1

Alison hurried inside the elevator, muttering curses to herself as she felt her breath pacing. "Stupid silly me. Why am I even here? What am I expecting to find? Ha!"

It was her third year anniversary with the love of her life and husband, Brad Cambridge, but things hadn't been going on well for her. For a start, Brad was a flirt. He had cheated on her so many times; with his secretary, their neighbor, staff at the supermarket they went to often, at the bank, everywhere! 

While she? She was his personal servant, and family servant as well. It wasn't like she was complaining, the Cambridge had done so much for her. A simple orphan who was helped by Brad. Still, she wondered if it was fair the way they treated her. But Brad said he would change, and she really wanted to believe him now. 

The elevator door opened to a bright space, and taking one step out, Alison felt her insides burning with anxiety. She got a message from an unknown number, telling her to go visit that hotel and see for herself what Brad was up to again. 

Why would she believe that message? Brad said he would change! "What am I even doing here?" She shook her head, angry at herself for coming. "Brad couldn't celebrate this special day with me because..." She paused. Now that she thought about it, it seemed like a pretty stupid lie. 

Brad said he would be extremely busy at work even though it was a Saturday. Even though he was on a two weeks work leave!

Instantly, Alison did the only thing she could do by dialing her best friend's number. "Come on, pick up, Lily!" 

'The number you're trying to call is not available...'

"Damn it!" Alison muttered angrily. Lily had told her she would be busy that day because she was spending the whole day with her boyfriend, even though she wouldn't tell Alison who this secret boyfriend was. As long as her friend was happy...

The hall was bright and cheery, definitely in a celebration mood. What was going on here? She hadn't even realized she was already in front of a grand hall until she was stopped by two security guards in front. 

"What's your name, miss? You have an invitation?" One of them asked. 

Alison frowned. She was so stupid! Invitation to what?

"This is a private engagement celebration, I mean what is someone like you doing here at a Cambridge' party?" The other one said, eyeing her up and down. 

She suddenly realized with a casual blouse and some jeans, she wasn't dressed for whatever party was going on there. But, the Cambridge? She was married into that family! Why would Brad not tell her about him going to a party, much less with his family hosting one?

"I'm sorry, this was um, a mistake--" 

A slender lady with big eyes advanced towards them. "Hey, you must be Brad's head servant. Come on in, we've got a pile of work for you." The lady said, her influence reeking on the guards. 

"The color was very simple. White with a touch of gold! Why are you in jeans?" The lady rolled her eyes. Alison recognized her now. She was one of Brad's ex girlfriends and he confessed he had lied to her that she was his maid! So all this while, that must be what a lot of people thought about her. 

Brad never took her out to parties, instead, he would lie that he was single so he could get all the ladies to sleep with him. At some point, she stopped bothering and was used to being his secret wife, but calling her a maid to his mistresses? That was just cruel!

There was a soft piano tune, her nostrils filled with the scents of delicious meals. Then, an announcement was made, calling out the couple--what couple?

That lady kept on saying something to Alison but she didn't hear anything again. Stepping out from behind the curtains to the stage was none other than...Brad? And--

Her throat gripped tight, like an invisible hand was strangling the life out of her and all she could do was stand there and stare like an idiot. Lily.

Lily and Brad, they were the ones being celebrated that evening. And she was there, living her life as his maid! That was when reality hit her. It was painful and it weakened every bone in her body.

From behind, a tight grip pulled her skull and she cried out in pain. It was her mother in law, Maria. "Quietly get the hell out of here right now, you filthy rag!" She whispered to her ears as she dragged her out. 

Brad must have sighted her because he was hurrying towards her direction now. Alison's eyes met with Lily's, and there was not even a hint of regret in that cold stare. 

She was being dragged outside like a criminal. None of the guests even had the decency to spare her a second thought, much less helped her! Once outside, Brad was the first to speak. And boy did he make a bold move. 

The tears would not stop streaming down Alison's eyes. She heard Brad's words and realized they were finally done for. Their three years of marriage was over. It felt like a terrible nightmare, her worst fear coming to life. 

"I've kept a divorce paper at home in my drawer. Sign it, and leave my life." Those harsh words repeated in her ears and she just stood there like he was speaking another language.

"Let's go, mother. Don't waste your strength on her." Brad said before Maria could say anything else. 

Her voice sounded croak in her throat but she let it out anyway. "Why? What did I do wrong?"

Brad scoffed. "You don't have to think too hard about anything. You already know why. You just aren't worth it, and I figured that until I spelt it right out for you to get lost, you'd still be sucking my dick and running errands in the house. Wake up, Alison! It's over. Pack your things and leave."

Her worst fear didn't bother to remain in her nightmares, they've come to hunt her now in broad daylight and rob her of her happiness. Where was she even going to begin?