The Devil You Know

Your Charm did not fail you.. Episode 3

After a few days, I was happy to be back on my feet again. I made sure to use the past few days to recover well and regain my mobility. They placed me on crutches and made me walk around the hospital.

Occasionally, I would go to my husband’s room just to take a few glimpses at his hot face.

On one of those occasions, I stepped into his room and instantly felt chilly.

I looked around and saw all the things that were attached to him: tubes, wires, and ever-changing bandages.

I looked at him with so much compassion because I felt really bad for him. And…I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think I may have missed him so much as well.

Just the thought that he cared enough about me gave me hope.

“I will hold on tight to hope for you just the way you did for me,” I muttered, squeezing his hands while a tear dropped from my face onto his hands.

At that point, I wished so desperately that it was one of those cliche movies where a tear drops onto the hands and his hands would twitch.

I imagined how happy I would be if he showed even a sign of life, but I got nothing.

I sniffled and let go of his hand then started my journey back to my room. I felt like I would break down any second.

“No no…I have to be strong for my husband,” I muttered under my breath as I walked back to my room.

I sat on my bed in silence, staring into thin air.

Memories of the past few months with Ethan started to flood my mind. His voice echoed in my head: “How many times do I have to tell you that you don’t have to try too much! It’s for your best interest! I will never ever love you!” My stomach churned, and my chest felt heavy.

I clutched my breasts as tears began to flow freely down my cheeks.

“But I love you! Don’t you see that I do? All I’m asking for is a little bit of appreciation,” I remembered talking back at him.

My blood went cold when I remembered the look he gave me that day. It was pure disgust. I had to look at myself from head to toe, wondering what was wrong with me.

I was perfect! Perfect hair, flawless skin, curvy body, and beautiful dimples when I smiled. Our s*x life was great!

But I was definitely wrong thinking that those were the criteria Ethan was looking for in a woman he would love.

At some point, I had to accept the fact that he wasn’t capable of loving anyone. Not me, not any other woman.

“Can I come in?” A male voice jolted me back to reality.

I gasped and quickly wiped my tears off with my garment.

“Uh…please…forgive my manners and accept my condolences,” he said again, walking briskly toward me. It was the lawyer James again.

“What do you want?” I said with a raspy voice, and he grabbed a seat and sat right beside my bed.

“You cried for help, and I came,” he said with a grin, and I rolled my eyes.

How could someone be so optimistic amidst all this chaos? I definitely wasn’t finding anything funny at all.

“I know you have no clue what you are getting yourself into, and I’m here to guide you,” he said, and I kept mute and sniffled.

I had my hands crossed over my shoulders, which probably made him feel like I was getting defensive about him.

“I mean no harm. Ethan is my blood brother, and he made me his lawyer so I have his best interest at heart,” he said, and I shook my head.

“Ethan didn’t mention anything about having a brother.”

He cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. “Uhm yes… I doubt if Ethan mentioned anything about his family to you,” he said, and that was when it struck me. His voice was low and hesitant, as if he was afraid of what he was about to say.

That was so true. Ethan never mentioned his family, and when I tried talking about them, he would always find the perfect excuse not to talk about it.

“Why?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“It’s best if we are all kept anonymous. There are… there are people whom Ethan has stepped on their toes. Long-time rivals. We never thought they would resurface now, but they have, and they took us all by surprise,” he explained while I nodded.

“This doesn’t make any sense. Who would want Ethan dead, and how is his family involved?”

“It’s confusing because it’s his family who wants him dead.”

I looked at him while a wry smile formed at the corner of my lips.

“We were born to a family of six children, all still alive including our parents. Ethan took something years ago that he wasn’t supposed to take, and that has forced our family to turn his back on him,” he explained, and I buried my face in my palms.

“Bad enough to want him dead?” I finally asked, my voice trembling with emotion.

He nodded with a saddened expression. “Yes.”

“Wha… what about me? What would happen to me and my babies?” I asked, my heart racing with fear.

“You and your babies are safe… for now. If they aren’t satisfied, they will come for you as well,” he said, his voice low and serious.

I let out a dry, emotionless laugh. “So go ahead then. Why don’t you kill me now?” I asked bitterly while he shook his head.

“No… no… I’m not part of them. I stepped away from my family years ago just like Ethan. I’m only here to help you.”

I bit my lips, then licked them afterward.

“So what’s the way forward?”

“He left a written letter for you, here,” he said, handing me an envelope. I opened it quickly, my heart racing in anticipation of what would be written in it. I decided to read it out loud.

"Hey. This is very short, but there’s a lot more you will find out on your own.

If you are reading this, something has happened to me, and my brother has explained the situation to you.

I remember you always emphasized on the love we should have built as a family. I’m sorry; I couldn’t do that.

But I want you to know that ‘your charm did not fail you.’

You are in danger now, and there is only one way you can salvage the situation.

You will have to marry Mr. Rick Murphy. James will explain everything else you need to know.

Till we meet again, Ethan."

I didn’t even realize that my mouth was open the whole time I read that letter.

“We have to get you started on the process,” James said while I looked at him in disbelief.

“My husband isn’t dead yet! I cannot remarry!” I protested, remembering who Mr. Rick Murphy was.

I would hear Ethan complain about him over the phone plenty of times at home. I assumed he was being pestered by him and he disliked him.

I researched him online and found out that he was one of the most influential men in the business industry and not to mention, he was old. At least 65 years old.

I almost gagged at the thought of getting married to him.

“That’s why I gave you something to sign, to nullify your contract marriage. He already signed his own part of the agreement,” James said while I looked around in confusion, my eyes were already filled with tears that all I had to do was blink and they would flow down freely.

I couldn’t believe Ethan would do that to me - giving me out to marry someone I didn’t know and not to mention older than my father - just because of some mess he got himself into and dragged me into it with him.

James said with a softened expression, reaching out to touch my hand. “Look, I’m sure Ethan didn’t mean for things to happen this way.”

“Well, it did seem a little bit too planned to not be his intentions,” I snapped back, pulling my hand away.

“I’m sorry,” he said, looking down at his feet.

“Oh please!” I said, raising my hand in the air.

“Please save that crap! I will do it but only because of my babies.”