Chapter 2 A Nightmare

Scarlett's Point of View

The cries of the baby in my arms confronted me with the harshest reality of my life. My sister was gone, leaving her child behind. Now, I was to become the baby's mother; I was determined to care for her.

As they wheeled the stretcher into the ward, they maneuvered around me to transfer Scarlynn from the hospital bed to the stretcher. After covering her with a white sheet, they pushed the stretcher out of the ward.

The nurses took my sister away, leaving my parents, me, and the baby in my arms.

I refrained from speaking at that moment, fearing I might say something inappropriate.

"Scarlett, I'm so sorry that this happened, and most importantly, I'm sorry we kept this from you. Your sister was the one who didn't want us to reveal the truth," my mother said calmly, tears streaming down her face.

"Scarlett, my dear, we have a serious problem," my dad said, his tone filled with dread.

I turned my attention to him, unable to summon the courage to speak. I lacked the strength to say anything.

"Asher is unpredictable; he is obsessed and acts without a second thought. He made it clear that if anything were to happen to your sister, he would destroy our entire clan, and he would follow through on his threat," my dad said, desperation evident in his voice.

"Asher is an enemy of the family, and if he learns that Scarlynn is dead, he will assume that we killed our daughter just to retaliate against him. He will kill all of us," my father continued.

"You have no choice but to take your sister's place, or we will all perish, including the baby you are holding in your arms." I stared at him in disbelief, his words hitting me with a profound weight.

I blinked once, twice, and thrice, hoping it was nothing more than a dream. Unfortunately, this was my reality-the worst reality of my life.

"I'm not going to do that, Dad. Just tell him the truth: Scarlynn has passed away. Surely, he won't think you killed your daughter just to get back at him," I said in a monotone voice, my lips trembling as I struggled to hold back my tears.

My father let out a snort. "Do you know who killed your grandpa?" he asked, throwing a glare at me.

"Asher killed your grandfather because he attempted to bring Scarlynn back home, and Asher simply murdered him. This is why Scarlynn chose to stay with him-to keep us all safe. Even when I urged her to return home, she refused, prioritizing our safety above all else. Otherwise, he could have killed everyone. This is precisely why your sister declined any treatment; she died trying to protect her family. Do you really think that if we tell Asher the truth, he will spare us?" my father added.

Somehow, his words didn't add up; it felt as though he was attempting to conceal a significant lie with another. I lacked the energy to engage in an argument with him, which is why I'm choosing to let this slide.

I sat frozen in the chair; time seemed to have come to a complete standstill. I struggled to process everything in my mind, but nothing made sense. This can't be true. Why am I learning all of this now? Everything felt like a nightmare, and I didn't know what to believe.

My sister had just passed away, and I was receiving such shocking news. Does this mean that she wasn't with him because she wanted to be, but because he threatened her?

Everything was beginning to make sense now. Could this be the reason she never came home, not even once? He had been threatening her, and now my sister was gone; it was all because of him, and somehow, my parents were to blame for this.

"Scarlett, you have no choice in this matter. If you refuse to impersonate your sister, we will all perish, and I'm certain you don't want her sacrifice to be in vain," my mom said, tears streaming down her face.

My mind went blank; I couldn't process everything all at once. Everything was happening so quickly that I didn't know what to think or what to disregard. I knew that Scarlynn and I looked alike, but how could I possibly act like her?

We were different. I just wish someone could wake me up and tell me that it was all a dream. Unfortunately, the reality was right in front of me, and I felt powerless to change it.

"Scarlett, make your decision right now before we leave this room so I can make all the arrangements. Do you want your sister's sacrifice to go to waste and risk your whole family's lives, or will you take your sister's place and raise her child?" my father questioned.

A lump formed in my throat, causing me to swallow painfully, and tears streamed down my face. I looked at the tiny girl in my hand, aware that her father was a monster. What kind of upbringing will she have? What kind of woman will she become? Scarlynn entrusted her baby to me; she trusted me with her most precious treasure.

I cannot disappoint my sister; I will raise her child to become a beautiful young lady and provide her with the best upbringing possible.

My stomach twisted into a knot. "I will take her place," I forced the words out.

I was torn between unbearable choices, each one more difficult than the last. I had to consider this little girl; she was innocent.

"Well then, I will make all the arrangements. Only then can we tell Asher about everything," my dad said calmly. His face remained impassive, but his eyes betrayed the pain he was trying hard to conceal.

Just yesterday, I was filled with joy at the thought of my sister coming home, and today, I find myself in tears because I have lost her. How can life be so unfair?

Scarlynn was my friend, my sister, and the only person with whom I shared everything. She was an attentive listener, a supportive sister, and a true best friend. But now she is gone, and I will never see her again.

I inhaled sharply, attempting to manage my emotions.

If I cannot be strong for myself, that is acceptable, but I must be strong for the baby in my arms.

I must prioritize her needs before my own. I attempted to suppress the thought that my life was about to undergo a significant change and focused my attention solely on her.

I gently touched the baby's tiny fingers as they curled around mine, sending a shiver of unfamiliar emotions through me. It was a blend of joy and sadness all at once. She looks so innocent, unaware that her mother has left her in this harsh world.

I will treat her as if she were my own child. I am committed to showering her with love and providing her with all the happiness she deserves.