Flowers Blooming in Sorrow After the Fog of Love ClearsChapter 1
It only took my veil slipping off for a stranger to see my true face, and suddenly, everyone was pointing fingers at me. They said I’d ruined my purity, and now even my father, Andrew Thomas, wants me dead.
But why?
Just because a man saw my face, I was supposed to die? If I didn’t, I was not virtuous? And if I didn’t apologize, I was not a dutiful daughter?
I had to fight for my right to live. In this corrupt kingdom, I had to keep fighting!
For three days, I had been kneeling in this cold, abandoned house.
Three days without a drop of water.
Right on time, my father came in, holding a whip. Behind him were my mother, Sofia Thomas, my brother Ronald, and the uncles who watched me grow up.
Ronald tried to help me up, but my father shoved him back.
“Aren’t you going to admit you were wrong?” My father demanded.
Exhausted, I could barely hold myself up, but my voice was hoarse and firm. “I didn’t do anything wrong. Why should I apologize?”
“You.” My father’s face twisted with rage as he shouted. “Fine, you ungrateful daughter! I’ll beat you to death until you admit your mistake!”
The small, cold house was crowded with more than twenty people, but not one of them spoke up for me.
I bit down hard on my lip, refusing to make a sound as the whip lashed across my back.
One strike, two. fifteen.
Finally, I couldn’t hold back any longer and coughed up blood.
“Please, stop!” My mother couldn’t take it anymore. She fell to her knees, weeping as she held me.
Lying in her arms, all I could do was silently curse the injustice of it all.
“Emily, just admit you were wrong. At least you’ll die quickly.” My mother’s voice trembled as she spoke.
Tears of disbelief filled my eyes. “Mom, do you really think I’m wrong?”
My mother had always loved me more than anyone. How could she ask me to admit to something I didn’t do?
Doesn’t she know that even if I confess, I’m still going to die?
My mother’s sobs echoed through the room. “I don’t want to watch you die! You’re a part of me. but there’s nothing I can do. This world is so cruel! Emily, don’t worry. If you die, I won’t go on living. I’ll follow you. I’ll be with you, okay?”
I forced a weak smile and struggled to speak. “Mom, I won’t admit to something I didn’t do! If the world is wrong, why should I apologize?”