Disdain Poisoned Every Word

By Shenaya B

This is an alternative story based on the Novel Jane Eyre of an interaction between her and her sutor Mr Rochester - It is taking an existing classic novel and creating my own story based on the precedent set by the plot and characters and the image below. Narrative based on an image prompt and existing precedent.

Disdain Poisoned Every Word 

Adele's call echoes through the corridor, "Ms Jane" she says in her sweet little voice. If it were any other time I would respond in a heartbeat, but right now my heart feels like it has been shattered into a million different pieces, and I simply do not have the strength to pick them up. How could this be true? I should have seen it coming, a man of Sir Rochester's wealth and status is bound to be married, however I had assumed he was widowed, for a long time but it turns out not. I glance out the window unsure of what to do, all my thoughts and feelings hitting me in waves of anger, sadness, betrayal. How could he lie to me? If he had told me-told me about Bertha -his wife as it turns out- I could have had the time to understand his situation, to sympathize with him but also know not to place my heart where it could not be, I would have known not to love him, not to admire him, not to let myself feel the glimmer of hope of a better future that has now been snatched away from my hands. It feels like the walls of the room are swallowing me in, and the words echo in my mind "Mr Rochester is already married, to Mrs Bertha Mason...--" distaste poisoning every word of Bertha Mason's brother as he stood there in the Church halls right after the priest asked for any objections on Sir Rochesters and my marriage. I could not blame the man, for if my sibling who I cared for was being done wrong I would make the same choice to reveal the lies of the person who was doing them wrong, my anger is not directed to the brother who simply aimed to ensure his sisters dignity, but towards Sir Rochester he is the one who lied to me. I feel myself putting the broken pieces of my heart into a

cage, locking it and knowing never to open it again. By now Adele has given up on seeking me out of my room, small as it is. It is the best space I have ever known, comfortably furnished with one modern bed, a dressing table - did it belong to Bertha? the thought sneaks into my mind - and the large window with net curtains that I am now standing by. I know what I must do, I must leave, as much as the thought of leaving Adele pains me, I can not stay here any longer, for what is a relationship built on the foundation of lies? I hear a cacophony of sounds, a carriage entering the gates of Thornfield, horses neighing as they come to a halt, the grand doors of Thornfield squealing as they are hurled open and boots banging against the wooden floors, they get louder and louder with every step, it is Mr Rochester I can tell, he is walking down the stairs, towards my room door. I simply sit by the window, unsure of what he could say to make me feel better at this very moment. The thought of his voice, once music to my ears, now enrages me beyond anything I have ever felt. The gray net curtains sway at the will of the wind as the sun glimmers at the horizon the day coming to an end, the bars on the window like those of a cage close to my face and a voice calls- "Jane open the door" I do not respond, "Jane please le-let me explain" as irritation and urgency seeps into his voice "I know you are angry but-" I hear a thump on to the floor, now his voice comes from the lower part of the door, from the ground "I did not know- how or when to tell you" his voice slightly muffled, his back must be facing the door now. I do not respond, I simply sit still as the leaves on a tree on a hot summer day, unmoving, unsure of what to say. He continues to beg, to plead for me to open the door, but I remain silent, he yells now saying he did plan to tell me once we were married of Bertha Mason, his legally wedded wife, of her condition, but the only thought that floods my mind is "if he lied about something this significant, what is to say he has not lied about more? how can I marry such a man?". I know better than to let myself at the mercy of such a man again, my life has never been easy, and I know much more of the world than Sir Rochester could imagine, even if I am lost for sometime I know I will find my way. Even if I die along the way, at least I will be reunited with Helen, and my parents which seems like a much better prospect than spending the rest of my life depending on a man who lied to me, who failed to achieve the first rule of a relationship-trust. Helens voice echoes in my mind now "God is our best friend, he will ensure we are taken care off", I have god by my side and I know my choice is justified, I know he will understand why I must abandon Adele after all the time we have spent together, he will help me find my way to a better a life, a life that is truthful and comfortable at least if not perfect. I could remain here, forgive Sir Rochester and live a comfortable life, but that would be throwing away my dignity which is something I simply refuse to do. I will not stand by and condone lies, Sir Rochester must understand that, and even if he does not I will not change my decision. Tonight I pack my bags, tonight I leave and I find myself a new path in life, an honest path in life.

By Shenaya B