CHAPTER 5

Sarah thought about Bobby's words as she followed him out of the hospital and into the waiting vehicle. A flurry of emotions swirled inside her, consuming her thoughts as her heart raced with fear and uncertainty. She was shocked at the situation she was in: she was married to Bobby, her sister's life was in jeopardy, and she was being taken away to an unknown place.

Sarah's eyes darted from Bobby to the passing scenery outside the window as they stepped into the car, her palms shaking with anxious tension. With so many questions and regrets racing through her head, she was unable to truly understand the seriousness of the situation.

"You'll see. Bobby's voice interrupted Sarah's racing thoughts, "You'll see your new home soon." His tone was an unsettling mixture of confidence and pride. Sarah's eyes were fixated on her quivering hands in her lap, unable to bring herself to meet his gaze.

As they drove farther from the hospital, Sarah's thoughts were a swirl of turmoil, with each mile feeling like a step more into the unknown. The weight of her choice became harder on her with every second that went by, and she was unable to get rid of the sensation of dread that had taken up space in the pit of her stomach.

But despite all of the anxiety and uncertainty, Sarah's thoughts stayed fixed on Olivia, her treasured sister, whose life was in risk. Sarah was aware of the fact she would stop at nothing to make sure Olivia had the care she need, even at the expense of her own happiness and wellbeing.

"A period of 18 months. One year, six months," Sarah said to herself, her determination growing as she considered the gravity of her choice. She was prepared to make all the sacrifices and face many obstacles in order to have the opportunity to save her sister's life.

While driving towards a foreign place, Sarah couldn't help but question if she had committed the biggest mistake of her life. Her choice seemed like a huge weight pressing down on her shoulders, one that threatened to break her spirit.

“oh my.” Sarah thought.

But in the middle of all the chaos and uncertainty, there was a glimmer of hope—hope that her sacrifice would not be in vain, and that she would come out of this experience healthier and stronger than ever.

Even though it was only a tiny speck of light in the shadows, Sarah felt encouraged to keep going on and was given the strength she needed to face whatever was ahead.

Only if she truly understood the extent of the obstacles and hardships that lay ahead for her on the chosen route. Only if she understood what her ultimate price would be in order to save her sister. Only if she was aware of the full cost of her biggest mistake.

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As Derrick came out from his car and got closer to the luxurious mansion where he was raised, his heart skipped a beat. The voice of his father rang in his ears, telling him to rush home because there was an urgent family crisis. He had no idea that what was in store for him would completely shock him.

Upon entering the estate, his gaze swept over the beautiful surroundings, bringing back fond memories of his family's happier moments. But as soon as he noticed a familiar figure standing in the foyer, his thoughts were cut short.

"Sarah?" Derrick spoke in a shaky whisper, toned with surprise. He was taken aback by what he saw as he saw her in his family's home.

With a look of both surprise and nervousness, Sarah turned around. "Derrick? Her question was laced with doubt, "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing," Derrick said, his voice a little sour. "How did you end yourself here? Moreover, why are you dressed in that manner?" He indicated her dressy clothes, which were very different from what she wore to the pub.

Derrick studied Sarah for a moment, making her blush red with shame as she shifted uneasily. She stumbled to put it into words, "I... um... I'm... I'm here because..."

Derrick and Sarah were both jolted out of their thoughts by a loud voice coming from the top of the great staircase before Sarah could continue her sentence. "Derrick, my boy, there you are!" With an uncommon grin, their father, Mr. Duke, was coming down the stairs.

With a sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach, Derrick's jaw tightened as he watched his father approach. He was aware that his father rarely smiled sincere, particularly when it came to problems pertaining to the family.

"Father," Derrick said stiffly, lacking any warmth in his voice.

When he got to the bottom of the stairs, Mr. Duke gave Derrick a tender squeeze on the shoulder. "Son, I'm happy you're here. I want you to meet this person," he continued, pointing to Sarah.

With misunderstanding, Derrick narrowed his eyes and turned back to Sarah. "Meet?" he repeated, his voice full of uncertainty. "What do you mean?"

Mr. Duke laughed without acknowledging the tension in the room. With a tone of pride in his voice, he said, "Derick, Sarah here is your brother's new wife."

Derrick felt a sense of having the ground torn away from beneath him. His voice was hardly audible above a whisper as he repeated, "Brother's... new wife?" He was hearing things that he couldn't believe. Bobby, his brother, was married to Sarah? It was absurd.

With regret and guilt in her eyes, Sarah glanced sideways at Derrick. "I apologize, Derrick. Her voice was barely heard as she muttered, "I didn't want things to turn out like this."

Anger, betrayal, and confusion were among the whirlwind of feelings racing through Derrick's mind. He was having trouble making sense of everything, and his mind was racing like a violent storm.

Mr. Duke smiled at Sarah and Derrick, not realizing the chaos that was happening in front of him. “Isn't this fantastic news, then? A new member of the family!" he joyfully clapped his hands together.

Derrick struggled to control the rage that was about to overwhelm him, his fists balled up at his sides. With a sarcastic tone, he said, "Wonderful news? This is absurd.” Derrick thought. "How could you, Bobby?" he said, glaring at his brother who was not there.

Sarah saw Derrick lose control, and her eyes grew wide with worry. She reached out to him, pleading, "Derrick, please," but he withdrew from her contact, his expression transforming into stone.

Mr. Duke noticed the tension in the room and his cheerful manner failed. Trying to defuse the tension, he intervened, "Now, now, let's not make a scene." Mr Duke turned to face Derrick. "Derrick, I understand that this news may come as a shock, but I assure you, Bobby had his reasons for marrying Sarah."

Derrick mocked his dad's pathetic attempt for the sake of him. "Why? What possible explanations exist for this?" he asked, raising his voice with each sentence.

The sound of footsteps echoed inside the hallway, announcing the presence of yet another unexpected guest, before Mr. Duke could reply. When Derrick turned to face the doorway, he saw a familiar figure approaching them with narrowed eyes.

Bobby Duke, the new husband of Sarah and Derrick's elder brother, strode into the room with a smug smile on his face, assessing the sight in front of him.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Bobby scowled, his amused gaze falling on Derrick. "Did I miss the family reunion?"

Derrick's fingers clenched at his sides, resisting the impulse to lash out as his rage flared at the sight of his brother. With a venomous tone, he accused, "You set me up, didn't you?"

Bobby's eyes gleamed with mischief as his smile grew at Derrick's accusation. "Set you up? What do yoou mean by that, dear brother? I don'tunderstand" he taunted, faking innocence.

Bobby's taunting tone made Derrick lose patience and his anger exploded. With his fists clinched at his sides, he spat, "You know exactly what I mean!" and stepped towards Bobby.

With anxiety burning deep within her, Sarah watched in horror as the tension between the two brothers reached a breaking point. She worried what would happen next since she knew Derrick finding out about their marriage would only make matters worse.

Bobby's smirk faltered slightly at Derrick's accusation, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his features before he regained his composure. "Come now, Derrick, there's no need for such hostility," he said, his tone oozing with false sincerity. "Sarah and I are simply following our hearts as lovers do.”

Derrick's mind was spinning with a million unanswered questions, and his jaw tightened as he tried to control his anger. “Following your hearts? "Is that what you now call it?" he asked with a sarcastic tone. "Or did you conveniently forget to mention your little arrangement with Sarah?"