2: The Unwanted Invite

AVERY’S POV

I quietly, but swiftly composed myself at the sound of his voice. If he so much as suspected I had been crying, he would only find a way to make me more miserable.

"Congrats Liam. You won!" I mustered every bit of excitement I could feel with such a gloomy life like mine in my voice.

"You watched." He said it like a statement, but knowing Liam was knowing it was a question. A question that required me feeding his bloated ego.

"I did. You looked so dashing. There was definitely no one that could have won over you." I could feel the cocky grin he was sure to be spotting now. It was silent at the other end of the line.

Which meant he had found a quiet spot. Perhaps, his dressing room. Where the walls were thick, and he could do, and say whatever, while retaining the heartthrob of the nation title.

"If you weren't so damn annoying, you could have been up that stage with me tonight. It's your fault you're sitting alone at home, in that ugly robe of yours, instead of being by my side." He mocked.

My eyes stung with tears at his hurtful words, but I couldn't cry. This was what he did even better than acting. Making me feel all his bad decisions were my fault. But crying was going to worsem this for me.

"I'm sorry for being so annoying. I never want to hurt you Liam." I apologized. He said.

"Good girl. I'm just glad you know your place baby." Of course I did know my place. On paper, I was his wife. In public, I didn't matter. I was insignificant. A dust in the middle of an ocean. Totally irrelevant to Liam Leon.

"I do." I affirmed, and was taken back to the day I first said those words to him.

My heart ached everytime I remembered, and it wasn't any different now. I wished the call would end, so I could bawl my eyes out in peace. But no, he chose to stay on so he could mock me as much as he wanted. I had no other choice than to sit still, and listen.

"You must be wondering why I called you.”

"I thought it was to talk about your award." I said innocently. He cackled uncontrollably.

"If I wanted to talk to Avery, I would visit a therapist."

"Oh, my bad." My face fell once again. What was I even thinking? I always set myself up, expecting decency from him. Before he could explain why he called, I heard what sounded like a door opening.

I whipped my head around, my heart jumping to my mouth. It wasn't until I heard an extra voice at the other end of the line, did I realize the sound was from his end.

"We've been waiting for you darling. We're supposed to be at the after party already." I heard the voice which I recognized all too well say.

Not only had she accompanied him up the stage to accept his award, she was in his dressing room now. My former best friend was alone in my husband's dressing room. Hot, silent tears spilled down my face at that thought. I didn't dare give away I was crying though. I had to be subtle with it, to maintain the little dignity I had left.

"Sorry about that babe. I'll be with everyone shortly." He said. Just when I thought the torture was over, or at least suspended, I heard kissing sounds.

My lip began to tremble, as my mouth threatened to howl out in pain. I felt the heartbreak in every inch of my body. From my bones that had gone weak, to my tense muscles. My rigid back, and tightened fist. My heart felt like it was about to rip off my chest. It hurt so bad, I couldn't breath.

"Avery? Are you still there?" I didn't know how to answer without giving myself away. Slowly, I took a long deep breath, desperately begging my soul to be calm.

"Avery?" His voice grew slightly, and I knew I had to respond.

"I'm still here." I struggled hard to say.

"You should have answered when I called you first. Are you getting insolent again?" He asked in a voice filled with irritation. I wiped the tears stuck on my chin with the back of my hands, and straightened up.

"I'm not. I just got lost in my head for a few seconds. Sorry I didn't hear you."

"That's why I say we need to get your head checked. I need to know if I'm dealing with a woman that has gone insane. Do you understand me now?"

"Yes Liam. I understand you." This was the only way things worked around here. He was everything, while I was nothing. I lived to please him.

"Anyway, back to why I called. There's an after party tonight at an address I already texted your driver. I want you there." The call ended before I could respond.

That was it. He calls, I answer. He sends for me, I make myself present. His word was law, and I was a righteous follower. Defiance was met with an emotional discipline that always left a huge scar. I stood to my feet, and walked dazedly to my room. My life didn't belong to me. It stopped being mine for a very long time. It was all his. With every step I took, fresh tears ran down the lengths of my face.

At this point, my eyes hurt. I wondered how much tears are too much. At what point does the tears completely dry up, and we become unable to cry again? If there really was a day like that, I couldn't wait for it. I turned on the lights in my room, and the darkness was instantly consumed. It was just as cold as the living room. Maybe even colder. With just a closet, a bed, and a dressing table.

Not even the walls I had excitedly designed when I first moved in mattered anymore. I stood in front of my mirror, and just looked. My hair as always was a mess. My eyes were red, and puffed. My nose looked swollen. My lip, dry and crusty. I looked like a ghost, felt even more like one.

"Avery." I whispered.

Even my voice sounded like it belonged to another. Maybe I really was crazy. That would be the only explanation for why my life was this pathetic.

"Avery Livingston." I tried again.

I still wasn't convinced. If I was going to pull tonight off, I needed to show up in my best self. I didn't want to risk Liam's rage. Slowly, I opened up my robe. It fell to the ground around me, as I stood in my naked glory. No this time, it was a shame. There was nothing glorious about this pale unlovable body. The vessel that held a heart so bitter, and a sad soul.

"Avery?"

This time it wasn't my voice. I was certain of that, as I whipped my head around to see the same face I usually see before every party.