The Monroe Legacy - Chapter Two - The Truth Hurts

Marlie woke up the next morning chilled but determined. She had the opportunity for a life here in Appaloosa plains free from the mistakes of her past. She determinedly strolled in to town to explore.

The town centre was so empty that it was almost spooky. Where was everyone? Marlie's paranoia kicked in and she quickly rushed into the nearest building and found herself in the local library. Glancing about she logged in to her old email account and found her inbox full of messages from her old life. Scariest of all was a whole stack from Dr Greenson with the subject THE TRUTH.

Hesitating she opened the last one sent. It read,

M - 

Your sister's death is not as it seemed. This will be my last email - they're watching me. Just know that it wasn't your fault.

Marilyn became involved with one of the most powerful men in politics and had just discovered she was pregnant. When she confessed, her lover flew in to a rage, he swore never to see her again and accused her of sleeping with his brother. But that wasn't the end - an illegitimate child would have crushed his political dreams and he began to pressure her to terminate the pregnancy.

Marilyn refused - she decided this baby would be her ticket to a normal life, she'd turned down any more films and she was looking for a house in the hills with a nursery. The father was furious and threatened her life, she hid herself away and prayed for safety.

Then I found you.

She was conflicted - she smiled at the idea of a sister, wondering if you could help her raise her child but when I mentioned your questions about your father she shut down completely. Knowing the little you do know about your father, you can imagine the fear that the idea of him around her child would do to her. With nowhere to turn she contacted the baby's father, hoping he'd protect you all. But all she really did was give away her location.

The rest you know.

Stay away from here. Cut all your ties and NEVER tell anyone who you are. The danger if they think you know anything cannot be overestimated. 

Your sister  would have wanted you to have a good life M, that's the best way to honor her memory.

Good Luck,

Dr Greenson

Marlie didn't know what to believe, she wanted to support Marilyn's wishes but she knew that she would never be satisfied without the full story. Taking to heart the old proverb, 'Keep your friends close and your enemies closer', she deleted her old identity, moving on from all the drama of her lowlife friends and boyfriend back home. She made a new resume - deciding that the new Marlie would be more like Marilyn, Charismatic, Lucky and Friendly, with just a touch of the old Hopeless Romantic way. Above all, new Marlie would be Family Oriented and she would not rest until the Monroe name was cleared and protected, whatever it cost her.

Then Marlie hopped in a car and drove to City Hall where she handed in her resume and was hired as a Podium Polisher on the Political track. She planned to infiltrate the lower ranks of Politics and find out of her sister really had died because of her involvement with powerful men.

Then she went to the gym, she needed to be ready to run away, to fight. Determinedly she stepped on the treadmill, only to fall straight over.

But she got right back on and kept it up until she thought she would faint, running hard at the memories of anyone who ever told her she was nothing. Stepping off she smiled to herself as she snuck into the members only changing rooms, realising this was as close to a relaxing bubble bath she'd be getting for a while.

As she went to leave she spotted a dodgy looking guy in a ball cap looking at her like he recognized her. Panicking she ran straight in to somebody else - a rugged looking local who introduced himself as Ben Schmidt.

Flattered by his attention Marlie chatted to Ben for a little while, learning that he was also charismatic and  brave. Brave enough that he asked her out on the spot whilst openly ogling her cleavage. Marlie considered for a moment but seeing the ball-cap guy coming down the stairs she made a dash for it, telling Ben she'd see him around.

 Marlie arrived home that night feeling like she'd made some positive changes and wondering if perhaps she might even be able to find a decent man. She tucked in to some cereal before crawling into her tiny bed, thanking God for her new chance and that the weather was warm enough for her not to freeze... not yet anyway!

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Tune in next time to find out whether Marlie can find out anything about her sister's political entanglement and to see if she ever sees Ben again.

Find out now in Chapter Three - Old Habits and New Tricks