Family or love

Chapter 4

"Y–your sister? He stammered.

"No oo, your sister!" I sassed. "What? Cat got your tppppongue?" I breathed while he was still silent, looking confused.

"How dare you! "How dare you trick me into marrying you after causing me so much pain? "H-How could…" My eyes shone with fresh tears but all he did was stand there like a fool, numb and stiff.

Rick stared back at me, still frozen in the spot. His jaw had slacked and his eyes glistened with tears, his bottom lip trembled but no words came out.

I parted my lips to speak again but they simply hung open and my heart ached with memories; memories from last night.

"I–I can explain," he finally spoke up. "Ella, I…" but before he could finish his sentence, I acted on instinct.

I lifted my hands and before realizing what I was doing, I brought it down across his cheeks with a loud slap.

-

"Babe please, I think you're overreacting… Please, how could I have known…?"

"Enough!" I yelled. "keep your explanation to yourself you son of a b***h…"Rick this contract has officially come to an end." I declared. "My lawyer will prepare our divorce papers…. "Make sure not to put up a scene, else…"

I reached out for my few belongings, thank goodness, I hadn't unpacked my clothes and other valuables as I was still exhausted from the other night. The cab I booked was already waiting outside.

I gently arranged my hair and retouched my face a little. Didn't want anyone noticing that I just cried.

I dabbed perfume on my neck and wrist as I grabbed my belongings and reached out for my phone from on top of the bed.

I reached the entrance of the room where he stood bewildered like a lost child. I gave him one last piercing stare and brushed past him like he didn't exist.

"r****t!" I muttered to myself, making sure he could hear every word.

********

"I always knew something was off about that bastard…" Our souls just didn't click." Kim yelled over the phone.

It's been two weeks since I found out the shocking truth about Rick.

I didn't go home straight or inform my sister. I just traveled down to a distant island. Anywhere but stuck in New York. I needed a calm place to process my emotions.

"Finally sis, since the incident five years ago, this is the first time you've ever made me happy…"I'd prepare your best dish, just the way you love it. Come home sis, then leave the rest to me" she added in excitement and hung up.

A part of me was super excited that Kim would finally be getting the justice she deserved but the other part was sad; I knew I still loved Rick.

I mean no man has ever looked at me the way he did… When did I start developing feelings for this man?

"This is dangerous," I thought to myself. I knew it was not just the feelings. I was scared of going back to living a lonely and boring life.

I got home to find out my sister decorated the compound with freshly picked flowers and had tidied up a bit. To say I was surprised would be an understatement. It was completely out of character for her.

After Rick assaulted her years ago, her life revolves around eating, crying, and sleeping. I was so happy with this new development and for a minute, I felt fulfilled within me.

"Sis!" Kim ran out of the living room hugging me tightly and peppering my face with kisses.

"Welcome sis…. "You don't know how happy I felt when I got your message" she exclaimed.

"Come in…" she said, helping me pack in my pieces of luggage and valuables.

"I called your lawyer already. And I paid him double to hasten up the process."

"Oh, sis! You don't know how happy I feel. We are finally getting the justice for both daddy and mummy's death…"I will show Rick what it feels like to be abused, I promise!" She warned.

Her warning lingered in the air. "Am I ready to turn in Rick to the police?" I asked myself. My stomach twisted at the thought of sending Rick to prison.

Her presence started to choke and at the same time, my heartbeat suddenly increased. One would have thought the carbon dioxide in the room increased too as I struggled to catch my breath

I tried my best to comport myself. "I'm happy I finally made you happy Kim," I said amiss tears

"Kim, do you remember how loved up we used to be as kids?"

"I remember sis" Kim replied, tears flowing down her cheeks. "You were my first love. Remember when Daddy and Mommy were too busy to take care of me? you made sure to fill that gap."

"You played both roles of a mother and sister… she paused and took a deep breath.

"I've missed you so much, sis. I've missed us" she sobbed out, drawing close to me and hugging me tightly.

"I–I won't hurt you ever again. I won't, I promise" She tightened her grip. And we cuddled up each other, crying and reminiscing on old times till we were calm.

"Let me go get your food," she said and headed towards the kitchen.

My sister had prepared my favorite meal; boiled rice and chicken stew. "She sure knows how to trap me" I giggled at the sight of the tray she was holding.

As she placed the tray of food on the table, a wave of acrid nausea greeted my senses punctuated by the pitiful splatter of stomach contents hitting my stomach lining.

I felt an unsettling mix of discomfort in my navel and suddenly felt the urge to double over and throw up.

I couldn't help it. I rushed into the toilet, vomiting everything that made me feel uncomfortable. But of course, Kim followed.

"Sis, what's wrong?" Kim asked, her expression confused. You raised my face and examined my eyes. "You look..… "No sis, don't tell me what I suspect is true"

"Did you get intimate with Rick?" She asked but all I did was bow down my head in shame. I knew I'd been feeling nauseous and unusually tired. But I gave myself the benefit of the doubt, waiting for the next month to come to be sure if I miss my period

"Sis it's just been three weeks, three weeks!" She screamed. "You promised it was just a contract, didn't you?"

She stood up and stared at me with disgust. "I'll call the doctor," she said. "We are removing that bastard, right?"