Contract Marriage: A monster is made

Chapter 3: I Regret Ever Loving You

One Month Later***

Make sure you come to the hospital once weekly for check-ups, don't get it wet, and don't do anything strenuous; Tessie's attending doctor, Randolph,h, kept reminding her as she was going through the discharge procedures.

Yes, doctor, Can I call you uncle? You've done so much for me that I feel it's only appropriate to call you that.

You can, Just don't put much pressure on yourself, okay, he said kindly.

I won't put pressure on myself uncle.

Where's Mirabel? I want to thank her; she helped me secure a house got all the furniture I needed, bought me a phone, and did everything I was supposed to do when I was discharged.

She made it easier for me, and has been a blessing, Tessie said.

No need, I Am sure she was happy to help, and besides, she's on break and will resume tomorrow, Randolph said.

Okay, then I will call her later.

She picked her burn ointment, pain relief, and some other drugs prescribed for her in the pharmacy.

Bye, everyone, Tessie said while waving and walking outside.

If it were before, my family would have been waiting for me with flowers and hugs, but now..Sob, I Am all alone, Tessie said as big drops of tears kept falling without control.

Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Brother wish me well.

I am about to fight; I know I will face a lot, but please, comfort me.

Tessie stepped into the world again, with renewed hope, her scars concealed beneath her sleeves but not from her heart. "Fresh air, new life.

She took a taxi and went to her rented Two-bedroom apartment, brought out her new phone, and dialed Mirable's number.

Hi Mirabel, I am at the apartment now, and I just want to say a big thanks; I owe you.

No problem. Take care of yourself. I'll visit when am chanced, Mirabel replied, then ended the call.

"This is what progress looks like," she muttered as she ate the toast and milk she made, rolling her eyes. I better learn how to cook.

I need to show the world that I can do better; I need to study hard and then gather wealth.

My scars are not the end of me.

---

The Schoolgate Stare-action

Tessie got ready for school mumbling to herself.

Gloria didn't bother to call, and neither did Smith; when I get to school, I will give them a good scolding; then she picked up her bag and left for school.

As soon as She approached the school gates, the world stopped.

Some were looking at her with obvious mockery, some with disgust, while some with sympathy.

Seriously, am I in a movie? Tessie said to herself, Why is everyone looking at me like that?

Everyone seemed to have received the memo: Stare at Tessie like she's a zoo exhibit.

“What’s with the looks? Did I grow another head?” Tessie muttered under her breath.

Marie, her once-friendly seatmate, broke her thought. “Hey, Tess, I saw the news and am very sorry about your family.

Thanks but why is everyone staring at me? Tessie said confusingly.

You haven’t seen the class forum right?” Marie said.

“Forum?” Tessie’s eyebrows shot up. “What happened? Did someone win the lottery?”She had a bad feeling about this.

Marie handed her the phone. She scrolled, and there it was: pictures of her and her family, paired with captions dripping with venom. ‘Tessie the jinx. Tessie the bad luck magnet. Avoid at all costs!’

And the cherry on top? The poster’s name. Gloria.

“Wait… Gloria?” her voice trembled. “But she’s my best friend!”

Tessie's heart trembled fiercely, hands clenching into fists, anger building up inside her.

Marie smirked the kind that screamed I told you so. “Well, best friends don’t stab you in the front, Tess, right? Good luck with that, ”she said wanting to walk away.

Marie, thanks but have you seen her today? I need to give her a piece of my mind; What the heck is wrong with her? I need an explanation.

She's at her usual spot, Marie said before leaving.

Tessie huffed with anger and set out to look for Gloria.

She found Gloria in her usual spot, laughing with her entourage. For a split second, she considered walking away. Then she remembered—she wasn’t a doormat.

Gloria, Tessie's best friend since high school, they do everything together; her beautiful oval face can deceive you with one look.

“Gloria! Care to explain what this is?” Tessie demanded, phone in hand, tears threatening to spill, filled with anger.

Gloria turned around, her face the picture of innocence. “Oh, Tessie. That? I was just being honest. You know, public service and all that.”

“Honest? About mocking my family’s death?!” Tessie’s voice cracked, tears threatening to spill.

“Oh, don’t be so dramatic,” her tone sharper than broken glass; I just stated the truth: why are you so angry?

Tessie's heart shattered; you are my best friend, Gloria, My family and I had an accident, and I barely survived. Is this what I get?

The crowd gathered, their expressions ranging from amused to indifferent. Tessie’s voice rose, her anger spilling out like a dam bursting.

You say I am being dramatic, Tessie said her voice louder than usual; try losing your family overnight and call any reaction afterward dramatic.

Oh, come, Tessie, quit being a b***h; you're not the only one who has lost someone; you don't expect the whole world to sympathize with you, right?

I don't need your sympathy, but don't smear my name or my family name, Tessie said with a bit of madness in her eyes.

She turned to the crowd and looked at their faces, with red eyes, shaky voice, and trembling heart.

You all are malicious, I haven't offended any of you people, but rather, “I’ve helped so many of you here! And now because I’m not rich anymore, you’re all out to bully me?”

A voice from the crowd piped up. “Respect was for your family, not you. Enjoy the taste of poverty, princess.”

Oh really, I hope you taste despair in your life, Tessie retorted; even a dog, when given a meal,l, knows how to be grateful.

Gloria’s smirk widened. “Tessie, darling, there's no need to curse at anyone.

But they can curse me right, but I thought we were best friends, almost like sisters, Tessie said, disappointment evident in her eyes as she looked at Gloria.

Gloria went close to her, and said in a voice audible to just both of them; We were never Friends. You’re just a shiny toy that’s lost its sparkle.”

I hate you, I hate how you act like the only girl in the world with your nose up high.

The venom in Gloria’s words hit harder than expected, and “Honestly, that scar? The fire should’ve just finished the job.”

Tessie froze in disbelief, her hands trembling. Then, without thinking, she slapped her, Hard.

The crowd gasped. Gloria, the queen of manipulation, fell to the ground, clutching her cheek dramatically, staring at a particular angle, with teary eyes.

“Please don’t hurt me! I’ll leave Smith alone!” Gloria cried, her voice theatrical enough for an Oscar nomination.

Tessie blinked. Smith? What does he have to do with this?

What is wrong with you? What does me slapping you got to do with Smith?

Before she could say anything else, a familiar voice boomed. “Tessie! How dare you hit My Fiancée?” a voice bellowed from afar.

“Your… fiancée?” she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.

What do you mean, smith? You are my boyfriend, not her fiancée; what is wrong with you?

Your boyfriend? You are delusional, “I’ve never loved you,” he announced, loud enough for the entire school to hear. “I just wanted to know what it felt like to date the campus belle. But now, I’m with Gloria.”

Gloria, still on the ground, smirked triumphantly, Smith, please don't do this to Tessie; she lost her parents, and now she's about to lose you; please don't break up with her, she said, looking at Tessie with disgust.

Don't worry, I will leave and never come; I will bury my love for you; I wish you the best, Gloria said while trying to run off.

No, Gloria, I've always loved you, and besides, she isn't worthy of my love; she better die, Smith said while looking at Tessie with obvious disgust.

Tessie felt like the universe had yanked the rug from under her. She couldn’t even cry; she was too numb.

Wow, just wow, How can you be heartless?

You and my best friend, oh sorry you and this slut, this pretentious white lotus, you think you can break me? Tessie asked with a smile.

Is your eyesight that bad? Is your taste that terrible? I regret ever loving you, Tessie said.

It's over, Tess; you are just a boring, stupid heiress, and to make matters worse, you are now poor, Smith said.

I might not be an heiress anymore, but at least I am still better than both of you combined.

Truly, trash belongs in the trashcan; both of you deserve each other.

What's going on here?? Is Everyone that free? Everyone to your classroom, leave here now, the lecturer, Mr Gail, said.

Someone snickered in the crowd, The show is over.

He looked around before his eyes fell on a familiar face, “Tessie, to my office. Now.”

In his office, his expression softened. “Tessie, I’m sorry about your family, My condolences.

Thanks, but why did you call me here sir?

I called you to talk about the exams. They start next week. Can you manage?”

Tessie looked at him, feeling weak, and with a bitter smile, Does it matter if I fail or pass?

It would be even better if I had died, her resolve wavering.

The Tessie I know is a strong, brave girl who wouldn't let any situation stupe her; where is she? Bring her out, Gail said.

I guess she's dead, I can't keep up anymore, Tessie said tearfully.

Are you going to let your family legacy be buried?

Why don't you show the world the stuff you are made of? Bring it out.

Take the exam and make people see you shine and do it quickly.

So Tess, WILL YOU TAKE THE EXAM?? Gail asked again.

“Yes,” she replied, her voice firm. “I’ll take them with everyone else.”

That's better, I believe in you, Gail said

Take the week off if you need to; Study harder like never before, here are some notes he said while handing her some notes: study and don't let me down.

I won't, sir, Tessie said, feeling grateful.

I called your line, but it wasn't reachable, here is my card. In case you need anything, don't hesitate to call.

I lost my phone, sir; I just got a new one; I will call your line now.

Okay, Focus, and don't let anything distract you, Gail said.

Thank you, sir, she said before leaving.

She spent the next week confined in her home, drowning in books, combining her previous knowledge with what she had read.

I need to start here; I need to prove myself worthy of carrying on my father's legacy, and I need to acquire the highest level of education, Tessie said to herself.

The exams were tough, but she tackled them with the determination of someone with nothing left to lose.

When the final paper ended, she walked out of the hall, her shoulders lighter. “Done,” This is the beginning. For the first time in months, she smiled.

“Watch out, world. Tessie’s not done yet.”