Vallerie Norman married too soon to Charles Patrickson. Someone she thought she knew. Everything changed the moment the first baby was born. This was when the fights started, not only with Charles but also the fight to stay alive, the fight for freedom and protecting her children. This if it was possible to escape from Charles. He had a split personality, some would say a phycopath. She had this constant fear of Charles up until one day she stood her ground, and he broke down like a child. This was only to confuse Vallerie for what he had planned no one expected. Charles was the perfect actor for all those years, perfectly executed.
Excerpt from this gripping crime mystery book by Nine Greyling:
It was the 27 February 1988, the most beautiful happiest day of Vallerie’s life. She was only nineteen years old on her wedding day. Vallerie was a very slim, beautiful young woman. She also was very short and people that did not know her normally confuse her with that of a twelve-year-old. She had short, dark brownish hair and hazel brown eyes. The circle in her eyes has a shade of green sometimes.
They made a promise together. Together, out of love, they will start a new life with each other. Stay together and love and cherish one another for eternity or till death do them part. Or though she thought, if only she could have changed her mind, if only she knew what the future holds. She could have spared herself so much soul torture. Vallerie Norman should have run away that day without turning back. She should have trusted her instincts and stepped aside.
This was the biggest contract Vallerie ever could have made in her life, for the only thing she owned was her life until the day the church bells rang. She should have walked away if only she knew.
Life with Charles before marriage was great. He really was an attractive man, and very, very intelligent. A mind of a criminal, some would say. He was very persuasive. Charles had a smile that could melt any woman’s heart. Charles was a long slender man, with dark green eyes that could confuse anyone. He had long hair resting on his shoulders, blond with a golden shade and natural curls but only on the end.
He was an outstanding athlete in his school days. One of the best. He competed in all the items. And almost always won first place.
This was Charles’s dream to become a professional athlete one day, but this was just not possible because of the family's financial situation. He was an excellent rugby player and he also did boxing after school. He was extremely fast and light on his feet. He completed standard eight and then dropped out of school.
Charles was still too young to get a permanent job, and no one wanted to hire him, because the army has not conscripted him yet back then, it was mandatory to complete the course of two years of defending your country. Only after that will an employer hire you. Then again, Charles was too young to join the army as well. He was only sixteen years old at that stage and had to wait another two years.
He eventually made it through the two years doing this-for-that jobs. Until he was eighteen years old. In 1985, Charles joined the army and completed his two years as a soldier. He made lots of friends, started drinking and smoking. This is how he met Vallerie. She was the best friend's little sister. Who ever thought he would become a family with his best friend?
When the ceremony was over, and they both went to change into something more comfortable. Vallerie had the biggest smile. Her eyes sparkling. She was so excited about a new life to begin.
Decorating their own little home with things and colours she liked. Even though the home did not turn out to be that colourful as she hoped for. This wedding was the best day of her life. Vallerie was up for the challenge. She excepted Charles, as he was, no judgements. Little did she know that Charles was a different kind of challenge.
Before they exit the room to join the after party with their friends and family. He took hold of her wrist and slightly squeezed them a bit hard. It was kind of alarming to Vallerie. He never touched her in that way. Suddenly, her smile dropped. When her eyes met his, he did not seem to be the same. It is strange, like his face changed somehow.
He stared straight through her windows into her soul where she kept herself sane and he told her very, very coldly, ‘If you do exactly what I want and when I want it, we will not have any problems. Do exactly as I say and this marriage might just work.’ A single tear fell from Vallerie’s cheek, thinking what she had just have done.? That was the first drop, into filling up her hourglass of life, and so many icy cold drops to come.
The flavour of Vallerie’s tears turned from sadness to bitter toxins, which was also very dangerous, and that she did not realize.
He let go of her wrists and very fiercely said: ‘Go wash of your face and you better have a smile when you leave this room. Do not make me look bad. I married you to make me look and feel good. All I ask of you is for you to do your job. Now go! ‘ He slightly raised his eyebrows, waiting for an answer. Vallerie just nodded. He smiled directly at her in her face, turned around, shook his shoulders and walked out of the room, greeting some quests. Charles was so full of himself he had such a big ego. In his mind, the world revolves around him and everyone owes him some kind of something.
Vallerie put on a good show. She fooled everyone that day and for the rest of the marriage. On the 27 February, she did as Charles ordered her to. She washed her face and put on a smile, but also a mask she never knew will become a part of her daily normal face, her personality. The mask barely came off. It started growing on her skin, living off of her sorrows, sucking stronger onto her face, changing Vallerie’s true appearance.
The first two months in Vallerie’s married life were perfect as perfect as any newlyweds should have been. She missed the signs of Charles’s problems, including his anger, that made him a dangerous man with a good heart...
In the middle of April, Vallerie fell pregnant with her firstborn. A girl. Charles adored the little girl in more ways than one, but that is another story. She was his precious jewel. His world, his life. They both were excited to have a bundle of joy join the family. However, for the first time, they were whole.