01 Feeling unloved

Isabel’s POV

“Change that dress, you look awful in it.” Alexander said in a commanding tone.

The dress, a red revealing short gown, which hugged my curves, featuring a daring plunging neckline.

Glancing through myself and looking back at the mirror, I asked,  “what’s wrong with my dress, not like it’s the first time am wearing it.”

“I don’t have to give you any explanation or talk further on this, just change it like I said!” He retorted.

His tone is cold, but still handsome as ever.

He stood at an imposing 6’3”, his height adding to his commanding presence.

Alexander used to love me. I want to believe so.

He used to be a loving and doting husband. Even though there’s a side of him that I’m yet to understand. He’s sometimes aggressive, tends to be controlling and commanding.

I’ve tried to talk to him, but it always ends in arguments, never accepting the fact that he has an issue.

It has just been messy.

My once loving husband has turned to a stranger.

I couldn't even break the news of my pregnancy with him.

He’s hardly ever around, barely shows interest or ever listens.

I don’t even know who to confide in about what’s going on.

His mom, Sabbrina, the bossy and authoritative Chairwoman of the King’s Empire, makes matters worse.

She hates that an ordinary girl like me is married to her billionaire son.

Her son, Alexander King is the CEO and heir to the King’s Empire. The billion dollar company that has their branch spread across Los Angeles.

It’s crazy.

I sometimes ask myself, “Is he still the same man I fell in love with and married?”

“Am I leaving with an entirely different person?” 

At times, I feel like I didn’t know Alexander well enough to marry him.

Today, I can’t seem to understand the display of attitude over my dress.

After several careful thoughts, I decided to ask, looking directly into his cute blue eyes. “Alexander, do you still love me? trying to find a console in his reply.

But was torn aback by his reply.

He glares at me for a moment longer, placing his hand at the back of his neck, as if trying to find a way out, before finally saying, “You don’t need to ask me such a question.” I have a meeting to attend to, I’m leaving.

Of course, as the CEO of a billion dollar company, he’d definitely choose that over me anytime!

He always chooses work over me, like I meant nothing to him.

The tension in the room is icy, and I don’t know how long I would hold up before I break down.

And just like that, Alexander left, leaving me with my  unanswered questions.

“Could it be that he’s fed up, and he’s already tired of me?” Tears rolls down my eyes uncontrollably.

I sit by the window, staring blankly at the rain-soaked cityscape. My eyes, feeling the weight of sadness and betrayal. 

Every morning, I wake up hoping for a change, only to be met with the same icy demeanor. 

For the past year of our marriage, my husband’s possessiveness had grown stifling, his need to control every aspect of my life left me feeling trapped and suffocated. 

The lack of love was palpable; his touch, once gentle and reassuring, now felt like a shackle. 

My heart keeps aching for the man I had once known, for the love that had promised to stand the test of time. I felt invisible, my needs and desires are completely overshadowed by his incessant need for dominance. The home that once echoed with laughter and joy now felt like a prison, each room a silent witness to my despair.

I sometimes trace the lines of our wedding photo, lingering my fingers on our faces who now seem like strangers. I longed for the days when his love felt like a safe harbor, not the storm that it now is. 

As the rain poured outside, it mirrored my tears which I no longer had the strength to cry, each drop could speak of my broken heart and our love that seemed irreparably lost.

I turned to my phone, wanting to dial my mother. But on a second thought, I wouldn’t want to make her worry over this. 

As an only child. My mother, Celyn, doesn't joke with me. She gets too worked up and worries a lot with anything concerning me. If I get her involved, she’s ready to appear here immediately just to make sure I’m fine. I definitely will not want her worrying.

“I will just wait for Alexander to be home, just maybe he wasn’t in a good mood then.” I said aloud trying to mask my pain.

Suddenly my phone rings, breaking the silence. I glanced at my screen and saw Cynthia’s name flashing on the screen.

Cynthia, my best friend, has been a part of me ever since knowing her from the university.

I literally share everything with her. Every of my sorrow, pain and joy.

But seeing her call come in at this time, I hesitated.

I have always been reluctant about sharing my marital issues with anyone, even with my closest friend.

Though, I recently told her about how Alexander has been acting up, but I still find it difficult opening up entirely.

I tilted my head, Thinking. “What would Cynthia think of me? What would she say? What will she think of Alexander?”

Again my phone rings for the second time.

Tried hesitating, but another part of me, desperately in need for some relief and understanding, made a quick think “maybe talking to Cynthia about it all would lighten the heavy burden I carry.” Just maybe.

With a deep breath, I pick up the call. “Hey, Cynthia.” My voice seeming low, like one trying to hide something.

“Hey, Bella! As she fondly calls me. How are you?

You don’t sound like you. Is everything alright?”

Cynthia’s cheerful voice brought a bittersweet smile to my face.

I hesitated for a moment, words catching in my throat.

But then, like a dam breaking, I poured it all out, letting the tears I have been holding back flow freely.

“Oh Bella, that’s a lot, it’s heartbreaking,” she said, her tone laced with concern, but there’s an edge there.

Keeping a moment of silence, Cynthia continued, her voice taking on a slightly different note. “Why not step out for some fresh air? It will help clear your mind, you know.”

With my hands trembling, I quickly wiped my tears, trying to steady my thoughts and keep my emotions in check.

“I guess that might help.” I replied giving Cynthia’s suggestion a thought.

“Great!” Cynthia said with an overwhelming voice. “Why don’t you come over to the hotel? It’s lovely here, you will like the view. And we can get to talk more in person too. It’s just exactly what you need right now.”

I hesitated, feeling a strange mix of comfort and unease. “Are you sure? I don’t want to inconvenience.”

“Absolutely,” Cynthia insisted. “I’m here for you, Bella. We’ll take it up from there once we meet. It’s going to do you good to get out and have a change of scenery.”

With a deep sigh, I replied “alright, I’ll be there soon.” Feeling a flicker of hope and an excuse to relieve myself from some thoughts.

“Perfect,” Cynthia replied, giving a sly chuckle. “See you soon, Bella.”