MONSTROUS BLUE EYES
The sound of heels clicking against the floor echoed as Annabel walked down the hall.
Mrs. Emerson's last words played over in her mind. "For the rest of your life."
Annabel's legs went numb, she stumbled against the wall. Tears dropped her cheeks. She covered her mouth tightly to muffle her sobs.
The sun set quickly. Hours passed as Annabel sat quietly in her room, dressed in something simpler, pink nightwear, one of Carrie's wear.
Yet no one came in, not even to check in on her.
She reached for her phone on the bed as she slowly scrolled through her messages. They were filled with congratulatory messages.
The world seemed to all be cheering her on, but Annabel was drowning in sadness. She had entered a marriage where her identity no longer mattered.
She hissed under her breath, scrolling through the message, but the more she read, the heavier her chest felt. She finally set the phone aside and collapsed into her bed.
Just then a call came in.
Annabel jolted quickly, cleared her throat, adjusted her dress and hair.
The moment she answered, a loud scream burst from the other side of the screen.
Amber's face filled the screen, her eyes scanning the area wildly.
"Are you OK?" She asked, her voice full of concern.
"Did that monster do something to you?"
"Did he hurt you?"
"Why aren't you saying anything? Don't tell me you can't talk anymore?"
Annabel forced a weak smile, "You aren't even giving me time to answer all your questions."
She nodded slowly," I'm totally fine, Amber."
She had barely finished her words when the door banged opened.
Reynold staggered in, drunk. He fell against the wall, murmuring and laughing quietly at himself.
Annabel froze. Her heart pounded. She whispered to Amber, "I will call you back," and ended the call, rushing towards Reynold.
She held his arm gently, concern filled her eyes as she assisted him toward the bed.
Reynold turned to her. His eyes softened as he placed his hands on hers gently.
Her heart pounded as she felt the warmth of his skin. She lifted her head slowly to meet his gaze.
Suddenly, his expression changed. He looked at her like a stranger. He pushed her hard to the floor, shaking his head in disbelief.
"No!….. No! "You are not Carrie!" he shouted.
Annabel gasped in pain. But before she could find her balance, she felt a sharp grip on her neck. Her breath caught. She cried softly, struggling against him.
Reynold's eyes darkened. He increased his pressure on her neck, pinning her to the ground.
Annabel kicked and fought against him tirelessly, but the pressure was too much.
Their eyes locked and, for the first time, she was terrified of his blue eyes. The eyes which she admired so much now burn with so much hatred and intent to kill.
Her body weakened. Her hands dropped. Her eyes closed slowly as tears slid down.
Then— suddenly, the grip loosened.
She sprang up immediately, coughing violently. Her entire body was trembling.
For the first time in her life, she felt death hanging around.
Her breathing was heavy. Gathering her last strength, she crawled away.
"How dare you." The deep voice echoed from behind.
Annabel froze. Her jaw clenched, her body trembled as she slowly turned to face Reynold.
He looked different. Different from the first day she saw him— different from how she looked at the wedding. Now he just looked like a monster—enraged—messy and unrecognizable.
Annabel clutched her chest tightly as breathing became harder.
"That's Carrie's." Reynold said calmly, his fingers grazing the edge of her garment.
A soft smile formed on his lips. He slowly clenched the fabric in his fist. He lifted his head slowly… locked his dark gaze on her.
"How dare you," he repeated, this time his voice was deeper and more frightening.
He growled.
Then he grabbed her legs, dragged her as her back scraped the floor.
Annabel screamed in pain.
He grabbed the tip of her dress. He growled as he tore it apart, leaving her almost completely naked.
But then, her instinct kicked in.
She kicked him off with all her strength and with the slightest chance she got. She ran— ran as far as her legs could take her.
She grabbed her torn garments to keep them from falling off.
Suddenly, a figure blocked her path.
Annabel screamed and, without thinking, she pushed the person aside and ran again.
But a scream stopped her.
It wasn't a man's voice, so it couldn't be Reynold.
She turned around slowly, still trembling. Her eyes widened as she saw a middle-aged woman lying on the floor in pain.
Annabel rushed to help her up.
"Ma'am, are you okay?" Annabel asked, her voice shaking with concern.
The woman nodded, adjusting her outfit.
Her eyes scanned Annabel from her head down to her toes. She was a complete mess.
Annabel trembled before her, speechless and in shock.
Without other words, the woman quickly wrapped her jacket around Annabel as she led her away.
She offered Annabel a seat in the servant quarters and passed her a warm cup of tea.
"My dear, are you okay?" She asked softly.
Annabel tried to hide the fear inside her but the cup shaking in her hand exposed everything.
"You can call me Madam Cherry," The woman said kindly, with a comforting smile.
She reached out for Annabel's hand, holding it gently. She could see the fear in Annabel's eyes.
"He's a good man," She said quietly.
Annabel's eyes rolled at the word 'good man'. All she saw was a monster— just like the rumors said.
She laughed bitterly, gently pulled her hands away from Madam Cherry's grip.
She shook her head, her voice cracking.
"He's a monster."
"He's a monster, Madam Cherry," she repeated, now tears falling freely.
Madam Cherry sighed deeply, "I practically raised Reynold. "He wasn't always like this," she said with pity in her eyes.
"Ever since the death of Carrie, he's been a totally different person. He doesn't even recognize his own daughter."
Annabel's eyes widened. "Daughter?"
Madam cherry nodded. "Reynold used to be a loving husband and father. But now he barely recognizes his family.
Annabel gasp, then shook her head, she then laughed bitterly.
"He's crazy." She said as she continued laughing.
Tears clouded in her eyes as she stood up, running her fingers through her hair.
She turned to madam cherry and then let out a shaky, broken laugh.
"I am married to a Madman