BECOMING CARRIE

Annabel jolted.

Her eyes shut tightly, hand pressed against her neck. she coughed lightly just then she noticed. 

Her eyes opened, scanning her environment.

She realized, there was no hand choking her. 

No fury in Reynold's eyes. 

No sisters grinning in cruel delight. 

It was all her imagination. 

Annabel blinked, not once, not twice just to be sure. But nothing changed.

It was just a peaceful wedding, if anything seemed out of place, it was her, with her hand still hold her neck.

Violin music played in the background. The priest voice was calm and distant.

And then—"you may now lift the bride's veil."

Reynold leaned forward, lifting the veil slowly. Not with rage but with formalities. His expression was unreadable.

Annabel held her breath, afraid to meet his gaze again.

But then their gazes locked. 

A soft smile curved on his lips as he gently caressed her face. Her heart pounding heavily in her chest.

The way he looked at her… it made her more uncomfortable. 

"You may now kiss the bride," the priest said.

 Reynold leaned in, gently wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her in for a soft kiss.

Annabel swallowed hard. Her lips curled into a nervous smile as her cheeks flushed with heat.

His lips first brush against hers. 

Then he looked into her eyes again before pulling her in for a deeper kiss. 

But suddenly, without warning, he pulled her back.

Not violently but not gently either. 

His eyes narrowed. His gaze changed.

Annabel wasn't sure but all of a sudden he was looking at her like she were a stranger. Disappointed.

Annabel stared in conclusion. She pinched her fingers slightly, stopping herself from asking what was wrong.

He looked at her in disbelief but said nothing. He gently turned back to the priest. 

Annabel noticed his clenched fist. 

Now she was worried. 

Worse— she couldn't read his mind.

"You are now pronounced man and wife," The priest concluded.

The guest clapped and cheered but Annabel heart m thundered even louder. 

She wasn't sure anymore if this was a marriage or a death sentence. His attitude towards her earlier scared her more. 

Reynold remained extremely quiet. His expression —distant, almost….sad.

Annabel couldn't take her eyes off him, this time not because of his handsomeness but because of the burning ache and dreading twist in her stomach.

Something was very wrong. 

The wedding finally ended, the guest left one after the other. Only Samantha and Caroline remained. 

They sat with the Emerson's, signing the marriage contract. Samantha looked extremely delighted as the deal was sealed.

Annabel stood behind the large transparent glass, watching them.

Just then, a middle-aged woman approached her with a broad smile on her face.

 "Congratulations on your wedding ma'am," She said warmly.

Annabel smiled slightly. "Thank you," she said with a calm voice. 

"Let's go, ma'am." The woman said , directing her into the mansion. 

Annabel's mouth parted slightly as she stared at the luxurious and expensive interior designs. 

A large painting was hung carefully on the entrance walls. It was beautifully crafted but it felt….sad. 

She was guided into room. 

A figure sat quietly, facing the wall where another large portrait was hung.

Annabel eyes widened in disbelief.

She stared at the portrait, her eyes narrowed, her gaze was fixed on it as she took slow steps closer.

A woman was laughing beautifully in the painting. It looked exactly like Annabel.

But Annabel knew she wasn't the one in the portrait. 

The figure stood and turned slowly.

It was Mrs. Emerson. 

Annabel eyes shifted from the portrait to Mrs.Emerson and then back to the portrait. 

She stammered, "What's going on here?" She asked. "Who's this woman? why does she looks exactly like me?." 

Mrs. Emerson cleared her throat, completely unfazed by Annabel's confusion.

She walked slowly towards Annabel , tapped her shoulder gently, and glanced at the portrait. 

A small smile curved on her lips.

"That's your new identity, my dear." 

Annabel face tightened, she turned sharply to her, looking more confused. 

"That's Carrie…. Reynold's first wife." Mrs. Emerson continued. 

Annabel looked at the picture again, the striking resemblance was undeniable. 

Her mind flashed back to her first meeting with Reynold. 

It all began to make sense. 

She let out a bitter laugh as tears gathered in her eyes. 

She nodded her head. "It's all starting to make sense." She smirked. 

"I wondered why the influential Emerson would suddenly want someone like me as their daughter in law." She laughed again. 

Looking at the portrait, she whispered bitterly. "It's because you want me to be a replacement for your former daughter in law, carrie." 

Her voice rose. "You married me because I look like her."

Mrs.Emerson listened to her silently without any reaction. 

"You could have told me!" Annabel shouted. "But instead you tricked me into this marriage!"

She turned towards the door. "I am leaving."

Mrs. Emerson's said calmly, "Your father will die." 

Annabel paused immediately.

"Your company is going bankrupt. Where do you intend to raise the money for his treatment?" Her voice was quiet but they hit like bullets.

"We will take care of your fathers treatment and invest in your family business." Mrs. Emerson continued.

She took slow steps towards Annabel, she turned her around gently.

She lifted her chin with her two fingers. 

"Your face has saved your father and your whole family. Now all you have to do is become carrie."

Annabel clenched her jaw as she looked at her m with burning resentment. 

She pulled away from Mrs. Emerson's grip. Her head dropped in silent defeat.

Tears dropped down her cheeks.

Mrs. Emerson said with a cold voice.

"From now on, you would be called carrie. Everything will change—your clothes, your favorite food, Your makeup style, Your voice, your habits…. Everything. 

From now on, you need to become carrie." 

Annabel eyes widened, her legs trembled. "How long do I need to pretend?" Her voice cracking as she spoke.

Mrs Emerson started at her coldly. Her voice deepened as she spoke.

"For the rest of your life."

Annabel collapsed to the floor, her head dropped. She knew— this was the end of her life.