ISABELLATwo hours later, I was in bed with John, sweat dripping all over our skins. His lips gently pressed on my forehead. I smiled gently.“You're so beautiful,” he complimented for what felt like the thirtieth time,I grinned even harder, “thank you,”“I don't think you get told enough. Every woman needs to be told at least thirty times daily how beautiful she is,”I laughed hard at that, “no one can give thirty compliments in a day.”“Who says so? I definitely can,”“You can try,” “I already did.”I pushed myself off his chest, taking a clearook at his face.“You've given someone thirty compliments in a day?”“Not thirty compliments in a day. I've given compliments thirty times in a day, it could be repeated,”“Oh,” I paused, “so you've complimented one person thirty times in a day?”“I'm about to,”I grinned at that, “what do you mean?” I teased,“It's easy to figure out,” he teased back,“Hm,” I placed a finger on my chin, “I can't quite place my finger on it,”“Try harder, p
ISABELLA.How did I make such a mistake?I literally had the ball in my court, and I let it slide to him. “I gave you the perfect opportunity to know I was watching, but you were still reckless. Here I was, thinking my presence would make you a lot more careful, and this game would last longer, but you already grew too comfortable.”“Enough of the gloating, Michael.” I stopped him, “what do you want?”“Calm down, girl.” He mocked me with a disgusting laugh, “When I'm ready to make my demands, you will know about them,” he said.Immediately, he ended the call. I dropped the phone on the seat, still standing next to my car. I didn't want to get in, and drive, but I knew I couldn't spend much more time under the sun.I groaned hard, wiping my forehead. How did I make such a silly mistake?Ever since I had had that affair with Michael, and realized who he truly was, I had known to be overly careful about my moves because he was always looking for an opportunity to threaten, and blackmail
ISABELLAI ran downstairs as fast as I could.“You've actually moved in,” I said, almost breathless.He grinned at me, “of course, I have. Did you think I would lie to you?”I paused, “no… I just didn't think you would ever move back in.” I revealed,“You're my wife, aren't you?”“I am.”“I can't stay away from my wife forever,” he said, standing up from his seat.I stood still as he approached me, and took my hand in his. “We might have had some issues in the past, but we're still married, and I still love you. I can't stay away from the woman I love. It doesn't work that way,” he explained.His hands gently brushed my cheek. I smiled at him.“Thank you,” I said in a hushed tone,“Why are you thanking me? I am doing what every responsible husband should do,” he replied,I took in a deep breath, staring at his beautiful eyes. The way strands of hair fell on his forehead gave his face a distinct look.“I guess you're right,” I finally found the voice to agree.“Good girl. Now, it's tim
EMMA.About eight weeks had gone by since I left that dungeon, and I still had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. It felt like the weeks I spent there had quadrupled, and taken even more months or years because it felt like the system had cut me out. Everything was the same, but different. I couldn't explain it. Everything looked the same, but felt different. I no longer felt like a young woman in her prime. I felt like an ex convict, and although I knew I was not actually convicted, it didn't make me feel any better. I had spent months in there fighting for my life. My brain, and thinking patterns had been altered.I took a deep breath, staring at the blank television. I was still too lazy to approach the sockets, and maybe it was better this way. I hated the noise that came from the TV, knowing fully well that I wouldn't be able to focus even when it was turned on. I was already too bothered about stuff.I was still deep in thought when I heard the doorbell ring.I gently wal
EMMA.Laura arrived at four minutes after seven pm. I had just rounded up my third movie of the day. I had watched one, and was halfway through the second when the girls finally came. We talked for hours, and they finally left.I Ioved their presence, but them risking their spouses for me wasn't worth it. I wasn't comfortable knowing they were endangering their marriage.“I'm home,” Laura announced, as she walked in.“Welcome,” I replied, turning to face her.“Thank you,” she replied, pulling off her red bottoms. I watched as they both ended up on different sides of the room.If there was one thing I had grown to notice about Laura, it was how disorganized she was. No one was perfect-that I knew-but I had somehow concluded that she was. Aside that, she seemed to have her life I order. Moreover, it explained how she kept up with her social, and work life. Arranging her personal life wasn't needed at the top of the chart to me. She was on track.I watched as she dropped her handbag rec
EMMA.His words left me dumbstruck. My lips parted, but the words croaked in. I clamped my lips shut, pushing down the thousands of thoughts in my head.I thought he had forgotten me. I wished he had forgotten me!Why did he remember me?“You remember me?” I managed to croak out,His grin grew sly, and sheepish.“Now, onto business,” he said, ignoring my question. I blinked repeatedly, trying to recall if that had actually happened or if I was hallucinating. I had read somewhere that people often hallucinated once they had survived a traumatic experience, and it was safe to say my experience was traumatic. Was I losing my mind?I closed my eyes, then opened it. He was still sitting right before me, so that conversation had to have happened.I wasn't hallucinating. I couldn't be hallucinating “Oh my God,” I muttered out, understanding the implication of things.If I wasn't hallucinating, then he did remember me, and if he remembered me…“Are you alright?” His voice came in a thick,
EMMA.“So, now that Liam has given you the much needed permission to do whatever you want to do, what's the next plan?” She asked, breaking the silence.“I'll communicate with Kristy, and see if she'll be available to go with me in two days time.”“That's a solid plan. Is there anything else you need?” She asked,I could tell she was implying something from her tone, but I couldn't tell what it was.“Not really. Is there anything I should need?”“I think so,” she replied,“And that is?”“Give me a minute. I'd rather show you.”I sat quietly as she walked up stairs. She arrived a few minutes later with a pink gift bag in hand.There was a wide grin spread on her face.“What's that?” I asked, still in doubt.With all Laura had done for me, if she offered me another gift, I might just break down in tears.“I got a little something for you,” she said, still holding the bag.I felt the tears building up in my eyes.“I knew you would need it, and I didn't want you to be bothered. Here, take
ISABELLA “Who are you?” I asked, clenching my jaw.“It’s great you've finally decided to hold a conversation with me.”“That's not the answer to my question.”“My name is of no importance. You'll most likely never see me again.”“Good. Now, fuck off.”He chuckled. “You've always been a fiesty woman, Isa.”“Fuck. Off.” I spat even harder.The knowledge of Alex purposely leaving me out here was beyond heart breaking.“I have a lot more things to say to you.”“I have no intention of hearing it.”“My first question is, why him?”“Why what?” I asked, annoyed that he ignored my replies.“Why Alex? What's so special about him? He publicly disgraced you with a cheating scandal, he's currently ignoring you at your marital vacation? So, why him? What's so good about him?”“None of your fucking business.”“No, Isa. Don't be stubborn.”Who the hell did he think he was? “Leave.” I quickly said to him,“I believe that, by now, we would have accepted the fact that I'm not leaving anytime soon. You
ISABELLA “I didn't want the divorce, your son did.” “You filed for it,” my father-in-law persisted.I groaned, covering my face. He didn't get it. No one was getting it.“He's torturing me in that marriage. I can't keep up anymore.”His mother moved towards me, “Alex can be a tough child at times. Hd was one of our hardest, but that's why you're a woman. You're meant to build him.”I glared at her, “I'm not teaching a grown man how to act his age.”She sighed, “you don't get it. This generation has changed a lot of things from what they used to be.”I wanted to shove her off, but I was sensible enough to know she still deserved some level of respect.“You both should try talking to him. He's not looking at me, or anyone else.” I told them.I didn't want this marriage, but I had known what I signed up for when I filed my name on those papers years ago.“He's on his way here,” Alex's father replied.I was surprised to find out they had actually gotten Alex to return home. I had been t
EMMA.I looked between both men. Paul's eyes squinted, and Samuel had a snarl on his face.“Leave.” He repeated,I expected Paul to rebut or try to explain himself, but he didn't. He walked out.I turned to face Samuel. I wanted to ask about Paul, but he was not strong enough to walk. There was a lesser chance triggering him would help. If he wanted Paul gone, then so be it.“Fuck,” Samuel sputtered, laying back.“How are you feeling?”“Much better. Just hungry.”“Stay here. I'll get something for you.” I got up from the chair.“Babe, please help me lock the entrance door. I don't want anyone coming into the house.”“Sure thing,”I ensured that was the first thing I did. After that, I scooped out some of the food I had seen in the kitchen.When I returned, his eyes were wide open and he was staring at the ceiling.I tapped him, handing the plate over.I watched as he ate like a boar. I had seen him eat on a few occasions, but never had I seen him consume so much and so fast.“Does th
EMMA.I ran immediately to his side. His lips were white, and his eyes closed.“God,” I muttered, trying to check if he was alive.I placed a finger under his nose, and luckily, I felt warmth on it.He was breathing, but his chest was still. His blood pressure had to be low.I looked around, trying to find a way to help when I sighted something beside him. There was a tray, and in it, there was a white substance.I looked at his lips again. They were extremely white, and so was his nose.“Fuck,” I muttered, dropping the pan on the floor.Now, I couldn't take him to the hospital because he had too much of a good reputation to be seen in such a state.I picked up his phone, searching for an emergency number. There was only one. Adrian. I knew that was his elder brother, but his brother was all the way in a other country. How would he be able to help?I looked at Samuel, and seeing that he was knocked out, decided to take a chance.The line rang for a few seconds, before he picked up.“H
EMMA .I stood in silence. How would I say it to him? He probably already knew.I searched his eyes to find any clue that he knew what I was about to say, but it was hard to tell his emotions.“I don't know how to say it,” I confessedHe kissed my forehead. “Let's have breakfast, and you can decide if you really want to tell me.”How could he be so calm about all this? I didn't want to argue so I walked out of the room beside him.We arrived at his kitchen and he pulled out a stool for me to sit.“What do you want to eat?” He asked,I shrugged, “anything.”He dropped the pan, focusing on me. “What do you want to eat, Emma?”I grew confused. “Scrambled eggs and maybe pancakes.”“Good,”I watched as he set out to work. I chewed on my finger, wondering how he could be so calm. I sighed.“Take some tea,” he said, handing it over to me.It was chamomile tea. “Thank you,” I appreciated.“So,” he started, taking a seat, “I opened an Instagram account today,” his grin was genuine.“why?” I
EMMA It was morning. I looked ones a the clock. Eight am to be precise. I turned to find Samuel laying on the bed. He seemed to be fast asleep, as his boys wasn't stiffened.I smiled as I looked at him. He looked so peaceful asleep.I cuddled up to him and he groaned as he pulled me closer.“You're awake,” I said,“Yes,” he mumbled. His eyes were still closed and I could barely feel my legs.“You do know it's morning, right?” I tried to inform him, “aren't you going to work?”“I am on a three days leave.” He replied.“Oh. You didn't strike me as the kind of person to take leaves from work,” “I actually don't. This is the first time I'm taking a leave this year. I usually take a two day leave once a year to visit my family. Now I'll be taking it twice.”“Because of me,” The guilt gripped me.He opened his eyes. “I know that tone. There's no need to feel guilty about it. I already needed the rest.”“You're saying that to make me feel better,”“Maybe, but I'd burn the world to make y
EMMA.My eyes slowly opened. I looked around to find the room still dimly lit. Samuel had pushed himself towards the edge of the bed so much that he was almost falling off.My brows fell as I watched him. I didn't want to inconvenience him too much. Moreover, I didn't want him that far away from me. I wasn't some bug or infection.I looked at his wall clock. It was almost three am.Silently, I rolled towards his side of the bed, and placed my arm over him.He jerked, but then I felt him steady.“Emma?” He called me in a groggy tone.“Mhmm..”I replied. I wasn't in the mood to talk.“Are you okay?” He asked, not moving.For some reason, he was as stiff as a board.“I am. Are you okay?” “Yes.” His reply was short.“Please turn around,”He didn't move. He was still laying stiff.“Samuel,”“Mhm?” He replied,I sat up on the bed. “Face me.”He didn't move nor reply. I pushed him to face me, and what I saw had my jaw to the floor.I looked at his face and he had shame written all over it.
EMMA “You don't deserve a second chance. What you deserved is to be roasted like a fucking cow,”His jaw opened, and I watched him stand in shock. Anger boiled within me. I wanted to throw him through that bridge, and into the water. I wanted to hurt him. I wanted him to feel as much pain as I felt.“Alex, I want you to leave manhattan. I don't want to ever see you here. Return home to your wife or whoever the fuck you love enough.”“I love you,” he whispered,“Spare me that crap. We both know it's a lie.”“Emma, I am serious. I love you. If I didn't, would I be here, trying to win you back.”“Why did you lose me in the first place? Why did you try to replace me? Why didn’t you defend me? Why did you leave me to die?”“Emma, listen to me. I wronged you, and I accept that. I betrayed and disappointed you. I wasn't the man I should have been, but I am sorry. I am extremely sorry.”“I don't want your apology.”“What did you want then? Tell me. I promise to give it to you.”“I want to le
EMMA.I slid the green icon right. I knew I shouldn't have, but I did it.With a heart filled with guilt, I pulled the phone towards my ear.“Hello,” I said into the phone,I heard him breathe a sigh of relief. “How are you?” He asked,“Meet me at the funside park. By the bridge. 9pm.” I replied immediately.I didn't have time to chat. I ended the call immediately and dropped the phone on my bed. I wanted to leave it by. That way, there was absolutely no way anyone could reach out to me.With that, I walked out of the house without informing anyone of my location. I needed some time alone.It was just evening, and I had no idea what I would do until that time, but I just knew I didn't want to face Samuel. I couldn't risk hurting him one more time. I sighed.9pm.I endeavored to be at least ten minutes to the bridge. I wanted Alex to know what it felt like to wait on someone forever. I wanted him to feel the same anxiety and pain that I had felt in all these years with him.As I appr
EMMAWhat to wear when your boyfriend wants to introduce you to his friends, and possibly their girlfriends too?I sighed, sitting on the bed. I had packed up most of my clothings, and getting ready for this date meant I had to unpack almost everything. I bit my lower lip, trying to think of what to do next.I walked off the bed, and out of the room. I had been packing for hours, there was no way I would mess it all up right now. “Emma,” I heard my mother's voice call me,I turned around to find her stepping in through the backdoor. She had three grocery bags in hand, and I offered to help.“Thank you,” she appreciated me as I dropped the bags on the counter. I looked through the backdoor. It would probably be the last time I saw it. As much as I loved my family, I prioritized my private space. I would visit, but surely not for long hours. “I'm waiting for the moving company to come help me move my things,” I informed her.Her eyes widened. “I didn't think you'd be leaving so soon,”