Chapter 41
2130words
Night Cross watched on as Mary looked oi horrified as she saw what was about to happen to her, she looked at him and asked
"are you going to send me back or watch as that bastard puts a ring on my finger?". He smiled at her and looked on "why would a wedding concern me". Mary looked at him
"because if he gets married to me, I rather say dead and our deal is over, I rather be dammed than be his wife". Her voice rose to the level of a scream, frustration coursed through her as she watched Ben say his vows.
"Well then" said Nightcross, "I would rather have you alive and working to bring me souls", with a snap of his fingers, Martha woke. Her eyes made contact with Moses, as she gestured for help, with immediate notice, he flew to her side. The crowd was in a frenzy, Martha Bernard was awake.
With a croaked voice she said "I do not have any relations with this man named Ben, I am not your fiancé, and I do not want to marry you, this wedding would not be happening". The look of horror that passed through Bens face brought pleasure to her, the photographers went wild trying to get pictures. Moses shielded her while the hospital staff worked to get people out of the room. She let the commotion and noise lure her to sleep.
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The ride to the Winstons Mansion was surprisingly smooth, Martha's belly curled up and the tension made her hands cold. All through the ride, Philip held her hands. They both knew what was to come. As they approached the house, he slipped his hands into his pocket and brought out the necklace at the auction. "You got it for me?". Martha asked running her fingers through it,
"who else would I get it for, only your neck deserves it" he said as he clasped the stopper of the necklace. It felt cold against her skin and sat there like it was meant to be.
The carriage came to a stop at the Winston's mansion, and she could hear the voices of Amelia and Lady Winston as the came out to welcome Philip. He hugged them and then he said,
" I also want you to extend your greetings to her", he stretched out his hands and Martha took it, taking her time to alight the carriage.
"Where is Mary, or did you do us the favor of leaving her there and who is this" Amelia asked with a squeezed brow. Suddenly realization dawned on both Amelia and her mothers face, "is this Mary Philip" Lady Winston asked with horror on her face, "Yes Mother, it is her". The helps were stunned and Martha could see the cook hold little Michael "hello Amelia" Mary said with a smile on her face". A look of horror passed through both the mother and daughter's face. "Why is she dressed like that "Amelia screamed "who is she to you "Lady Winston asked. The look on Philips face said it all, without warning, Lady Winston fainted.
The next few days in the house was awkward. Amelia cancelled all her appointments and Lady Winston refused to leave her room, may of the maids avoided Martha for fear of being sent away and incest was against God.
The news had spread round town, the Winston's heir was in love with his half-sister. Martha did not care about what anyone thought, she was always leaving a damned life and this was nothing. She spent most of the days with Michael and although his parents had said nothing, she could tell that both were worried.
She was playing with Micheal when his mother the head cook walked up to them, "Micheal darling, excuse us for a while, I need to speak to Mary". The little boy smiled and did as his mother asked, delighted that Mary could talk now and they could finally play. The older lady moved up to her and stroked her hair, normally Martha would never allow anyone touch her like that but these people were her family now. In a tiny voice the woman spoke
"Mary, you know I care about you and I have never been in support of what the Winstons did to you, but incest with your brother, are you sure its what you want".
Martha knew the woman spoke out of concern and not spite, she smiled at her, taking her hands in hers and said "I have lived a hard life for years, it this would bring me even the smallest happiness I would take it". The older lady sighed and stroked her face "if that is what you wish dear, go for it". Martha smiled at her, her heart melting at the love this family had for her, "can I take Michael to the market and get him a few things?".
She knew the older lady would protest but she insisted "please, I don't know what could happen tomorrow but let me do this for Micheal and myself, I want to see him happy while I can". With a sigh of defeat, the woman agreed, "please be safe dear, God bless you". With that she kissed her head and headed out to fetch Micheal.
The market was filled with life and eyes looking at her as she walked by, most women with disgust and envy and the men with lust and judgmental glances. Many could not still believe it was the same servant girl. Michael chattered on the whole way carefree and oblivious to the stares they got.
Martha smiled as the boy talked about everything "what do you want Micheal", he smiled showing a gap where he had lost a tooth recently, "Chocolates Mary", he said with excitement, "then I shall get you all the chocolates you can eat" Martha said with a smile that caused him to jump in excitement.
On entering the baker's shop, they were met with friends of Amelia who looked at her in disgust, the ring leader pushed her self forward " well here comes the disgusting filth with a dirty brat, you are a disgrace and a filthy sinner". Martha at first was determined to ignore her, she didn't want Micheal getting mixed in all of that but when she saw the hurt on his face after he was insulted,
she spoke "coming from someone that almost choked a man on her bosom vying for his attention". The girls looked on in horror
"how dare you speak to me with your incestuous lips", Martha sighed, she wasn't interested in this "are you upset because you didn't get him despite how desperately you tried and yet a filthy maid like me had him eating from my fingers?".
With that the girl rose her hands to strike when a young man held her hands. He looked at Mary " Ma'am, is this lady bothering you?".
Martha looked at him and smiled "yes sir, she is really bothering me and upsetting my little brother here" she said gesturing to Michael. The man apologized then looked at the girls admonishing them, with a look of defeat and embarrassment, they stomped out of the shop like hens. Martha smiled at the man and gave a small bow, the new her was really a blessing.
As she brushed her hair that night , she let the feel of the soft waves tickle her fingers, humming a song she picked up from Michael, she looked at her reflection in the mirror when she saw Philip enter the room and watch "are you just going to stand there watching me like a thief", he smiled as he walked up to her, taking the brush from her hands and running his fingers through her hair "if only you knew how beautiful you are". She smiled and allowed him massage her scalp "I heard what happened today in the marked, I am really sorry about that, and permit me to ask you a question", she looked at him and gave a small nod. "What happened to you in the woods Mary". She froze, Martha wasn't the owner of this body but the trauma of the day was fresh in her head like it was hers "I do not want to force you to tell me, but I would love it if you could trust me" he proceeded, dropping the brush and taking her hands in his.
She looked at his eyes, so sincere and she felt it was time he knew, "I was mutilated Philip, I don't remember much because I passed out from pain, but he did things to me I dare not speak about, my honor was taken and he left scars and broken bones for me to wake up to". Philip understanding squeezed her hands "I cannot change the past Mary, but I can fight for our future, your future, I promise no hands will be laid upon you now I am here". His words comforted her and when he kissed her she didn't pull back, she opened up allowing him pick her up and take her to the bed. The feel of his hands on her body drove her wild with need, and with every touch, knead, kiss she wanted more. When his tongue found her nipples she let out a moan, and arched her back pressing her body against his. He looked up at her with lust filled eyes "do you want this Mary, if you don't I would stop now", finding her words she replied "there's nothing I want more than this", with that, he parted her legs revealing the wet fold in-between them, and when his lips kissed her there, she let herself bask in the pleasure.
The next day was a mix of emotions for her, she found herself questioning her revenge, last night showed her sincere he was and she wondered if she was doing the right thing. She didn't miss the footsteps that approached the stable and she knew it was Amelia, turning to look at the girl she saw rage in her eyes and eye bags that showed lack of sleep.
"What do you want Amelia" Martha asked with folded arms "I want you to stay away from my brother and leave our lives, I detest you with every fiber of me and I wish you never existed, you are a constant reminder of fathers shamelessness". Martha rolled her eyes and stroked the mane of the horse closest to her "you made your way here to speak about things I already know, and if I do intend to leave your brother I will, not because I am scare of you but because of his sake, now leave my sight, I have other thigs to tend to".
She noticed the girl squeeze her fist in anger "I wish you stayed dead Mary, I wish that dirty scoundrel I paid actually did his job and did away with you, if I knew my brother would end up with a dishonored woman I would have finished the job myself".
Realization hit Martha, Amelia had paid someone to molest and kill her in the woods, it was no accident, turning to face the girl, she walked up to her with rage "what did you just say Amelia", realizing she had spoken too much, Amelia started backing away but wasn't fast enough, the stone Martha picked up, made its way to her head, and hit its mark, she fell unconscious with blood streaming down her face. Martha walked out of the stable. This family was going to suffer.
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Sitting in the dark office, Mary rocked back and forth in her chair thinking about all that had happened with Ben and her deal with Nightcross. If this was her life now, she would live it to the fullest with no regrets, she would take back everything lost in this commotion: business deals, investors, every single thing. Her phone rang and she looked at who was calling, the caller ID showed a young man she met earlier, smiling to herself she picked up the phone, her red lips curing into a menacing smile. Guess she had one soul already.
