I woke up to find myself laying flat on my tummy, which was uncomfortable considering my bosom ratio to the tummy; I tried to push myself up but I was hit with nausea, pain, and dizziness which made me lay my head back down on the pillow. As I laid there on this unfamiliar couch I realized I was completely naked from my waist up, my hair was wet and I smelled of lavender which I hated.

I looked to the fireplace which I didn’t realize was there and a leather chair came into view as a stone-faced Joe looked at nothing. As I shifted his eyes found mine and Mil popped in, out of nowhere:

“Hey love, how are you feeling?” she smiled very sweetly at me in her pale blue dress that came to just below her knees.

“ok, I guess” I croaked as I looked up at his face.

“what was that thing?” he said in a harsh tone

“I can’t say but it's dead now, hopefully,” I said trying to readjust myself.

“why not?” Henry suddenly appeared

“if it's still alive, it’s safer not to mention it” I struggled to get up while holding the blanket against me.

“no, stay down” Mil pushed me down firmly.

“do you deal with that a lot?” Joe seemed worried as he asked.

“It comes with the gift” I whispered as a cup with tea and a straw was put in front of me “where am I?”

“oh, at my place” Mil smiled as I looked at her humble home.

It was cozy, small but gave off a good kind of warmth with caramel walls and deep maroon popping up every now and then; the was a kitchenette with a small dining area, a lounge in which I laid on couch and stairs to the side which probably lead to the bedrooms.

“it's beautiful,” I said as I sipped the sweet tea.

“thank you” she smiled proudly but then suddenly her smile faded “so they left, Benjamin send a text” I looked into the fire.

“yea” I mumble not wanting to think about it.

“Good” he groaned as he watches the tv which was playing in the background.

“Yea good for them” I turned away from the group and closed my eyes.

….

Two weeks later.

Two weeks since the Duke left but Mil still got texts from Benjamin and how do I know? Because she gets this sickening sweet smile on her face and she gets all flustered but she was the least of my problems; for today I will be attending Sir Richardson’s trial.

I flatted my black A-line dress as I stared at my reflection through my broken mirror, turning from side to side; I moved to the coat and glasses, grabbing them as I walked out of my room. I caught a ride with farmer brown but this time I didn’t have to jump off, I kept on until the courthouse came into view.

Stepping into the cold dusting courthouse, it seems we were late; I crept along the aisles at the back of the room. I watched the townspeople sitting in shock and concern, the blonde beauty was in soulful tears; dressed in compete for black, she looked like a weeping widow, veil included. The judge stood to his feet:

“because of insufficient evidence, I announced defendant not guilty” he then looked to Sir Richardson who was chained up “sorry for the inconvenience Sir and please accepts my congratulations on your engagement” he pounded his gavel and dismissed everyone.

I watch the mournful blonde rush to her feet and engulf Sir Richardson in a big embrace, I eyed the happy reunion with disgust and distress; will she live or die. Just then he moves their happiness embraced where he is facing me and with the evilest smile I have ever seen, he gave me a look; a look promising revenge. It made chills run up my back but forced me to eye him down as I found my way out of the now silent courtroom. Hopefully, he is as scared as the rest of the town is of me.

….

Three months later

I stood packing a small picnic basket with my famous meatballs, baguettes, and some parmesan cheese. I smiled as Ms. Richmond came dancing into the room with her yellow sundress, she spotted my little basket and ran to the fridge grabbed a couple of chocolate mousses but as she passed them over I saw a flash of sadness crossed her eyes; I pulled her hand from the basket and sat her down.

“what?” I said looking at her as she bites her lip nervously

“Benjamin proposed” I jumped up and hugged her

“That’s amazing” I expressed as she sat me down again and patted my arm, I laughed “I know, you are relocating I suppose” I watch her bow her head in shame “and you too, if you reviled yourself, Joe” I looked at the pantry door.

“a friend got me a job in London and they need a sous chef” she explained as Mr. Van Grungy sat down next to us.

“And Henry doesn’t want to leave me behind, tell him it’s about time he finds his own” I smiled, is stood grabbing my little basket and patted Joe’s back and whispered between them “we should make the most of the month then” I smiled as they gasped at me knowing how long they have.

I walked down the road was peaceful which I hated, the vision keeps coming at lightning speed and I can't do anything to prevent them and a silent road doesn't help that fact, the muddy road looked misty with the occasional mud puddle as I traveled on peacefully, thinking through it all.

Walking through the partway between the wheat and corn fields that I have come to know so well from my vision and the coming here for over two months, I walked to a old couple on a porch swing; their hands were intertwined and as they sat I saw their whole future, happy, filled with grandkids. I stepped on to the porch and silently asked them if I could, they just smiled in response.

Strolling into this farmhouse two month ago was filling with sadness, depression, and mourning, Rosaline kept phasing in and out of each room; trying to be heard, seeing as her spirit was between life and death it made her too weak to stay still. Laughter filled this place now and the farm was happy for it, everything prospered; the life was back and for good.

Looking to the small room which had light pink walls and wildflowers scattered everywhere, I saw a young man draped across a pink comforter and Rosaline a black-headed, pink lip young lady sat with a book in her lap and finger to her lips. I sneaked in and sat in the available chair by her bed:

“You look well” I made sure my voice was lower but clear.

“I feel much better, thanks to you” she smiled at me, I stood to my feet and gave her a quick check-up. I estimate in a few weeks she will be up and walking.

“Looking good” I smiled at her “oh, here, I made a few things for you; so you have something nice to eat. Ms. Richmond made some chocolate mousse” I whispered the last part as if it was our little secret.

“yummy” she reached out her hand as if to say gimme “would it rude of me to ask you something” she looked nervous but curious.

I knew exactly what she wanted to know “not at all” I waves it off

“How could I do that?” she asked “I remember appearing at the foot of your bed, I remember speaking to you; I mean I am not a… you know, so how it is possible?” she looked at me.

“your spirit traveled,” I said as she frowned her eyebrows “when you’re in a coma and trapped on this earth, you were earthbound which means you couldn’t leave or stay; you were somewhere in between,” I explained with my hands.

“But why did I come to you?” she whispered as if she was scared to ask.

“Perhaps you knew about my existent, with rumors flying around about me; it was somehow pressed into the subconscious that even though you didn’t know it was true, you had to take a chance,” I said watching her expression.

“I am eternally grateful” she smiled as she pulled me into a hug I wasn't expecting. Because of that simple hug, I saw into her future and I smiled

“You are gonna be happy even when it seems like it’s impossible ” I whispered as I pulled away and she was in tears.

….

Beginning my long way back to the house, I heard my name being called as I turned to see the young man from before, racing towards me with his straw hat in hand and sleepy eyes; I stopped in my tracks and waiting for him to catch up:

“Miss Melantha” he gasped for air as I tried to calm him down.

“Take a deep breathe” before the words left my mouth he took one in and out.

“Do you need a ride home?” he asked in all sincerity

“I am ok, thank you, Ethan,” I said reassuringly

“As thanks for Rosa”, he said with a smile as I shook my head.

“it’s ok. I like a good walk” I smiled at him and started off before he could protest.

Walking down this muddy road was peaceful, being in a small town like this, it always quiet and lonely; you will never bump into anyone here but the occasional farmer. Speaking of which, farmer brown came hopping down the muddy road, when he finally came to a stop; I realized his wagon was full. I thought he would have gone on by but he stopped and didn’t bother to look at me:

“Hey Miss Melantha, I have a full load today, I can’t take you,” he said with his eyes forward.

“its no problem, Farmer Brown,” I said dismissing him but when he stays put.

“I am sorry about the trail, Mel, he deserved to be behind bars” I wave it off with a grateful smile. I looked up and his eyes met mine, at that moment I saw it all. I pulled my little boho bag in front of me and grabbed the ointment and threw it at him.

“for the knee” I whispered as he rode on with the tip of his hat.

I began on my way again, ignoring the spirits that past me and tried to pretend that the fact Joe, Mil, and Henry were leaving and that it did not bother me at all. When I heard the sound of angry hoofs clashing against the muddy earth, the sound became louder and louder by the time I turned to see who was rushing down a quiet road with such rude intended; I was yacked off the road by my hair and pulled along. As I scream in pain as I heard the coldest voice:

“think you could get away, think again” he whispered into my ear as I tried to get loose. “think I don’t know what you, that Duke and his associate got up to. Must be nice getting all that good money and even a bit on the side”

“fuck off” I screamed as he tugged harder on my braid as my throat roared in pain.

“Mmm, maybe I might taste it myself”

he whispered into my ear as he sneered “maybe not, you could be a problem” he pretended to think as the wind got stronger as the horse sped up, I heard it huffing and puffing; the horse itself was exhausted.

“if you even think about it..” he tugged onto my hair to interrupt me.

“No, never cross me, angel” he pulled out a hook, smiled previously he grabbed waist and licked my neck as he growled; he raised it above his head and stabbed it into my leg.

I pushed my head back in pain, I scream as a pool of blood came running out; I couldn't catch my breath and tried with all my might to get it out but before I could. He threw me off the horse with me still hook and dragging along the muddy dirt road, I screamed as he just laughed at my struggling; after a few miles, I finally got my head together and started lifting my body. When I was finally, kind of, sitting up, I grabbed my dagger; still wobbling and hobbling down the muddy road. I began to cut the thick rope, hyperventilating, and sweating of the pain discomfort caused by the bloody hook; after a few minutes of struggling, it broke and fell back against the ground hard.

At this moment, I just wanted to die, I wanted to lay here and have death take me. I closed my eyes and let it.

“Hey” I heard a voice call out to me

“Hey, Maybell Mel” the voice sounded so familiar, it’s husky honey tones were sweet to the ear and reminded me of sunshine days and magnolias.

“Hey baby” my mother came into view “oh honey, what are you doing here?”

“Mama where am I?” I whispered looking around but I only saw the light, bright and white.

“I didn’t think of you to give up, Cher” her warm smile made me feel like home.

“Its too hard” I whispered ashamed.

“Please, …you are Maybell Mel, the real deal. You are the bravest. Show them you can’t be broken.” She kissed my head “remember I love you to the moon and back” with that I was forced back into my body.

I let in a deep breath and sit up in shock, I was in a pastel blue living room; I looked around to the fire burning and a cup of tea on the table. I realized I’m in Evan’s mansion but who put me in the living room, I started to panic when Mil came walking into the warm lit room; she sat down in an armchair and began to read a book like it was normal for her to be in this part of the house.

“what happened?” I sat then glazed down to look at my wrapped foot.

“oh I stitched it and bandage your wound, just stay off it for a few days” She smiled and went back to reading.

“We should probably get back to the kitchen” I tried to get up with the rushes to my side.

“No, Lady Evans and Ms. Ophelia left” she whispered, holding my hand.

“why?” I asked as I tried to sit up more.

“Well, all we saw was this” she handed me an envelope.

“an envelope” I whispered as I pulled out the paper

“open…” she whispered with a soft smile on her face.

“I couldn’t” I whispered with eyes in my eyes.

“well, it says he gave you have half of everything” her smile widens with every word.

“and the other half?” I whispered not trusting my voice.

“Lady Ophelia, The Countess will get nothing and she can’t touch Lady Ophelia money unless she let her. They moved to the apartment estate in London” she said as she pulled me into a hug.

“I can’t believe it,” I said into her chest.

“your inheritance, my dear lady” she started to giggle.

“oh, I don’t get the title” I whispered dismissing it

“you still an heiress, my love,” she said unbelievably

“But I didn’t want to be” I whispered back as she stood to her feet.

“ well, you need to talk to him,” she said as she left the room.

“Dad” I whispered as he appeared by my side.

“your mother is calling me, Mel, you were keeping me here not the countess” he whispered moving closer.

“I don’t understand” I looked up into his face.

“I loved your mother with everything in me, but my parents didn’t approve, she had no title but she was beyond something like titles,” he said sitting where my legs laid.

“then why did you leave her?” I whispered softly “why did you leave me? Why did you take what you wanted and left?” I looked straight into his eyes. “I am not naïve, I know the world, what did you leave her?!” I shouted at him as he flinched

“She left me”, he said looking into as I froze

“What?” I whispered softly

“We were on our way to elope, I wanted to be romantic and she knew that too” he smiled at the memory “I left the plane to buy her a single rose but when I came back, she was gone and all she left me was a note. She wanted me to marry a title and that she wished me luck.” I looked down at my hands “she didn’t tell me about you, I don’t even think she knew she had you at the moment.” He placed hands on mine and smiled “I don’t regret loving her, I do regret letting her decide our fate and even now I will still love you, forever, you are one of life’s greatest gifts and Ophelia I regret not teaching her right. I love you” he stood to his feet as I pulled him back.

“Please don’t go, I need you, you are all I have left, I love you” I whispered crying into my hands.

“You have Emilia and Joseph, what about Henry and Fredrick in woods. You are the bravest, sweetest, smartest and kindest person I know, you travel overseas and through jungles. London has nothing on you, the world has nothing on you” he touched my face and smiled “I am always with you”

I watch him look too ceiling and smiled then whispered ‘she calls me’. He walked then suddenly flies up just to the ceiling then disappears forever.

I sat looking at the fire, tears running down my face as I think of it all; I own about 13 estates, few businesses and 30 million and counting to my name. I am heiress but what can I do with it all. I am used to backpacking, small hotel room, and cup-a-noodle soup, even a park bench is enough for me but now my head can rest in as much comfort as I choose. This is a change...

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