"Grief does not change you, Hazel. It reveals you."

― John Green, The Fault in Our Stars

Our life..... it's a beautiful thing. Like a gripping canvas, it displays many colors, many shades, many emotions. Blue for sadness, yellow for mirth, black for pain, white for purity, green for all those emotions that made us stronger- red for love.

Another shade overpowers it all. Grey. Black and white mixes, good and bad clashes. Optimism and pessimism wars- our evil overpowers our good- good then overpowers evil. The battle of angels and demons, good and bad, peace and anxiety- they leave behind a shade of black and a shade of white.

Together they intermingle, twisting and turning- until they turn into grey. Grey is what makes us human, grey is what identifies us; our goods and our bads- grey is what defines us.

Only angels live in purity of heaven and devils live in the dark pit of hell. As for us, the humans, we all live in grey.

#Marise

Rose's POV:

My slumber broke at the dawn; the nacarat hue of sun was just beginning to light up the cerulean sky, the morning birds were just beginning to chirp. The first thing I had wondered upon being awaken was, who the hell kept the shades open?

Then the last night had dawned upon me just as the soft morning sun revealed itself in it's vermillion glory, showering me with it's bright orange ray.

Marienne Carlisle Victor, the mad who had become the subject of my inquisitiveness and nightmares, had opened himself up to me. He had revealed the parts of his past, he had shown himself to me.

His story was painful, heartbreaking, I couldn't grasp the fact- just how.... could a parent....

A sigh has escaped me as memories began to flood my system.

I used to think of him as a coward, who made no effort to fight his condition. But his story, it made me realize, how much of a fighter had he been.

He had fought his mother's memories; the memories that were supposed to relinquish his pain and sufferings- instead turned into his nightmares. Just like mine.

He had fought all of that, alone, by himself; or so as he claimed. The question arose: Did he not share them with Madeline?

I felt ashamed, his verdict to my simple question was not so simple. He truly showed me a side of his soul.

Why.... Why..... Why...? The only word that had been enchanting itself, over and over again in my head. Why had he done that?

My heart broke for him. I couldn't imagine what he must have been gone through. He was his own pillar, his own shelter. The mental image of a simple five year going through all those stuff...

It shattered his already broken mental state.

He was feared, by his parents. They acted upon their assumption, fearing that he might grow into a demon they can not handle. What they didn't realize was, their fear was something that turned him into a true monster.

He was strong, but, broken.

Would it be too much if I hoped that it wasn't too late?

I sighed as I slipped into a soft, light pink floral dress. A quick glance at the clock told me that it was almost eight.

My morning sickness had subsided thoroughly, my bump had become bigger and heavier. I did experience some backpain and sore feet- but it wasn't anything I couldn't bear. Personal hygiene was harder to maintain, but still, I tried my best.

A knock resonated in the room, breaking my little thought process. I sighed as I mumbled a swift "Come in."

The door creaked open, revealing a wary looking Lindy. My guts churned as I stared at her wide eyed. My heart rate increased as I stared at her with a look full of fear in my eyes.

"Hello-" She nodded, like a professional. I nodded back, looking for ways to run.

"I would.... like to say something....." She muttered, looking down.

"Wh-What-"

"You don't need to be afraid-" She rushed out, her grey eyes looking up at me, filled with guilt and sadness.

Or was I reading wrong into it?

I backed away by a couple of steps; my breathing becoming harsher. My hand went over to my belly, protectively.

"I don't mean to.... harm you..." She looked away, "I was startled when Marienne brought you here, I was concerned as his only parent. Please forgive me. I do not mean any harm to you."

Was she for real?

I gulped, my fear fading down a little, but, not completely vanishing- "I-It's okay...."

She smiled at me. "I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me.... I was out of my place."

I nodded. She proceeded to walk out, but then, her steps haltered- her form mere inches away from the door. She looked back at me, her grey eyes blazing with fire. She stared at my protruding belly and then looked up at me.

The sadness her eyes held, morphed into something more intense as she looked me into the eyes. I didn't waver my gaze either.

"That's.... something really precious. Keep it safe," Agony was evident behind each of the word she uttered.

I gulped and nodded as I saw her smiling at me. "I almost forgot-" She mumbled, evidence of any emotion that might be left behind fading away, "Marienne asks you to wear black. Please join him for breakfast at the main hall at the ring of the bell."

Black? I frowned. As if deciphering my unasked question Lindy just smiled at me plainly. "It's Monsieur Roy's death anniversary today, along with Marienne's mother's."

My eyes widened as her words registered in my mind. I watched as she made her way out, my mind swirling with unfathomable emotions.

Last night..... he told me all those secrets and today was his papa and mama's death anniversary....

I let out a sigh, the heavy weight sitting upon my heart, seemed like to get even heavier. I rummaged through my luggage, searching for anything black.

I knew death. I felt it when my parents died. It was the most suffocating feeling ever. Madeline died in my arms. For months, her lifeless body envisioned itself in front of my eyes.

He witnessed three deaths of those who were supposed to save him from those nightmares. Who were supposed to cherish him and turn him into an adult. He witnessed those fail in vain, he witnessed them killing themselves, in fear of him, blaming him.

I really didn't know how to feel about him anymore; on one hand there were traumas and scars he gave me, on the other hand there was the grief, the tribulation for him. My heart clenched for him. The way his face saddened, the way his eyes shone with the burden of memories.....

I pulled out a simple black dress and a hat to go with it.

For a reason, I knew that today, he was to remain unstable. I didn't want him to hurt like that.

Even though he was my torturer, I wished for him to be happy. No one deserved what he had gone through and I wished to make him realize that I was willing to listen.

His story made me realize that we were alike, from so many side.

He was broken, like me.

I had a dark side, like him.

He had demons, so did I.

He was the dark and I was wiling to bring him out of it.

I might not forgive him, but, I wished to give him a chance.

I made my way through the vast hallway, stopping in front of the elevator. The glass doors opened as I let myself in. I watched as it descended, taking me to the lobby.

Where was the dinning hall?

"Excuse me?" I called out to a maid with red hair. She stopped and bowed. "How may I help you miss?" She asked.

"Uh- Do you know where the dinning hall is?"

"Yes," She smiled at me, pointing at the huge doors across the lobby, "There. Please hurry, because it's almost eight, monsieur must be waiting for you."

I nodded, eyeing the gate. I thanked her as I made my way to the dinning hall.

The lobby was mostly empty except for one or two maids working here and there. My eyes widened in awe as I took in the vastness of the dinning hall. A table was extended across the room. A huge candle holder came down from the ceiling, stopping mere inches above the middle of the table. It was being held up by a chain which had roses and thorns embedded all over it.

A glass window was extended to the ceiling, just across the room. A door was at my right side, aromas of spices and butter wafted in the room through it, letting me know that it was indeed the kitchen.

The sound of a throat clearing made me look across the table. Marienne sat there, eyeing me, dressed impeccably in black. Black suit, black shirt, black tie. His hair was ruffled and cut neatly- his beard was trimmed. He looked every bit of beautiful like he always had.

"Does the ambience appeal to you?" He inquired, motioning me to take a seat at the opposite side of him.

I nodded as I pulled out a chair and sat myself in it. His eye stayed on me as he took me in. A bell rang and two maids came out of the kitchen, carrying some dishes. They were placed in front of him and me- the addictive smell of food made my stomach grumble.

"You slept without having a proper dinner last night-" He nodded at the food, "Please dig in. I requested for nutritious salads today."

I raised an eyebrow in horror, my mouth agape. He only smirked, averting his gaze and focusing on his salads.

I took off the lid, sighing in relief when I found a fish curry. There were five dishes in front of me. I opened the lids one by one, only one of them had salads. One had rice, one had meat, one had some soupy thing and another had some coleslaw.

I looked at him with accusation, he only shrugged. A sigh escaped me as I eyed the food and dug in.

Loud sounds of metals clattering made me look up. I rasied an eyebrow in humor as I found Marienne was drinking the soup straight from the bowl, the remnant of it dripping down his beard, splattering over the silver cloth that was tied around his neck.

"You know, you have spoons-" I pointed out, raising my soup spoon. He stopped what he was doing, looking seemingly embarrassed. He kept down the bowl slowly as he eyed me. "It's efficient."

I leaned back, crossing my arms, "But there is something called manners."

"Whatever," He grumbled, "I forgot you were here. I always eat alone."

My heart panged at his statement, it was a simple truth, but still..... it's weight of me hit like a train wreck.

He went back to his work, not paying attention to me at all. This statement was so easy for him.

"Well don't-" I stated, cutting him off. He frowned at me from over the raised bowl, "I am here now. You should mind your manners since a girl is sitting across you. What is our child supposed to learn from this?" I pointed out. He eyed me for a while and then nodded slowly, keeping down the bowl and then grabbing the spoon.

"Let's talk when we eat, okay?" I uttered softly, smiling at him.

"Why?" He frowned, taking a spoonful of the soup.

Goodness, he was bad at this wasn't he?

Throughout his life, he had been treated like an enigmatic monster, a loner that is seen as a freak.

And then a powerful man whom people wouldn't dare to cross.

The more time went, the more resemblance I found of him and me.

"Well, that's what you usually do when you are having breakfast with someone closer to you-" I stated as a fact, "When I have breakfast with Calissa or mama, we always talk."

He kept down the spoon slowly, his face falling. I could tell that he was trying his hardest to conceal his emotions- but I grew up analyzing people. "You do?" He mumbled.

I nodded.

"Oh."

"And now, since I am sitting across you, you can talk to me," I threw a smile at him.

He looked at me, undecipherable emotions swirling in his eyes.

"Did you never have breakfast with Madeline?" I took a bite from the fish, noticing him stiffening.

"Well-" He mumbled, taking a bite from the meat, "I always made her breakfast. And usually had mine later. When we ate here, we usually ate in silence. She was groomed to be a heiress. So, she maintained her silence and manners."

"And you always had soup like this?"

He nodded, taking a bite of rice, "She did point it out once or twice, but I never really paid heed to her."

They didn't even know how much they were lacking in communication.

"I think you should have-" I took a gulp of water, "Lindy says it's-"

"Yes."

I stared at him, giving him a melancholic smile.

"So you told them because-"

"You were willing to listen," He stated simply.

"I am always here to listen," I stated firmly.

A strange looked crossed his features. He eyed me, like he was examining me, observing me.

"Why?" He asked.

"Because..." I let out a sigh, "Because we are alike in many ways."

He stiffened, his eyes swirling with rage. He kept down the spoon, the vein in his neck popping up.

Did I say something wrong?

My heart thrummed in fear as I saw his grabbing the water glass and gulping down the whole content in one go.

He closed his eyes, taking deep breaths.

"Roseline...." He gritted out, "First of all, I didn't tell you all those for your pity. I don't need your pity..."

What was he saying?! I didn't pity him!

"I-I don't-"

"And secondly-" He looked into my eyes. They were so intense, I almost felt like the monster from all those months ago surfaced. Unshed tears shone under the morning light as his pupils quivered. "Me and you-" He whispered, "Are not alike. We are never alike. We never were and we would never be. Get that into your head."

"But-" What was bothering him? Why was he refusing-

He got up from his seat abruptly, taking in a deep breath. And then he looked straight into my eyes and said, "I am taking you somewhere. Please finish your food soon."

He strode to the wooden drawers embedded into the wall that was at the left side of the room. Pulling one out, he took out some pills.

I silently counted them as he popped them over his palm one by one.

Nine.

He took nine pills every morning.

It was three the times of my medicines.

Without giving me another glance he strode out of the dinning hall leaving me to have my breakfast on my own.

I finished my breakfast swiftly and then made my way out of the mansion. He was waiting in his SUV. I let myself in the back seat- tying the seatbelt.

"So, where are we going?" I inquired as I looked out of the window, observing as the car began to move.

"Grave yard. I wanted you to meet my parents since you are bearing their grand child."

I stared at him, dumbfounded. "Why?" I mumbled out.

"Because you are bearing-"

"Yeah," I closed my mouth, looking out of the window.

"Does it bother you?" He inquired after a moment of silence, "Audrey and Madeline is there as well."

My throat constricted. I didn't know why, maybe it was the way he spoke of the dead so nonchalantly, or maybe it was the way his face expression morphed into one of agony whenever he spoke about any of them.

Four of his closest people were lying there and I couldn't help but feel sad.

The car drove through the wind, trees passed by as I looked out. After ten minutes or so, it pulled up in a lavish looking gate. None of us uttered a word within those slow minutes.

"We are here." He announced as he parked the car, getting himself out of it.

I nodded as I saw him rushing to my side of door and opening it. I let myself out, looking around.

It was a huge meadow, covered in green grasses. There were sakura trees, grape vines, willow trees. Birds chirped, flowers bloomed in the grass. My gaze traveled further along the meadow. A couple of gravestones were there.

This place is so peaceful, a perfect place for resting forever.

"This is our family graveyard," He explained, "Every family member beginning from my great-grandpa's generation is buried here."

I frowned, "Then why is Madeline here?"

He looked away, focusing on a particular gravestone, "It was in her will. Neither me nor the Quarsiekievs could figure out why would she wish to be buried here..... At first I thought it was because of me; but-"

I raised an eyebrow, confusion blooming within me, "It isn't for you? Why? She was your fiancée, right?"

"Well no-" He shook his head, a look of anger crossed over his face, "She was cheating on me."

I gasped in shock, my eyes widening.

"Wh-What-" he nodded, "Why would she?"

How could she cheat on him? He loves her a lot from the look of it!

"Well-" He sighed, smiling, "We did have a huge gap between us."

We walked slowly to the grave stones, a moment of silence passing between us.

Somehow in between our walks, there fell a silent understanding upon us. We were getting more and more comfortable in each other's presence. Not a single word was uttered, but what went into our heart could be seen in our faces clearly.

Both of us were grieving, mourning for the lost.

Him for his family.

Me for him.

He stopped near one tombstone. It seemed like the newest one. A shaky breath escaped me as I read the name tag.

Madeline Quarsiekiev

1991-2019

Daughter, Lover, Mother.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."

— Martin Luther King Jr.

I looked at Marienne, his hands were shaking- his face was turning red. His fists were clenched as she stared at the tombstone accusingly.

He was hurting, the pain from betrayal for a paranoid person; it was unimaginable.

"You know Rose...." He whispered brokenly, "This is the first time I am meeting her after her funeral..... Last time I-" A drop of tear escaped his eyes as his voice broke. He wiped away the tear, looking at the stone, "I cried for her- mourned for her. Begged her to come back but she didn't. And this time; I feel disgusted just by standing near her grave. I just want to ask her- why?"

He looked at me, his eyes gleaming with liquid pain, "Why did she do this Rose? She knew that I would be devastated..... She was the only person I placed my trust upon after years..... So why?"

I kept my silence as I witnessed him breaking down.

"She knew-" He looked back at the tomb stone, silent tears falling, "She knew that I-"

"Maybe- she wasn't strong enough.." I whispered. He eyes shot up, his gaze boring into me.

"Maybe she decided she wasn't strong enough to handle you-" I whispered, looking at her stone. Gentle breeze blew, carrying my words as it caressed the stone of death. "So she decided to stop fighting and just let herself go."

"Do you think-"

"I am sure she didn't wish to hurt you-" She only wished to keep herself safe, just like me, I wanted to add, but I kept it to myself.

"You want to meet someone who wanted to hurt me?" He whispered, looking behind me, a painful smile lighting up his face. I followed his gaze and found him staring at an old tombstone.

He strode over the grave, I followed him silently. He halted, couple of inches away from the twin grave stone.

"Say hi to the deathday couple," He nodded at them, "The people who are responsible for me, the people who made me, the people who destroyed me and who made me who I am today. Mother and father."

I focused on the two grave stones.

Sarah Arthur Carlisle Victor

1970-1995

"Love your sanity while it lasts."

A bitter chuckle escaped me. What a fitting line for her.

"Did she write that?" I whispered. He nodded.

My gaze traveled to the tombstone next to it.

Roy Carlisle Victor

1965-1996

"The only medicine that can cure every disease in the world is love."

Fitting word for him as well.

"My mom wrote that-" He mumbled, "He cherished her so much that he took her words to his grave."

I stared at the tombs silently, my heart being filled with bitterness.

How could they be so peaceful after destroying a child? How?

I watched as Marienne kneeled before both gravestones, wiping his eyes. He pulled out two red roses from his pocket and placed each of them on their grave.

"Maman, papa-" He sighed, "It's been long since I last visited you." He put a hand on his father's gravestone as he whispered, "You know- even though both of you have done some really horrible things to me- I still couldn't bring myself to hate you. I coped with the fact. I am used to getting the reaction both of you gave me from people...."

A tear escaped me as I took in this bitter sweet reunion.

"Maman. You believe that it's your fault that I am like this....." He chuckled, "Well, I am twenty nine now and I would say- you are my favorite parent because you and me, we are the same."

He stood up, looking at the gravestone, looking dejected, "I am going to be a dad now. If you guys aren't in hell, make sure you tell the god that he doesn't turn me into you. I would hate to be you, and I would kill myself if I were you."

He strode a bit further stopping near a lone gravestone. I followed him as he began to kneel.

"Maman Audrey, thank you for everything. I am sorry, that I scared you. I am sorry that you had to sacrifice yourself because of my father. I don't know how could I pay your debt- but I guess you taking your life did that....." He pulled put a blue rose from his suit pocket and placed it on the gravestone.

He stood up sighing. His face looked a lot more lifted, like a heavy weight had been gone over from him.

"Rose?" I wiped my eyes, focusing on him.

"We need to make an announcement." With this, he strode beside me in a swift motion and wrapped his arm around me. I shivered at the feel of his warm embrace, heat rushing to my cheeks.

"My dear family-" He chuckled bitterly, "Today I am going to announce something really sad, in front of you. I am going to be a dad and the mother is NOT a French. Rest in peace."

With that, he unwrapped his hand, only to entwine his finger with mine. I looked up at him in question. His hand was really warm- it was rough, unlike mine.

He only smiled at me, giving my hand a squeeze in answer as we marched out of the graveyard, some sakura leaves falling down as another gust of gentle breeze blew, caressing both of us, carrying away the weight of our heavy hearts.

What do you think about today's update?

Marienne and Rose's blossoming relation?

The bitter sweet moment?

Thank you so much for reading VENGEANCE! I love y'all!

Rewritten.