Drunk

—SAMANTHA—

I didn’t know how long I sat there in Zeke’s study after they left. Minutes? Hours? It all blurred together.

By the time I finally stood up and walked out of the home office, the mansion was filled with the shrill of laughter and chatter.

I could hear them downstairs—Zeke, Ophelia, and the rest of his family, enjoying their evening like nothing had happened.

Like I didn’t exist.

I ignored it and stepped into the dimly lit corridor, my body aching with every movement.

Then ahead of me, I saw them.

Amore and Maya stood at the end of the hall, waiting for me. My daughter’s small hands clutched the hem of her nightgown, her big, tired eyes searching my face the moment she saw me.

"Madam," Maya said softly, "she couldn’t sleep."

I forced a smile, though the pain in my face made it nearly impossible. "Come here, bunny."

Amore ran to me immediately, wrapping her arms around my waist. I held her close, inhaling the faint scent of her strewberry shampoo.

When I pulled back, her little face scrunched up in concern. "Mommy… what happened to your eye?"

I flinched.

Her tiny fingers reached up, almost touching the spot where Zeke had struck me. I quickly caught her hand, swallowing the pain that threatened to rise again.

"Something got into my eye, bunny," I said with a smile, pretending like it was nothing.

She frowned, not convinced.

I could feel the Maya’s gaze on me, her silence heavy with pity. But I didn’t acknowledge it. I couldn’t.

"Come on, let’s get you to bed," I whispered, leading Amore into her room while Maya trailed a respectful distance behind us.

I walked straight to her room, ignoring the stares from the housemaids. Once inside, I set her on the bed and brushed her hair back.

"Do you want me to read you a story?" I asked.

She shook her head. "No. Just stay with me, Mommy."

Tears burned the back of my eyes. "Of course, bunny. I won't leave you."

She scooted closer, wrapping her little arms around my waist. I held her tight, burying my face in her hair.

For a moment, I just breathed her in, letting her small presence calm me.

She was so warm, so innocent. She didn’t deserve any of this.

I closed my eyes, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle over me. My body ached, my head throbbed, and the pain in my chest felt unbearable.

Then her soft voice spilled in the silence.

"Mommy?"

"Yes, bunny?"

"Does Daddy not love me anymore?"

I froze.

I pulled back to look at her, my heart breaking at the sadness in her eyes.

"Of course, Daddy loves you," I lied, forcing a smile.

"But he didn’t pick me up today. And he let that lady be mean to me," she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.

I swallowed hard, forcing down the lump in my throat. "Daddy is… busy, sweetheart. But he still loves you."

She stared at me for a long moment, as if trying to believe my words. Then, she nodded slowly.

I kissed her forehead. "Now, let’s get you to bed, okay?"

She curled into my side, and within minutes, she was fast asleep.

I gently pulled the blanket over her and sat there for a long time, just watching her.

Tears slipped down my cheeks.

I had endured a lot in this marriage. I had swallowed every insult, every betrayal. But this…

This was unforgivable.

They could hurt me all they wanted.

But I would not let them hurt my daughter.

I wiped my tears, taking a deep breath.

This wasn’t over.

After watching Amore for a few moments, I finally stood to leave the room and I turned off the light, safe for the faint glow of the nightlight. I stood by the door for a moment, watching her small chest rise and fall as she slept peacefully.

She had no idea what kind of world she was growing up in.

With a quiet sigh, I stepped out, closing the door gently behind me.

Maya was still standing outside, obviously waiting for me, her face filled with concern. She hesitated before speaking.

"Madam, I know you love Master Zeke, but…" she trailed off, looking down for a moment as if debating whether to continue. Then, she lifted her gaze, determination in her eyes. "But you shouldn’t settle for a man who beats a woman."

I swallowed hard, forcing a painful smile.

If only she knew.

If only she knew that love had never been the reason I stayed.

But her words sent warmth through me. I was glad, knowing MaryJane wasn't the only person in the world who cared about me. I was just an ordinary girl.

I could only nod and whisper, "Thank you, Maya," before turning away.

I didn’t want to talk about it. Not with her. Not with anyone.

Dragging my exhausted body into my bedroom, I shut the door. My body ached all over, but the worst of it was my eye. The pain throbbed, sharp and relentless.

I forced myself to move, peeling off my clothes as I strolled into the bathroom.

The hot water hit my skin, washing away the dirt and sweat, but it couldn't wash away the pain. It couldn't erase the reality of my life.

I stood there for a long time, letting the heat soothe my stiff muscles. When I finally stepped out, I felt a little lighter, but as soon as I faced the mirror, my stomach twisted.

The bruise was worse than I thought.

A round, black angry circle marred my eye, swollen and ugly. I reached out with trembling fingers, pressing lightly.

A sharp pain shot through me, and I whimpered.

Damn him.

Damn Zeke Frost to hell.

I grabbed the first-aid kit from the drawer and began tending to the wound, biting my lip to keep from crying out. Every dab of ointment stung, but I endured it.

I had to.

Finally, I pulled on a clean nightgown and climbed into bed, pulling the blankets over me. I just wanted to sleep. To forget.

But just as my eyes were closing, the door creaked open.

My entire body tensed.

Zeke.

He stumbled in, the faint smell of alcohol clinging to him. Did he go to the clubhouse with Ophelia and get drunk? My fingers curled into the sheets, but I didn’t move. I stayed perfectly still, waiting.

He rarely came into this room. He never did.

Long ago, I convinced myself it was because he didn’t want to offend the memories he had of my late twin sister. That maybe, just maybe, a small part of him grieved and was mourning her.

But now, I knew better.

He hadn’t been avoiding this master bedroom because he was grieving. He had been saving himself for Ophelia.

The realization hit me like a slap.

I had been so stupid!

Zeke’s tall figure loomed as he stepped further inside, his shirt unbuttoned at the top, revealing the smooth line of his neck. His smirk stretched as his blue eyes landed on me.

Zeke might be a scumbag, but he was indeed a handsome man, he knew it and took pride in it. At 29, he was almost at his peak in his career and was one of the rising CEO in the city.

I shifted slightly, moving toward the edge of the bed without thinking.

He chuckled. "What’s wrong, Samantha?" His voice was low, mocking. "Playing hard to get?"

I said nothing.

A part of me wishes he could just leave.

He took another step closer, his eyes dark with amusement. "Didn’t you throw a tantrum today just to get my attention? Now that I’m here, you’re running away?”