A LIFE APART
EPISODE 4
WRITTEN BY RUKEVWE MERRY
Christabel’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, calmly diffused the tension that had arisen from Dennis’s accusation. “Let’s not rush to conclusions,” Mr. Edwards soothed. “It’s clearly a case of mistaken identity.” Mrs. Edwards nodded in agreement, suggesting they discuss the marriage proposal another time. With the atmosphere eased, Dennis and his parents bid farewell to the Edwards.
As they left, Mr. and Mrs. Edwards retired to their room, concern etched on their faces. “Do you think it’s possible?” Mrs. Edwards whispered to her husband. “What?” Mr. Edwards asked. “Dennis might have seen Christabel’s sister,” Mrs. Edwards hinted. The day they had acquired Christabel, they were told she was one of identical triplets.
Meanwhile, at Oakwood Orphanage, Mirabel arrived, determined to uncover the truth about her past. “I was abducted by Mr. and Mrs. Smith years ago,” Mirabel explained to Matron. Matron’s expression turned sympathetic, and she offered to check the orphanage’s records. Mirabel showed Matron the Smiths’ photo on her phone, and Matron’s eyes sparkled as she remembered them.
Matron quickly filed through documents and searched online before exclaiming, “Ah-ha! I have your real parents’ address.” Mirabel’s heart soared as she received the news. “Your parents, Clara and Aaron, have been searching for you,” Matron said with a warm smile. Mirabel’s eyes welled up with tears as she clutched the address tightly in her hand, feeling a sense of hope.
With the address in hand, Mirabel felt a sense of determination. She would finally find her family. Clara and Aaron’s faces flashed in her mind, and she wondered what they would be like.
ONE WEEK LATER
Mirabel drove to the address, eager to find her parents. She parked outside the grand mansion and knocked on the gate. The gate man opened it, looking confused. “Small madam, why are you on the gate? Come in. But madam, when did you go out? I opened the gate for you not too long ago.” The gate man thought Mirabel was Annabel, one of her identical triplets.
Mirabel entered the compound, taking in the grandeur. The gate man watched, puzzled, as Mirabel headed towards another building. “Small madam, you don’t know your house again?” he asked, chuckling. “Please, go to that building,” he pointed, indicating the main house. “Thank you,” Mirabel said, following his direction. Questions swirled in her mind. What would her parents, Clara and Aaron, say when they saw her? Why had they abandoned her when they had this mansion? Why did they allow the crué! Smiths to abduct her?
As Mirabel approached the main house, she rang the doorbell. Inside, Clara and Aaron were watching a movie. “Who’s there?” Clara asked. “Let’s check,” Aaron said. Their helper, Margaret, answered the door.
As Margaret was about to open the door, Mirabel’s phone rang. Margaret smiled and said, “Welcome, small madam.” Mirabel smiled back and held up a finger, indicating she was on a call. She stepped aside, answering her phone.
“A mysterious voice spoke on the other end. “Tonight’s operation will change our lives. We’ll never stæl again.” Mirabel was firm. “I won’t stæl again.” The voice sneered. “You have no degree, no education. How will you survive?” Mirabel hesitated, recalling her close call in the last operation. “I was almost caught,” she said. But the voice persisted. “Just this last time, we need you.” Mirabel agreed, “I’m coming immediately to get the update.”
After ending the call, Mirabel turned to Margaret. “I’ll be back.” Margaret nodded.
As Margaret turned to go inside, she saw Annabel coming down the stairs. Then she saw Mirabel leaving. “Two small madams! Ghost!” Margaret shrieked. Annabel rushed to her. “What’s wrong?” Margaret pointed. “Look, she’s your twin!”
Aaron and Clara rushed outside, but Mirabel was gone. The gate man approached Annabel. “Ma’am, you’re two… you just left.” Annabel searched for Mirabel, determined to find her identical triplet.
TBC
Mirable has to change