Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Sins of the Past
Sins. Mistakes. How they all affect our lives. Regardless of our determination to iron out the creases of the past, we can't. We just can't. Regret will always be part of our lives. Repentance will always be accompanied by blame games.
We cry in contrite. But, are we really remorseful?
I suffer. You laugh. I die. You smile. This is the true nature of my life. You enjoy watching my suffering.
Now, sitting in front of Sophia makes my heart bleed as she is keeping a straight face as she stares at me.
"Why?" I ask. She smirks and crosses her hands on her chest, leaning on her chair's backrest in complete nonchalance.
"I welcomed you into my house with open arms. Why?"
"How does it feel being betrayed?" she says mockingly.
"Are you satisfied?" I say as I intently meet her eyes. She grins.
"Satisfied? Hmmmm.... not really~ I would... if you DIED in my hands!" she replies while grinning crazily. I look at her for a moment.
"Ah... you mean... shooting me down at that cliff where I KILLED your mother?" I say, equalling her nonchalance and lunacy. Her smile vanishes and turns into gloom and anger. I smile triumphantly.
"I will KILL you!" she hisses, slamming her hands on the table. The metal handcuff makes noise as she tries to reach me.
"KILL me? Why?" I ask, challenging her.
"You stole my mother from me!"
"How exactly did I do that?!"
"I know the truth. The truth of how you lured them to the cliff and pushed my mother. Because your pride can't accept that your ex-husband chose my mother over you!"
"Do you really believe that?"
She remains quiet and just stares at me.
"You believe the stories made up by my insane ex-husband? Hah! What if I tell you that you're fooled? That he manipulated your feelings to get back at me?!"
"You're lying!"
"Am I?"
"You have no proof!"
"Proof? Do you want some evidence? How about we start with this one?!"
Her eyes widen as she stares at the photo of Anthony and Paula clinking their wine glasses.
"This was taken just yesterday. Look at how alive and well these 'DEAD' people are. I wonder what's going on!"
"That can't be true! I was at her funeral! I saw her being buried six feet under the ground. You are making this up!"
"Think whatever you want, I don't care. I can't wait to see you rot in jail. And for the record, I didn't push your mother off that cliff. As a matter of fact, I pulled her up even if it meant killing the man I love!" I utter before leaving her perplexed. Out of astonishment, she remains silent. Then, she yells.
"Shut the fuck up! I don't believe in anything you say!"
I chuckle. She narrows her eyes and stands up to hit me. And gets more frustrated when the handcuff is restraining her. I grin.
"Easy there," I tease. She hisses.
"Do you remember the homework I gave you--- the hanging on the cliff?"
"So what?!"
"Well... I have to admit... I asked that question to know how many people agree with my choice at that time."
"Are you saying~"
"Yes. I sacrificed my ex- husband's life to save your mother. Paula begged me to save her because of you!"
I leave the room with a heavy heart as I understand what pushes her to do things. She is also a victim of my ex- husband's dark plot against my family.
Rage. Acrimony. Thirst for vengeance. They are all stirring my emotions.
"Mark my this day Anthony McFadden! I fight back!" I mutter as I walk down the hallway.
Then, I go straight to the penthouse.
"How are you feeling, dear brother?"
"Sour... now that I have seen your face!" Jason replies while drinking his cup of tea as he sits comfortably on a sofa at the veranda. I chuckle.
"I am glad that you're getting back to your old self!"
"Tsk! Anyway... do you want some tea?"
"Not in the mood. Thanks anyway. I came from the hospital. I met her~"
There is a long silence before he speaks.
"So... any news?" he asks.
"Nothing helpful. But, based on her way of thinking, she's clearly brainwashed."
Jason sighs.
"Fuck him!"
"Calm down, Jason!"
He exhales.
"It's really good to see you recovering from your painful past. Rob and I will do our best to avenge you! NO ONE steps on a Spencer!"
"He is a monster, Merideth!"
"Hah! Don't worry, brother. That beast was once my husband, so I know how dark his soul is!"
"Throughout my childhood, I thought that locking or beating me up is a normal way of discipline. But then... when I was in high school and was exposed to the diverse lifestyle, I started questioning him--- which led to more severe punishments..."
I hold my breath as he tells the painful and unfortunate experiences he suffered under Anthony's hands.
"But... why do you~ Uhm... you can ignore my question if you want. I just wanna know why you collapse if---"
"I see some blood?"
I nod. He stares at me for a long time. Then, he looks away as he lets out a nervous breath.
"You don't have to answer~"
"I think, it's time!"
"I am sorry for waking those slumbering pain, but I really wanna know."
"It's okay. The truth is... Anthony~ he... that MONSTER made me watch and help him... rape and kill an innocent young woman!"
My blood runs cold at his revelation as I begin to sweat.
"W- what?!"
"One night, he came home drunk with a woman as he always did. But... the young woman didn't have any intentions to have sex with him as it turned out that she's a virgin. Anthony was upset..."
Tears pool in his eyes at the memory. Cleary showing his remorse and regret.
"He locked her up in the basement before torturing her. Then... ah... then... he called me, asking for help. I thought I was gonna help him fix something. But, I was shocked to see a naked woman lying on a concrete floor."
He can barely speak as he's like being choked by the cry that he suppresses.
"It's okay. It wasn't your fault!" I console as he sobs.
"No! I was the one who slit her throat and let her bleed to death. I... I was... I killed her. She was even begging me to spare her life! I am a killer, Merideth. I am a monster, too!"
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