The Joy of Revenge

BOOK 2: New Salem CHAPTER 20 WelcH steps.

| opened the door and a wave of nostalgia hit me. | couldn't believe | was back in my childhood home. It brought so many happy memories. Sadly, it brought painful ones too.

Lisa saw the sadness in my eyes and coughed, looking confused. “Is there something you don’t like? | can have the interior designer change it for you,” she said. | blinked and smiled at her brightly.

“No, everything is perfect. Just sad my parents aren't here to seemove into my new home,” | quickly said as an alibi. Well, actually it was partly true.

“Well then, you can always invite them for a visit. You do have a lot of space. Since you're single, you never know you might meet someone in town. Probably you'll get married and have a family of your own,” she said, taking my basket and placing it on the newly installed kitchen island. “It’s a beautiful home. It has so much character.” “Are you married, Lisa?” | asked curiously. | knew she was, but | had to act like | was ignorant.

“Yes, to a wonderful man named Cris. You'll meet him at the town’s Spring Parade. Maybe even sooner knowing this town is so small,” she answered.

“Any kids?” | asked.

“Nope. Although we want to have kids. | just don’t think we're ready,” she replied, blushing. | also knew of her fertility problems and Cris’ extracurricular activities but | acted as if she was right to wait.

“Of course. It’s hard to have children. You need to be prepared. Look at me, no husband, no children. All | have is myself. Maybe I'll adopt a puppy to keepcompany,” | said, giving her a small smile.

| may not have a husband, but | do have three wonderful partners. Of course, she didn’t know that.

“Well, if you do get a puppy, you better keep him off the expensive furniture. Ah, here's Nicole. Nicole, are you done fixing the bedrooms?” Lisa asked.

Nicole looked the sexcept for her collagen-inflated lips and her blue contact lenses. She had the splatinum blonde hair, sbig breasts and curvy butt. She was wearing a white bodycon mini dress cut deeply in front which showed her cleavage. Her hair, styled in 2/5 [x] BOOK 2: New Salem CHAPTER 28 WelcH messy bun on the top of her head, made her appear tall while her three-inch white pumps ped accentuate ber short legs. She tried so hard to look like Pamela Anderson, but she e up short...real short.

“everything is just perfect, she answered in her high-pitched nasal sounding voice. “If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to call me. I'll find you what you need. Lisa, we need to go. Liam called. He needsto fix the newly renovated office on the first floor of the town hall.” Nicole grabbed Lisa's hand and tugged her to the front door.

“Here are all your keys, Virtue. If you have nothing better to do, it's women’s night at the local pub. Come. Well be there after dinner for a few drinks, Lisa said, stumbling down the brick stairs as Nicole continued to yank her arm.

“Sure. I'll cby. Well, after | tell my partners. | waved good-bye and slowly closed the door.

It has been ten years. Ten long and painful years. My face was totally ruined by my rapists. Since the doctors of New Salem were ill-equipped to fix my face, my parents sold everything and we left for California, in the hopes to have my face restored. After many painful and expensive surgeries. | looked as beautiful as one of those celebrities in Hollywood.

After the two women drove off, | walked around and inspected my childhood home. I lovingly touched the railings of the staircase, the mantle of the fireplace, and ran my fingers. along the newly painted walls. | had so many wonderful childhood memories in this house. | knew it was really difficult for my parents to leave our home, but they did... for me.

I wish | could call my parents, but | had to keep this a secret. To them, | was Joy Taylor.

However, to New Salem, | was Virtue Sullivan. It cost several thousand dollars identity, but it was all worth it.

r my new After inspecting the house, | sat down on the gray L-shaped sofa perched against the tall windows in my living room and peered outside. hoping to get a glimpse of my neighbors. It doubted if any one of them could recognize me, but | still had to be careful. There was one neighbor in particular who | was hoping to see, but there was no need to rush. When you rush things, that’s when accidents happen.

a | went to the kitchen where | had left my purse and took out an old photo envelope from a secret compartment of my bag. | opened it and pulled out an old photo of mine. Back then, 1 was a tall, skinny girl, who had chestnut colored hair, a long pointed nose anti pink pouty lips. Sure, | wasn’t exceptionally beautiful, but | had captivating aquamarine eyes, framed. with thick luscious eyelashes, which | believed was my most striking feature.

3/5 BOOK 2: New Salem CHAPTER 20 WelcH | quickly put the photo away. Looking at it, here, where | grew up, unexpectedly madefeel queasy.

| went to the powder room, splashed scool water on my face, then stared at myself in the bathroom mirror.

There was no denying it. | am a completely different woman from the young girl in the photo.

Now, | had ash blonde hair, a small cute nose and a sultry mouth to match my small features. | also had high cheekbones and a cute feminine chin. Clearly, there was not much left of the Joy Taylor everyone in this town once knew.

However, my eyes remained the same. | wanted to undergo laser surgery to change my eye color, but Cristos, Sebastian and Xavier were against it. They figured | had been gone for so long, no one would notice my eyes.

Anyway, my optometrist prescribedtinted contact lenses which changed my eye color’s hue to blue-gray.

New Salem is temporary... a means to an end. For the tbeing, | would set up a small shop selling and renting gowns. When | was young, | dreamt of designing and making my own gown gowns, clothes and accessories. | could still live the fairy tale, even for a short while.

Fairy tale. | had to learn the hard way that life isn’t a fairy tale and happy endings are few and far between.

Yet, in life, there are such things as fairy tale moments.

| suddenly heard my phone ring, breakingfrom my thoughts. | walked over to my purse, took my phone out and smiled as | read the caller's non my phone's screen.

“You guys missthat much already?” | asked, giggling.

“Every second away from you is painful, but hearing the wonderful sound of your voice helps. ease the pain,” a husky male voice answered.

“In short, we really miss you, baby. But it’s tto get into character because someone is about to ring your doorbell,” another se xy male voice said.

Who could be coming to visitso soon? 4/5 BOOK 2: New Salem CHAPTER 20 WelcH Chapter Comments Luna-Mom | love their plan (TEK Mary Hall Love this plan Sebastian has laid out VIEW ALL 2 COMMENTS 29 POST COMMENT