Chapter 1 Puppet

"You were out there cheating on me while I was busy trying hard to make our lives better!" Candy yelled at her fiance, Mark, as he drove them home.

"Can you just keep shut Candy? For God's sake, this is not something new. You wanna tell me you don't cheat too?" Mark asked and Candy breathed out in disbelief.

Even after her father's disapproval, Candy still stuck with her lover, Mark, giving up her dreams and family, just to be with him. Only to find him cheating on her in a hotel room where her friend worked.

"I would never cheat on you. I can't believe you think cheating on me is normal. After all the things I've done? I gave up almost everything for you even after my father's death. Is this how you repay me?" Candy's voice croaked as her eyes brimmed with tears.

"I don't wanna hear this bullshit anymore. Do you think I'm glad you abandoned your rich family? We just keep on struggling because of your decision!"

"I did it because they don't want us together. I did it because I love you, Mark!" Candy's voice croaked.

"That's just a crazy excuse. If it wasn't that your bitch ass friend. I would have been in comfort.. Fuck!" Mark held the steering wheel hard as he clenched his jaw.

Candy's heart shattered as she heard the unbelievable words coming out of his mouth.

"Do I really deserve this? Did you forget I'm pregnant?" She began to sob.

"You know what, let's break up. You are always the type that complains a lot. When I met you at first, you were a badass bitch and now look at you, you're like an old hag." Mark said cruelly, not giving her a face.

"Don't you think I knew you went to your Ex house last week huh? And then you lied you went there for some fucking business," Mark asked looking at her. "Why are you acting all innocent?! You're a whore..."

At this moment, Mark's words were reaching the peak of Candy's anger.

"You heard me, you're a fucking w..."

Mark couldn't finish his word as Candy screamed and hit his head hard on the steering wheel. The car moved to the other lane. Raising his head up, Mark's eyes widened at the upcoming fast truck coming their way.

Candy's heart skipped a beat. Mark tried to dodge the truck but unfortunately for them, it was too late. The truck hit the car and it tumbled several times with many of its part flying out. The car stopped upside down.

____

"Hello, this is 911. What's your emergency?" A voice sounded through the speaker.

"Hello... Help.. I just got into a fatal.. accident and.. I don't think my husband is breathing anymore.. please.. he..lp..."

Candy's whole body was shivering as her phone dropped to the floor. The seat belt was the only thing holding her. She could feel the intense pain coming from her abdomen, she was bleeding.

Her eyes were on Mark who wasn't moving at all. The truck had hit his side taking his life in the process. Did she just kill him? Blood was dripping down to her head and her sight was getting blurred.

She could hear the people murmuring and the sound of sirens outside. The car door was forced open and the rescuers grabbed her from behind. An oxygen mask was placed on her face as they put her on the stretcher.

Candy saw the men taking Mark out too, but slowly drifted into darkness.

____

"He died Immediately after the accident, ma'am. I'm sorry for the loss of your husband and also the baby." The nurse said to Candy whose expression was blank as she stared into space.

Mark was confirmed dead and she lost the baby.

Candy's stepmom, Natalie was stunned, she held her lips with both hands.

"Oh my god! Candy. Are you going to be alright?" Natalie asked her stepdaughter, deep down, her heart was screaming with joy.

"Stop pretending..." Candy muttered and raised her head to look at Natalie. "Isn't this your wish?"

Natalie swallowed and finally stopped the act. She was dressed in a luxury dress worth a lot of money.

"Well Candy. I warned you about him. Even your father did before passing away but you never listen.."

"What do I do? It hurts so much. I want this pain to go away." Candy muttered and Natalie smirked secretly.

"I can take the pain away from you if you want.. All you have to do is, do what I ask?" Natalie said.

Candy looked into her eyes for a while and nodded..

___

"The lawyer requested to see Miss Candy." Natalie's assistant informed as he stood behind her. She was seated in the living room, her face devoid of emotion.

"Didn't you do as I said?" She asked.

"I did, Mrs Natalie. I told him Candy is currently sick and won't be able to see him for a while."

Natalie smirked. She had found out that her husband, Mr. Jefferson had given all his properties to Candy, which is something she definitely won't take.

Dropping the glass of wine in her hand, she raised her calm gaze to the other man seated before her.

"When am I going to get my balance?" The man asked, placing one leg on top of the other.

"When will the wedding be?" Natalie smiled and then looked up to her assistant. "Where is she?"

"She is locked up in the room as usual." He replied professionally.

In the not-so-dark room, Candy sat on the bed, her look lifeless as she stared outside her window. The last time she stepped out of this room was seven months ago.

After the tragic incident, Candy was like a puppet to her stepmother. She helplessly controlled her weak heart. She had been drowning herself in the pit of her misery and then pretending to be fine.

Her door creaked open, and Natalie walked in and composed herself.

"Hey, sweetie." She greeted.

Candy turns to look at her. Her face lit up.

"Mother." she masked up her pain with a smiley face.

"It's so good to see you're happy and doing well. I have good news for you." Natalie said.

"What is it, mother?" She asked.

"You're getting married," she announced and Candy's face dropped.

"Marriage? All of a sudden?"

"Yes, my dear. It's just a temporary marriage dear. This man will give you the power I promised you about. You'll be able to face the world again and have men crumble under your feet.. men like Mark." Natalie said. Knowing those names will reach Candy. After thinking for a moment..

"Fine, I'll do as you say." Candy nodded with a smile.