I've Been There Before

“You bitch! You can still laugh now! You murderer! You heartless bitch!”

His voice became agitated and tinged with seething anger, “If it were not because of you, Wallis wouldn’t have been gone from this world at a tender age from the beginning. If it were not because of you, how could Wallis become a victim of those barbaric animals! It was all because of you! You evil heartless bitch!”

Grace was tied to a chair which had one of its legs severed in half as she stared blankly at the elderly person who was cursing at her.

“I couldn’t believe that Wallis had been seeing you as her friend, and a best friend at that. But what have you done in return? What the hell have you done?”

Sam was shaking Grace along with the chair violently as if he was transferring his anger through this motion. His eyes were dripping with venomous hatred!

Grace had endured his onslaught of wrath silently, until Sam had mentioned that “Wallis had been seeing you as her friend”… This was the last straw for her!

“I used to think the same many years ago. Wallis was indeed my best friend and I was her best friend in turn.” Sam glared at the girl tied to the chair who was starting a muffled chuckle. As if he was overcome with poison, it penetrated through his body … Slap!

“You still dare to laugh! You still have the guts to laugh!”

His slap was strong enough to completely twist Grace’s face in another direction. Her head was tilted sideways as her body remained motionless, half-leaning on the chair. Although her mouth was throbbing with pain due to the slap, she looked unfazed while maintaining her posture as she slowly opened her mouth, “Sam, do you think I’m stupid? Do you think I wouldn’t be able to figure things out after spending three years in prison?” Her head gradually spun around so that her gaze was now falling upon Sam’s distorted face.

“Who was the instigator? Who was the one harboring ill intentions? And who was the one failing spectacularly instead in her actions and got who she deserved?” She spelled out each word with conviction. Her voice was crystal clear. Although the corner of her mouth was decimated due to that slap, she still insisted to make her thoughts clear here and now!

It was as though she would finally be able to clear the mess entangling her and Wallis through her announcement here. This was also her plead to reveal Wallis’ crime even after all these years!

How could she not be sure of every detail here?

She was the one who had fallen from the apex of the pyramid into a muddy swarm. She understood that these seemingly insignificant details in others’ eyes were paramount to her. She must hold on to every leverage she could get so that she could be sure of her own decision and concern!

a beat as he spiraled into confusion. He gaped at the person tied to the chair and

No!

could that be

she really knew the truth, then why hadn’t she paid the Shaw

why didn’t she say anything about the pettiness and difficult treatment she had received

known the

then how could she stay oblivious to everything happening to her? How could she remain

she didn’t care less about his reaction whether it was one of astonishment or other emotions. She wouldn’t care about anybody’s opinions as she started to put her memories into words while staring at the white fluorescent light above her

backs propped up against each other’s under the huge tree. When my grandpa was still alive, he had been very strict towards me. I had to learn a lot of things, much more than my peers. Sometimes, I had to study even if it was already past midnight, so there weren’t much time for me take a break. Once I caught a chance to rest, I would go to the Shaw Manor. Caden didn’t pay me any attention

of this?” Sam’s face was full of apprehension and suspicion, “Are you perhaps thinking that by resorting to sentiments, it would work against me?”

fluorescent light and dropped onto Sam’s face. Her sights were a tad blurry after focusing on white light for too long, hence she couldn’t make out the details of Sam’s face clearly. This hit home her intention--- she wanted to avoid looking into this despicable elderly person’s face as much as she could manage.

think Wallis is someone who would kill herself, based on

you framing her and allowing her to be defiled?” Sam’s cheeks had bloated

a giggle. She was finding this to be amusing, “I am pretty sure I was not responsible for what had happened that night. I think everybody knew who

what nonsense are you spouting right now? If you’re not the culprit, then who could it be? You’re

to feel a lingering pain behind her retina. Maybe, just maybe… she should continue to focus her gaze onto the blinding light

allow me to step out of this place live anymore, am

person while continuing, “Uncle Venus.” It was rare for her to address him as such after so many years had gone by. She continued, “Uncle Venus, since you’re not planning to stay alive anymore and seeing that you will never let me go, you should just tell me straight about the truth surrounding Wallis’ death. We’re both goners at this point.” She vehemently believed

show up for so many years and was even using her death to achieve something in her favor. There was no way a person like her would just commit suicide

because of you!” On Sam’s pale face, there were strange colors

no way