, cutting through the air like a knife. "You brought this upon yourself, Charlotte " he said, his words laced with venom. "And I'm not going to pay her medical bills either. This is all just an act."

I felt my heart shatter at his cruel dismissal. How could he be so heartless? My mind raced with disbelief and despair. The doctor's gaze flickered between us, her frustration evident. She opened her mouth to protest, but Mr. Carter turned on his heel, striding out of the room without a backward glance, leaving me alone with my pain.

The day I got kidnapped, a few hours back, his eyes were blazing with anger. He didn't trust me; he thought I had been unfaithful. The words he spat were not his own but echoes of Anastasia's malicious whispers, planted in his mind like seeds of doubt. It was infuriating.

"Howard, you have to believe me! I've never-" I started, but he cut me off, his voice rising.

"Don't lie to me! I saw the pictures!" He threw a handful of photographs onto the table, each one a dagger to my heart. They depicted me with another man, laughing, carefree-moments taken out of context, twisted into something sinister.

The memory of that night two months ago flooded back. It was his birthday, a night I had hoped would mark a turning point for us. We had finally crossed a line that had felt insurmountable for so long. Howard had touched me with a tenderness I had longed for, igniting a spark of hope within me. I could still feel the warmth of his hands on my skin, the way he had looked into my eyes as if seeing me for the first time. That night was unforgettable; it was more than just physical-it was a connection I had yearned for during our three years of loveless marriage.

But now, that connection felt shattered. The anger in Howard's eyes was a mirror reflecting the pain in my heart. I remembered how he had made love to me that night, pouring out all his pent-up emotions. It was as if he had finally allowed himself to feel, to care, and I had thought it was the beginning of something beautiful between us.

But here we were, standing on the precipice of destruction.

"Howard, please! You have to listen to me!" I pleaded, desperation creeping into my voice. My heart raced as I searched his eyes for any sign of understanding.

"Why should I? You've betrayed me!" His words were like ice, cutting through my resolve, leaving me exposed and vulnerable.

I felt tears prick my eyes, the weight of his accusations pressing down on me. "I'm pregnant," I finally managed to say. For a fleeting second, I saw his eyes soften, a flicker of something that resembled hope. But it was quickly masked by a wave of anger.

Before I could process his reaction, he grabbed my hand and dragged me out of the room. "Howard, wait! Please!" I protested, stumbling to keep up with his furious pace. I caught a glimpse of his parents watching the scene unfold; their expressions were normal. Karla, his mother, was smiling-was she behind this? My heart sank further as I struggled against his grip, but he didn't stop.

We reached the estate's entrance, and he suddenly halted, throwing me to the ground. I was in disbelief that he could do this to me, his own wife. "Please listen to me," I begged, scrambling to my feet. "It's all planned! It's a lie! It's all your mother's and Anastasia's plan! It's all fake! I could never betray you. Trust me!"

"Trust you?" he shot back, his voice laced with venom. "Are those pictures fake? Is my mom lying, or is Anna lying? Anna is the one who took all those pictures! She tried to hide this, but I saw! She was trying to save you, and you're blaming her for what you did! You are nothing but a slut!"

His words struck me like a physical blow, and I felt the world around me blur. "Get out of this place right now! Don't dare step foot here again. I'll send you the divorce papers soon. I have no place for a cheater."

With that, he turned on his heel and walked back inside, leaving me standing there, stunned and shattered. The cool ground beneath me felt like a stark reminder of my reality, and I sank to my knees, the weight of his betrayal and my own heartbreak crashing down on me.

I wanted to scream, to make him understand, but the words caught in my throat. How could he believe them over me?

Anastasia walked toward me, her lips curling into a mocking smile that sent a chill down my spine. She settled herself on the floor beside me, her eyes glinting with cruel amusement. "Oh, poor baby. Now what will you do?" she taunted, leaning closer.

With a conspiratorial whisper, she continued, "I have a perfect place for you." Her breath was laced with malice as she leaned in even closer, her voice dripping with mockery. "My friend owns a brothel. You could give him good service." She chuckled, the sound sharp and piercing.

Fury surged through me, igniting a fire I thought had long been extinguished. "You... you ruined my life, and I will make you pay for this," I spat, my voice trembling with rage.

Her laughter only grew louder, echoing in the hollow space between us. She was the very definition of a cruel heart, relishing in my pain as if it were a delicious secret she alone could savor.

"Make me pay?" she repeated, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Oh, sweetie, you're in no position to make threats. You're the one on the ground."

As her laughter filled the air, I felt a mix of anger and despair. I knew I had to rise above her taunts, but in that moment, all I could do was stare into the abyss of her cruelty, realizing just how far she would go to see me suffer.

I had no idea that Howard was watching us from a distance. He believed that Anna was helping me, feeling a sense of pride that his adopted sister had such a kind heart. The truth, however, was far darker: no one in this cruel world could be trusted, especially not someone like Anastasia.

As we stood there, a car suddenly sped toward us. Before we could react, two men jumped out and forcibly shoved us inside. Howard witnessed everything; his expression shifted from shock to concern, but it seemed his worry was not for me. No, it was for his adopted sister, Anastasia. In a panic, he ran back, calling for security, his footsteps echoing with urgency.

The chaos escalated as security personnel chased after the car, and Howard joined them, determined to save her. But as the world around me blurred, my vision faded, and I felt myself slipping away from reality.

When I finally opened my eyes again, I found myself surrounded by the very people who had kidnapped me. They were the same individuals who had brought nothing but destruction into my life. My heart raced as I realized the gravity of the situation.

Anastasia appeared before me, her smile wide and triumphant as she stepped into the room. She seemed to revel in my despair, her expression filled with delight at seeing me in such a vulnerable state. The contrast between her joy and my fear was stark, and in that moment, I understood just how deeply twisted she truly was.

****

After the harrowing experience of being kidnapped, I opened my eyes to find myself in a hospital bed,

I turned my head and saw her again: Anastasia. She stood there with that same twisted smile, flanked by the very men who had taken me. The sight sent chills down my spine, and my heart raced as I realized I was not free from her grasp.

"Welcome back to reality," she said, her voice dripping with mockery. The room felt suffocating as her presence loomed over me, her eyes sparkling with a cruel delight at my vulnerability.

The men exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable but menacing.

I glanced at those men again, a wave of panic washed over me, and my heart raced uncontrollably. Just thinking about everything they had done to me made me feel nauseous. My stomach churned, and I fought the urge to vomit. Then, I turned to Anastasia, desperation lacing my voice. "What do you want from me? You've already ruined my life, and now Howard is going to divorce me too."

Anastasia let out a chilling laugh, her eyes glinting with malice. "You can run away from him all you want, but there's something that will always keep him tied to you, so he can't be mine fully." Her words sent a shockwave through me, leaving me stunned. What did she mean? I knew she was Howard's adopted sister, but I could never understand the depth of their connection or why it seemed so twisted.

She continued, her voice dripping with bitterness. "I have always loved Howard. Ever since my mother was best friends with his mother, I knew he was meant for me. After my mother passed away, the Carter family took me in, and I waited for the day I could marry Howard. But then you came along and ruined everything. To him, I am just a sweet, innocent girl-like a sister, even. Ugh, how disgusting is that?"

Her words struck me like a dagger. I could see the hatred in her eyes, and it terrified me. "I am meant to be his wife," she said, a sinister smile spreading across her face. "And as long as you're alive, that can never happen."

The gravity of her threat sank in, and I felt my breath catch in my throat. I was trapped in a web of danger, with Anastasia at its center, and I realized just how precarious my situation was.

"Take her to the rooftop," Anastasia ordered, her voice cold and commanding. The cruel men around her wasted no time. They grabbed me roughly and dragged me off the bed, showing no regard for my condition. I struggled to walk, my body weak and trembling, but they were relentless. They forced me into a wheelchair, completely ignoring my pleas for mercy.

As they wheeled me down the hall, I could feel blood trickling down my legs, pooling on the floor beneath me. The sight of it made my heart race with fear. They showed no compassion; their expressions were devoid of any empathy as they pushed me toward the elevator.

The hallway was eerily quiet-no one was around to hear my silent cries for help. I wanted to scream, to call out for someone to save me, but they had my mouth covered, silencing my desperate attempts. This was a private floor, restricted to only doctors or specific individuals, which meant there was no one to come to my aid.

I felt utterly powerless, trapped in a nightmare with no way to escape. The weight of despair settled heavily on my chest, and all I could do was hope for a miracle-that somehow, someone would come to rescue me.

Before I knew it, we arrived at the rooftop. The doors of the elevator opened, revealing the vast expanse above, and I felt a chill run down my spine. My heart raced as I realized the gravity of my situation.

They threw me from the wheelchair, and I cried out in pain as I hit the ground. Desperation filled my voice as I begged for mercy. "Please, let me go! I just want to leave. You've taken everything from me-my husband, my unborn child, and my dignity. Just let me go!"

But Anastasia grasped my hair, forcing me to look into her eyes. "You are the biggest thorn in my side. As long as you're alive, Howard will never be mine. I'm not foolish enough to let you live; you have to die. Besides, what will you do with your life now? As you said, you've lost everything. People in your situation usually take their own lives. Why don't you do the same so I can benefit from it?"

She smiled cruelly and pushed my head down. Turning to her men, she ordered, "Stand her up over there and give her a push. It needs to look like she took her own life out of despair. I don't want any more theatrics; finish this quickly." With that, she walked away, leaving me in the hands of my captors.

In just a few moments, I found myself standing at the edge of the building, the ground far below me. They held me tightly, and despite my pleas for mercy, they showed no sign of compassion. "Please, just let me go!" I cried, desperation lacing my voice. "They have taken everything from me."

I looked down from the height, my heart pounding in my chest. The fall seemed endless, and death loomed before me like an inviting embrace. I felt trapped, with no other option but to accept it. Memories flooded my mind-each moment of joy, every dream I had once cherished. I never imagined saving someone's life would cost me so dearly. If only I could turn back time and stop all of this from happening. I longed for the chance to reclaim my happiness, to fulfill my dreams instead of trying to carve out a place in someone else's heart.

As I stood there, I wished I could change my fate. Suddenly, they released my hand, and I felt myself teetering on the edge. Time seemed to slow down as I began to fall, the ground rushing up to meet me. In that moment, a wave of hatred surged through me-hatred for them, for Howard, and for his family. I wanted revenge; I wanted them to pay for what they had done.

These thoughts raced through my mind as a light swallowed me whole.

I braced myself for the impact, waiting for the pain to hit me. But suddenly, my eyes snapped open, and I found myself standing in front of Howard. He looked cold and furious, his expression a mask of rage. "I'm talking to you! How dare you bring my grandfather on a bike? What if something happened to him? You put his life in danger!" His words pierced through me, echoing the very same accusations he had hurled at me three years ago.

Confusion washed over me. I had been falling from the building, teetering on the brink of death, and now here I was, facing Howard again. My eyes widened in disbelief as I struggled to comprehend the situation. How could this be happening?

Just then, Dr. Robert entered the scene, witnessing Howard's outburst. He quickly intervened, stepping between us with a firm demeanor. "Mr. Carter, calm down," he said, his voice steady. "If it weren't for her quick thinking, your grandfather would have died. The heart attack was severe."

Howard fell silent, the anger draining from his face as Dr. Robert's words sank in. This was all too familiar, a twisted replay of events from three years ago. My mind raced-how could this be possible? Without thinking, I turned and ran, the weight of confusion propelling me forward.

As I fled, I could feel their eyes on me, filled with surprise and concern. Howard turned to Dr. Robert, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Who is she that you're defending?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Dr. Robert replied, "She's the new intern. Today is her first day. Some people are just born to save lives."

Howard nodded slowly, his gaze lingering on the spot where I had just stood, a mix of emotions playing across his face. I could feel the tension in the air as I disappeared down the corridor, still grappling with the surreal nature of what had just unfolded.

I rushed into the washroom, my heart pounding in my chest. I splashed cold water on my face, desperately trying to wake myself from this surreal nightmare. Am I dead? Is this all just a replay of my past? Or am I simply losing my mind? The questions swirled in my head like a tempest, and I stared at my reflection, searching for answers in my own eyes.

As I stood there, lost in thought, a woman who looked like a nurse entered the washroom. She glanced at me with concern. "Are you okay, Doctor?" she asked gently.

I blinked, trying to shake off the confusion. "Y...yeah, I'm fine," I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper.

"It's okay," she continued, her tone soothing. "I know you must be upset about what Mr. Carter said. I heard it all. He's such a handsome man, but he's so cold-hearted. He didn't even thank you for what you did. Can you believe that?"

I looked down, washing my hands in the sink, the water cascading over my fingers. No one knows how cruel he is better than me. The words slipped out before I could stop it.

The nurse paused, her brow furrowing in confusion. "What? What do you mean?" she asked, her eyes searching mine for clarity.

"Nothing," I replied quickly, trying to dismiss the weight of my words. "C...can you tell me what the date is today?"

Her expression shifted to one of shock at my question. "The date?" she echoed, momentarily taken aback. "It's October 20, 2021."

The words hit me like a slap to the face. 2021? I repeated in disbelief, my mind racing. I felt the walls of reality closing in around me. I had been thrown back in time, to a moment I thought was long past.

Without another word, I bolted out of the washroom, my heart racing as I processed this shocking revelation. The nurse stood there, her face a mix of confusion and surprise, watching me as I rushed away, desperate to escape the confines of this strange reality.

I rushed out of the hospital, my heart racing as I took in my surroundings. The billboards loomed overhead, their bright colors and bold messages screaming at me, confirming the impossible: it was truly 2021. Had I somehow traveled back three years in time? Did God hear my last wish and grant me a chance to make my life better?

The realization washed over me like a wave, filling me with a mix of disbelief and exhilaration. I have a chance to change everything. This was my opportunity to right the wrongs of my past, to confront the Carter family, and to finally seek the revenge that had eluded me before.

I had missed my chance to expose Anastasia's truth back then, but now I could do it. I could bring everything to light and ensure that justice was served. I will not let this opportunity slip away again.

As I stood there, the weight of my resolve settled in. "Howard Carter," I whispered to myself, my voice steady with determination. "The time has come to settle the score for all the pain you've caused me." Each word was a promise, a vow to myself that I would not back down this time.

I took a deep breath, feeling the air fill my lungs with renewed purpose. This time, I would not be a victim. I would reclaim my power and rewrite my story.

***