Gracious Revenge

I rest my sweaty palms on my laps. The doctor stands behind me, loosening the bandages. I glance at Jane's mother, standing at my side. Her fingers are intertwined nervously as she watches me. I draw a deep shaky breath as I feel the weight of the bandages relieving off me.

Jeremy and I had been together for over five years. I loved him so much, and I thought my feelings for him were reciprocal. I had no idea I was alone in my marriage. I'd never imagine he would be so cold hearted towards me.

My heart fills with disappointment and agony as it beats painfully against my chest. I won't be a weakling anymore. I won't let my feeble nature hinder me no more. Tomorrow is Jeremy and Kyra's wedding. I plan to be there and I will make sure to ruin the wedding. After the hurt they've caused me, this will just be the beginning.

The doctor completely removes the bandages off my face and I feel cool air breeze against my tender skin. Jane's mother gasps softly. Tears pool in her eyes but she smiles through it.

"You look just like her." Jane's mother speaks, her voice quivers with emotion.

The doctor holds a square shaped mirror in front of me. I gasp softly, resting my fingers on my face. I gently stroke my skin, amazed and shocked of the difference. I look like a totally different person. My jaw is more slender. My cheek bones are refined. My red lips, plump.

I exhale softly, overwhelmed by the drastic changes.

"I don't know what to say. Thank you." I say softly. "But I don't know I can pay you for all this."

"Don't worry about it. I already paid for everything." Jane's mother says.

I look at her, my gaze softens, emotional, "Thank you. I wish there's something I can do to repay you for your kindness."

"Don't worry about that. You're alive and that's what matters."

The doctor hands me serviette, which I use to wipe the tears on my cheeks.

"You've been my helper and I don't even know your name." I sniff.

"You can call me Miriam." Jane's mother responds.

"I'll leave you both to talk." The doctor says before leaving the room.

Miriam slides a stool close to me and sits down. "My daughter was a lawyer, a very accomplished one."

I nod, sympathetic to Miriam. Life can be unexpectedly cruel.

"Have you gotten back your memories?" Miriam asks carefully.

I lock eyes with her and nod, "Yes, I remember everything."

Miriam clenches her hands together in her lap, "My daughter, Jane, was on her way to meet you."

I narrow my eyes, wondering why Jane wanted to meet her. I have never seen her before. "Meet me? For what reason?"

Miriam draws a deep shaky breath before she continues, "I was having dinner with Jane when she got a call. She didn't tell me in details but she said it was important to meet Nelly Berry, that you needed her help."

I stare at Miriam with open lips, confused on what she is talking about. "Someone called her?"

"You didn't call her?" Miriam asks.

I shake my head in the negative, "I didn't call Jane. Someone back at home must have called her to help me."

"Do you have any idea who it could be?" Miriam inquires.

I sigh, narrowing my eyes to think more clearly. That night, we were having dinner when the police came and arrested me. Jeremy, Kyra, Guinevere and I were together. I wonder who it could have been.

I hiss softly as I can't think of anyone, "I really don't know."

"It's alright. Don't worry about it." Miriam reassures.

"Why can't I? Someone framed me for a crime I didn't commit. My husband betrayed me and is getting married to my best friend. If not for this accident, I could have been jailed." I explain, my pulse racing.

"Calm down, Nelly. You're still recovering." Miriam advises.

My eyes widen in shock when it dawns on me, "The police. Do the police know I'm alive, that I'm in the hospital?"

"With the doctor's help, we made the police believe you were dead. My daughter's corpse was used. Her face was already taken out so the police believed it was you." Miriam explains.

My fatigue evaporates and my pulse begins to race, "You mean everyone I know believes that I'm dead?"

Miriam nods, "Yes, Nelly. The doctor and I are the only people that know who you truly are."

I unconsciously raise my hand over my lips. I never imagined that such a thing would happen to me.

"Nelly, this isn't the time to feel bad for yourself. You have to clear your name and find out who really killed your father in law." Miriam lays an empathetic hand on my lap.

"This person has ruined your life. You have reclaim your freedom." Miriam continues.

I clench my jaw and nod, "They took everything from me, and they think they can be happy. I won't let that happen. I will destroy everything that they hold dear."

Miriam exhales softly, "What do you plan to do?"

I lock eyes with Jane's mother before speaking, "I will be attending Jeremy and Kyra's wedding."

"Isn't it too dangerous?" Miriam asks, her voice etched in concern.

I fist my hands on my laps. I was a timid and conservative woman in my marriage with Jeremy. There were insults thinly veiled directed at me, but I did not respond to it, because I was better than them. I would always smile through the pain. Now I will show them that I am not the Nelly of before.

"I'm not scared to prove my innocence. I will do whatever it takes to clear my name, and exert my revenge on those who betrayed me." I say firmly.

Miriam nods, seemingly proud of what I just said, "And I will help you, Nelly, with whatever you want. That was the dying wish of my daughter."