MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: NESSA BARRET, GLITTER AND VIOLENCE.
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Harlow stepped out of Alanis's villa, the place she had called home for years. Her gaze lingered on the grand estate that loomed behind her, its shadow heavy with memories of pain and regret. In her first life, this had been a cage, a place where she had suffered in silence, watching her dreams wither. Alanis had rarely been present, leaving her to raise their son, Alex, alone.
Her throat tightened at the thought of Alex. She couldn't even remember his face anymore. The cruel hand of time had stripped her of even that small comfort. She blinked back tears. Alanis and his family had taken everything from her. Her child, her dignity, her life. She would never let them have a hold on her again.
This time, things would be different.
In her past life, Alanis had been her one and only. She had clung to him like a lifeline, enduring humiliation in the name of love. But not anymore. This time, she would explore the world, find someone who truly cherished her, and leave the shackles of one-sided love far behind.
Whatever had happened in Alanis's study earlier was nothing more than a manipulative ploy. She refused to fall for it. Her focus was clear, 'Revenge and Freedom'.
Her voice was steady as she instructed her driver to take the private estate route. As they passed a familiar bend, her eyes locked on the exact spot where a car had struck her to this particular tree trunk. The memory hit her like a blow. It was the end for her.
She had thought her end would come at the hands of Claudia, but it had been Garth. Her chest tightened at the realization. Garth had been the one to orchestrate her death, and she would never forget it. Right now, Harlow felt like the punishment she had given the family, wasn't enough. They deserve more suffer than ever before.
"Leave," she said curtly, and the driver pulled away from the haunting site.
When she arrived at her family's mansion, a wave of nostalgia and bitterness washed over her. The large estate was as lively as ever. Maids bustling about, each bowing respectfully as she passed. But this place held its own scars.
In her previous life, her stepmother, Elise, had cast her out. Harlow had been Frank Blackwood's beloved daughter once, cherished and adored. But after Claudia's schemes, she had become the family's disgrace. "The mad heiress", was her name.
Her father had believed the lies. He thought she had embezzled company funds to support the Hamiltons. No amount of pleading or explanations could sway him because Claudia had provided more than enough evidence against her. He had stripped her of her inheritance and given everything to Claudia. When he died shortly after, she had been left with nothing.
Her chest ached at the memory of her father's coldness, the way he had turned his back on her. Yet, as she stepped into the mansion now, her heart leapt.
"Harlow," came the familiar, warm voice she had longed to hear in years.
She turned sharply, her vision blurring with tears as she saw him. Frank Blackwood, alive and well.
"Daddy!"
She rushed into his arms, clutching him tightly as sobs wracked her body.
"Baby, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice soothing, his large hands gently rubbing her back. "You only got married yesterday, and now you're here? Did your husband or his family hurt you?"
She shook her head, unable to speak. The warmth of his embrace was overwhelming, a balm to the wounds she had carried for so long.
"So, what is it then?" he teased, his deep laugh filling the room. "Don't tell me you can't stay a day without me."
She clung to him tighter hugging him like he would varnish if she let him go. This time, she wouldn't let Claudia or Elise poison their relationship.
"Oh, look who's back," came Elise's sharp voice, cutting through the moment.
Harlow pulled away and met her stepmother's disdainful gaze. Elise's eyes narrowed at her, lingering on her nightdress like she was the most disgraceful sight imaginable.
She just got out of the phone with Garth who told her how much of a nuisance her daughter was and the humiliation she had caused them. She said she wouldn't let her son be married to such girl. Elise was ready to soil Harlow's name.
For years everyone saw Harlow as the good daughter, if the world learns her husband's people have cast her out in less than a day, her name would be ruined forever in Halkhalls.
"Mother," Claudia called sweetly as she descended the staircase, her tone dripping with mockery. "What are you doing back here, Harlow? Did your new family already cast you out? How embarrassing." She laughed.
"They didn't," Harlow replied coldly, her head held high.
"You liar," Elise snapped, her voice rising. "Garth Hamilton called this morning. She told me how you humiliated her family, how you refused to sign the deal. Is that how you repay us after we gave you everything?"
Harlow turned to her father, her voice trembling but fir. "Daddy, I didn't do any of that. I just… I don't want to be part of that family. I've changed my mind about the marriage, and I want a divorce."
Elise's face twisted in anger. "A divorce?!"
Claudia chimed in, her voice sharp. "Do you think this family is so cheap, Harlow, that you can marry one day and demand a divorce the next?"
Harlow held her ground, her green eyes shinning under the bright light. "Would you rather I suffer in silence, step Mother, just to protect this family's reputation?"
"If it's a divorce you want," Frank interjected, his voice firm, "then you'll have it dear. No daughter of mine will ever suffer while I'm alive."
"Thank you, Daddy," Harlow whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
Elise's fury was palpable. "You're spoiling her, Frank! That's why she's like this. Entitled and reckless!"
Frank ignored her, wrapping an arm around Harlow's shoulders as he led her away.
Claudia and Elise stood in stunned silence, their plans scattering before their eyes. Elise clenched her fists, seething as she watched Frank dote on Harlow. She had been happy to finally get rid of Harlow. She had spoken to Garth to deal with the girl, how did she escape such fate?
Claudia's lips curled into a bitter smile. [If Harlow thought this was over, she was wrong. There's no way she stopped her from marrying Alanis just to dump him after a grand wedding.]