part 5

"Why are you here?" I vaguely heard Gavin's voice asking at the front of the room. 

"Take Mahira out from inside! What you did to her is against the law. If Mahira dies, you could be prosecuted and imprisoned. Don't play around and make light of things," Adam could be heard talking to Gavin.

"None of your business."

The door opened. I looked at Gavin, who was also staring at me in the center of the door. He stepped through without closing the door, leaving Adam standing right in front of our room. "You know your mistake and realize it?" Gavin asked me sarcastically. 

I nodded. "I'm hungry," I whispered, trying to make Gavin melt into me even more.

"Oh, you want to eat with someone's husband? You're not satisfied with just enjoying his body, and you want to take him from Catherine? Wow, you really are a womanizer. You're great, Mahira. Is your goal really to destroy their home? Listen, I will never let anyone who hurts my family live. So, think before you have any intention of destroying Catherine," Gavin said threateningly. 

"You should say that to yourself, too, Gavin!" Adam suddenly interjected.

Gavin and I turned around at the same time, looking at Adam, who was still standing in front of the room. I didn't understand what made Adam say that. What had Gavin done to me? What had Gavin done out there? I couldn't think of anything. 

"Oh, don't you have the IQ to understand such a simple statement?" Adam said sarcastically. 

Gavin stepped out to stand right in front of Adam with a sharp, glaring stare. I sensed that there might be a truce after this; I was really afraid of dragging Adam further into my complicated life. I could have solved our problems myself, but it was wrong of me to bring Adam in. So, I already had no chance of pulling Adam back because I was sure it wouldn't work.

"Speak the obvious, damn it! I don't have time for a long chat with you!" Gavin snapped.

"Gavin, one of the higher-ups in the office, isn't it well known that you're in a relationship with your secretary? Even most of the employees there don't think you have a wife because you often bring her to the hotel or maybe to your apartment. If I'm not mistaken, that woman's name is-"

"What are you saying? Shut your mouth if you don't know the truth!" Gavin snapped. 

Suddenly, my head was getting heavier as I heard Adam's words to Gavin. Was Adam saying the right thing? If it was wrong, Gavin should argue to defend, but he chose anger as his way out. If it's true, was I really never considered all this time? 

"Why, are you surprised by the fact that I know everything you've done all this time? I've known for a long time; it's just that I was reluctant to interfere in your household. I felt sorry for that innocent woman, but I didn't have the heart to hurt her either, so I kept quiet. Do you know why I know so much about you even though we're not in the same company? Because news can be traded. As long as we have money, everything can be done," Adam said. 

I shook my head. I still couldn't believe it; I needed Gavin to explain everything. 

"Gavin, is what Adam said true?" I asked after gathering my courage.

Gavin turned his head. "Why are you interfering in my business? Do you trust him more than me being your husband?" asked Gavin, looking at me with dislike.

"I'm just asking, is what Adam said really true?" I asked again; this time, I urged Gavin to open all the guises that he had been using.

"Yes, if it's true, why would you file for divorce? Look, Mahira, you don't have that much power to bring me down and make your plan work. You won't be able to do anything as long as you stay in this house because everything is under my control. No matter what Adam says is right or wrong, you still can't have a say. You are still Mahira imprisoned in this house," Gavin scolded in a high voice. 

He grabbed the black coat that was on the sofa and then went back out, leaving me sitting weakly in front of the bed. 

I felt like I didn't have the strength to take a step, nor did I have the energy to get angry. My heart was broken, and my life was now a complete mess. My whole body hurt, but it hurt even more my heart that had been torn apart by Gavin so many times.

Why? Why was I so stupid? How could he do that behind my back all this time? Was I only considered to be a display piece all this time? I cried, holding back the pain that spread throughout my body.

"Mahira, I'm calling the doctor," broke off Adam, who was now suddenly in front of me.

I clung to my knees, trying to calm myself. I knew that even after this, Adam couldn't help me because, after all, Adam still had a relationship with Catherine. I knew if Adam went in, it would be a more serious problem; therefore, I chose to embrace my confusion.

I'm so stupid! I'm useless, and I'm really weak. I can't do anything. Am I not beautiful enough and satisfactory enough in Gavin's eyes? Had I been wrong all this time? I cursed and searched for my faults, but I didn't know how to find them.

I had always tried to serve Gavin, to give him everything he needed, but the truth was that I couldn't be an attractive woman in Gavin's eyes. I was lost. I lost to the woman Gavin had already slept with. Maybe not just in looks, but in possessions as well. 

I hid my face inside my bent knees. My heart was broken, and my hunger had disappeared. Gavin hurt me so many times that I could no longer identify the part that hurt me the most. I felt like everything hurt and couldn't be healed anymore. Gavin had killed me slowly, and now I felt that perhaps my character had been killed, and I should give birth to a new character if I could.

"Mahira, the doctor will be here soon. I beg you, don't think about things. You are a great woman, Mahira. After this, you must rise to be a stronger version of yourself. Prove to everyone that you are not the same old Mahira. Now your chance has come to change what you want to change," Adam said gently.

I felt Adam rubbing my shoulder very gently. "You are strong; I know you, Mahira. You can turn this around, Mahira. Not just you, but us," Adam said. 

"Us?" I looked up at Adam, who nodded his head.