A New Life: Redemption of souls

Ethan's eyes narrowed as he watched Victor drive away, the sleek black car disappearing into the distance. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was in Victor's debt, and that their association was far from over.

With a sense of unease, Ethan turned his attention to the apartment complex in front of him. It was a modest building, with clean lines and a neat exterior. He nodded to himself, feeling a sense of satisfaction. This would do.

As he let himself into the apartment, Ethan's eyes scanned the interior with a critical gaze. The living room was small, but it was clean and well-furnished. A worn couch sat against one wall, with a small coffee table in front of it. A TV hung on the wall opposite the couch, and a small kitchenette sat off to one side.

Ethan's gaze lingered on the kitchenette, his mind wandering back to the meals he had eaten in prison. He had never thought he would miss the taste of stale bread and watery soup, but as he looked at the kitchenette, he felt a pang of nostalgia.

Shaking off the feeling, Ethan went to change his outfit, feeling a sense of relief as he shed his prison uniform. He pulled on a pair of worn jeans and a faded T-shirt, feeling a sense of comfort in the familiar clothes.

As he lay down on the couch, Ethan felt a sense of exhaustion wash over him. He closed his eyes, letting the softness of the couch envelop him. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Ethan slept well, his dreams untroubled by the memories of his past.

Meanwhile, Beatrice was changing into a comfortable outfit, feeling a sense of relief wash over her as she shed her worn and tattered clothes. She pulled on a soft pair of pajama pants and a faded T-shirt, feeling a sense of comfort in the familiar clothes.

As she went downstairs, Beatrice's heart was filled with excitement and nervousness. She hadn't seen her family in months, and she wasn't sure what to expect.

As she entered the living room, Beatrice was greeted by her mother, who was sitting on the couch, a stern expression on her face. Her mother was a tall, imposing woman, with a sharp jawline and piercing brown eyes. Her dark hair was pulled back into a tight bun, and her lips were pressed together in a thin line.

Beatrice's heart sank as she realized that her mother didn't seem happy to see her. She tried to push the feeling aside, telling herself that she would win her mother over eventually.

"Mom," Beatrice said, trying to sound cheerful. "It's so great to see you."

Her mother looked her up and down, her expression unyielding. "Beatrice," she said coolly. "Welcome home."

Beatrice felt a pang of hurt as she realized that her mother was still angry with her. She tried to push the feeling aside, telling herself that she would win her mother over eventually.

As they sat down to eat, Beatrice's mother finally spoke up, her voice cold and detached. "Beatrice, when are you planning on returning to your in-laws?"

Beatrice felt a surge of anger at her mother's words, but she tried to keep her cool. "Mom, I'm not going back to them," she said firmly. "They were cruel to me, and I deserve better."

Her mother raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "You're not going back to them?" she repeated. "What about your duties as a wife and daughter-in-law?"

Beatrice felt a wave of frustration wash over her, but she tried to stay calm. "Mom, I'm pregnant," she said quietly. "I need to take care of myself and my baby. I won't be going back to my in-laws."

The room fell silent, with all eyes on Beatrice. Her mother's expression was unreadable, but Beatrice could sense her disapproval.

Darana, who had been quiet until now, spoke up, her voice cool and detached. Darana was a petite woman, with long, curly brown hair and a kind face. But as she looked at Beatrice, her expression was cold and unyielding.

"Beatrice, maybe you should think about what's best for everyone involved," Darana said. "Maybe going back to your in-laws is the best option...I mean you don't even have a job."

Beatrice felt a pang of hurt at Darana's words, but she tried to stay calm. "Darana, I appreciate your concern, but I've made up my mind," she said firmly. "I'm not going back to them. I deserve better, and so does my baby."

The room fell silent again, with all eyes on Beatrice. She could sense the tension in the air, and she knew that she had a long way to go before she could win her family over.

Beatrice's father, slammed his fist on the table, his eyes blazing with anger. "How can you even suggest such a thing, Rachel?" he thundered, his voice echoing through the room. "Beatrice has been through hell, and you're telling her to go back to those people?"

Beatrice's mother, Rachel, stood her ground, her expression unyielding. "I'm just saying what needs to be said, Barry," she said coolly. "Beatrice has a duty to fulfill, and that's to take care of her husband's family. She can't just abandon them because things got tough."

Darana spoke up, her voice laced with concern. "Beatrice, you're not getting any younger," she said gently. "And it's not easy being a single mother. People will talk, and you'll get ridiculed. Is that really what you want?"

Perach, who had been quiet until now, spoke up, her voice indignant. "That's ridiculous, Darana," she said hotly. "Beatrice doesn't deserve to be treated like that. She deserves to be happy, and if that means leaving her husband's family behind, then so be it."

Rachel's expression turned stern, and she glared at Perach. "Perach, that's enough," she said sharply. "You need to be more respectful and ladylike. This isn't a topic for discussion, it's a matter of duty and responsibility."

Phanie, who had been quiet until now, spoke up, her voice firm. "I'm not going to let anyone hurt Bea again," she said, her eyes flashing with anger. "She's been through enough, and she deserves to be happy."

Rachel's expression softened slightly as she looked at Phanie, and she patted her hand. "Calm down, dear," she said gently. "You need to take care of yourself, especially with your pageant coming up soon. Don't stress yourself out over this."

Tim, who had been quiet throughout the conversation, shook his head and muttered under his breath. "This is crazy," he said, his eyes rolling in exasperation.

Beatrice, who had been listening to the conversation with growing unease, finally stood up, her eyes welling up with tears. "I've had enough of this conversation," she said, her voice shaking with emotion. "I'm not going back to my husband's family, no matter what any of you say. I deserve better, and so does my baby."

With that, Beatrice turned and walked away, leaving the rest of the family staring after her in shock. Rachel's voice echoed through the room, admonishing Beatrice for her behavior, but Beatrice didn't look back. She just kept walking, her heart heavy with emotion.