Chapter 5 Freedom at last!

MELISSA

The events of the day had passed quickly in a blur, I was both agitated and excited at the same time. I had already packed my bags and bade farewell to Mrs Rose.

I acted as if everything was normal, of course. I couldn't have them realise I was planning my escape.

I sat on my bed wondering why I had not thought of this for the past 5 years, maybe I thought that was the end, maybe because I had never taken a pregnancy term up to six months, maybe I felt like I wasn't strong enough, or maybe the moment I had entered this house and seen how it was for me I had lost all hope, all will to actually live.

But this child... this child has given me hope, a will to live again, on my own terms. I was going to do everything in my power to make sure I escaped and give my child the life he deserves.

It was 9 pm, my sister had called earlier saying she would be at the back gates and I should be ready. I took my small bag of clothes and the bundles of cash Mrs Rose had been able to take from Blake's suitcase. The bundles were a bit too much, 'I hope he doesn't notice so Mrs Rose doesn't get in trouble'.

"Mrs Lisa..." Mrs Rose said quietly as she entered my room to help me out, she took my bag leading the way and I followed her.

We moved swiftly and quietly to the back of the big manor where the gate was located.

The evening air was cool, reminding me of my freedom. We moved passed the other maids without them noticing anything. They still whispered but I didn't care.

As we got closer I spotted Nora through the gate, inside my old mustang car. I had left the car when I had gotten married to Blake, thinking I would get a new one, but I never did.

We increased our pace, rushing over to the gate, I gently opened it and Nora came out of the car, collecting the bag from Mrs Rose and kept it in the trunk of the car.

I hugged Mrs Rose goodbye and I entered the car as fast as I could. As Nora drove off I saw Mrs Rose through the side mirror, going back into the manor.

"Thank you Nora," i said turning to Nora, my smile gleamed with excitement, freedom at last. She gave a small smile, but there was something about it, it seemed almost... forced.

I shoved the feeling off of my mind, I was not going to let anything ruin my happy mood.

"How's mum" I asked.

"She's okay, she's been a little sick on and off but she'll be okay" she answered and I nodded slightly.

The drive was quiet, the city lights moving in fast blurs as the car sped off. Nora seemed quiet, nervous even, I wanted to ask what was wrong but maybe she was just worried about being caught.

"We'll be fine, nobody would know you helped me, you can tell them you sold my car sometime ago, just incase they asked about it" I said staring at her.

"Okay, I'll just drive close to home so I can walk the remaining way home while you drive back to the cottage" she replied and I smiled.

We'd been driving for thirty minutes and came across the two way road up front. The left is the way back home but she suddenly turned and passed through the right.

"Nora, what is going on? Why did you pass through here" I asked, fear creeping in my mind.

"Just trust me, I know what I'm doing" she said.

Trust? What did she mean trust her?

"The road to the house is quite bad, so we have through this road, there's a route here that leads back to the house" she assured me.

But I didn't know of any routes in this road leading straight to the other road. What the fuck was going on? I was scared but she is my sister, so I trusted her and decided not to argue.

We had been driving another thirty minutes, and a sudden downpour had started, blurring our vision a little. It was already few minutes passed 10 pm already and I was wondering what was taking so long.

"Nora, are you sure about this? Are you sure we're going the right way?" I asked, already having my doubts.

"Yes, I know where I'm going, don't worry" she sighed.

"Please be careful, the rain is heavy and the road has become muddy, it will be slippery" I pleaded.

We had been driving another thirty minutes and the rain was still heavy, I was just about to ask again when she finally pulled up. When I looked closely, I could see a small shabby house with high stairs.

"Nora where are..." She didn't let me finish before she stepped out.

I stepped out immediately covering my head with my hands as if it could shelter me from the downpour. I climbed the stairs as I saw her do so.

"This isn't..." I stopped in my tracks, my mouth opened in surprised. Someone stepped out of the shabby house.

Mariam.

My sister-in-law, what was she doing here? Nora walked over to her and stood besides her.

"What the hell is going on?" I asked turning to Nora, keeping my voice steady.

"Did you really think you could escape from us?" Mariam hissed. "Who the fuck do you think you are wanting to bring shame to the Salvatore family?"

My heart was already slamming hard in my chest from fear and... betrayal? Had Nora just betrayed me?

Has she told Mariam about my plans? Why was I here?

"Nora please explain to me what's going on" my voice cracked.

"You sly fool" Nora shot back. "Did you really think I would help you?"

Her words made me stagger back a bit, shock and disbelief washed over me. I felt a shiver go up my spine as the hairs at the back my neck stood up in alert.

The cold from my drenched clothes sipped into my body. My eyes widened, I still couldn't talk.

"What? Cat got your tongue?" Mariam smirked.

" 'please help me, I must escape ' " Nora said mockingly.

"You filthy tramp, did you think you would ever be good enough for my brother or our family?" Mariam snarled. "Once we get back and I tell them what you planned to do, hell is what will come to you next. Stupid fool" she continued.

I turned my gaze back at Nora, hoping for some sort of explanation.

"Oh don't look at me like that, like the victim because you certainly are not" Nora said. "The way dad always cherished you, the way he always favoured you over me" she said with disgust in her voice.

"Nora please..." I started, but thinking about it, it was of no use begging so I turned to my heels trying to run, I had to run to my freedom.

But before I could reach the stairs they grabbed me, Mariam landed a slap across my face, pain sipped through my face.

"Please" I begged ignoring the burning sensation on my face.

"You will not escape from us you sly Fox" Nora said. "And don't think dad will come save you, he died two years ago"

Dad... dead? For two years? And nobody thought to tell me?

I pulled as hard as I could and they let me go, but somehow I had found courage. I stood up straight, my voice steady,

"I would rather die than go back to that manor" I yelled. "Your brother is nothing but a shameless, worthless pig and I will never forgive you for this Nora" I said, tears dropping down my eyes.

"How dare you" Mariam snarled moving closer to me, both her hands on my shoulder and then... She shoved me.

Loosing balance, I tumbled down the stairs, my back slamming against each step until my head struck against the unforgiving stone at the bottom, a loud sickening crack echoing through the air as blood pooled beneath me, my body lay there, under the rain, the faint scent of sand and blood filling my nasal cavity.

"Help" I said, my voice barely above a whisper and I saw them rushing down the stairs.

"Oh my god" Nora breathed out.

"She is best dead to us, I'll call some people to come deal with the mess. Let's go" Mariam said.

Mess? As one last drop of tear rolled down the sides of my face, I thought of my baby. I was unable to move, stiff to the ground.

As i lay on the cold muddy ground, the lights leaving my eyes, i wished i could be given another chance... another life. I wished i could come for revenge on the whole Salvatore family including mine.