01

Emily

During our four years of marriage, most of the time, my husband treats me like a total stranger. I have always been a stranger to him, even though we were a couple. The only exception is when he contacts me, and whenever he does, it's all about getting me to the hospital to donate blood to Zara. That was my use in this married, always donating blood to her, and get paid at the end of the month. It was what I had agreed to hoping he would love me some day.

It's the third time this month, and it's more than my body can take already. But who cares? That's what I'm supposed to do whenever Zara needs a blood transfusion. I'm sitting on the sofa and my eyes are getting a little watery and blurry, while still running a little temperature.

Yesterday was our fourth year anniversary. So I thought of preparing something to celebrate with him. I waited for him to get home from work, and carefully prepared dinner for our anniversary, and yet I stood in the rain for over an hour waiting for him to come home, but he never showed up.

I even tried calling him over the phone, but it wasn't connecting. Everything I made with love turned out to be a waste. Silly me, what was I expecting?

Today I feel sick, and my head is spinning after standing in the rain. Ryan, probably doesn't even know I have a fever. How would he? When he doesn't give a damn about me, Zara always come first. I'm just the woman he married, and use whenever she needs blood.

I endured the dizziness, reaching out to my phone, I tried to call Ryan. But before I could hit the dial button, the text message I received next crushed my last shred of dignity and hope.

"You ugly homewrecker. No matter how you disguise yourself, you will never be his wife. You know better than anyone that you blackmailed your way to be his wife! He spent last night with me." I read, my eyes wide open. I just stare at the phone flabbergasted.

"Homewrecker?" I repeat, still couldn't believe what I had just read from my phone. How on earth did I become I homewrecker when I met Ryan single? He wasn't even dating at the time we met.

My heart was weighed down with a deep, suffocating sadness. I am Ryan’s rightful wife, Emily. I gave up everything, my family, my friends, for this marriage. And for four years i have been trying to make it work.

And now, I’m the "Other women in his life?" It felt as though someone had struck me in the chest, shattering the emotions I had so carefully nurtured during those difficult days with him.

I was still in pains when a photo appeared on my phone. It was of Ryan, his expression serene in sleep. His handsome features, perfectly chiseled, which were once drew me to him, igniting a passion I couldn’t resist.

This photo seemed to validate everything I had feared.

The woman resting against his shoulder was Zara. Though they both had their eyes closed, the subtle curve of Zara's lips betrayed her awareness, her satisfaction.

They looked every bit like a couple deeply in love. Just then, my phone rang, checking the caller ID. It was a call from Ryan's family home. His home precisely.

My fingers moved on their own as I answered. The voice of his mother, came through, laced with command and expectation.

"Emily, have you forgotten what today is? The maid’s off, so get over here and cook!" She commanded, just like always, and I will quickly get change and head over there. But that won't happen today.

A cold laugh escaped my lips as I ended the call without another word. I'm done being the housemaid. I have spent all this time treading carefully around Ryan, desperately trying to keep our fragile marriage together.

At work, I’m underestimated by everyone, yet I still give everything I have, playing the role of his secretary to perfection. At Ryan’s home, his mother Samantha, and sister look down on me as if I’m some kind of outsider, even though I had a knot tied with their son.

They are always so condescending, nitpicking at every little thing. Cooking, laundry, even cleaning, they made me do it all, but I never nagged about it.

I have been nothing more than an obedient servant, never once burdening Ryan with the truth, never wanting to trouble him, but what do I get in return? A paycheck I don't even need.

I have become accustomed to enduring it. No matter how much others scorn me, I have been willing to bear it all for Ryan's sake. This was how much I want him to love me back.

But for four long years, Ryan has treated me as nothing more than a task, asking for my help at work or demanding my blood when it was convenient for him. Never once did he see me as his legal wife.

And now, I’m just too tired. I feel like I can’t hold on any longer.

This wasn’t the first time Zara had tried to undermine my place as Ryan’s wife.

In the past, I could brush off her cruel, cutting words with a smile. But this photo, it shattered what little dignity I had left.

The sting of humiliation, the cold indifference, the crushing loneliness, it all overwhelmed me.

Four years of marriage, and it had all been a cruel joke.

At that moment, my resolve hardened, and I made my decision.

"Fine! This joke is over." I opened my phone, scrolled to his contact, and typed the words without hesitation.

"I want a divorce." Even though my mind was clouded with exhaustion, I knew this was the right choice. I needed to leave this marriage and move on with life.

As soon as the text delivered, Ryan called immediately. I could almost feel the anger in his voice. His tone was cold, detached.

"Emily, what’s gotten into you? The doctor said Zara’s in a critical condition. Head over to the hospital now."

What was I expecting? That he would ask me to stay and not divorce him? I sent him a text of wanting a divorce, instead he called back to tell me Zara needs blood. She's always being his priority, always come first before me.

"I'm talking to you Emily! Come to the hospital, Zara needs to be attended..." I fought against the haze in my head, cutting him off.

"Ryan, sign the paper in an hour, or leave your sweetheart to die." I ended the call, before he could speak further. I have had enough, she can have him for all I care. There was never a moment of love in our marriage.