Talia

The fluorescent lights of the hospital gleamed brightly right as my shrill ringtone cut through the air. Seeing the unfamiliar number, a sole thought settled into my belly.

“Hello? This is Talia Hayes.” I answered.

"Mrs Hayes, this is the city's Police force. I am very sorry to get this to you, but…there was an unfortunate car accident that took place. Your husband, David Hayes was one of the victims. We need you to come to the City hospital to confirm his identity."

As soon as I heard those words, I smiled bitterly. The scent of antiseptic in the hospital filtered through.

“I’ll be there soon.”

“Thank you Ma'am. We will send a car to escort you-”

“No need. I'm already here.”

I ended the call and looked down, clutching the ultrasound report in my hand.

I was pregnant and now David was dead.

A cold bitter feeling wafted through me.

He had finally gone through with it.

The past between us circled through my mind. As far as I could remember, David and I had been together, going through the natural progression of being college sweethearts and getting married. It was a coincidence that we were also in the same circles, with him being from the Hayes family whilst I was the only child and heiress to the Weston family wealth after my parents death.

After marriage, I helped him and the Hayes family, not only in their company but being a dutiful wife and in-law. I cared for David everyday. We seemed like we were a harmonious couple.

The only thing that was missing between us was a child. A little heir to cement our bond. For the past one year after our marriage, we had tried to get a child to no avail.

He comforted me every time, soothing me that it didn't matter. He constantly gave me gifts, being the perfect husband. No matter the issues that arise, I believed that he would be on my side.

Until a few weeks ago.

When I sneaked into his study, excitedly clutching the pregnancy report, I heard him on the phone, speaking excitedly. Before I could take a step forward, his words chilled my heart.

“Soon baby. Once I fake my death, we'll move out of the country. Nobody will suspect a thing and we can be together.”

My blood ran cold.

“I've already planned it out and sent my men to make arrangements.” He chuckled, “It'll be three weeks from now. A freak car accident. That bitch won't suspect a thing.”

“But David,” a playful voice cooed over the line. I recognised it instantly.

Penelope Reeves, David's former adopted sister. An orphan who was raised alongside him, She had never liked me for reasons I could never understand which led to us clashing.

The last I'd heard from David, he had pressured the Hayes family to cut all ties with her by sending her abroad.

But that was a lie.

“Don't you feel a little bad for her? After all, you've been together all this time. Are you sure there aren't any feelings to regret.” Her voice sounded innocent yet the mocking was clear.

“Feelings for that bitch?” He sneered, "She's a good for nothing heiress of a fallen business. A nobody orphan we could manipulate. Her only value is her family fortune. All this time, I had to bear with her for our family's sake to take her dowry. I've grown tired of faking affection, even forcing myself to sleep with her is disgusting. It would have been bearable if she could bear a child, but she's too useless for even that.”

His voice, carrying sincere disgust, was like a stab to my heart, shattering the image of the man I once knew.

“Because of her, we had to pretend to cut ties and send you abroad. The good thing about it is that we don't have to act like we're related anymore. Don't worry Penny. I've already settled things. We'll soon start anew together. After you give birth, we'll get married over there and be a real family.”

“What about the Hayes Corporation? Your family?” she asked. David laughed mockingly.

“Don't worry,” he said, “Talia will take care of things. You've seen how needy she is with me. My family and I are the only ones she has. With all of the affection I showed her, no matter how they treat her, she'll cling to them for my sake. When I die, she'll take care of the company and ensure they live in luxury.

But we won't stay out for long alone. Don't worry, I have a plan. When the time is right, and she's spent herself dry we'll return and I'll reclaim my identity. We'll drive her out. By that time I can make a comeback. Then with you and our child, I can properly take responsibility. You'll finally be the rightful Mrs Hayes.”

Talia

David continued speaking, spilling out his plans while insulting me. He was so engrossed that he didn't notice when I slipped out of the room.

My heart shattered with every word until hollowness remained.

So this was how it was. The devotion I believed in was an empty shell.

From that moment on, my determination was set.

Despite already knowing his plans, I didn't say a word, pretending everything was normal. I counted down the days before it happened.

Now, everything was settled at such an auspicious time too.

There was no grief in me. Just icy calm.

He and Penelope may have made their way out of the country to live happily.

He arrogantly believed that to uphold his legacy out of love, I was going to take care of the business and take care of his family in his absence. When the time was right and their child had grown up, he would return in full glory with a fairy tale story and take back what was his.

"Very well," I murmured.

I would take care of his business of course. He had forgotten who I was, but I would remind him.

I would take over everything that should be for me and my child.

I would look forward to the day he returned. Then, he should expect nothing but ruins.

.....

The policemen and doctors looked on at me with pity as I confirmed the identity on the body. I wasn't allowed to see the body.

According to them, due to the accident, it was beyond repair bearing severe burns removing any traces for recognition aside from the body being similar to David's.

I remained silent when one of them spoke, looking at me sympathetically.

"We are very sorry Miss. We found this amongst his belongings. According to the people present, he had finished buying flowers for you when he..." He said, offering me a crumpled half destroyed mess that was once a bouquet.

On cue, I burst into tears, collapsing while they frantically tried to comfort me. As I collapsed, the report in my hands ‘accidentally’ scattered onto the floor.

They saw the ultrasound report in my hand, their faces paled and their sympathy grew deeper.

I was escorted back to my home by them, with words of consolation passed onto me before they left.

I walked into the mansion that was once our home, now my home. Drying up my tears, I lounged in the living room. The first thing I did was call Jason.

“Where are they now?” I asked,

“Our men spotted them on the flight hours ago. They are no longer in the country.” he answered. My heart settled.

“Good. Begin the process as we'd planned.”

“Yes madam.”

I rested against the chair after the call ended, shutting my eyes.

David had thought that I was easy to manipulate, that from the years of my concessions towards him and his family, he had won.

The Winston Corporation, an industry giant, was headed over by my parents when a car accident made everything they worked for crumble. The sole heir to that fortune was me.

I was always wary of people when growing up all the way through college and suspected David at first. But his persistence and sincere devotion had won me over. Perhaps that was why he was so confident.

But there were many things he hadn't accounted for.

Although the Winston Corporation had fallen in the eyes of the public, I was never truly alone. There were many secrets I never told him of yet, things that were placed there for my protection.

People like my father's trusted protège Jason who had been my shadow assistant or the trusted maids around me.

And now, they came to good use.

I had already been planning from the moment I'd overheard his confession. The time for his reckoning would come.

I could only imagine the look on his face when he and his lover arrived to find the mess they had left behind.

He couldn't blame me for being heartless would he? After all, he was the one who was heartless first.

Determination filled me. I placed my hand on my belly where my child was growing. He was going to be the future, the reason I would build my legacy.

Alongside the folder containing my pregnancy report, I brought out the keepsake I took from the hospital. The sole unbroken flower from the damaged bouquet David brought.

A white lily. They were my favourite flowers no matter the colour. He knew how much I loved them to learn each of their meanings. During the days of our courtship, he had always given me pinks for adoration. This time however it was white.

A flower prepared for a funeral. A love token to soothe grief and send a message.

Don't forget me.

“So foolish,” I muttered, smiling wryly at the petals.

He probably wanted to use sentiments to compel me. Lost in grief, I would have taken these flowers as a sign. If I didn't forget him, put him first in all my actions, bear his family's and support his company, he could still thrive.

But he miscalculated.

“You forgot David, that there is another meaning of this flower.” I said pulling it close.

Rebirth.

I was thankful for him letting me see the truth.

And now I was going to take everything that was rightfully mine.

Talia

David's funeral was held three days later. I ensured that it was a grand affair, organising every detail meticulously, even going as far as to contact all of his colleagues, old classmates and business partners personally.

On the day of his funeral, under the gazes of everyone, the bags under my eyes were dark, my eyes swollen and red and my voice was hoarse as I gave my speech and greeted every guest with forced smiles.

I wore clothes that made me look thinner than normal, gaining looks of sympathy from even the lowest of staff. They all praised me for being strong, clearly moved by my actions.

The exception to this was his family.

They avoided me throughout which raised suspicions that were quickly diverted by my grieving act. I knew that they were waiting for an opportunity to corner me.

True enough, immediately after the ceremony I headed home and washed up. Claire, my trusted servant, told me that David's family had arrived at the mansion.

Taking a deep breath, I looked over at myself, ensuring that my makeup remained intact and the eye drops' teary effects were still working before I moved.

Sitting haughtily in the living room, David's mother, father and cousin were waiting for me. As soon as they saw my devastated face, I could clearly see the smugness in their expressions. They quickly tried to hide it, putting on veiled expressions.

I spotted the luggage packed waiting at the doorway but didn't say anything.

Gazing at them, I kept my expression shaken.

“Mother in law, father in law, little sister, what are you all doing here?” I asked

“Do we not have a right to come into our son's home?” my mother in law, Ellen, snapped at me. I flinched openly pursing my lips.

“I’m sorry, mother. It's just that we haven't even spoken throughout the funeral.”

Her face turned smug again and I caught it.

“And what does it matter?” Jackson, my father in law, huffed, “We didn't speak to you back then because there were outsiders involved.”

“I...understand,” I said timidly, “What do you need?”

Their smiles rose and I knew that they were ready to play their cards. I had cowered long enough to give them a false sense of security. Now they wouldn't hesitate.

“Talia, I know that you must be devastated after David's death. In truth, we all are.” Ellen came forward, her face taking on a heartbroken look.

“Family is meant to support each other at this time. That's what we came here to do.”

She turned to Jackson and Renee for a moment, a silent understanding taking place between them before she moved forward to take my hands.

“You see," she began, "I and your father In law have been growing older and with this sudden event... I don't think that we are meant to be alone. Servants' care can't be compared to that of family. Renee is about to graduate from college soon too and we need someone to help take care of us. Before, David used to help with all of this but now...”

“Mother in law, tell me what you want.” I interrupted her. For a brief moment, there was a look of disdain that she quickly replaced with the previous look before she continued.

“From today onwards we'll move into this place. Here, you can take care of us more properly. Don't worry, you'll still deal with the company on your own, but I believe that with David gone, you can't stay in such a lonely mansion alone. By taking care of us, you'd be helping David too. Family is meant to support each other. It's what David would have wanted right?”

I inwardly sneered.

What a nice way to state that she wanted me to become a live-in maid for them. She'd mentioned support, but hadn't stated anything for me. Their intentions were too blatant.

They truly thought I was a fool, blinded enough by grief to accept.

Putting on a closed off look, I slipped my hands away from hers.

“Mother. I'm sorry.”

Her face fell.

“What do you mean?”

“With all of these new developments, this place wouldn't be good to stay in. I think it's best to not trouble you. You all are best suited in the family mansion.”

I knew that they wouldn't accept it. The Hayes family mansion was small compared to this home, bought with my dowry for David and I to live in after marriage. I could tell the awe and greed in their eyes every time they came. They wanted this place for themselves.

“Brienne. Don't forget that you're the daughter in law of this family.” Jackson stood up drowning

“I understand father-in-law,” I gently held Ellen's hands, "That's why I think this is what is best. I know how much you want to care for me, but this place is full of his memories. I'm afraid that it'll be hard for you to bear. It's better that I handle this alone.”

Under my kindness, they couldn't refuse. As I expected, his mother who was angered at my refusal moments ago was now speechless.

I blinked away tears.

“I remember that David used to visit you constantly. I'll do my best to visit as well. Don't worry. You can leave this home and the company to me.

“Are you stupid!”

I looked up as Renee, his cousin stood, pointing at me infuriated. Before anyone could block her she reached up and slapped me. My body stumbled back, my hair covering my face.

“How dare you refuse us? David has taken care of you and tolerated you through your barrenness, yet you dare refuse us? When he comes back-”

“Renee!” my father in law cut her off and she paled, realising what she said.

My smile, hidden from sight grew as a twinge of disappointment soon faded away.