Novels by Beloved

Arlene's POV Following Judith's instructions, I went back inside my room and shut the door. The footsteps on the hallway receded and everywhere felt quiet once more.I tucked myself back under the white sheets and was about to drift off to sleep when I heard another scream. It wasn't so loud this time but there was something compelling about it.My curiosity piqued and tiptoed out of the room. The floorboards creaked slightly as I stealthily walked down the hallway.I followed the sound carefully until I reached the door that led to the west wing. "Ma'am!" Judith called after me but I turned deaf ears.By the time I went into the west wing, I heard furniture scraping across the floor. Then, something shattered inside the room.Judith finally caught up with me and grabbed my wrist."Please don't go inside.""Why?""He doesn't like anyone seeing him like this.""But…he sounds like he's in pain.""I know.""Then why is nobody helping him?"Judith lowered her head."Because he won't let

Arlene's POV My chest was still rising and falling heavily long after I escaped from Simone's room. I leaned against the wall and pressed a hand to my chest."What is wrong with him?" I asked.Judith sighed, "I told you to leave when he asked.""You didn't tell me he throws knives at people when they disobey him.""He rarely does that." She rubbed her forehead while I just stared at her, wondering if this was supposed to be an excuse."So that is supposed to make me feel better?"For the first time, she smiled, then said,“I'm deeply sorry you had to experience that, Ma'am.”“I'm getting out of here, this instant!” I hurried down the stairs, past the long hallway while Judith hurried behind.“Ma'am, hold on. You're in the wrong way…” she tried to grab my arm but I yanked it off.“I don't care! I must leave this place at once.” “ But that's not the way to the exit, Ma'am.” I paused in my steps, looking around and it really didn't feel like the way we took earlier.“Oh…please lead th

Arlene's POV A week later>>>The prison guard knocked with a bright smile on his face,“Pack up,” the guard said, unlocking the door.“You’re leaving.”He led me to the main entrance and I just realised that in all my years, I've never seen this gate. Stepping out, Theodore was waiting for me in a black, sleek limousine. One of his men held the door and I climbed in. “Finally…it's good to see you again. I told you I'll get you out.”“How did you do it?” I asked in curiosity.“It doesn't matter. What matters is that you're free and you'll do as we agreed.”It still felt unreal to be free… to breathe, to move, to exist outside those walls and to not meet those sick therapists.It felt like I had lost touch with humanity for years. I had lost so much; my inheritance, fiance, friends, they must all belong to Veronica now.Where would I start from? Where would I go now? As though he could read my thoughts, he said,“You'll be coming with me to a house I have prepared for you. You'll

Arlene's POV That whole night, I stared blankly at the ceiling. Memories flowed in and out, of the good times I had spent with Tristan, when we first met, our first kiss. We had been dating for three years and he just threw it all away in one moment.I was too tired to cry and my head ached from all the events so far. I was too weak to even defend myself or oppose anyone. The moment they all abandoned me, something in me died.Veronica came by later the next morning, I stared at her blankly while she faked concern.“How have you been? How is life in prison?” She asked.“Why? What exactly did I do to deserve this?” I asked, my voice laced with bitterness.“Oh…nothing. I just needed you out of my way.” Veronica pointed out, folding her arms on her chest.“I have never done anything to bring your downfall, why did you choose this?”“Because I need your inheritance! I can't watch you take over Dad's company while I work under you.” She spat.“But I had no intentions of taking over. I kne

Arlene's POV Veronica and I were never close. But I never imagined she would be the reason my life would fall apart.She was my parents' favourite while I was the one they managed to relate with. My mum had died during my birth and this made my Dad have this deep hatred for me. “You're a jinx! You should have died that day instead of my sweet Miriam.” He would always say.My Dad remarried when I was three and my life went from bad to worse. His new wife treated me like trash and I grew with that trauma. Things got worse when they had Veronica. She was their treasure, the one who got all the love and attention, she was born lucky; I was lucky to be born.It's been more than twenty years now. I left home immediately after college to start my own life and last week, Veronica came for my engagement party and she has been with me ever since.I can't believe that just last week, I had been living a blissful life, planning my wedding with my boyfriend, Tristan. Today, I'm locked up in thi

Prologue Arlene's POV “Miss Arlene Rhodes, you have been found guilty for the second degree attempted murder of Mr. Martins and illegal possession of firearms. You are hereby sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment.” The Chief Judge declared, striking his gavel with so much ferocity.“All rise!” The court clerk announced, signalling the end of this court session.My eyes scanned through the crowd till it landed on my parents, sister and my boyfriend Tristan. I had half expected them to believe me when I told them that this whole thing was a misunderstanding. I was being framed for this, but the looks of disgrace and disgust on their faces said it all.“Please, I didn't do this…” I whispered, my voice barely holding together. “I’m not a monster.”But the silence that followed was louder than any accusation.They had already decided who I was. I stopped struggling because I finally understood. This wasn’t just a mistake… I had been set up. The guards dragged me as I trudged along look