RubyI hate the way Archer makes me feel. I know he is doing this to make my life horrible, but that is just wrong. I miss the man he was during our honeymoon. He was always there for me and showed me his sweet side. But all of that changed when he came back. It was like he became meaner than before and cold.He didn't care about me or my feelings. This penthouse doesn't feel like home anymore. I miss home. I miss the feeling of meeting my siblings and my parents, but now, all of that is lost because of my marriage to this heartless man.I knew I ran away for a reason, but I also know it was a bad move on my part, but I thought he would have moved on from it. What is with these rules he came up with? He even took my phone and told me not to do the one thing I love the most, which is visiting the orphanage. He was also rude to me this morning and didn't thank me for the food. Now, I have to try my best to please him, knowing that he would come back late.I remembered that I had lingeri
ArcherThe elevator slides open, and I step in, loosening my tie before punching in the floor number. I’m exhausted. All the meetings I’ve been postponing for weeks finally caught up with me. I sigh deeply, glancing at my wristwatch. I’ve stayed longer than I thought at the office.Ruby. Thoughts of her are going through my mind all day, adding to my stress. What has she been up to the whole day? Images of her scantily clad body last night pop into my head, making my cock jerk slightly. Temptress.It’s getting increasingly hard not to give in to her advances, and not to let her see my soft side, the side that wants so badly to take her gently and softly. But then every time I try to let my guard down around her, I’m reminded of how dangerous she is. And how much she has hurt me. Left me stranded at the altar. I know her calmness and seduction attempts are all a lie, for show.I want more, I want her to want me truly. Not just because of the benefits that come with being married to a m
RubyI don’t hate him.Despite the fact that he practically makes me a prisoner in my own home, and despite the fact that he makes passionate love to me one moment, then chucks me away the next. I don’t hate Archer, no matter how much I want to. It’s a jarring realization, maybe because I’m beginning to see things from his point of view.I hurt him, led him on, and then stood him up at the altar. His ego is bruised. Of course, he won’t just believe I have pure intentions now. If roles were reversed, I wouldn’t believe it either. His indifference is painful, yes, but that’s probably his coping mechanism. He probably doesn’t know he’s hurting me like that.But what to do? I need him to stop running away from me. I want his warmth, I can see it peek out sometimes from behind the cold mask he has on every time. I need a way to break the ice without shattering it, and there’s only one person I can turn to for help.I pick up my phone and dial.“Hey Ethel, are you free today?”“Yeahhh, kind
ArcherFor sure Ruby was up to something I thought as I relaxed back on my seat. This morning she was wearing the sexiest pair of lingerie I’ve ever seen as she stepped out of the room and almost bumped into me.At this pace, it was getting hard to keep the indifference of my attraction to hear. Even now, thinking about her lush body, sent a hard on straight to my spine.It was becoming lame to continue to fault her for the decision she made that made our brewing relationship go south.Taking a deep breath, I allowed the faint sound of my staff bristly about the building to soothe me. I sighed. I’ve never had things easy for me. I’ve had to work hard for everything I own and even if I didn’t have to, I still do it anyway. It brings me satisfaction to know I’ve earned something.Ruby was supposed to be my gift. When an arranged marriage was first suggested, I merely thought I would be performing yet another duty. But I had taken one look at her, and it had only taken one kiss to keep m
RubyI rub at my eyes as I lie awake the following morning. I’m not even surprised Archer left the bed. But for a moment there, I think I see even the tiniest glimpse of contrition beneath his facade. The way he kisses me, holds me like I’m delicate.I exhale, causing my tousled hair to flutter across my forehead. I must have been mistaken thinking I saw a glimpse of the old Archer. I am definitely being delusional. But it doesn’t make it any less worse. I look around the large room, feeling lonely. Archer will not spare me even the slightest bit of his time. I get up and stretch lazily.I can’t afford to be hungry and sad; I think as I make my way to the bathroom. I freshen up quickly and then I put on the next thing I can find, which is a grey shirt. I roll the sleeves unceremoniously and put on grey sweatpants. My gaze lands on a yellow floral dress. It reminds me of sunshine and the peace and tranquility I long for. But I’m not feeling warm or sunshiny, so I close the closet with
ArcherThe expression on Ruby's face this morning cuts me deep. Since when did I become this monster? How did I let my hurt and pain turn me into this wicked being that his wife is afraid of? My need for retribution has turned me into a shadow of myself.How could I hurt her like this? I'm so disgusted with myself that I run out the moment she enters. I didn't want to face the product of my mistakes. I think about how she looks this morning; her eyes have dark circles under them, her usual glow is missing.I've punished her enough for something neither of us can change. It's high time to start looking at the future and not the past. What's done is done; I can't change it, but I can make the future better. I sigh. I miss my wife. I miss the days when we used to talk for hours and could never get enough. I miss the way she used to look at me with love and warmth. I miss holding her hands. I miss her even when I'm with her.I promise myself as the elevator takes me to the ground floor th
RubyWatching Archer hurry away for work as usual breaks my heart. How much longer are we going to continue like this? How much longer before I become a shadow of myself?I blame myself every day for the strain in our marriage. I blame Archer more for not wanting to fix it. We could book couples therapy and try to work through our problems, but broaching that topic with Archer will require him to actually talk to me.I'm still in the kitchen when Sophia walks in; she's wearing her usual clothes, just a shirt. I grit my teeth and clench my fist. This is my house; she can't continue to dress like that, or I'm kicking her out."What are you wearing, Sophie? Or not wearing?" I ask casually."None of your business," she responds."Actually, it is. This is my house, and Archer is my husband. I'd really appreciate it if you stop dressing like that. Because if you don't, you're out of here," I threaten, hoping Archer will back up my words if it comes to it. Briefly wondering if he'll choose m
ArcherSitting across from the investor from Spain who wants us to partner with them, I zone out as he goes on and on about the advantages of the partnership. I haven't had time to speak with Ruby for days now. I haven't told her about wanting to bury the hatchet or asked her for forgiveness.I know I'm only delaying because I'm afraid that I've pushed her too far and that I could never win her back. Be that as it may, I miss her badly enough that I'd rather risk doom than spend another hour talking to her. The investor is still talking, and I stifle the urge to yawn.My phone vibrates to announce an incoming message. I sneak it out and take a peek. What I see makes me jump up from my seat, startling everyone at the table, including the investor."Um, I'm sorry. I have to use the restroom. Excuse me," I say. I get out as quickly as I can. "Shit, shit. I can't believe Sophia would do this," I murmur, walking quickly to the front of the building. I call Ruby's phone; it rings and rings,