Rigor Mortis. the stiffening of the body after death

~Charity~

"What do you mean 'it's definitely not you'? Of course it's me! Who else? We realised we were soulmates the moment we met each other!"

"There's more to it than you think, Miguel," I say sadly, because somehow I know that he will never accept the fact that we weren't destined to be together. He can't think of Fate the same way as I do. To this day, all my premonitions that have sprung into reality are just 'coincidences' to him.

"For instance, you wouldn't believe me if I tell you that Kay is supposed to be your…"

"Don't!" he hisses, slamming his fist on the dining table. I start to cry because first of all, I still love Miguel, and secondly, he looks so frightening although irresistible when he's angry.

Miguel looks as if he's about to cry too and holds me tightly to him. I put my arms around him and lean my head against his chest. If only things were different. If only Fate weren't so cruel…

"I'm sorry sweetheart," he whispers softly, stroking my hair. "It's just that I'm scared to death about when you say things like that. I don't ever want to lose you, Charity. I won't lose you."

Sure Miguel, and it's not like I want to lose you either…

"…But I lost him didn't I?" I whisper aloud. "I lost my soulmate. I'll never know who he is now. All I know is, he must have loved me so much. As much as you do, darling."

He doesn't reply. In fact, I hope he hasn't heard what I just said at all. How can I persuade him to leave me when I do not want to leave him myself? Miguel's love is true. I know that. He would have given his life for me…just as he had. Why else would he have gone down into the horrible depths of hell to bring me back? I don't love him because of what he's done for me; I love him because he is who he is.

"I'll never let you go, Charity. We belong to each other," he says passionately, trying to kiss my tears away. I hear a brisk series of hurried footsteps fading away upstairs.

"Hold me," I murmur to him.

But we don't belong to each other, Miguel. It's an illusion. You hate the person who is meant for you, and mine is… dead…

******

~Whitney~

"Well what is the impediment, my child? Why can't Chad and Whitney be married?" asks Father Lonigan.

"Ms Russell is right, Father. Chad Harris and Whitney Russell's marriage cannot proceed. A clear impediment exists," says a new voice.

I stare at the formally dressed man standing beside my sister. I have seen him somewhere before. Of course- a Crane lawyer. All at once, the wedding guests begin to mumble excitedly.

"What is this impediment? Perhaps it can be explained away?" reasons Father Lonigan a little impatiently.

"Hardly! I have evidence here that these two persons are related by blood."

I gasp in horror and disbelief as the lawyer hands Father Lonigan a number of papers. My head is in a whirl. This must be some kind of set- up! It has to be! Another of the Cranes' dirty tricks. I look at Chad and see my shock mirrored yet again in his face. Oh Chad, what are they trying to do to us? He clutches my hand as if in answer.

"The exact details are not disclosed since their parents very likely wish to preserve their anonymity. All that is specified is that Chad Harris and Whitney Russell share a common parent. Hence meaning that they are half- siblings…" says the lawyer in a nasal kind of tone.

The rest of his words whiz past my ears like badly aimed bullets. I do not have to hear what he has to say.

Chad lets my hand drop to my side and I gaze blankly at my parents. Mom has a hand over her chest and is looking very distressed, while Dad gets up from their pew and leaves the chapel. My mother runs after him, sobbing. 

'Our lives are falling apart.' That is all I can think; over and over like an endless mantra.

"It can't be true," I finally allow myself to say. "It can't be true." My voice sounds hoarse and raspy even to my own ears. Like the voice of an old woman…

*****

A/N: Short chapter, longer one next! Now the announcement may or may not be true! So who shall it be: Whitney & Chad or Whitney &…someone else {winks conspiringly}? And does Kay deserve Miguel? Or more correctly, does Miguel deserve Kay? Also coming soon: Evian, and Shuis doing crazy thangs! Oh, and hands up for TC bashing!! Suggest, review and find out! Thanx for reading