LOVE, LIES, AND BETRAYAL

The night was cold, dark and quiet, with the rain still falling heavily. Wendy stood alone by the roadside, her figure shrouded in the shadows. The cold rain seeped into her bones, but she didn't flinch.

As she gazed out into the darkness, a faint light appeared in the distance. With a sudden surge of determination, Wendy moved toward the light, her eyes fixed on the source of the light.

Her thoughts were consumed by a singular desire to escape the anguish that had driven her to this point. The pain and the scene she had witnessed at home still lingered, haunting her every step.

Making a decision, Wendy rushed into the middle of the road, her eyes closed, waiting for the inevitable. She began to count, her voice barely above a whisper.

"1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6..."

Screech!

Suddenly, the sound of screeching tires pierced the air. A car had come to an abrupt halt just inches from Wendy's motionless form.

A cold, detached voice cut through the silence.

"What are you doing, standing in the middle of the road? If you want to end your life, go somewhere else. Don't involve innocent people."

Wendy's eyes fluttered open, her gaze locking onto the stranger.

"Am I...am I dead?" she asked, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

The stranger's expression was a mixture of annoyance and confusion.

Steve, the young, tall man couldn't believe his eyes. This woman was willingly trying to get herself killed. He stepped out of the car, his anger evident in his tone.

"Are you trying to die? Did someone send you to do this to implicate me?"

Wendy's eyes dropped, her voice barely audible.

"Please...just hit me. Nobody sent me, no one is here, no one will know. I don't want to live anymore."

Steve's expression was unreadable.

"Get out of the middle of the road. You're not going to die tonight. I refuse to take responsibility for your death!"

Wendy's gaze lingered, disappointment etched on her face. Why wouldn't he just end her life? Why wouldn't he just hit her so that she can be happy and leave this wicked world? At least there were no witnesses to hold him accountable.

"How about strangling me, then?" Wendy's sudden question caught Steve off guard, and he shot her an irritated glance.

"Stop whatever game you're playing," he said firmly. "I don't have time for this. I'll pay you double of whatever they're paying you – just stop."

Wendy's eyes flickered to Steve's chiseled features, and tall appearance and for a moment, she felt a pang of regret. If only she weren't about to die, she'd muster the courage to flirt with him and get his number.

"I just need to die tonight, can't you understand?" Wendy's voice cracked as she pleaded, her tears welling up. "Tomorrow will be even worse, and I don't want to face it, I just want to end it now."

As she grasped Steve's large hand, her tears spilled over. For the first time, Steve's stoic expression faltered, and he found himself asking.

"Why do you want to die?"

Steve's question hung in the air, and for a moment, Wendy was transported back to her father's expression and her mother's happy face. She moved few steps away from Steve, tears falling down her cheeks as memories flooded her mind.

Steve watched, intrigued, as Wendy's expression changed.

What could drive someone so young to want to end it all? He glanced at his watch - 9 pm. He had a Zoom meeting with his company executives at 10 and couldn't afford to be late. The rain continued to fall, and Steve's patience wore thin.

"Listen, miss, I don't have time for this, my time is precious. Please, for your own sake, go home. I'll call the authorities if I must."

Steve's words sparked something in Wendy. Her eyes lit up suddenly, and her expression transformed into a calculating gaze.

There's still hope!

Steve's curiosity got the better of him. "Miss, can you hear me? What are you planning again?" Wendy's eyes shone brightly, and she looked up at Steve with a glimmer of hope.

In a shocking turn, Wendy hissed, "I might as well kill you and spend the rest of my life in jail." Steve was taken aback, unsure how to respond.

Why was this woman so desperate to die?

Why?

Steve's gut told him to stay away from her, and as Steve turned to leave, Wendy lunged at him, wrapping her arms around his back tightly. Steve's irritation grew, he hated being accosted by women, especially those with ulterior motives. He tried to pry her hands off, but Wendy held tight. With a surge of adrenaline, Steve forcefully removed her hands, sending Wendy crashing on the floor.

THUD!

Wendy's butt slammed hard onto the cold ground, leaving her numb and hissing in pain. But as she lay there, something shifted inside her. She realized she didn't want to die anymore she wanted to live and make her father pay for his sins.

With newfound determination, Wendy decided to rethink her plan.

Steve, still watching her in frustration, finally spoke up. "Since you want to die so badly, tell me, how do you want to die? I'll help you fulfill your wish" Wendy's face contorted in a mix of emotions as she tried to apologize and explain, but the pain was too much and she couldn't even move her body. She could only sit there and watch him. She has no energy left in her to shout or explain.

Steve's eyes narrowed. "Cat gat your tongue? You want to die, and you want me to hit you, I'll do you that favor." His voice was laced with anger, and Wendy shivered under his piercing gaze.

As Steve turned to leave, Wendy watched his back, wincing in pain. Waiting for the car to hit her.

Is she really going to die this way??

The sound of the car engine got closer, and closer......

VROOOM!

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 ........

Steve held the wheel tightly, thinking about what he has just done.

Why didn't he control himself and hit her?

He can get away with murder freely, but his principle and conscious doesn't allow him to kill innocent people.

Steve took out his phone to call his assistant. But he decided to check on her first. He crushed her so hard that he was sure that she is dead. He opened the door and walked to the spot and....

Wendy who had shut her eyes tightly, waiting for death waited for long but didn't feel any pain.

What is going on?

She slowly opened her eyes and a drop of rain fell on her face.

She's alive!

Wendy just stood up when she saw Steve getting out of his car.

He is not so ruthless afterall.

She saw him staring at a spot, she looked over too and immediately screamed.

"Aaaaaaahhhhhhh"

Steve shot Wendy a cold glare, warning her.

It turn out that Steve hit a chubby white cat instead of Wendy.

"It's bleeding so much" Wendy strolled the hair of the cute chubby creature in her hand.

"Just let it go. It is too late, she can't make it" Steve said, telling Wendy to let the cat go.

Did I just say he isn't ruthless?

I was wrong, he is 100 times ruthless!

"No. I'll get her to a nearby vet and keep her as a pet" Wendy stroked it hair Lovingly.

Steve shook his head in disgust as he watch her stroking the cat's hair. He couldn't take it anymore, so, he snatched the cat from her and threw it away.

"What are you doing?" Wendy shouted, displeased.

Steve didn't care about her or the cat. So, he moves to leave, then, he suddenly halted.

What if this stupid woman tries to kill herself again? What if she sit in the middle of the road and I hit her?

Though he won't even be arrested or questioned if he kills her, but he just doesn't want to.

What a lucky woman!

"Where do you live, I can drop you off" Steve ice cold voice sounded.

Wendy suddenly realized she has nowhere to go. She turned on her phone and realized she has 206 missed calls.

CEO Reginald?

She suddenly remembered she stole from the company too, and by now everyone should be aware of it.

Now she is dead!

How is she going to live now?

"Where do you live" Steve asked again, getting impatient.

"I don't have a house. I have nowhere to live anymore" Wendy replied absentminded.

Is this woman kidding me?

Wendy saw the doubt on his face and didn't bother explaining, she just looked out of the window, enjoying the cool breeze of the night.

Steve glanced at the little woman who looked so carefree, enjoying the view. There was a smile at the corner of her face.

"So beautiful" Wendy said, enjoying the night view.

"Should I drop you on the street?" Steve asked, suddenly disrupting her happy moment.

"Can you please drop me off at Daylight Minimart?" Wendy asked.

She might as well go to Clara's house to stay for the night, she thought.

"Okay" came the reply.

The car finally stopped in front of Daylight Minimart, Wendy got off, and Steve zoomed off immediately.

"Such a crazy man".

Wendy crossed to the other side of the road and rang the door bell of Clara's house.

The door opened, followed by a sleepy Candy,Clara's cousin.

"Who are you? What do you want?" Candy asked, half asleep , with her eyes closed.

"Open your eyes, it is me Wendy"

Candy was immediately wide awake. "Wendy?" She asked softly and she quickly pushed Wendy inside and locked the door.

"Wendy, what are you doing here by this time? Clara is not home, she is at her boyfriend place and she is not coming back tonight " Candy quickly explained so that she can go back to sleep.

"Alright. I had a fight with my parent,so I am sleeping here tonight" Wendy said, already removing her wet coat.

Not wanting to have a conversation, she replied "Oh! Make yourself at home then. I am going back to sleep now" Candy yawned

"Before you go, can you please get me a dryer?" Wendy asked.

Candy who just wants to sleep started grumping. "You know where Clara's room is, you will find one there" Candy walked away immediately.

Wendy could only helplessly go find the dryer herself.

Steve drove into his manor at exactly 10pm. He was so furious that he ignored the butler's greeting. He didn't have time to shower or eat, so he just went straight to his study and turned on his laptop, joining the zoom meeting.

"I am sorry I am late." Immediately Steve said this, everywhere became quiet and everyone stared at the screen, wondering why their workaholic boss is 2 minutes late for the first time.

"We will begin the meeting now." Steve said, his face turning serious and icy.

"Sir ....." The PR manager called out, hesitating.

Steve who doesn't like to be interrupted frowned.

"What is it?"

The PR Director, Mr Lawrence had no other choice than to tell him.

"Actually, Mr Steven isn't here yet, his wife is in labor and he is the one doing the report for our department " Mr Lawrence said, silently praying.

"So I should put the meeting on hold and wait for him? If he is not here, someone else should report." Steve replied angrily.

Mr Lawrence swallowed hard before saying l: "Sir, everything we need is with him, so I...I... don't think another person can...." Steve cut him off before he finish his sentence.

"Mr Lawrence, is this how you direct and manage your subordinate? I want your resignation letter on my table first thing tomorrow morning. And tell that Mr Steven that he is fired too"

Mr Lawrence didn't see this coming, he thought he would just be scolded, thrown out, or maybe his salary would be deducted. He couldn't argue with Steve or apologize, he could only leave the group with grief

"Let's continue tomorrow." Steve said and ended the call.

He went straight to his bedroom to take a shower.

He then suddenly remember the little woman.

Will she try to kill herself again??

A question he will get an answer to in the future......