The Roses and Hibiscus Chronicles - Coriolanus Snow

The Payback

However, Coriolanus had always been a staunch advocate for himself, unyielding in his convictions. What frightened Indila the most was his unwavering belief that everything he did was for the greater good. Yet, as she pondered this, she couldn't help but question her own motivations. Wasn't she, in a way, not so different from him? She had accepted this life, convincing herself it was for the sake of her children. But deep down, she knew it was also because it provided her with comfort and security.

Coriolanus claimed to love her, but it was a love tainted by possessiveness and vanity. He treated her like a prized possession, reveling in the admiration of others who praised her beauty, intelligence, and grace. To him, she was nothing more than a trophy to be displayed, a symbol of his own success and superiority.

But Indila knew better. She understood that true love was not about possession or manipulation. It was about mutual respect, understanding, and genuine care for one another. And in that regard, Coriolanus fell short, blinded by his own ego and ambition. His love came with strings attached, his own terms that often left her feeling suffocated and trapped, far from the unconditional love she yearned for.

One thing remained undeniable: Coriolanus had upheld every promise he had ever made. Despite his flaws, he was not a man to break his word, not even on that fateful night when Indila nearly kill him.He did nothing. However, she never lived in peace anymore; she betrayed him, and she never trusted again.
To the rare moments when Indila felt a fleeting sense of peace in her heart, it was swiftly engulfed by the suffocating fear of what another malevolent acts Coriolanus might be capable of. Dread gnawed at her, tormenting her with the endless possibilities of his potential cruelty. Would he scheme behind her back, plotting to undermine her authority and control? Would he manipulate their children, twisting their innocence for his own gain? The uncertainty of what he might do next hung over her like a dark cloud, casting a shadow on even the brightest moments of tranquility.

And far more than that, he truly never lied down with any other woman but her, even to the moments she knew he had just killed someone, she was obligated to lie down and sleep by his side. She had slept by his side every single night, just he and she, and every night she couldn't help remembering how she had broken this entire room to show him how he had hurt her, and he would never break a glass for her. Indila carried the sanction of being aware of everything and be able to do nothing about it. She stayed there with Coriolanus, as his wife; she gave him children, and they both raised them like they truly love each other in a happy family. If he dies, Indila would cry, maybe because she would miss him, maybe because she loved him, or maybe because she would feel relief. However, she had been living the rest of her life knowing that if she died first, he was hugging their children, and would not shed a single tear for her.

As Indila reflected on their conversation with the doctor and Coriolanus's subsequent choice to spend the night with the roses, a flicker of doubt crept into her mind. Perhaps his assurances were not as sincere as she had initially believed. And strangely, she found herself relieved by this realization. The prospect of her impending death brought a sense of liberation, a freedom from the shackles of her tormentor.

Years of exposure to particles of coniine had slowly weakened her liver, leading her to the inevitable conclusion that her time was running out. And yet, she welcomed it with open arms. There was nothing left for her in this world, no desire to prolong her suffering. Their children were capable of protecting themselves, and Incipium would watch over her granddaughters with steadfast devotion. Everything had been accomplished, and now it was time for her payback, her final act of defiance against Coriolanus Snow.

She reminisced about the myriad ways she had attempted to break free from his grasp, each attempt met with failure. She had sought solace in the arms of other men, hoping to find some semblance of happiness outside of her marriage. She had tried to remain indifferent, to shut herself off from the pain he inflicted upon her. She had even betrayed him, deceiving him in a futile attempt to gain the upper hand. Indeed, even her own body had rebelled against the cruelty of their union, manifesting its protest in the form of the children she bore during the rare moments of true happiness they shared together in their marriage. Despite the pain and suffering he inflicted upon her, her body had gifted him with offspring during those fleeting periods of bliss. And yet, nothing had worked.

But now, without lifting a finger, the opportunity for revenge had presented itself to her on a silver platter. As she lay in bed, she couldn't help but yearn for the release of death. She wished for it to come swiftly, to transport her to a place where Coriolanus Snow could never hurt her again. A place where she alone held the power to inflict pain upon him, through the memories that would haunt him for eternity.

Author's note: Alright, folks, it's time to draw the curtains on this tale. We've journeyed through highs and lows, twists and turns, and I've loved every moment of it. I hope you've had as much fun reading as I've had writing. Your support means the world to me, and I'm immensely grateful for every reader who joined me on this adventure.

But fear not, dear readers, for while this story may come to a close, the magic of storytelling never truly ends. So, until we meet again in the pages of another tale, in my name and also Indila's: thank you, thank you, thank you!