Reborn to be the General'swife

I lay lifelessly on the cold floor in an abandoned warehouse; the warm blood flowing down my thighs reminded me of everything I have been through, my wrists bleeding from the cuts of the chains that bound me tightly.The only thing that kept ringing in my head was What was my offense?" "What did I do to deserve this inhumane treatment?"A few hours back I was holding the hospital scan. So happy with the outcome of the results, I was pregnant with twins; it was such a blessing. I couldn't wait to break the good news to Ethan, my husband. I was hoping the news of this scan would make Ethan happier; he has been a bit distant for months after our wedding, and he is hardly at home.I was holding the results of the scan, happily working out of the hospital to hail a cab, when a black van blocked my way and two bulky men, looking hideous like thugs, grabbed me and pushed me into the van. I wanted to struggle, but I was given a hot slap, and instantly I felt the metallic taste of blood in my mouth. I calmed down because I had to be rational for the children in my womb. I was blindfolded. I stopped hearing the sound of the other vehicles or the bustling sounds of the city, and I knew this was bad; it meant we had left the busy road and I suspected we were outside the city already. Several minutes later, the car came to a halt, and I was harshly pulled out and led into a building and strapped to a wooden chair with handcuffs. While on that chair I was trying to brainstorm different ways of getting help or escaping. I felt something was wrong; normal kidnappers would not go to such extremes like this. I was still in my thoughts when I heard footsteps of people; it sounded like the ones of those men, but there was a third footstep.My heart sank. How many people are here?I was immediately untied from the chair. I tried negotiating with them. Who are you? I said. I can pay you any amount; just don't harm me. But luck was not on my side because the next moment I was pushed to the ground, and they started tearing my clothes and undergarments. I couldn't fight back; I was crying and breaking down. I was sexually assaulted; they took turns to assault me I never imagined such terrible things would happen to me. After a few minutes of pain, I was left on the ground. All I wanted was death, and the warm blood seeping from my body caused me enormous heartache and sorrow. I'm sorry, my children; I couldn't protect you, I whispered. I was losing a lot of blood and knew the end was approaching. After three hours, I heard footsteps and chuckling, but I was already numb, so I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings. The blindfold was immediately removed, and I couldn't stop straining my eyes due to the harsh illumination. I saw them standing before me Laura and Ethan I was so happy thinking they were here to save me In a moment of foolishness I said that God you found me Ethan please help me get this chains off before those men who imprisoned me would come.Did you inform the police I asked I looked at them earnestly I had gone through a lot and I felt hopeful seeing my step sister and husband here to rescue me But I was met with mocking laughter from Laura. Dear Alicia, Why are you in a hurry to leave? she said, giggling. I shivered. What are you saying? I asked. Ethan gave Alicia a peck on her lips and said, Honey, do you think she has had enough? I widened my eyes in horror.I was confused with what was going on before me. Ethan, what is all this?I asked Laura laughed. Alicia You are so slow. Since you are dumb, let me help you connect the dots, she said. I have loved Ethan from the very beginning; in fact, we were in love, but since your mom already included the Adrian family as a clause in the will, we decided to use it to our advantage. Making Ethan the one in control was a very foolish move. Alicia, now we have all the shareholders on our side, and with your death, your share automatically becomes ours, she said with an evil grin. What did I ever do to the both of you? I asked. You were my sister, Laura, for Christ's sake, and you, Ethan, I loved you. Ethan, you never loved me. I was only a means to an end. I shouted, and I broke down in tears from the pains of betrayal. Ethan chuckled, looking at me with disgust. He replied, Look at your miserable self, Alicia. Do you think you are worthy of me? he said smugly. I gave a bitter laugh that was worse than crying and said, You did not consider your children that I was carrying, so they meant nothing too? I asked Laura laughed mockingly and replied, Oops, baby, you haven't told her, she said to Ethan. Let me do the honors of sharing this interesting news with you, she said. Ethan never touched you. We drugged you and paid a beggar in the streets to consummate your marriage, she said. I looked at them with wide eyes. I felt bold, rushing in my veins to tear them apart. All I did was love the both of them. This last revelation was a huge blow to me. They walked out after saying their piece, and I heard them instructing the guards to destroy the evidence. I had lost so much blood already, and I knew I couldn't not make it. The guards were efficient. The smell of gasoline filled the air. The guards were about to light the place up when I heard commotions outside. Several soldiers engaged and restricted the guards, disarming them, and in the midst of it all, I saw him. Gabriel in his military uniform What was he doing here, I thought? He rushed to me and removed the chains. Don't you dare die on me, Alicia! he shouted. I looked into his eyes, and I saw concern and fear of losing someone important, and I was amazed by the look in his eyes. At that moment, I understood. A lone tear fell from my eyes. I wanted to reassure him, but my body… it felt weightless. Like I was drifting, slipping away from the world, and I didn’t know how to stop it. I wish I was given a second chance To live, To love , To fight But darkness wrapped me like a blanket I heard a voice calling my name, distant, faint. “Alicia… Alicia…” It echoed, pulling me toward the darkness. My eyelids fluttered, and I instinctively rubbed them, unsure if I was still alive. Wait My wrists No cuts. No bruises. No blood. I jerked upright, my heart racing as confusion clouded my mind. I looked down, my hands trembling, but I wasn’t covered in blood. My body… intact. Untouched. I jerked upright, my heart racing as confusion clouded my mind. I looked down, my hands trembling, but I wasn’t covered in blood. My body… intact. Untouched. My babies. Hot tears flooded my eyes as I placed my trembling hand on my stomach. Gone. A weight settled over me, heavy and cold, like a stone pressing down on my chest. I tried to scream, but no sound came. The pain… it was too much. I was back in my room. Not the apartment with Ethan, not the cold warehouse filled with blood and chains. My old room. The one I had before Laura manipulated me into trading it. The pink curtains. The bookshelf with faded childhood memories. The mirror by the window, still etched with my initials, now smudged with time. Eighteen years ago. Tears welled up as I stood, walking slowly toward the mirror. My reflection stared back innocent. Untouched by the horrors that had consumed me. Was this real? Or was it a cruel dream? A chance to change everything? I looked at the calendar by my desk. April 11. Tomorrow was Grandpa’s birthday. And today… My breath caught. Today, I remembered the gift I had bought for him. The cursed gift. The one Laura had manipulated me into giving him, a symbol of death disguised as tradition. Grandpa had nearly exploded in fury when he saw it. And Laura? She had played the innocent, pretending to be shocked, placing the blame on the shop. That had been the beginning. The first crack in the trust. I knew it now. It was all a plan. A carefully orchestrated manipulation. I had the chance to stop it. I turned to leave, but then… a voice. Soft. Low. From the hallway. “…Is she awake yet?” My heart stilled. That voice Laura’s. I crept closer to the door, the floorboards creaking beneath my weight. Then another voice, cold and unfamiliar. “Not yet. But everything is in place.” My pulse quickened. Who is the second person? They were plotting. And this time, I wasn’t the same Alicia.