章節 2: I'm alive
Seven years ago…
A woman sitting in the back seat of the black sedan let out a series of deep coughs. She tried to cover her mouth with the back of her hand.
"Boss," a middle-aged man with a stern expression handed her a handkerchief. She snatched the handkerchief and wiped the blood on her lips.
"Boss, why don't you stay here?" suggested the same man in a black suit. Despite his stern countenance, his worry about her condition peeked in his silver eyes.
"I waited for years," she said, glancing at the bloodstained handkerchief. "There's no way in hell I will stay here."
The man had a slight frown on his forehead but didn't argue. He only gazed at her side profile, catching how her phoenix eyes burned with determination. Even if the world ended now, no one would be able to stop her.
Her name was Hera.
Few people know what her real name is. However, in the underground world, anyone who knew her flees whenever they hear the name she was known for. Hell. The woman at the helm of the most infamous and mysterious assassin organization.
For the past ten years, her name has gained stories that would make grown men shake in fear. Yet not many knew the real woman behind the name. All they knew was that she was an heiress of the previous don of the organization; that she got into her position because of her origins. Only a few truly acknowledge this woman's excellence in all aspects of life.
Sadly, this woman was counting her last days.
"Boss," the man quietly called, Hera simply cast him a quick side-eye. "Was it worth it? Ever since becoming the head of the organization, you've dedicated your life to finding the late madam's murderer. Although this goal of yours was within your reach, don't you have regrets?"
Regrets?
Hera smirked, casting a haughty look at the man beside her. This man had become her father; he was her mother's most loyal retainer. Thus, she understood he cared for her like she was his own.
"Regrets?" Hera leaned back, her leg was resting over the other. "Why would I regret anything?"
She glanced at the window on her side, watching some men in black approach the mansion in the middle of nowhere. "The only regret I have is I spent ten years hunting down that motherfucker."
"I could've done it in a year, but considering he was one of the valued members of the organization, it was understandable it took me a while. I could've married, had a kid, and played the role of a good housewife before I die."
The corner of her red lips curled up into a subtle smile. "Back then, I thought I was lucky to have supportive parents. They never pressured me to inherit this organization our family sustained for many generations. However, now that I've grown, it's not that they were supportive. They simply knew those dreams of mine were nothing but dreams because there was no way out of this world. They just didn't want to hurt my feelings."
"You could still do it!" the man exclaimed, hoping she would listen to him just this once. "Once this is over, you can just retire! No one knew about your condition. We can say you left for a mission and —"
"Thank you, Bear." Hera faced the man with a smile, cutting him off mid-sentence. "I know you want the best for me, but I am the Don in this family now. Maybe if I was lucky enough to get reborn, I'd pursue that dream. But now, I already pledge to spend my last breath being the head of this organization."
Hera took a deliberate pause, snapping her eyes at the window upon noticing a person approaching the vehicle. "There's no way out of this world. Even if I retire, my enemies will not stop. They will try to take my head for revenge or honor — I already pity my poor future husband."
"That is why I'd rather die as Hell and wish I'd get reborn in a normal family," she added, flashing Bear a bright smile she usually wore before the incident ten years ago. "Although it sounds ridiculous, having that thought comforted me in a way. So don't dare pop my bubble."
Knock Knock.
A man outside knocked on the window, but Hera and Bear just stared at each other. The latter let out a deep sigh and forced a meek smile.
"Whatever makes you happy," said Bear, nodding in understanding. "I'll pray that the blessings your family had received will fulfill the wish you have."
Hera chuckled whilst shaking her head. She then rolled down the window to listen to the man's report.
"We already contained the traitor, Boss," said the man outside the vehicle. He then gave her a run down on what the place looked like from the inside and he also told her what went down.
"I see…" Hera rocked her head in understanding before looking back at Bear. "... I guess it's time to skin him alive."
The man outside bowed, and then cautiously opened the door to Hera's side. Bear didn't need assistance as he also hitched outside. As soon as he did, he gazed over the roof of the vehicle, only to see the other man handing over his M16 rifle to the boss.
"There's a bomb planted somewhere?" The side of Hera's lips stretched from ear to ear, lifting the rifle and resting it over her shoulder. "Twenty minutes… that's enough. That pig will have the most agonizing twenty minutes of his life."
A sinister grin turned up on her face, which many people feared. "Men, let's go!"
*
*
*
[ PRESENT TIME ]
Hera, now in Heaven's body, laid on her back with her eyes fixed on the ceiling as she reminisced the last moments of her life. After that night, Hera's health gradually declined. Although her health issues were kept a top secret and only a selected few in the organization knew about it, her death though was no secret.
Hera made sure everything was settled during her last few months before she quietly passed away.
"It's been five years since my death…" she murmured. She looked at the dark room where she was still baffled by the phenomenon that struck her life. "... is it because of our name?"
Hera, who was now in Heaven, mulled over it in silence for minutes. Her lips slowly stretched after a moment as her eyes sparkled.
"Whatever!" Heaven sat upright, full of energy. "Whatever the reason, I don't care!"
Heaven clasped her hand, only to gaze at it upon feeling the coldness in them. Her eyes brimmed with sentiments, remembering the agonizing months before she took her last breath as Hera.
"I'm alive…" she whispered in a shaky voice. "... I'm alive."
"I'm… alive!!" Heaven spread her arms wide open, cocking her head back, welcoming this new life wholeheartedly without any questions or qualms.
章節 3: A bad mother and an awful wife
"I'm alive! I'm -- "
"Madam!"
Heaven jumped and her spread arms instantly folded to her chest. She turned her head at the door, where she heard someone calling her name in a panicked voice.
At the doorway stood a middle-aged woman, wearing a maid's uniform with an aghast expression on her face. She was looking at Hera like she had seen a ghost.
"Young Madam! What have you done? Why are all these pills scattered on the floor?!" she yelled. The maid looked at the pills on the floor with a horrified expression on her face. Her hand went to her chest and looked at the young madam.
Her name was Miriam.
Miriam hurriedly picked up the pills from the floor. Heaven rubbed her chin and kept her gaze on Miriam as she rummaged through the memories the real Heaven left for her.
Miriam was a maid serving the Zhu Family for decades. She had dedicated her life to the young master Dominic Zhu, Heaven's husband. Even now that Dominic had grown into a fine man and had a family of his own, she still served him. But now, as Heaven and Dominic's son's nanny.
According to Heaven's memories, Miriam was the only person who truly cared for her in this household. Not that Heaven was able to open up her heart to Miriam, but unlike everybody else, Heaven tolerated this nanny.
"Madam! Are you trying to kill yourself again?" Heaven's thoughts halted when Miriam sat on the edge of the bed. She looked at the middle-aged woman whose face bore a mixture of emotion. "What are these pills?"
Heaven glanced down at Miriam's open palms. The pills that Heaven tried to drink were like a clear evidence of what this body had tried to do. She looked at the pills again and then cleared her throat.
"Madam…" Miriam frowned, hiding the pills in the pocket of her apron. She then reached for Heaven's hands, squeezing them slightly. Her lips parted, but no words came out. She could only look at the young madam with worry reflecting in her eyes.
Miriam was lost for words and didn't know what to say anymore. She already tried her best, gave the young madam advice, and created opportunities for her. But alas, Heaven just kept relapsing. Even though there were days Heaven would try out some hobbies, she would still succumb to her intrusive, negative thoughts swirling inside her mind.
"Miriam," Heaven pressed her lips into a thin line.
It was true Heaven attempted to kill herself last night, only to change her mind at the last second. However, death still came because an intruder strangled the original Heaven to death.
How would she explain that without causing panic?
Would they even believe her in the first place?
Deep lines appeared between Heaven's brows as the original Heaven's demise sank into her. She woke up with the original's memory intact. Therefore, the soul inside the host already knew what real Heaven's life was like.
It was hell.
"Madam, don't you have an ounce of affection for the young master?" Heaven was pulled back from her inner mussing at Miriam's inquiry. "I know you are unhappy, but the young master is having problems in school."
Heaven slowly set her eyes back on Miriam. This was the first time this lady spoke such words because she knew Heaven didn't want this marriage, let alone 'that' child. For the original Heaven, Dominic Zhu was the man who took everything from her.
"Madam, I know I am stepping out of bounds, but please," Miriam mildly squeezed Heaven's hand, almost begging the latter. "Can you at least try?"
Miriam braced herself for an unpleasant reaction from Heaven. Heaven's son and husband were almost like a taboo for her. No one could mention them if she was present; that was no secret for all the servants in the household.
Mentioning their names would instantly put Heaven in a terrible mood. For Miriam to have such courage, the current Heaven was certain Miriam had enough. Or rather, Miriam was worried about something and was trying out a different approach this time.
'I can't blame her. After all, this isn't the first time Heaven tried to kill herself.' Heaven mentally shrugged. 'Though this time, she died. Or rather, murdered.'
"I know Madam didn't like the master and the young master, but the young master is still your child. The young master fought his classmate yesterday, which he doesn't do usually. I'm not blaming you, Madam, but a child still needs a mother's affection and guidance," Miriam continued her lecture with a deep sigh. "Now, the school sent a letter to Madam and Master to settle this matter. Madam, maybe if you try… You will learn how to love the young master and the master."
'Huh… this woman…' Heaven mentally chuckled in amusement. '... she's probably ready to die for her to step out of her bounds.' — Or maybe, Miriam was just fed up trying her best to push Heaven to open up to her husband and son.
'Heaven, you are a terrible mother and an awful wife,' thought Heaven to herself. 'Though I understand where you are coming from, you shouldn't just blame your husband for your misery. Blame yourself for not trying, even just a tiny bit.'
'Don't worry. I will cherish this life you didn't,' Heaven added inwardly, grabbing Miriam's hands this time.
"Sure," Heaven smiled, catching Miriam off guard with the sudden show of affection.
"Su — sure?"
"Mhmm. Sure," Heaven nodded. "I'll try my best to fix this family instead of finding ways to kill myself."
Miriam blinked several times, almost there was a look of disbelief on her face. Had she heard correctly?
"Madam, you're saying…?"
"I'm saying I'm done with deaths, dangers, and whatever I had dealt with in the past." Heaven firmly said. She then let Miriam's hands go and started combing her jet-black hair back. "And I'm very much willing to embrace the life I have now."
Heaven winked, her eyes full of life, as she continued, "In other words, prepare me breakfast while I doll myself. Didn't you say my son got into a fight? I'd like to see who hurt my baby."
Miriam looked at the dazzling woman, who was smiling confidently at her. Ever since Heaven stepped foot in this household, she always had this gloomy look about her. She liked keeping things to herself, enjoying her own company and the solitude.
This was the first time Miriam had seen Heaven with such vigor, such life. But what was even more surprising was how Heaven called the young master her son. Heaven never once held her son or even acknowledged the young master's existence. Never.
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