Chapter 50 Chapter 51
Marlie's heart raced as she listened to Spark's words. She had considered telling Chad everything and leaving, but Spark wanted to complicate things.
Fear shook Marlie as Spark abruptly ended the call before Marlie could say anything.
She knew Chad's anger and fury all too well and began shaking uncontrollably. Turning to look at Vien, Marlie tried to find the right words to express herself.
"Spark... Spark...he is...?"
But the words escaped her, and in frustration, she threw the phone down and hurriedly made her way to Chad's study. She has to stop the Spark no matter what.
Upon arriving, she found Chad seated in his chair, with Spark standing before him. "What is it?" Chad questioned, puzzled by Spark's silence since entering his office.
Sensing that Marlie was nearby, Spark took advantage of her presence by remaining silent, waiting to see fear in her eyes before breaking the news to Chad. "I have been waiting for you, brat!"
Spark chuckled, thinking to himself.
Chad was surprised by Marlie's sudden entrance into the study, but he pushed aside his concerns, taking a good look at her. She wasn't even ready for the office, so why was she there?
"Charlie, is there a problem?" Chad asked, hoping she would shed some light on the situation.
Marlie moved closer to Chad, determined to prevent Spark from confessing on her behalf. Speaking weakly, she said, "I need to talk to you privately." Chad wondered for a moment what could be so important that made his cool wife visibly tremble.
However, before he had the chance to inquire, Spark's voice resounded, sending shivers down Marlie's spine and startling Chad.
"There is something I must tell you," Spark stated, his serious expression capturing Chad's attention.
Curiosity consumed Chad as he wondered why it seemed like everyone had something urgent to tell him. His gaze shifted from Marlie's fear-stricken face to Spark's stern countenance.
At that moment, Chad had to decide whom to listen to first. Naturally, he chose to hear his wife's words first, as her behavior had been increasingly concerning.
"I will speak with you after talking to my wife." Chad firmly responded to Spark, who refused to be second in line.
"It's about the woman standing in front of you," Spark declared, enticing Chad's curiosity further. Did Spark just use "The Woman?"
That's something new for Chad. Soark had never and would never use such a statement for Charlie.
Chad's attention was captured once again. What pressing matter did Spark have to share with him this morning that warranted such urgency? And this, he says, is about his wife?
He looked at Marlie with questionable eyes, who seemed to be finding strength amidst her fears.
She had entered the study for a reason, and she wouldn't allow Spark to ruin her plans. "Chad, please, let's talk first, okay? Please," Marlie pleaded, her voice filled with desperation.
"Trust me, bro, you wouldn't want to look at her after you hear what I'm about to tell you," Spark sneered confidently. His words caught Chad by surprise.
"What? Did you just call me... 'bro'?" Chad was stunned.
It had been many years, and this was the first time Spark had addressed him in such a friendly manner. His emotions fluctuated between happiness and curiosity, eager to learn what Spark had to say.
Chad sensed that Spark genuinely wanted to share whatever problem was troubling him. He didn't want to waste time accommodating Spark's friendly approaches, especially after feeling like it was never going to happen.
He glanced at Marlie and gently held her face in his hands. "Charlie, we will talk later, alright?" Chad reassured Marlie, who was visibly fearful.
However, she wouldn't allow Chad to postpone the conversation. She believed it was better for Chad to hear the whole thing directly from her.
"I won't leave until you listen to me!" Marlie asserted, making Chad more suspicious of the situation in the room. "Please, I implore you, just hear me out," Marlie pleaded persistently.
Chad was perplexed. What was wrong with these two people? Why were they both vying to speak to him first? Yet Spark's patience was wearing thin.
He rubbed his throbbing forehead in frustration. One is his best friend, who had been fighting with him for ages, but now calls him 'Bro'.
On the other hand, there is his wife, the sister of the woman he had loved deeply. What is he supposed to do, or who does he have to listen to first?
"Can you guys please just tell me what's going on or what I'm missing?" Chad asked, feeling frustrated.
"Very well then, I will say it right here in her presence. Bro, that woman standing before you is a deceitful person!" Spark ranted.
"What are you saying, Spark?!" Chad exclaimed. He knew Charlie, and though she had changed slightly, he could never attribute such words to her. Spark had no right to label his wife that way either.
However, Spark was convinced of what he was saying."Yes, I was completely shocked when I discovered it yesterday!"
"What nonsense are you speaking? Damn it! Could you please be clear with your words?" Chad said impatiently.
"Yes, I will tell you. That woman in front of you is..." Spark couldn't finish his sentence as Marlie interrupted him.
"STOP IT! STOP IT, SPARK!" Marlie shouted, shocking Chad. He stared at her intently, wondering what secret she was keeping from him.
"I will tell him myself. I will confess everything to him, so please SHUT UP!" Marlie declared, her eyes almost brimming with tears in anger and fear.
"Charlie, what the hell is happening?" Chad questioned, now certainly suspicious of Marlie's behavior.
"Chad... I need to disclose something important to you. I know you will despise me and perhaps take action against me, but you shouldn't blame those around me for it. I will accept any punishment, no matter how severe it may be," Marlie began her confession, with Chad patiently gazing at her, waiting for her to reveal what she had to say.
"The truth is... I...I...I am not...the woman you married!" Marlie blurted out, shocking Chad.
"What?! What on earth are you talking about, Charlie?!" Chad's voice turned cold.
"I... I... am..." Marlie stuttered, struggling to find the right words.
"I will tell you, Chad," Spark interjected.
Chad looked up at Spark, his eyes filled with anger. Are they toiling with him? Yet he looked curious, waiting for an explanation.
"She is not the Charlie you married. She is not the Charlie I love. She is not Charlie, bro." Spark revealed the news.
Marlie, trembling profusely, now stood in front of Chad, who gazed at her. Slowly, Chad seized Marlie's elbow firmly with both hands, his understanding of Spark's words sinking in as he locked his intense gaze on her.
This can't be right. Was Spark fooling with him or what?
The face before him belonged to Charlie, so what was Spark talking about? It was not like Charlie had a twin.
However, the behavior somehow confirmed that Spark was not entirely wrong. But that doesn't mean Chad will believe Spark just like that.
Regardless of what, Spark is indeed his best friend, but Charlie is his wife and the purest soul Char had ever met. How can Chad suspect her simply because of one statement from Spark?
'No, unless Charlie tells me herself, I can't believe Soark no matter what.'
"Come here, Charlie, sit," Chad said lovingly with a smile as he pulled Marlie to sit on his lap and gazed at her with an undetectable gaze. It was as if he would ink the word that would come out of her mouth and not Spark.
"Now, Charlie...tell me the truth. I want to hear... everything from you. Don't be afraid. You can tell me anything." Chad crooned to her, not wanting to scare her.
However, Marlie remained silent on his lap and fidgeted with her hands.
Chad felt his anger trying to resurface, but he managed to control it. He couldn't jump to conclusions based on what his friend had said. He couldn't express his anger towards Charlie since she hadn't confirmed Spark's accusation.
"Come on, Charlie. Don't be afraid." Chad urged as he caressed her back soothingly.
"I... I am..." Marlie stammered, fearing the weight of her words. She looked into Chad's piercing stare and couldn't find the words to articulate herself. The look on Chad's face filled Marlie with imminent fear.
Unfortunately for her, Spark was determined to expose her, regardless of her disarrayed state. "I will tell him then," Spark offered, causing Marlie to close her eyes in fear as tears streamed down her face.
Chad turned his attention from Marlie and gazed at his friend, awaiting the confession now with an angry demeanor.
"She is ma..." Spark paused, noticing Chad's expression. Though Spark hadn't finished his sentence, Chad's thoughts ran wild with the 'ma' he heard. "She is Marlie?"
This realization caused Chad to look at Marlie with a puzzled expression. His hands hung loosely by his side.
The shock on his face was evident, but a glimmer of joy was indiscernible. "You are Marlie? No, it can't be possible." As these thoughts raced through his mind, a faint smile began to emerge on his face. But would it last?
Spark noticed it, too. In fact, he knows it. But that was not his intention for this whole show. He wanted to see fear in Marlie, and he saw it.
Yet he understands Marlie's actions. She has to make the three women pay for what Charlie suffered. This one, he agrees with her. But he can't keep it from his friend. Just that he won't tell him directly, especially with the brat Marlie around.
"She is mad, a mentally unstable woman seeking nothing but attention!" Spark shattered Chad's joy.
Both Marlie and Chad looked up, shocked. "What did you just say?" Chad's happiness was short-lived, as the feeble smile that had begun to creep across his lips faded away.
Though confused, Marlie closed her eyes in relief. Spark hadn't exposed her yet, but she continued to tremble.
"What nonsense are you spouting, Spark?" Chad snapped.
"What was unclear about what I said, Chad? I told you she is not the woman I loved. The one in front of us is a liar and a deceiver, yearning for nothing but attention!" Spark shrugged.
"You said she is not Charlie!" Chad said in a statement rather than a question.
"Did I say that? How come I don't remember?" Spark said with a smirk.
"I heard you loud and clear!" Chad retorted.
"Really? Okay, let's just say you are telling the truth. Then who is she? Who did you think she was?" Spark said, his smirk becoming more sinister.
"You Asshole!!" Chad let his anger out. Was Spark mad to mess him up this early in such a way? He was thankful not to have believed him and unleashed his anger on his poor wife.
Spark smirked before he walked up to Chad, leaning in and whispering the question in his ear, "Did you think she is Marlie?"