Chapter 71: Chapter 71

CHAPTER 28

Natalie's voice over

Revenge is like a parasite. It's like a life cycle, like how a butterfly grows. Once anger and rage enter your heart, they turn into frustration, and the only way for that frustration and pain to go away, the rage needs to be focused on something, or someone. The cause of the pain. For the truly wronged, there can be no better vindication than watching your oppressor cower in fear, beg for mercy, crawl at your feet or better still, die. For some, that is the only way to attain peace.

From my former bedroom, I stand by the window in the dark, as I watch Luke and Laurel leave. Guilt. Instead of peace of mind, my conscience was tormented. Why wasn't I at peace? Perhaps, watching Luke leave with Laurel? Deep down, I knew that wasn't the reason why. Someone comes into the room. It's Lydia. She pats my shoulder.

"They're both drenched."

"I know. That's exactly how I was drenched once upon a time, with Louis in my belly."

"Do you think you did the right thing?"

"I don't know what's right or wrong. All I know is that I want to destroy his life. If he had done the right thing 2 years ago, we wouldn't even be in this position. Whatever his motives were, they led us here. He set things in motion and I will have to end everything he started. He must suffer."

"He seriously asked if they could stay back. Didn't he remember you were pregnant too, when he threw you out? Honestly, he does deserve everything he's getting."

"Because to him, I was carrying a bastard. Rocket’s child." I respond, hurt. Did he truly care for Laurel? As he once did for me? Was he in love with her?

"I don't think she's pregnant, Natalie. That girl isn't pregnant." I look at Lydia, surprised. "How do you know that? How sure are you?"

"I don't know, Natalie. I mean, I'm not a mother or anything, but usually, I don't know, I just can tell it when someone's pregnant. It's like I have eyes for it."

"So you're certain she's not pregnant?" I ask her, slowly putting pieces together. Lydia nods. I continue, "I'll gladly expose her to Luke. If there's something I want to do, it's ruin that stupid relationship of theirs." I say, irked. This was a perfect chance.

"Is that envy?"

"Maybe it is."

*****

"Emmanuele." I say, as I enter her bedroom. "Sorry for not knocking." I say, as I watch the woman gasp. She was shocked. She rushes to hug me.

"Mrs. Carrington!" She cries. "You're back, oh!" I smile. "I'm no longer a Carrington, Emmanuele. Besides, I told you to call me Natalie." She sobs.

"Natalie, this house hasn't been the same without you. Luke hasn't been the same, and you know that evil wench, Laurel, she's turned this house to a sad filthy place!"

I chuckle, "You needn't worry about that now, Emmanuele."

She nods. "I know. Now you're back, everything will be fine again. Everything will go back to normal."

"Not that way, Emmanuele."

"What do you mean?" She asks confused.

"Well, Laurel doesn't live here anymore. Neither does Luke." I say, getting up from the bed.

"What?"

"Yes. This is my house now. I'm going to live here with my son, Louis."

"Why isn't he staying here with you? With your child?" She asks.

"I threw him out. That's why." I say, as I turn around to look at her. I can tell she's beyond shocked. I wasn't the person she once knew.

"Why would you do that, Natalie? Why?"

"Luke and I are enemies, Emmanuele. There can never be an us. Never."

"Then I'm afraid I can't stay here anymore. My place is with Luke."

"I had a feeling you'd say that. I'm not stopping you from leaving, Emmanuelle. You may leave in the morning." I say, and turn to take my leave.

"Wait!" I pause. "May I see your son? May I see him once, before I leave?" I smile. "Of course." I respond.

***

"Oh!" She laughs. "He looks so much like Luke, Natalie. This is exactly how he used to look in his pictures as a child." Emmanuele says, touching Louis hand as he sleeps.

"Too bad. Lucas doesn't acknowledge him." I say. Emmanuelle looks on, sad. "How do you know what he looked like?"

"There's a photo of him as a child. It's in his bedroom."

"I thought no one was to go in there." I ask, confused.

"That didn't apply to me, you see. Now that you own the house, you can go in there and see for yourself." She says. I didn't think I was ready to step into that room again. Who knew what new mystery awaited me? The thought of going there and uncovering another secret scared me, after all, it was entering that room that made me find out about Luke's vendetta towards my family.