4. Indifference

Wiping my tears away, I walked toward the couch and picked up the gown, holding it close to my chest. No, I couldn’t give up on our marriage so easily. I have to show him tonight that he wasn’t wrong in marrying me, and that I indeed make a good wife. I know how important the charity gala was in establishing his position as a CEO, and as his wife, everyone’s eyes will be watching me. I will give them no reason to question my presence alongside him. I would prove to everyone that I belonged with him.

I remained inside my house for the entire afternoon, preparing myself for the event. When it was almost seven, as promised, I stepped out of my walk-in closet and headed to the floor length mirror in my bedroom. It was placed right beside the french doors that led to the gallery, from where the light flooded into the room, illuminating it with its warmth. 

To say I was pleased with myself would be an understatement. As I stared at my reflection in the mirror, I found the glimmery silver fabric clinging onto my voluptuous curves in a way that seemed as though the dress was custom made for me. The gown was devoid of any sleeves, revealing my skin in all the right places. I put my hair up in a loose bun, with a few strands framing my face to complete my look. I paired my outfit with Emerald earrings that were adorned with diamonds around, and since they were Calvin’s gift to me on our first wedding anniversary, I was hopeful that he would be pleased to see them on me tonight. 

It was an important event for him tonight, and I strived to make him feel good. 

Right then, the door to our room opened and Calvin walked in. A gasp left my mouth at the sight of him, my jaw dropping to the floor in amazement. I could hardly believe my eyes. He looked nothing short of stunning. I always thought that he was the most good looking man I’d ever met, but he had outdone himself tonight. He stood erect by the doorstep, looking dashing as ever in his new tuxedo. 

While I remained speechless, his eyes casually roamed over my outfit, and a look of indifference claimed his face. His eyes gave away nothing, there was no hint of admiration in them that I was desperate to find. He might as well have rejected me, as I think that would have hurt less than his indifference. Nothing I did ever mattered to him. I spent the entire afternoon trying to look pretty for him, yet, his eyes wouldn’t even spare a glance at me. 

That moment, I realized that there was an emptiness within him that I could never fill. No matter what I did, I could never get him to look at me the way he looked at her. 

“Are you done?” He asked. 

“Yes.” I nodded. With newfound courage, I asked, “How do I look?” 

He raised his eyebrows at me before giving me a dismissive glance, “Appropriate. Shall we get going?” 

Heat rose up my cheeks in embarrassment, but I knew that I couldn’t ruin my makeup with my tears. Now was not the time. Swallowing back the lump in my throat, I said, “Yes.” 

****

As we stepped into the car, a notification chime came from Calvin’s Phone. I watched as he read the message on his phone, a slight frown forming on his face. 

“What’s wrong?” I asked. 

He shook his head, before shoving his phone into his tux pocket. “It’s a message from the hospital.” 

I felt as though my heart skipped a beat. The hospital? Why were they reaching out to him? Was it about Becky? 

“They’ve scheduled your appointment for blood donation this week.” He said. 

A sigh left me at once. “Oh.” 

“You seem relieved.” He said, “What were you expecting?” 

“Nothing.” 

“It’s not nothing.” He chortled, “Tell me what’s on your mind.” 

“Well,” I sighed, “Jen mentioned today that… the new drug they tried on Becky… it was working rather well.” 

“Yes. What about it?” 

“Do you think she’ll wake up then?” I asked. 

It’s been three years since she went into a coma, and if it weren’t for me, she would’ve been dead by now. To keep her alive, I’ve been regularly donating blood to her all these years, although there was very little scope that she would ever wake up. 

“I hope she does.” Calvin said, “I’m looking forward to that day. Aren’t you?” 

With a broken smile, I said, “Yes.” 

Deep down, I was clueless whether I truly wanted it or not.