Chapter 38: Different

Chapter 38: Different
I felt like a totally different person.
The Sally without her memory was pathetic and a pushover, I hate that I had to live that life for a long time but blessed be the person that came up with the idea for the flower stunt that accidently unlocked my memory. Now I felt powerful and in control without having to look like the Villain.
I didn't expect Stephen to bring my sister back to me on her knees the moment she regained a little strength. . .
" Stephen, she's still weak " I scold him while rejoicing internally
He seems unfazed " at least she can speak. I told you I'll have her apologize to you the moment she got a little better "
I want to speak but he stops me before nudging Renae with his feet. She moves painfully slow to take a bowing position
" I. . . I . . . I am so. . .sorry " her voice is hoarse and painfully slow
I shake my head looking at her with feigned pity then back at Stephen with glossy eyes " You don't have to do this Stephen "
He chuckles darkly " Keeping her alive is enough mercy my love "
I shake my head again letting the tears flow this time " I really don't want you to do this Stephen, please stop "
His resolve crumbles " I'm sorry baby " He says coming to my side to comfort me after gesturing for Lucas to drag Renae away
" I've forgiven my sister already, i hope you will too "
His jaw clenches " I'll never forgive them Sally. I can never bring myself to forgive them for even trying to take you away from me. . . take you away from me forever "
I lovingly caress his cheek and he leans into my touch " but I'm here right? " then i take his hands and place them on my belly " and our baby's right here too "
He lets out a defeated sigh " I'll do anything to please you my baby. Shall we send your sister back home then? "
I shake my head in disagreement " Let's nurse her a bit more for a month or two before sending her back "
He pats my head " The world doesn't deserve such a sweet soul " he showers my face with kisses earning a series of giggles from me.
While my sister stayed in the basement of the house recuperating, I nursed my baby tenderly and my parents tried as much as the could to do some damage control. They threw small parties, games and whatnot with dignitaries to form new alliances but no one was willing to put themselves on the line to save my parents. Stephen was still looking for the evidence to destroy them completely but I'm not going to let that happen. My family is mine to destroy not his, his displeasure with my father over his deceit and scheme about the seeds is something that'll pass with time as far as he doesn't get his hands on the official documents with the formula and signed agreement of the parties involved. Getting the document also meant finding out my family's involvement with the Whitehalls and I'm too pregnant at the moment to deal with a large scale scheme
I stare flatly at my sister, she looks disheveled and malnourished, I imagine it's my mum in her position since they looked alike
" You look more alive than you did when you were thrown at my feet covered in blood and bruises two months ago " 
She cowers " Do. . . Do. . .don't hu. . . hurt me please " 
" really? "
I laugh
Seeing her shake in fear reminded me of my old self. It reminded me of how I'd started stammering, how much I begged to not be hurt just like she's begging me now bit I still got slapped and pushed to the floor like a piece of trash. 
" It's all your mother's fault " I say sternly but she doesn't reply, she just rocks back and forth on the bed muttering words to herself and shaking in fear. 
 It's a pleasing sight to see, I wish I could record a footage of her and send it to my mummy dearest so she breaksdown over and over again but I hold myself back, after all they'll be here to get her tomorrow. I'll be more than happy to see my mother's heart shatter beyond repair, the next time I want to get back at her, my sister will have to take the fall again.
 I'm in the kitchen trying a new recipe Mrs Moreen sent me earlier for pancakes when I notice Sarah staring at me from a corner in the kitchen, I stop what I'm doing to give her my attention. 
 " Why are you watching me like that? " I ask irritated that she's watching me like I'm planning a coup or something evil. 
She shrugs " I don't know, you're just different " She says rubbing her chin, " I just can't place my hands on exactly what's different " 
I sigh rubbing my baby bump " well maybe it's because I'm carrying a baby. People change when they're pregnant "
" It's not that " she says taking calculated steps towards me 
" Then what? " 
She stops and her face shine like something just clicked " your eyes, they look different " 
My mum's word about seeing me through my eyes ring in my head causing an ache to start blooming. 
 I sigh rubbing my temple " It's the pregnancy Sarah. Now I feel so dizzy from all your rambling. Finish up here, I'll be in my room " with that I leave for my room. 
 I pace back and forth in my room wondering if others too had noticed the same thing already, I stare in the mirror trying to perfect my mask again. How could I get so comfortable and let my mask slip off. When I'm comfortable with the innocence I'd mustered into my eyes, I go to the bathroom to take a warm bath to soothe my aching muscles. After the shower, I find myself just staring into space imagining my parents begging me again and me passing my judgement. Oh the feeling is so surreal . . . . .
 I feel strong arms around my waist breaking my haze. That scent, I already knew who it belonged to so I just mould into his hold
" How are you my baby " He says nibbling the crook of my neck 
I let out a sigh " tired but I'm feeling a lot better now that you're here " 
He turns me so I'm facing him " I heard you were in the kitchen, I've told you to stay in bed baby " 
I laugh " I'm pregnant not disabled " 
He frowns and a hard slap lands on my butt causing me to yelp. He's about to say something but stops when his eyes fall on my exposed belly. 
" I've always wondered how you got this mark right here " He asks pointing to the scar on the lower part of my belly 
 " My mum pushed me down the stairs and I got hurt " I say without thinking 
 His features twist in displeasure and his hands on my thighs tighten into my flesh.
" You're lying " He says his voice dangerously low