Chapter 2 WENDY'S BACKSTORY

Wendy's world shattered into a million pieces as she lay on the cold, hard floor. The pain from Steve's rough handling still lingered, but it was nothing compared to the anguish that ravaged her heart.

Memories of the conversation she had overheard just hours ago flooded her mind, and a wave of betrayal and anger surged in her heart. Her father's words echoed in her mind like a curse: "She's better off dead." He had spoken of her mother, who lay bedridden, fighting for her life.

FEW HOURS EARLIER

"I have spent all the money on that useless wife of mine. I might as well just kill her, she is better off dead. I have run out of money and even borrowed and the loan sharks are after my life now. I made a deal with them and they are coming to take my daughter tomorrow" Wendy was furious, but it was the next words that had left Wendy's heart in tatters.

"She is just a girl, how can she bring money home? I'll just sell her off to those loan sharks like I sold her sister 6 years ago and till now, no one knows, they just thought she went missing."

The revelation made her legs go weak. Her little sister, missing for six years, was not just a victim of circumstance, but a pawn in her own father's twisted game. She couldn't believe her ears. So, her perfect, loving and hard-working father was nothing but a monster???

Her little sister has been missing for 6 years and he is the one responsible? Yet he acts like he is the most affected. Such is life! But the truth was too hard for Wendy to believe.

Her sister was only 9 years old then. So he sold a child for money. His own daughter??? She was so disappointed in him and has lost every respect she has for him. What else is her father capable of that she doesn't know? As she struggled to come to terms with the truth, Wendy's thoughts drifted back to the events of the day.

She had returned home from work, exhausted, and she just wanted to check on her mother, only to stumble upon her father's sinister conversation.

The words had cut deep, leaving her feeling lost and alone. With a heavy heart, Wendy had made her way to her mother's room, where she found Nurse Vivian tending to her.

"Good Afternoon nurse Viv. How is my mum doing now?" She asked with a shaky voice, trying to conceal her anger and shock. Nurse Viv didn't think much of it. She is just a child worried about her mother. So she decided to put her mind at rest.

"Your mother will be okay Wendy, I promise you. As long as you have the money to pay for her surgery" The nurse said, reassuring Wendy.

The nurse's words of reassurance had fallen flat, as Wendy's mind reeled with the implications of her father's actions. Her mother, oblivious to the storm brewing around her, had sensed Wendy's distress and asked if everything was okay. Wendy had forced a smile, hiding her true emotions.

Wendy looked at her mother's peaceful face and felt guilty. Her father deceived them all "I'm leaving now, I'll come back by weekend" Nurse Viv dropped the bowl, patted Wendy's shoulder and walked out. " Mum I see you're getting better now" Wendy said with a smile that is not a smile.

"The nurse is trying her best. Wendy what's wrong? You don't look fine" Nana was worried to see her daughter this way. She knew something was wrong. "It's nothing mum. I'm fine"

Mr Jackson, Wendy's father met the mother and daughter duo gisting. Wendy watched her father walk in with a big smile, looking at her mother with doting eyes. Wendy felt disgusted and wanted to confront him, but she restrained herself.

"Little W, what did the nurse say about your mother?" Mr Jackson asked, holding Nana's hand. Wendy likes her father calling her Little W, but now she hates it more than shit. "Dad I am no longer little, stop calling me little" Wendy complained, hiding her irritation.

"If Wynne was here, she would have been my Little W, but she still hasn't been found." Mr Jackson's face turn red.

Wendy almost hissed, but instead rolled her eyes at his shamelessness. He is such a good liar. Why didn't he just become an actor? If he had chosen acting as a career, by now he would have won numerous awards.

"Wendy, I found a man for you" Mr Jackson tried to change the topic when he saw their expressions.

So, this is what he is going to use as a cover up? Marriage? Seriously? "Dad, no rush. I'm still very young and can still wait for few years before getting married" Wendy refuted him.

."Wendy there is no time. You're 23 already. I can't feed you anymore" Mr Jackson called her by her name angrily. Wendy was shocked to see him finally revealing his angry side, but she wasn't too suprised.

"I am not getting married" The argument had ended with Wendy fleeing the house, feeling lost and alone.

As the rain poured down, Wendy had wandered the streets, her mind consumed by thoughts of her mother and sister. She had come to a shocking realization: she would rather die than be sold off like a commodity.

The thought had sent her rushing to the bank, where she withdrew her savings and paid for her mother's surgery and then left a letter with Nurse Vivian to give her mother after the surgery.

That money was her hard earned money and she stole money from her company too. She wass going to die anyway, so, she wouldn't worry about the consequences of stealing the company's money. she stood by the roadside waiting for a drunk driver to hit her....

PRESENT

Now, as Wendy lay on the floor, she closed her eyes. Is his how she is really going to die? Vrooom! All of a sudden ........