Lidiya never thought her life would lead her here-to a marriage with a man she barely knew in the remote village of Roxana. But as a poor farmer's daughter, her fate was never truly hers to choose. She hadn't imagined her wedding night would be one...
The days turned into months, each one heavier than the last. Lidiya felt the weight of her husband's absence pressing down on her, suffocating her spirit. Every time she woke up, the reality of Oswen's disappearance settled in like a bitter chill. No letters. No signs. Nothing.
With each passing day, her resolve grew stronger. She needed answers. Why was Jorden here? What did he want? Her instincts told her he was connected to Oswen's fate. There had to be a reason behind his sudden appearance and the fires that had taken everything from her.
One morning, Lidiya noticed Jorden striding towards the cashew farm, an unusual determination in his step. She decided to follow him, her heart pounding in her chest. With every step, she felt more like a shadow, blending into the landscape as she carefully trailed him.
As they neared the farm, she kept her distance, trying to be as quiet as a whisper. But twice, she nearly got caught, her heart racing as she ducked behind trees and boulders. Jorden, seemingly unaware of her presence, picked up his pace, moving with a purpose that made her stomach twist with anxiety.
Suddenly, she began to hear whispers. They echoed in the wind, soft at first but then rising in volume, like an ominous chant urging her to turn back. Panic surged within her. She sprinted forward, trying to catch up, but tripped over a large log. Pain exploded in her head as she hit the ground, darkness swallowing her whole.
---
When Lidiya regained consciousness, she found herself in her bed, the soft sunlight streaming through the window. Evelyn was at her side, worry etched across her face.
"What happened?" Lidiya croaked, her throat dry.
"You fainted, Lidiya," Evelyn said, her voice a mixture of relief and concern. "What were you doing at the farm?"
"Jorden..." Lidiya murmured, trying to sit up. "He was heading to the farm. I think he-"
"Lidiya! The farm!" Evelyn interrupted, her voice rising in panic. "There's been a fire! The entire farm is in ashes!"
Lidiya's heart sank as she scrambled out of bed, rushing to the door. The moment she stepped outside, the sight was devastating. The farm, once vibrant and alive, was now a charred skeleton of its former self, blackened wood and smoldering earth surrounded her.
In the distance, she spotted Jorden sitting quietly, an eerie calmness in his posture. Her mother-in-law was beside him, tears streaming down her face as she pleaded with him.
"Jorden!" Lidiya shouted, her voice filled with rage and despair. Without thinking, she charged at him, fists flying, striking him repeatedly. "You did this! You set the farm on fire!"
"Lidiya, stop!" her mother-in-law cried, grasping her by the hair and pulling her back. "Stop this madness! Jorden is the one who saved you!"
"Saved me?!" Lidiya spat, rage boiling inside her. "He's the reason everything is ruined! He's a monster!"
Just then, the village head rushed in, his face ashen and tear-streaked. "Cresintha!" he cried, kneeling before them. "There's terrible news. They found a skeleton in the remains of the farm... and next to it, Oswen's ring."
The world stopped. Lidiya felt her breath hitch, her heart plummeting into an abyss. "No... it can't be," she whispered, shaking her head in disbelief. "He can't be dead. He was supposed to come back!"
"We don't know what happened, but the evidence is clear," the village head said, his voice breaking. "Oswen is gone."
"No!" Lidiya screamed, collapsing to her knees. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she pressed her face into the ground, her body racked with sobs. Her mother-in-law joined her, wailing in despair.
Jorden stood nearby, his expression unreadable, yet there was a softness in his gaze as he approached. He reached out and placed a hand on Lidiya's shoulder. "I'm so sorry for your loss," he said gently, his voice low and sincere. "You can stay in the house until the burial. You shouldn't have to face this alone."
Lidiya felt numb. She pushed his hand away, unable to respond, her heart shattering into a million pieces. The funeral was held two days later, and she felt like a ghost, watching her life unfold from the sidelines.
---
After the burial, Lidiya became a shell of her former self. She stopped eating, her body growing weaker with each passing day. Her mother-in-law, concerned for Lidiya's health, approached Jorden one evening.
"Jorden," she said, her voice trembling. "Lidiya is struggling. She needs something to hold onto, a reason to keep going. Perhaps... perhaps you could engage her?"
Jorden raised an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth twitching into a smirk. "You think that's a solution?"
"It might be," Cresintha insisted. "We have lost everything. If Lidiya marries you, at least we have a home. You can help her."
Lidiya overheard their conversation from the other room, her heart pounding. Marry Jorden? The thought sent shivers down her spine. She wanted to scream, to refuse, but a part of her knew they had no choice.
The next day, she found herself in a simple engagement ceremony, the villagers murmuring their congratulations. Lidiya stood beside Jorden, her heart heavy with despair. She felt the hatred radiating from him, but at the same time, a strange pull-like a moth to a flame.
As the festivities wound down, Lidiya made a silent vow to herself. She would find out why Jorden had come into their lives, what his true intentions were. She had to uncover the secrets hidden beneath the ashes of her lost life, and maybe, just maybe, she could reclaim some semblance of power amidst the chaos.
---
That night, Lidiya found herself lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, her thoughts racing. She had to get close to Jorden, to find a way to draw out the truth. What did he know about Oswen's disappearance? Why had the fires come? She needed answers, and she would stop at nothing to discover the dark mysteries that surrounded her.
As the moonlight bathed her room in silver, she whispered to the night, "I will uncover the truth, no matter the cost." The shadows in her mind flickered, but she was determined. No longer would she be a victim of the circumstances around her. She would fight for her future, even if it meant embracing the darkness that surrounded her.
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