Eden's Pov
"Eliza, get up," I'm shoved to the side as I let out a loud groan, my eyes flickering open to meet multiple pairs staring back at me.
What the hell? Then it all comes rushing to me, the fall, the tub, blood.
I sat up immediately, fisting my hand in my hair, surprised by the rough texture...my hair is always silky and oily, was I taken to the hospital then? My fingers search my scalp but there's nothing, no bruise.. nothing.
I finally look at the confused maids staring at me, then around my room, it's different...all my posters and magazines covers are gone, replaced by crappy portraits but my heart stills when it lands on a mannequin...a wedding dress? The wedding dress that Fang Luther made for me? Wasn't this supposed to get to Eliza.
The door opens, followed by loud clicking of heels against the tiles when my mother made her entrance. Thank goodness. Was I in a coma? She must've been so worried about me.
I sprang up to my feet, rushing to hug her, "Mommy!" Why does my voice sound different?
Her body stiffens as she slowly peels me off her body, glaring at me before she faced the staff.
"What's going on here?" She asks, examining the room with her head high and gaze condescending on all staff members in the room who took the cue to bow their heads.
"The Young Mistress just woke up, Madame," the first answered just as the head maid, Claudia strolled in and stood behind my mother.
"Why isn't the bride ready?" Claudia questioned, searching through our faces.
Bride?
My mother turned to me, totally exasperated. "I don't know what plans you have up your sleeve, Eliza. But this wedding must happen...it took us hours to convince Lorenzo to take you instead of Eden so you understand how desperate he needs a bride, don't miss this up,"
My throat goes dry as my legs wobble, Eliza? A large mirror is pushed into the room and I catch a glimpse of my reflection. Dyed blonde hair, chapped lips, acne and loose fitting pajamas. I let out a scream, so piercing that everyone around me covered their ears.
My mother's hand moved to cover my mouth, "what the heck is wrong with you?"
I push her hand away, "I'm not her..." I said, "I'm not Eliza, I'm Eden!" I shouted.
"Yeah, right." She sighs, turning on her heel to see Claudia, "We're leaving in 2 hours, so make sure everything goes well."
I grab my mother's hand, tears prickling out of my eyes, "Mommy, please don't do this .. it's me, Eden... I'm not Eliza,"
She yanks her hand off, "Get a grip and get dressed, you should've come up with something better," She snarls, storming out before I can get out another word.
I sauntered to the edge of the bed, weak and defeated. Perhaps I had felt it now, the feeling of silence because you've realized that your words are meaningless.
"I hope one day you'd truly understand me, but that isn't coming until you pay for everything you've taken from me."
That wench. What did she do to me?!
[Your sister did nothing to you] a voice echoed in my head.
"Who said that?!" I yell, turning to look at the maids but they all shook their heads and continued setting out my jewelry.
I must look crazy now, I let out a sharp laugh as tears roll down my cheeks but maybe this was a trance,a horrible nightmare that I would wake up from.
The door is locked and I can run away through the bathroom, my only escape is outside before we get to the car that leads us to the church, there's a quick exit at the back of the house that I can use.
I decide to comply and let them prepare me.
"What a shame?" I heard a maid whisper, "Wasn't she married a few days ago?"
"Her husband tried to r*pe Eden," one explains.
"Poor Young Madame," She whispers back, "Of all women, it had to be that brat,"
"Shut up!" The words came out before I could hold it. "Just get me ready and quit gossiping already,"
" Sorry... Ma'am, "
In about an hour, I was in my wedding dress, staring at the face that resembles mine, a body that looked the same but felt different. The maids had left, allowing me to soak in the moment that is supposed to be the happiest day of my life.
Just then, the mirror switched to a hologramic collection of words.
[System Initializing...]
[Retribution Protocol Engaged.]
[User: Eden Hawthorne. Soul Signature: Verified.]
[New Identity: Elizabeth Hawthorne. Status: TRANSFERRED.]
[Welcome, Host. You have been enrolled in The White Lotus System.]
[Primary Objective: Atone for your sins by embodying the virtue, grace, and purity of the one you wronged. Failure to comply will be met with escalating consequences.]
[Current Redemption Point (RP) Balance: -10,000]
[Note: A negative balance indicates you are a net drain on the universe's moral equilibrium. Try harder.]
"What?" I blink, I must be going crazy...when I open my eyes, it's still there. "What is this?" I mutter, reaching out to touch the mirror.
[I'm your system, you can call me, Lotus]
"My system?"
[Ugh... you're even dumber than I expected]
"Hey!"
[The Creator believes that you may have died out of ignorance, He's decided to give you another chance to redeem yourself. I've been assigned to assist you. There are four levels of assistance —]
"Just shut up and tell me how I got here!"
[Oh wow...] Her voice sounded angrier the hologramic message switched.
[Initializing First Quest...]
[QUEST: THE WEDDING MARCH]
[Objective: Walk down the aisle and marry Lorenzo Sterling without causing a scene, displaying undue emotion, or revealing your true identity.]
[Reward: +100 RP, Basic Knowledge: 'Hockey for Dummies']
[Penalty for Failure: A migraine of biblical proportions and a 90% chance of tripping on your wedding dress.]
"I'm not doing what —"
The door opened and message disappeared.
"It's time to leave, Eliza," Claudia says with a sigh.
It's time to leave this place.. certainly. I'm not getting married to Lorenzo.