Chapter 001

Selena’s POV,

“His Favourite color is red! He would be thrilled when he sees me tonight.”

I twirled slowly in front of the mirror admiring my layered makeup and the red, sparkling gown on my medium-sized body. 

Even though I was kind of suffocating from the girdle I used in snatching my waist for my dress to fit, I still managed to maintain poise and elegance.

I took a final glance at myself in the mirror and hurriedly went downstairs to supervise what I had instructed my workers to set up, for our wedding anniversary.

“Oh, my heavens! This is beautiful…” I was awestruck at how stunning the deco and settings turned out. 

It was indeed magical, with the perfect dining setup, a diamond bright chandelier that reflected on the floor and table, and rose petals, carefully arranged on the floor. It immediately brightened my mood as I could no longer wait for my husband to be back.

I sat on the chair staring at the intimate decorations I had struggled to put up, as I recoiled at how fast three years had gone by in marriage.

DING DONG!

It was my husband Anthony Brandon! 

The exhorting sound of the doorbell brought me back to reality, my heart began to pound in excitement as I quickly did the final touching, with a broad smile playing across my cheeks.

He entered into the well-decorated space beside the lobby, his commanding presence and dress sense immediately sent chills down my spine. I glanced at him seductively with pride as he slowly approached me.

“Welcome home my king,” I stated excitedly, immediately took off his suit jacket and pressed a warm kiss on his lips.

“Thanks.” He stated coldly, as he loosened up the tie from his neck.

I stared at him anxiously, with a broad suspicious smile on my face, waiting for him to remember today's date.

“What’s with the tacky decorations and makeup?” He asked ignorantly, as he glanced through my efforts with a demeaning and irritated gaze.

“Tacky?” I asked, my brows furrowed.

Knots immediately formed in my stomach at his degrading remark, but that has unfortunately always been his behavior. Anthony had always been annoyingly sarcastic. However, I wasn't expecting his sarcasm on that precious night.

I gave him a warm smile, my countenance a bit discomforting but I flagged off the feeling in other not to ruin the moment.

“We have to discuss something important, Selina.” He stated, his tone lacking affection.

“Selina? B… baby, did you just call me by my first name?” I stuttered, my eyes narrowed in shock, wondering why he was sounding cordial with him. 

But his cold gaze and strict demeanor gave him away, I immediately sensed something was wrong but couldn’t place it.

“Sit down, Selina!” Anthony stated, His jaw clenched indicating anger as he sat and relaxed his back on the chair while placing a white envelope on the table.

Out of anxiety, I was already fidgeting and becoming sweaty so I quickly came down from my four-inch heels, while I took my seat. My eyes glistened with confusion as I stared at my beloved husband.

“You are making me furious, baby. Did you have any issues at work? I asked curiously, using my other hand to loosen my corset as I felt hot noises growling in my stomach.

Ever since I miscarried my baby seven months ago, Anthony had been acting strange and distant. He had barely even touched me in months, and if he does, it’s solely for his Satisfaction.

That was the more reason I put in effort to see that the anniversary was romantic, just maybe it would rekindle the flames of romance in our lives again.

“This isn’t working out, Selina. Trust me, I have tried so hard to love you, but it isn’t working.” He stated calmly, while he passed the white envelope to me.

“What isn’t working out, babe? Forget the envelope and talk to me face to face.” I took the envelope from the table in fear and squeezed it into my hands, not minding its contents.

I drew my chair closer to him, but he pulled back almost immediately like I was some stinking or irritating shit.

“Our marriage.” He paused and stared into my eyes. “I’m not in love with you, Selina. This is torture, you need a man who would treat you with love….”

“You treat me with love, baby! What are you even saying? I love how you treat me and I’m not complaining.” I interjected, my blue pulpy eyes shaking as I stared back into his soul.

“I can’t keep up with this, I’m honestly not living, I’m just existing, and it’s getting suffocating,” Anthony stated, his eyes avoiding my gaze.

My greatest fear was slowly beginning to unfold, what do I do in this cold world without my husband? No way, this can’t be happening.

“No! We can at least make an effort to work things out, probably go for counseling or talk to a psychologist…..”

“I’m in love with another, Selina! I don’t love you!” His husky voice thundered.

I gasped, holding my right hand in my chest as hot tears began to flow freely from my red eyes. He wasn’t joking, I could sense the seriousness in his tone. My heart began to burn from anxiety, unease gushing through my bloodstream.

“Of all the days in the calendar, you chose today to tell me about our divorce? You weren’t sensitive enough to understand why I set up all this?” My frustration was palpable but my voice remained calm.

“What is happening today?” He raised his brows in confusion.

“Our wedding anniversary for goodness sake!” My voice rang off, as I loosened the tight bun in my head that was beginning to cause me a headache.

Meanwhile, Anthony acted coldly without showing any trace of remorse. “Anniversary or not, it doesn’t matter anymore, does it? I have passed my information and that's our reality. The earlier you accept it, the better for the both of us.”

“Who is she, babe? And how is she better?” I sniffed and cleaned my tears with the back of my palms as I asked calmly, hoping to get a reasonable answer.

But he slammed his strong arms on the table and stood up with force, causing the cutleries and wine glasses to summersault to the floor.

“You changed! Everything about you freaking changed!” His voice raked, as he tightened his fist. I had to adjust my seat backward so he didn’t hit me.

“Have you seen yourself in the mirror lately? You no longer fit into my standard as a wife. I’m a man of class and my business requires me to show off my wife all the time. How do I show you to the world if you look like this?”

I gasped and squinted my eyes, trying to process the degrading words I had just heard from my husband. For a moment I froze and found it difficult to move my body.

“Anthony!” I exclaimed, shock engulfing me and sending chills down my spine.

“You don’t look presentable anymore, my heart beats for another!” 

I scoffed and rolled my eyes in disappointment.

“Are you ashamed of me, babe?” I shook my head and raised my brows.

“How do you expect my body to remain the same after I miscarried my baby at thirty-two weeks? And have you suddenly forgotten whose fault it was or should I remind you?”

Anthony’s expression immediately darkened at my words, his fist tightened showing the prominent veins on his hands.