Chapter 1 I Cold

A loud bang on the door woke her up. She opened her eyes and saw the sunlight streaming through the window. She immediately rolled over on her bed and opened the door.

“What took you so long? Didn't I tell you, you shouldn’t lock the door? Hurry up and prepare my food, I'm hungry!” her husband growled.

He was already wearing his clothes, which he usually wore to his company. What a beautiful sight, early in the morning.

"Right away, I’m sorry," she stammered.

"Hurry up! You slut!" he shouted at her and started walking away.

Yes, he is her husband. He is the CEO of Monte Cristo Inc., a company owned by his family. She is only a housewife, the daughter of a maid in their mansion. Travis was her childhood sweetheart, he was sweet and loving, so she quickly fell in love with him.

"Dahlia!" Travis shouted which brought her back to reality.

"Yes, coming!"

She quickly ran down the stairs and gasped as she reached the kitchen. Fear was visible in her eyes because of the angry face of her husband sitting in front of the table. She opened their refrigerator and looked for something to cook. When she got the ingredients, she started cooking.

The smell of the aroma of food that she was cooking filled her nostrils. After she cooked, she prepared his food on the table. She was about to sit down when he ordered her to do something.

"Take the suitcase and fix my bed upstairs," he said and started eating.

"B-but I am hungr-" He immediately cut her off and looked at her angrily. Fear of getting hit by him, she immediately got up and nodded.

As much as possible, she has to avoid making him angrier for each of his rage- he throws hurtful words at her. Stupid, slut, bitch, and many more.

Fortunately, he never hurt her physically. She has to follow what he wants. She loves him so much even though it makes her a fool. As she was cleaning, she saw a broken frame under his bed. Her heart ached when she realized it was their wedding picture. A big smile was visible on their face, he was holding her thin waist with a grin. They were smitten here but now, she don’t really know.

What happened last week refreshed her mind. The reason why they were like this. It was their very first argument as a married couple.

It was twelve o’clock in the evening but her husband was not here at home. He should have been here at six o’clock, She was worried about him.

She has called him multiple times but his cell was out of coverage.

What if something bad happened to him?

She got up on the sofa when a car parked in front of their house. She peeked out the window and atlas it was her beloved husband.

Thank God he is okay. He entered the house staggering.

She could smell alcohol and cigarettes when she went closer to him.

Even though he stinks, she must help him because she was his wife.

“Why are you drunk? You can just drink here so I can take care of you, ” she suggested.

“SHUT THE FUCK UP!”

She was suddenly shocked by his sudden burst out.

"I'm sorry, I am only suggesting, it was your first time drinking though. And I am your wife, why are you shouting at me?"

She shrugged when she didn't get any reply from him. She sat him on their bed and took off his shoes and socks.

"Yes, you are JUST my wife."

Her chest ached as he said that to her, why is he like that? She can’t understand him.

“Is there a problem, Love? Why are you like this to me?" she asked.

She tried to be strong even when she was about to cry.

"You! You are my problem!"

“What? What did I do to you? ”

Tears were streaming down her cheeks because he was a big jerk right now.

“Fuck! You really don’t know? Do you? You’re a boring wife! You can't even give me a child! How many years we've been married, Dahlia and we haven’t got a baby? I'm too tired of waiting! My friends were making fun of me! They already have three children, while we don't have one! ”

One of her biggest fears in their marriage life was him losing his patience. He wanted to have a child but she cannot give him one. She suddenly clenched her fist and heaved a heavy sigh.

“Didn't the Doctor say there is still hope? We are both healthy and there is no problem, Love, please don't give up, ” she exclaimed.

“When is it, Dahlia !? For fucking 5 years of being married to you, we can’t bear at least one! Maybe my friends were right, you can't give me a child because you are barren! ”

Her tears flowed at what he said. How could he say that? The doctor told them they were both healthy and must be patient!

“You know that's not true, Travis. I am healthy. ”

“So you're saying I'm the one with complications? Am I barren? ”

"I-I didn't say anything like that. Just be patient Travis, we can have one. I promise. We love each other, right? We can bear a child just please don't give up on us,” she pleaded, wanting to hug him but he pushed her because of that, she fell on the floor.

Even if it hurts, she forced herself to stand up and approached him but he shouted at her. A loud bang filled the room. He threw the vase and lampshade on the floor. He even threw their wedding picture in front of her. She covered her ears and cried. Minutes later, he got tired and lay down. He fell asleep in intoxication while here she was crying out loud.

"DAHLIA!"

Her husband shouted which brought me back to reality. She immediately ran towards him and saw him waiting at the door.

“Where is my suitcase? You fucking slowly slut! I already lost my enthusiasm in the morning! ”

“H-here it is. My apologies." She handed him the case and he suddenly grabbed it from her.

"I'm leaving,"

“W-wait, Love. Please be careful, I love you! ”

She weaved at him but he went straight out of the house and pulled over the car. She heaved a sigh because of the sudden pang she felt in her chest.

She doesn’t know why he did this to her. He said he loved her and would not hurt her. He promised that in front of the altar five years ago. Has he forgotten about that? Maybe Travis doesn’t love her that deeply.

Suddenly her cell phone rang. She was shocked when she saw who was calling.

Her heart kept on beating when she saw the name of her best friend, Emery.

“Hello? Emery !? ” she enthusiastically answered her call.

“Hi Best friend! I miss you. How are you? ” her best friend happily asked through the line.

“I’m okay here. How about you?"

“I’m fine! Guess what? I am already here in the Philippines! Actually, I'm on the way to your house. Can’t wait to see you and Travis! ” her best friend said excitedly.

“Oh my gosh! I'm so happy! Wait, I'll just prepare our snacks, okay? Bye! ” she said and ended the call after she bid goodbye.

Somehow my mind was distracted by the problem Travis and she was facing. A doorbell rang at their gate, maybe that’s Emery! So she quickly walked out to meet her. She was right!

"Emery!" she screamed at her best friend and hugged her tightly.

“Best! I miss you! ”

Suddenly, someone tapped them, causing them to break their hug.

“Ma’am, you can hug later, I just want to get the taxi fare.”

They were suddenly startled and amused. The driver scratched his head and looked at them shyly. Emery took a dollar from her wallet and gave it to the driver.

“Keep the change! Thank you! ”

The driver was stunned and immediately said goodbye to us.

"Let's go inside."

When we entered our house, Emery immediately looked around, as if she was looking for someone.

"Travis isn't here, he's in the office," she said and tried to smile at her.

“Aishh! I'm looking for the comfort room, not your husband. I want to pee, where is it? ” Emery asked, biting her lips.

She pointed the direction at her and Emery ran immediately.

She heaved a big sigh. She hopes Emery has already moved on. She and Travis got married a few years ago. Maybe Emery already found someone else because she doesn't want to repeat what happened to them before. It was an excruciating memory that she don’t want to go back to.