Elizabeth spent the next few minutes in stillness, lost in thought. Not daring to as much as close her eyes despite how sleepy she felt , for fear that this miracle second chance at life might vanish into thin air or might just be a dream after all.
It was in this hyper aware silence that she heard the faint and unmistakable sound of footsteps approaching up the stairs.
And she hurriedly slid back into the bed, pulling the duvet over herself as she slapped a hand over the bedside lamp and the dazzling chandeliers, plunging the room into total darkness as she regulated her breathing, feigning to be asleep.
The door opened and closed with a soft sigh and the room was suddenly filled with the wet sound of a passionate kiss.
Shocked, she slowly open her eyes and could immediately make out the figure of a man and a woman locked in a hungry embrace and kissing passionately under the dimly lit room.
Elizabeth looked at the two in shock as they continued to kiss by the bedside. Even in the dimly lit room, she could clearly recognize Ezekiel's figure.
"Skye, stop messing around. She didn't have that much to drink". She heard Ezekiel's voice as he tried to restrain the woman in his arms.
Like being struck by lightning, Elizabeth's eyes widened in shock.
Skye.
Her colleague.
Her so-called friend.
The very woman who had only risen to stardom due to her recommendation.
"What?. What are you afraid of?. Don't we do this all the time?". Skye whined in an annoyed tone. "You've been spending so much time with her lately and it annoys the death out of me".
"What do you mean?". Ezekiel chuckled in amusement. "You know she means absolutely nothing to me. She's just our stepping stone".
Stepping stone.
The word landed like a blow.
"Then give yourself to me tonight". Skye purred, her hands sliding up his chest.
"Let's go to the other room then". Ezekiel whispered back in response . "So we won't be irritated by her presence".
Skye's triumphant chuckle followed. "I forgot her presence disgusts you so much. And you had to make do with it all this while… for us".
"Shh". Ezekiel silenced her, placing a finger on her lips. "I'll do anything for you. For us. And trust me, I can't wait to be done with her. She disgusts me so much".
"Then I'll try to be of much more help, so we can be done with her much earlier". Skye cooed. "And by then, all she has would eventually belong to us. Her career, fame, money… everything would be ours".
"Surely". Ezekiel chuckled. It's just a matter of time".
Elizabeth tried to hold back her tears as she slid her eyes shut but failed anyways, her tears trickling down her cheeks silently and soaking the pillow beneath her.
Who would have thought that he had been cheating on her long ago and she had no idea at all until she was at the brink of death.
This was the man she had given her all for. The man for whom, three years ago, she had willingly stepped away from the spotlight, relinquishing her throne as a top actress and model.
She had given up on her hard-earned position and career, her connections, her very identity and family and handed it all to him on a silver platter, all for the promise of a shared future.
And what did she get in return?.
A miserable life and an orchestrated death.
It was only when she heard the door opening and closing shut back that she felt her world falling apart.
They say to never bet against love. But Elizabeth did and it cost her everything. Her career, her dignity, her family's love and ultimately, her life.
But death however is not the end ,but the beginning and this time she would not let herself be manipulated now that she'd seen him for who he truly is.
A year ago, she had given up on everything to begin preparing for a family life with him and just as he'd planned, all her job, fame and hard earned opportunities had been funneled to Skye, reducing her to nothing but a lowly woman that even a mere employee dared to bully.
She, a wealthy heiress had been systematically reduced to trash. She had even alienated her own family, all to help him secure the CEO position at the agency. She had done it all out of love , without a single regret.
But now ...
She eventually opened her eyes, clenching her fists by her side.
"This is just the beginning Ezekiel". She whispered, her voice steady and void of emotion. "And this time it's a revenge game but as much of a player as you are , I however, fortunately hold all the cards this time". A slow, terrifying smile spread across her face as she looked up at the ceilings.
"I so much appreciate this second chance at life. And this time, I'll be living for myself. I will claim all that belongs to me, love who loves me, and repay in tenfold, every hurt, every betrayal".
"In this life, I will not be the victim. But the mastermind ".