REBORN QUEEN: REVENGE ON MY SCUMBAG HUSBAND

MELISSA

Waking up in my room was always the best way to start my day.

I showered and got ready for breakfast, stopping by Nora's room to call her.

"Hey nor" i called out to her.

Nor was my nickname for her. She was talking to mother when i got there.

Agnes Gray was my step mother and Nora was her daughter, my step sister but not from my father.

My mum had died many years ago and dad had remarried, so i could have a "mother figure" in my life.

I love my family so dearly, I could do anything for them.

"Good morning mother" I quickly greeted when I noticed her beside Nora.

"Hope you had a good night's rest" mother asked me and I nodded.

"You seem so optimistic this morning dear, is there a reason?" She asked.

"No mother, I just feel good today" I smiled.

She stood up from Nora's side and walked up to me with both her hands on my shoulders, she said,

"Good, you'll need it"

Before what she said had the chance to register in my head she had walked off. What did she mean by that?

I didn't have time to think about it because Nora came and held my hand smiling.

"What are you not telling me?" I asked jokingly and i saw her eyes glimmer with excitement.

"Mum said it's a secret" she said

"But we don't keep secrets from each other" I said, pouting and we both giggled as we went downstairs.

The table was already set and we sat down, a few minutes later papa joined us.

We all started eating, we were halfway done when papa spoke.

"Melissa, you will get married soon, to the second child of the Salvatore family"

My breath hitched, i must have heard wrong.

"What?" I muttered, the word barely escaping my lips.

A cold rush of wave ran through my body as if someone poured ice water on me.

"Married? To Blake Salvatore?" My lips and hands trembling as i spoke.

"Yes, your marriage to the Salvatores has been signed since your birth" he said with indifference

This had to be a joke.

My heart was pounding out of my chest. My eyes searched my father's face, desperate to see a hint of joke. But there was none.

He was serious.

I didn't know what to say or what to do, I was dumbfounded.

"Put papa, I want to marry for love, just like you and mum" I found myself saying.

"Lisa, you have to do it for the company" he sighed.

"But..." I tried to protest but was cut short by him.

"MELISSA!!!" he shouted and his voice vibrated through the room,

"You will marry him. They would be having dinner here in 3 days time, get ready"

I brought my head down, unable to say a word. My father had made his decision.

But what about Jake?

We all finished with breakfast not long after the conversation but I was hardly able to eat anything.

I went back to my room, my feets moving on it's own, my mind was spinning.

I sat on my bed, unable to shed a tear as I thought of a way out of this, but there was no way out.

I took my phone and texted Vivian, my best friend and Jake, my boyfriend, about the horrible news.

Just then, Nora came into my room smiling. Was this the surprise she was talking about?

"Lisa" she started, "don't feel so sad about it, daddy wants the best for us"

"I know but, Blake has always been interested in you, not me" I said in a low tone.

"I know that as well but I'm not interested in him, you're the first daughter of the Gray family, you have to marry before me"

She kept on talking and rambling on but everything she said were blurred out, I didn't hear a thing, I could only hear my own thoughts.

She left my room after realising she was talking to herself and not me.

Vivian and Jake texted me back after a while. Vivian said she'd come see me later.

I had taken a nap soon after until I heard a knock on my door and sure enough it was Vivian. She took me into her arms in a hug before pulling back.

"What are you going to do?" Vivian asked with concern.

"I don't know viv" i said confused.

"Have you spoken to Jake yet?"

"No, we texted but we've not had the chance to talk properly"

"I'm sure you'll figure something out" she said taking me into her arms, trying to comfort me.

Vivian left not long after and Jake and i spoke over the phone.

I didn't want to go against my father but I couldn't marry a man I didn't love.

Jake and i planned to elope together, after the dinner, we'd go far away from here. I hope.

*****

It's been three days since father told me about my marriage to Blake Salvatore.

It was almost time for the dinner and I was so nervous.

Nora came into my room, she advised me on what to wear, since she knew Mrs Salvatore better than I did.

I took her advice and wore what she picked out for me.

When I heard cars pull up in the compound I quickly went to my window to check if it was them, it was.

I touched up my make up and headed downstairs.

"Good day Mr and Mrs Salvatore" I smiled halfheartedly.

"How are you Melissa?" Mr Salvatore asked, but Mrs Salvatore scanned me from head to toe as she twisted her face in a displeasing manner.

"What the bloody hell are you wearing?" A voiced asked from behind them. That must be their sister, Mariam.

The Salvatore twin brothers ignored me as they found a sit for themselves.

I was already embarrassed enough, and now my husband to be was ignoring me. Great.

I only have to endure this for tonight.

We all sat down ready to eat when Mrs Salvatore spoke.

"Agnes, I see you've not thought your daughter proper etiquette and manners" she said.

"Oh I did, you know not all children listen to their parents" mother replied.

What?! What was mother talking about? Was my clothes really that bad for a dinner?

I looked at Nora who had adviced me to wear a non fitted Jean and a blouse. But her face was neutral.

Did she plan to embarrass me in front of my in-laws? No. She would never do that.

"What she wears doesn't matter, what matters is that she can breed" Blake spat.

Of course, he didn't love me, he only wanted what i could give him, which would be children.

My dad didn't say a word to correct him, neither did his parents. Was this the kind of man i was supposed to get married to?

The dinner went on quietly besides the little insults they were throwing at me ever so often.

I couldn't speak, because of father. I just needed to manage through dinner.

Dinner ended and i ended up in tears in my room. My parents couldn't even speak for me.

It's was obvious that i couldn't marry into that family.

***

The next morning rolled by pretty quickly and i arranged my things and my jewelries into my box.

I took it downstairs and into my car discreetly so mother and Nora wouldn't catch me.

Then I drove to Jake's office.

When I got there, his assistant was stopping me from going into his office and I was getting impatient and agitated.

His assistant told me to wait and i did.

I was tired already but his assistant said he was in a meeting, although it was too quiet inside.

When his assistant went out to get coffee, my first thought was to barge into Jake's office.

I stood up and walked up to the door, slowly i pushed Jake's office door open to peep in and what I saw left me in gruesome horror.

Tears flooded my eyes as i took the elevator and went back down the company's building to my car.

I cried my heart out before driving back home.

I guess i have no choice but to marry Blake.

MELISSA

"Ugh," Blake grunted as he slammed into me, pain sipping through my body like a wave of venom.

"You fucking cunt!" he groaned, as he rams into me with a force that made the bed creak under the pressure, like a warrior striking down his foe.

"Did you think you were special?" He asked, taking his left hand to my neck, choking me almost to death.

I could barely breathe or see, hot tears slid down the sides of my eyes as I lay there, helpless, regret swelling up in my soul.

It had been five years already.

I was not sure which hurt more... his words or his hands, each word... each touch... a painful reminder of the horrible mistake I had made 5 years ago.

The dark, cold and suffocating bedroom... Blake's room... my husband's bedroom, his territory, my place of torture.

I stared at the ceiling, the expensive chandelier staring back at me as I forced my mind to drift somewhere else... anywhere but here... while Blake does whatever he wanted with my body, his movements were harsh and punishing.

He doesn't give a care in the world for my pain, never has and never will.

His breath hot and rough under my skin, his eyes filled with anger, my body motionless beneath him, accepting it like I always did.

His hand tightened around my throat again, "look at me, you stupid whore" he said in a cold voice.

A hard slap landed on my face, bringing me back to reality, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth, the little efforts to escape my reality in my head... gone.

I bit my lower lip just enough to bruise it to keep me from crying out. My cries and pleas only worsens his anger.

"You sly fool, did you think that you would replace her?" He growled.

"Jealous filthy slut, thought you could ever take her place? huh?" His body trembling in anger above mine.

Mentioning her always made it worse, his rage increased and his finger dug into my skin, the pain unbearable.

"Did you think i will ever love you? You made her give up her place for you and now you act innocent?" He snarled, then pulled out.

A fleeting relief of the hell I was in, before tossing me on my side in a rough and quick manner, like I was nothing but garbage.

'finally, he is done' I thought before he pulled me by my arm, throwing me on the floor.

"You know you deserve this" he said confidently.

"Please" I muttered.

"Do you think you're not supposed to be punished?" He asked in a spiteful tone, using his leg to kick my stomach.

"Stop," I cried out, folding my self on the floor protecting my stomach and the little life inside.

"Now get out!!" He yelled and I forced myself to stand up and dashed off to my room.

I closed my room door shut as I got inside, leaning against the wooden door, pain flowing through my entire body.

Then I felt it, hot liquid running down my legs, I slowing brought my head down, praying it wasn't what I thought it would be.

"No... No... No" I cried, forcing down my nightgown and rushing into my bathroom. I carefully sat in the bathtub running warm water into it.

I prayed hard that I could at least keep this one after loosing three in the past five years of this horrific marriage.

Tears streamed down my eyes as I tried to steady my breathing, hoping it would all be okay. Then I heard the door creak open.

"Mrs Lisa?" I heard the familiar voice of my personal maid, Mrs Rose, the only person kind to me in this whole manor.

"Oh no... Lisa" she said softly coming into the bathroom.

"I'm bleeding..." I whimpered, hardly able to speak.

"He hit you again, didn't he?" She asked, I could feel the pity in her voice.

I looked up at her, pity overwhelmed her face, unshed tears stuck in her eyes as she looked down at me, her usually cheerful face, her heartwarming smile... gone, replaced with sadness.

"I'll get the doctor" She said as she turned around, but I grabbed her hand immediately,

"No...wait, I'll be fine" My voice cracked, blinking against the blur of pain.

"Help me get cleaned up" I whispered, fear clouding my head.

As she helped me get cleaned up I couldn't help but remember how things were, before I got married, how happy I was, unknown to me that this marriage would be my ruin, the greatest mistake i ever made.

Mrs Rose carefully led me out of the bathtub and to the bedroom, helping me lay on the bed. She gently massaged my swollen feet, making me relax and giving me a little sense of relief.

"Thank you" I appreciated letting out a small sigh.

"It's no problem ma'am" Mrs Rose replied as she glanced at me, giving me a soft smile, the wrinkled corners of her eyes showing her aged features.

"You should get some rest now," her hand on mine giving me a gentle pat, her calm voice soothing.

"You too,"

"Good night Mrs Lisa" She bade me.

"Good night" I responded, watching her close the door behind her.

I lay in bed, my thoughts intensely clouding my mind. I gently rubbed my protruding stomach, thinking of what would happen if I lost it.

I stared at the ceiling as the dim light from the bedside lamp cast soft shadows across the room.

Mixed emotions flowed through me, a mix of love, fear, and uncertainty.

I had come so far six months of hope and silent prayers. But what if fate was cruel? What if this precious part of me was taken away again before I even had the chance to hold it, to see its face, to hear its first cry?

I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply as I wrapped my hands around my stomach, as if shielding my baby from the dark thoughts going through my mind.

The painful memories of my other losses rushing back. Tear stung my eyes threatening to fall but I blinked them away.

I went to wonderland, as sleep slowly pulled me in.

MELISSA

As I woke up the next morning, I lay in bed for for a moment, too tired to move.

The light from the morning sun filtered through the curtains, gently warming my face. I made an attempt to get up but I couldn't, I tried again and was able stand up in one forced push.

I gently moved to the side of the bed, putting a hand on my waist to support the weight of my baby, as I got up to my feet.

I let my feet carry me the window, with hesitant hands, i carefully pulled back the heavy drapes, letting the morning light spill into the room.

I stood by the window with one hand on my waist and the other on my tummy, watching through the window, the livestock roaming free in the field as the servants relentlessly tried to capture them back into the poultry house and the chickens helplessly trying to escape.

That was when it hit me.

Escape.

I could escape from this place all I needed was an escape plan.

I quickly moved to the side of my bed to take my phone, I ran through my contacts and quickly dialed Nora.

As the phone rang through she picked on the third ring "hello Lisa" I heard from the other side of the phone, her voice groggy like she had just woken up.

"Hello sister, please help me" I said in a whisper.

"What?... Wh... What are you talking about?" She asked, surprised.

"I want to leave this horrible place, I need to escape from here" my voice cracking involuntarily.

"What ever do you mean Lisa? Escape? Why?"

"You know how Blake has been to me, he doesn't love me, he loves you and he's been too cruel to me" my voice hush,

"I want to give birth to this child, I can't let my child be born in this wicked environment Nora, please"

"Calm down Melissa, I'm sure it's not as bad as you make it to be" she huffed.

"No you don't understand, I need to leave here" my harsh voice cutting through the silence in the room.

She hesitated for a moment then responded, "okay fine, what is the plan?"

"A day after tomorrow Mr Salvatore usually takes his boys out for hunting over at the hunting grounds till the next day" I said quietly forming together my plan.

"They usually stay there for a few days before returning back. Do you remember that little cottage off grid back at Dulwich Village? Where father used to take us, it's totally off the grid. No one will ever suspect, that's the last place they would check" I sighed satisfied with my plan.

"That is a bad idea Lisa, you're six months pregnant, and how do you plan to get there, by driving all the way to Dulwich Village?" Her voice discouraging.

"Yes, that is it precisely" excitement washed over me as I spoke. "All you have to do is help me"

"How?" she asked.

"The day after tomorrow when Mr Salvatore, Blake and Oliver leaves to their hunting grounds, I will arrange my bags and wait for you at nightfall. All you have to do is bring me my old car at exactly 9pm, I shall be ready to run" I explained to her, my voice filled with joy.

"Are you sure about this sister? What if you get caught?" Nora asked her voice laced with worry.

"Trust me, I have lived here for five years and know my way around, I won't get caught" I said.

I could hear her sigh from the other end of the phone "Okay, I'll get the car ready" she said finally.

"Thank you so much Nora" I finished.

"Sure, bye" she said and I heard the ending tone of the call.

I placed my phone softly on the dressing table and sat on the bed, carefully thinking of all the important things I needed to to take with me. But I had one big problem.

No cash.

I wouldn't survive on my own, with no money if I just escaped like that. Then I remembered that blake has a suitcase that he always stashed his money in. It's never locked, because no one would dare steal from him and he doesn't keep count of what goes in or out. All I needed was to get a few bundles. But how?

Only the senior maids are allowed in his room, just then Mrs Rose walked into my room.

"Mrs Lisa?" She called out. "How are you feeling now?" She asked walking close to me, she stood right in front of me, maintaining a formal posture, hands Clasped in front.

"I feel okay" I mumbled.

"Breakfast has been prepared, would you want to eat now?" She asked affectionately.

"No, I don't feel like eating anything this morning, and my stomach might reject the food too, I don't want your hard work to go to waste" I said calmly.

She let out a soft laugh, "it's my Job to see that you're well taken care of".

"Don't worry about me too much Mrs Rose" I replied.

"Oh you poor child, whatever shall I do with you?" she said suddenly, making a small gesture.

"Well if you need anything, please let me know" she finished.

Well I do need something, some money and fortunately Mrs Rose is a senior made, luckily she's also cleaning Blake's room today, so...

"Can I ask you for a favor?" I asked my gaze meeting hers.

"Yes, anything dear" she said confidently.

"Come sit," I gestured for her to sit besides me, then her took her hands into mine.

"I need your help, I want to escape from here" I said looking at her eyes intensely.

"What?!" She wispered in disbelief.

"Mrs Rose please, you know the burden I carry, I don't want to pass them to my unborn child" I pleaded.

"I understand dear, how can I be of help to you?"

Glad that she didn't protest against my idea, I quickly responded.

"I already planned everything out with my sister Nora, she'll meet me at the back gates in two days with my old car and I'll go to a small village, we have an old cottage there, I could hide out there for a while. All I need is some cash"

"I hope it's not Mr Blake's suitcase you're thinking about Mrs Lisa?" she asked worry clouding her face.

"Please, just a few bundles, you won't get caught, you'll be the only person in the room, and he doesn't keep record of the money" I said pressing her hands lightly.

She nodded slightly "okay, I'll do it. But I'll sure miss you when you leave" she said hugging me.

I hugged her tightly as I whispered a 'thank you' in her ear.