CHAPTER THREE

I walked into the posh white caramel kitchen and Nana engulfed me into a warm hug before taking my face into her old hands inspecting it. When she saw the crimson mark on my swollen cheek, she broke into tears and all I could do was swallow mine and repeat to myself to be strong.

“Why? Tell me why Maia? Why are you still here? When it is evident that the love is gone why are you still living here?” she choked out.

Nana! She is the closest person I call family. She basically raised me up. She was a mother to me when my own mother left me in the cold in front of the orphanage Nana was the caregiver at. She was coming from a evening walk when she found me crying in my baby carriage and she fell in love with my big doe eyes and took me in. Growing up many wanted to adopt me but I used to refused and behaved naughty just so I get rejected. It was all for one reason; Nana. I wanted to be with her and at the end she gave into my tenacity. She gave me her name and I lived with her like a daughter. When Andre finished school and started working at one of the big companies dealing with jewelry designing he took us to his apartment since he still couldn’t afford to buy a house. The reason being he didn’t like his girlfriend and mother leaving in an old orphanage and another sole reason was Nana’s aging and she needed proper care from the both of us.

Since then Nana has been living with me in this huge prison.

“Nana, aren’t you the one who told me that marriage is a promise to eternal love? That I must be with my significant other till infinity? That’s what I am doing and you’re still not happy.”

She hissed in rejection. “I regret ever telling you that Maia. I wish I could take back my words. I wish you never listened to me back then maybe you won’t be suffering like this. Love is kind, it is selfless and caring Maia. In this case when it is obvious the love is long gone why are you still holding onto the broken string? This is not what I taught you as a child. I taught you to be an independent woman, a strong will powered woman, a woman who would stand her way when she’s faced with oppression. Now look at what he made you. Look at what he created. He has gained control over you that you can’t even breath without his permission. Enough is enough dear. I can’t let him destroy you like this. It is time to let go! Please heed my words dear.”

It pained me to see her like this. All this wary was not good for her considering that she’s a heart patient. She needs surgery but because things haven’t been great with Andre and I , he has refused to send her to the hospital.

It’s not like I haven’t tried. I did and the last time he almost had me killed.

“Nana he is only putting his hands on me. If I file for a divorce you will lose your daughter forever. Have you forgotten what happened the last time?” I reminded her and she gulped recalling the gruesome memory.

He had received the formal papers while he was at work and he drove back home. He didn’t say anything, he took off his belt and went on me with the metal hook. He hit me so hard that it drew out blood, he left me with three broken ribs and slightly damaged throat. I couldn’t speak a word for weeks and I couldn’t even move. During that time he was on a business trip and nana was the one who took care of me. Once he came back he gave a life threat that if I even think of going against him he would kill my Nana and let me watch as he did it. I wasn’t going to take chances. I mean he beat me up to leave me half dead.

He wasn’t the loving and caring Andre anymore. He was the crazy one who was capable of anything.

“You see Nana it’s not like I don’t want to escape from here. Believe me I desperately want to but I can’t. I am trapped in a unbreakable glass ball,” I choked on my tears. “I am trying Nana. I am trying. Andre has this delusional thought that if I divorce him he will lose half of his property but truthful I don’t need all of these. All these materials things have suffocated me and I just want out.”

She caressed my hands and give them a kiss. “My baby girl. I don’t know what has happened but don’t lose hope. One day you are going to be free from all this. One day my baby,” she sniffled wiping her tears. “Now let’s make something for the two devil’s before they create a scene again then we will go up to my room to treat your bruises.”

I stiffly nodded, walked over to the cabinets to grab the utensils. We decided for a French omelet with sheet pan baked sausages and blueberry banana- nut smoothie.

After it was done I went to the outside table where they were alright sitting in wait for their meal. I served them and left from there.

“Listen,” Andre me and I turn to look at him. “I got a call from work and they are hosting a five years in business party tonight. Everyone know me as an all rounder and I will be receiving a reward tonight because of that. Though I hate it I have to take you with me as it’s a formalities. So you’re going to get there and be a useless trophy wife you are and I dare you to embarrass me or even try of double crossing me.”

“Understood,” I responded and went back to the kitchen. Helped Nana with the dishes then sat down to have our own breakfast. After which she took me to her room and patched me up.