CHAPTER 2

Leo stirred on the couch, his eyes fluttering open as the clattering sounds from the kitchen roused him from his drunken slumber. He groaned, rubbing his head as he tried to shake off the haze of alcohol. The harsh light filtering through the curtains made him wince, and the sour taste of vomit lingered in his mouth.

“What’s with all these noises this early morning?” Leo bellowed, his voice gruff and filled with irritation. 

In the kitchen, Daphne froze for a split second, her heart skipping a beat. She could feel the tension from last night still hanging in the air, thick and suffocating. But she quickly composed herself, forcing a calmness she didn’t feel. She had learned to navigate Leo’s moods, to say the right things to avoid triggering his anger.

“Just making breakfast, Leo,” Daphne called back, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. The smirk wasn’t out of joy, but a bitter acknowledgment of the absurdity of it all . After everything that had happened the night before, she was still expected to play the role of the dutiful wife. She stirred the eggs in the pan, her hand steady, even though inside she was seething.

Leo grunted in response, seemingly satisfied with her answer, and laid back down on the couch, pulling a blanket over his head to block out the morning light. Daphne let out a silent sigh of relief, grateful that he didn’t seem to remember or care about the violence that had erupted the night before. 

But as she cooked, her mind was already working on her next move. She couldn’t afford another night like the last. The smirk on her face was a mask, hiding her real thoughts. She knew she had to get out, and soon. This morning’s routine, the eggs sizzling in the pan, the smell of coffee brewing, these were just the motions she went through to keep up appearances, to keep Leo placated while she figured out how to leave.

As she plated the breakfast, Daphne’s resolve hardened. Today would be different. She would play along, keep up the charade, but only long enough to make her escape. Leo’s complacency would be her advantage, and she wouldn’t let him take it away from her. 

With a forced smile, she brought the breakfast to the table, knowing that each meal, each day, brought her closer to freedom.

*****

In the afternoon, as the sun bathed the world in a warm, golden light, Daphne prepared for her regular check-up. The soothing weather brought a rare moment of peace, and she allowed herself to focus on something other than the turmoil of her home life,her unborn child. At seven months pregnant, she could feel every little movement, every kick and turn, and the thought of finally meeting her baby filled her with a bittersweet joy.

She placed a hand on her rounded belly, feeling the gentle flutters beneath her palm. It was a small comfort, a reminder that despite everything, there was still something pure and beautiful in her life. She couldn’t wait to meet her little bundle of joy, the one thing that kept her going, even on the darkest days.

Leo, on the other hand, had already left the house, lured away by the promise of a quick win at the gambling tables. It had become a routine for him, wasting away the days and whatever money they had left on his habit of gambling and drugs while she struggled to keep them afloat. The money they lived on was the last of her savings, painstakingly gathered from the days when she had a stable job and a hopeful future. 

It pained her to see that hard-earned money, the security she had built for herself, dwindling away to support a man who had long stopped caring about their future. But she had no choice. She had to keep a roof over their heads, food on the table, and most importantly, she had to make sure she and her baby were safe. The exhaustion of carrying not only the physical burden of her pregnancy but also the financial and emotional weight of their life was overwhelming.

As she gathered her things and prepared to leave for the doctor’s appointment, Daphne couldn’t help but feel a pang of anger mixed with despair. How had her life come to this? Supporting a man who was supposed to be her partner, but who had turned into a leech, draining her of her resources and her strength. 

But there was a glimmer of hope. Every visit to the doctor brought her one step closer to the day when she would finally hold her child in her arms. And that day, she promised herself, would mark the beginning of a new life, a life where she would no longer be trapped in this cycle of fear and dependency.

With that thought in mind, Daphne stepped out into the warm afternoon, the light breeze brushing against her skin. She knew that this doctor’s visit wasn’t just about checking on her baby’s health, it was also a moment to gather her thoughts, to remind herself that there was a future worth fighting for, a future where she and her child could be free.

***

“Good afternoon Mrs. Benson”. “Good afternoon!”Daphne replied. Dr. Andrew welcomed Daphne and asked how she was feeling, hoping she was in great condition, and making preparations to welcome her baby.

Dr. Andrew proceeded to perform a scan on Daphne to check how the baby is fairing.

As Dr. Andrew finished the scan, he wiped the gel off Daphne’s belly and handed her a tissue. “Remember to keep up with your nutrition and stay hydrated,” he advised, giving her a warm smile. “Your next appointment will be in two weeks. We’re getting close now.”

Daphne nodded, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness. “I’ll make sure to follow everything you’ve told me, Dr. Andrew. I want to be as prepared as possible.”

Dr. Andrew placed a hand on her shoulder, offering a comforting squeeze. “You’re doing great, Daphne. You’ve come a long way, and you should be proud of yourself.”

She smiled back at him, feeling a sense of reassurance wash over her. “Thank you, Dr. Andrew. I appreciate all your support.”

As she got dressed and prepared to leave the clinic, Daphne’s thoughts were already drifting to the little one she would soon hold in her arms. The anticipation was growing, and despite the challenges she knew she would face as a single mother, she felt ready to embrace this new chapter in her life.