The story is a tale about a humble caretaker, Tessy Dawn, who finds love in the eyes of Bryan Argol. As their love blossomed, her covetous evil sister Mira Dawn sought to destroy her world and covet the luxurious life her sister now lives under the influence of Bryan Argol. She drugs and seduces him into sleeping with her and she bears him a child. To put Tessy out of the way forever, she murders her child and frames Tessy for it. Tessy is condemned to jail for a crime she didn't commit. How will the truth surface? Will justice prevail? How will she be redeemed from this betrayal and hurt?
Chapter 1 CONDEMNED BY BETRAYAL
I sit in my cell watching the old ceiling fan rotate and hum. I could hear the city noise and sirens from outside the tiny window of my cell. It was a constant reminder of a life of freedom I once had, but it seems impossible for me now.
I could never have imagined I would one day end up here, surrounded by walls and cold metals. The incessant rotation of the fan pulls me back to the memories of betrayal and hurt I carry with me like a bad omen.
As my head continued to spin with the rhythm of the old fan, I replayed my last visit to my ex's Mansion, his girlfriend, my younger sister, Mirabel Dawn, had just put to bed a bouncy baby boy, and Bryan Argol, my once cherished lover, was hosting a party. Hearing this news at first, I cried my eyes out that night but decided I should be there for my little nephew, Cole Argol.
I recalled how the music had died down when I stepped into the grand hall. This was the life that should have been mine. I was bitter with frustration and the pain of their betrayal was unbearable. But I managed to wear an indifferent smile that night. The silence in the air was suffocating as everyone cast pitiful and cautious glances at me.
No one expected me to show up but I did. My mind went from the scenario of the evening to the smile on Cole's face. He was a lovely child and I wondered why anyone would have a reason to take his sweet life. But here I am, framed for such a crime.
I also recounted in my head the event of the evening that changed my fate. It was an ordinary evening, just like every other night shift at the urban lounge where I worked, The Brass, located at an alley in Downtown Queens.
It was a spot for bohemian artists and other patrons. I had tried to put my head into my work all through the many days that followed the event at Bryan Argol's mansion where I had to take in the reality of my lost happiness.
I spent several nights at The Brass working and trying to drown my head in the whispers of gossip and the sounds of clinking cocktail glasses that floated through the lounge.
I never imagined that this one night would change my whole life forever. I had been busy behind the counter pouring drinks into glasses when the sound of sirens filled the air, cutting through the sound of music and the voices of drunk customers. Thus, transforming The Brass into a scene of utter chaos. My senses heightened and I was on edge.
I watched as the uniformed officers rushed through the door shouting at the top of their voices. Most customers had already fled in different directions feeling guilty for reasons best known to them. I didn't try to run because I didn't feel like I had to.
But harsh reality dawned rapidly on me when the officers approached the counter where I stood. I, Tessy Dawn, was accused of murder, a monstrous crime that, even at my darkest moment, I couldn't think of committing. How could I have taken the life of an innocent child? The question spun in my head over and over again. I was too shocked to move. I could remember the mixture of emotions I felt in that instant; anger, frustration, and confusion.
I thought of the possibility of anyone wanting my downfall that badly as to frame me for such a cold crime. Could Mira have done this? She had always been envious of me, believing I had everything she never had. Ranging from beauty to intelligence and the love of a man she desired.
But could she have gone this far to steal away my happiness? And Bryan.... we had once loved and cherished each other. He had promised me forever. What reason does he have to turn against me to make me take the fall for a crime so treacherous?.
Confusion and fear overwhelmed me as I was handcuffed and dragged away like a criminal, my heart thrummed in my ears. I was innocent of this hideous crime but the evidence presented before me was brilliantly orchestrated by those who sought to destroy me.
Now, sitting here in this cold cell, impenetrable by the liveliness of the city, the blaring car horns, and bustling crowds, memories of betrayal came rushing back. I wondered what my sister and my ex-fianceé were up to.
Were they happy together or did they spend every moment regretting they betrayed me and framed me up? Does Bryan still think about me? Could a love so deep be broken by a mere lustful pleasure?.
I feel isolated by betrayal and injustice from the world of happiness I once knew. It all comes rushing back every time I shut my eyes.
Yet, in my despair, I hung to a shard of hope that promised vindication and redemption. I believe that one day the truth will surface. That the intelligently crafted evidence against me would be unveiled and I will be vindicated. But until then, I have to live through this repeated pattern of watching the fan spin and letting my thoughts wander through time and all that had happened in the past months.
I closed my eyes and said a prayer for my redemption. "May the truth be revealed". I whispered. In this prayer, I find the courage to go through every day in this cold cell, awaiting my trial.
As time passed, the bustling of the city was reduced to sirens and few sounds of footsteps. I shut my eyes again, trying not to let my mind wander, understanding that even though I, Miss Tessy Dawn, am being condemned for a crime I did not commit, and I'm a victim of betrayal from my ex and sister, justice will prevail.
Chapter 1 CONDEMNED BY BETRAYAL
22/03/2025
Chapter 2 A FATEFUL ENCOUNTER
22/03/2025
Chapter 3 A LETTER OF PROMISE
22/03/2025
Chapter 4 A DAY OF PROMISE AND FAREWELL
22/03/2025
Chapter 5 GROWING BONDS
22/03/2025
Chapter 6 MY SISTER'S ENVY
22/03/2025
Chapter 7 A NIGHT OF RED AND ROSES
22/03/2025
Chapter 8 DINNER WITH THE DAWNS
22/03/2025
Chapter 9 A TOAST OF FATE
22/03/2025
Chapter 10 HEAVY WITH SECRETS
22/03/2025
Chapter 11 THE CALL
22/03/2025
Chapter 12 THE MEETING
28/03/2025
Chapter 13 FORBIDDEN DESIRES
29/03/2025
Chapter 14 A HEARTBREAKING CONFRONTATION
29/03/2025
Chapter 15 SINFUL COMFORT
29/03/2025
Chapter 16 RENOVATING THE FORTRESS OF SECRETS
29/03/2025
Chapter 17 THE UNRAVELING OF SECRETS
29/03/2025
Chapter 18 THE BREAKING POINT
30/03/2025
Chapter 19 THE CROSSROAD OF DESIRE AND DUTY
31/03/2025
Chapter 20 THE MEETING OF BROKEN HEARTS
31/03/2025
Chapter 21 MY SILENT DEPARTURE
01/04/2025
Chapter 22 A NEW BEGINNING IN THE SHADOWS
01/04/2025
Chapter 23 MY SISTER'S RELOCATION
02/04/2025
Chapter 24 THE AGONY OF MY REPLACEMENT
03/04/2025
Chapter 25 A NEW RHYTHM
03/04/2025
Chapter 26 FANNED FLAMES OF RESENTMENT
04/04/2025
Chapter 27 THE FALL
04/04/2025
Chapter 28 A VISIT TO THE HOSPITAL
05/04/2025
Chapter 29 MIRA'S RETURN FROM THE HOSPITAL
05/04/2025
Chapter 30 OUR SHATTERED CONNECTION
06/04/2025
Chapter 31 PLANS OF MISCHIEF
06/04/2025
Chapter 32 THE FALSE RECONCILIATION
07/04/2025
Chapter 33 THE GATHERING STORM
07/04/2025
Chapter 34 MY UNJUST ACCUSATION
08/04/2025
Chapter 35 MY BROKEN HEALTH
09/04/2025
Chapter 36 MR. ZEAL'S INTEREST
09/04/2025
Chapter 37 A MORNING OF FRIENDSHIP
09/04/2025
Chapter 38 DODGING THE BULLET
10/04/2025
Chapter 39 LINES DRAWN
10/04/2025
Chapter 40 DESPERATE MOVES
11/04/2025