Chapter 2: I gave you my virginity

"What's that supposed to mean, Marissa?" Tyler asked, cutting in before Renee could respond.

"Of course, she's my wife. She's meant to be here with me. Who else were you expecting?"

His voice was friendly, but the underlying threat made it clear he wouldn't tolerate any criticism of his beloved wife.

"Hey, you!" his mother, Julia Collins, snapped as she grabbed me by the ear.

"I'll take care of this," she added with a tight smile, practically dragging me out of Tyler's private room.

"Can't you see? It's just three damn days until his surgery. He's finally able to see again after three years. Don't you dare stir up any trouble! Here."

I was momentarily speechless. This was the same woman who had begged me to marry her son three years ago, and now she was acting so strangely.

"B-but Mom, you know I'm his wife and..."

Spit!!

Right onto my face.

"Have you lost it, Marissa?" Julia's voice was sharp and furious. I wiped the saliva from my face, staring at my mother-in-law in shock.

"Are you so obsessed with his status and fortune that you've forgotten how much it will hurt him when he finds out about our arrangement?"

I was astounded by the betrayal. Nevertheless, I was determined to fight for my love and not give up easily, because of my unborn kids.

I maneuvered around Julia Collins and re-entered the room, determined to have a conversation with my husband.

"Marissa! Don’t you dare!" Julia shouted, hurling insults as she followed. Unfazed, I approached Tyler and halted just beside Renee.

"Tyler, I need to speak with you. Alone!"

My tone was assertive, reflecting the confidence I had gained from my acting career and international experiences. He couldn't help but marvel at my newfound poise.

"No such thing will occur," Melissa Bennett spat from the corner of the room.

"This is a significant moment for the family, and we must afford Renee and Tyler their privacy. Now, let's step outside," she added with a forced smile.

For the first time, I felt a surge of anger towards my mother.

"I'm not going anywhere, Mom," I asserted firmly, my gaze fixed on Tyler.

"I won't leave until we have a private conversation."

"Marissa, please, calm down," Julia Collins said softly this time around.

Before Renee could interject, Tyler spoke up, "Alright. If she needs to talk, let's ensure she has some privacy."

"But, darling, I don't want to leave you right now," Renee said, resting her head on his chest with a pout. "Can't you talk to her later?"

Tyler kissed her gently on the lips and shook his head. "Just a few minutes, my love," he replied.

I felt my heart shatter into countless fragments. I was the true love of his life, not Renee.

My eyes narrowed as I watched the exchange. "This can't wait, Tyler," I interjected, my voice tinged with urgency.

"We need to talk now."

Renee's expression hardened as she clung to Tyler. "Why does it have to be now, Marissa? Can't you see he's not well?"

Tyler sighed, feeling the tension rise. "Enough, both of you. Marissa, let's talk. Renee, please understand."

As Renee left the room, I caught the malicious glint in her eyes but chose to ignore it. My thoughts were solely on my husband, the love of my life and the father of my unborn children.

"What's going on, Marissa?" Tyler's eyes narrowed suspiciously. I opened my mouth to speak, but he cut me off with a sharp look.

"Marissa, let's be honest," he said, his voice cold.

"You've had feelings for me for a long time, haven't you?" The accusation hung in the air, leaving me stunned and speechless.

"Yes, I've known since we first met. And that's not necessarily a bad thing, Marissa. I've always seen you as a caring sister-in-law, nothing more. You were like a little sister to me, and that's where it ends. I respect you as Renee's sister, but if you think you can manipulate me with this drama, you're mistaken. I don't care about you in that way. Understand?"

I stood there, feeling utterly lost and unsure of what to say next.

"All this time," I began, my voice trembling with emotion.

"All this time, I was the one who stood by you through everything. I'm your wife, Tyler, and—"

"Enough, Marissa!" he snapped, his voice laced with irritation. The sharpness of his tone cut through me like a knife.

"I don't want to hear it."

I felt my heart shatter. For the past three years, he had been my love, my confidant, my best friend. I had sacrificed so much for him, and now he was dismissing me as if I meant nothing. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I fought to keep them from falling.

As our families began to re-enter the room, Renee immediately rushed to Tyler's side. "Honey, are you alright? What does she want from you?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

Then, turning her furious gaze to me, she shrieked, "Shame on you, Marissa! You've ruined our happy moment and turned it into a spectacle."

I felt the weight of Renee's words but refused to back down. I couldn't give up now. What would I tell my children? That I had surrendered without even fighting for their father?

"I was the one who married you, Tyler," she managed to say through her sobs. His hand, which was reaching for Renee, froze in mid-air.

"I was the one who married you and stayed with you for the past three years. I know everything about you... and you know me like no one else. You... you touched me... I gave you my virginity."

I snapped out of my trance when I heard the collective gasp from those around me.

Slap!

"How disgraceful you are!" my mother exclaimed, striking me across the face. I placed a hand on my stinging cheek.

"How could you speak to your brother-in-law like that!"

Despite the sharp sting and the murmurs of the onlookers, my eyes remained fixed on Tyler, the man whose face I once kissed and loved.

"Please..." I pleaded, clasping my hands together.

"Please don't shut me out of your life, Tyler." I closed my eyes, letting the tears stream down my face.

"I can't handle this anymore," Renee said, stepping back from Tyler.

"Renee!" Tyler's eyes finally moved to her.

"Don't go..."

"Just meet me at the private lounge by the mansion. I'll wait for you there." Renee planted a soft kiss on his cheek and left the room without a backward glance.

Tyler turned to me, a bitter laugh escaping his lips.

"I was wrong about you, Marissa. I thought you were a kind-hearted girl with principles. Clearly, I was mistaken. Your mother was right. Have some decency and leave the room. Now!" he thundered, causing everyone in the room to jump in fright.

I pressed my trembling lips together, realizing there was no point in fighting a battle I had already lost.

I turned and left the room.

"Marissa." I stopped in the mansion's corridor when I heard my mother-in-law's voice. A flicker of hope ignited in my heart.