Chapter 1 - Framed

Marietta's POV

As my sister, Katty, tumbled down from the golden stairs.

I screamed in shock.

I stretched my hand to reach her and quickly followed right through. 

“Katty! Somebody please, help me! Anybody!” I shouted in fear.

My hands trembled as tears flowed down my cheeks. 

“Security!” My voice drew the attention of today's guests. 

Soon today’s guests started to gather around me. I could see most of them shaking their head in shock while raining insults on me. 

“Jeez. You are so wicked.  You stole Katty’s man and yet you’re trying to kill her baby?”

“I think she wants her sister dead.

More tears streaming down my cheeks. 

“Owww…my baby… save my baby please,” Katty winced, tears rolling down her cheeks, while she yanked my hands off. 

“Don't touch me you murderer! She wants to kill me!” Katty screamed.

She attracted more people who had come to grace the party thrown by my husband’s family.

My husband, Michael, is from a wealthy family, one of the richest in California. And not just anyone graced this party, but celebrities from different parts of the world. 

“Ugh, she’s just the absolute worst!” Someone said,

“Honestly, she belongs in jail. Who pushes their pregnant sister like that?” an older celebrity jumped in.

I couldn't help but stutter in fear. “I didn't…I didn't do anything. No…no…it's not me,” 

But she cried more, “My stomach…I think…I’m losing my baby! I’m losing my baby!”

Fear gripped me. 

Am I going to be jailed? What will Michael say if he sees her this way?

“Call an ambulance!” The security guard shouted. 

“Get an ambulance, right now!” Michael’s voice resonated from behind. 

Just as Michael arrived, I wiped off my tears and felt at ease.

I quickly rushed towards him, holding his hand, about to explain myself. “Babe, I didn’t touch her.”

Judging from Michael’s appearance, he looked sad. 

He didn’t say a word to me, as I watched him hurry over to Katty, picking her from the ground into his arms.

“Katty, hey, are you alright?” 

“No, I’m not okay.” I watched Katty wince in pain.

“Call an ambulance!” I watched Michael raise his voice at the guards again.

It suddenly dawned on me that Michael didn’t believe in me. It’s been two months since I said the word “I do,” at the altar. 

“Katty,” I rushed towards her but Michael shoved me off. 

“Don't touch her! You wanna finish what you started huh?” He lashed out and I felt a drop of tears leave my eyes.

“You did this intentionally didn't you?!” 

“Michael…I…I…didn't do anything. Please believe me. Why would I want to hurt Katty?”

“You expect me to believe you when everything you have ever done was to hurt her? You bully her at every chance you get. What do you want exactly Etta? You get jealous at every slightest thing, and now you end up hurting her? Etta?!” Michael yelled at me.

I felt something split within me, causing me to step back in fear.

“Hurt your sister again, and you will have me to contend with!” 

“They are here, sire.” One of the guards interrupted Michael while I watched him hurry towards the exit with Katty upon hearing the siren.

“What’s going on here?” Michael's grandma screamed from behind us, as I fell on my knees in tears. 

“Etty, sweetheart,” Grandma walked up to Michael, while he handed Katty over to the medical staff.

“My baby…granny…it hurts…I don't wanna lose my baby please…awww…” Katty spoke in pain. 

“Please, make sure nothing happens to her or the baby. Because if anything touches her, I won't forgive the doctor who operates!” I watched Michael place Katty on the stretcher which was rolled away while Michael followed behind.

“Michael, I didn’t touch Katty. Believe me.” I stuttered, crying profusely. 

I watched Michael’s grandma, Granny Lorette, walk towards me. 

“I know you've always been a good kid, Etty, but sometimes your jealousy hurts others,” Granny Lorette patted my back and left without more comforting words. 

It dawned on me that even Granny Lorette, Michael's grandma, who had been my grandmother's best friend before her death, the one I trusted most, doesn't trust me either. 

I didn’t even know how I got home. 

And upon reaching the house, I got out of the car, rushed into my room, and crashed on the bed. 

“I didn't do anything. No one believed me. Not even Michael?” I spoke aloud. 

I get it—our marriage was just a business deal. 

Michael’s grandma, Granny Lorette, set it up between us because she and my grandma were close before she passed.

“I thought he loved me,” I spoke in whispers as I pulled the bedsheet closer, sniffing his scent; memories of how hot our sex was this morning before we left for the party replayed in my head. 

“Michael I love you so much,” I remember holding the bed sheet tight while we made love this morning before we left for the party.  

“I love you too, Marietta,” he replied while thrusting in me faster. 

Even though I’m aware that Michael had only had sex with me because his grandmother wanted a grandson. 

Since Granny Lorette owned the biggest business empire in California, the last thing Michael wanted to do was violate her will.

But even at that, what I felt this morning with Michael was beyond an arranged marriage.

 I felt connected. I felt loved. 

But what changed?

“Could it be that he doesn’t love me at all” I whispered sadly.

“No, it cannot be. I’m just overthinking things. I will just explain to Michael when he comes back. He loves me. After all, I didn’t do anything.” 

I wiped my tears upon hearing his voice in the living room. 

“He’s back,” I summon my courage, hoping he would listen to me this time. 

Quickly, I aimed for the door with shaky hands.

But before I could step out of my room. His last words caught me off guard.

“I want a divorce!” he said ruthelessly.