Chapter 1

Valerie stared wearily at the clock on her desk. An exasperated sigh escaped from her lips for the one-millionth time that day. 10th July was marked in red on the small calendar she had beside the clock. This particular date was supposed to be the happiest day in her life but each year since that day has been nothing but a nightmare. 

It was past 17:00 and almost the end of business hours, but she did not feel the slightest excitement about making the trip back home. “Nothing is going to change anyway.” she thought to herself as she diverted her attention to the case files she had been working on.

A subtle knock came on her door, and whoever was out there, she told them to come in. Jane, her secretary walked in, shutting the door gently behind her. “A call just came in from Dee’s Bakery saying that your order is ready ma’am.” she began and Valerie lifted her eyes to look at her for the first time since she walked in. 

“They are asking to know if they should have it delivered or if you would prefer to pick it up instead.”

Valerie took off her glasses and relaxed into her seat. Her gaze was distant as if meditating on what response to give. “Tell them I’ll stop by on my way home.” Replied Valerie, sitting up straight and turning back to her work.

“Okay, ma’am,” Jane replied and turned to leave but halted in her step. Jane’s lips trembled as she pondered on whether she should utter the words that itched to be said. Summoning courage, she turned to Valerie and cleared her throat loud enough for her to hear. 

“Do you really have to do this every year ma’am? You know nothing has changed since then.” Jane said, her face wrinkled in concern.

Valerie could hear the worry in Jane’s voice and without asking, knew what exactly she was referring to. “I appreciate the concern Jane, but I at least have to try.” Replied Valerie.

“It wasn’t your fault you know? It was only an accident.” 

Valerie shrugged, a wry smile on her lips. “No one believes that.” 

“But…” Jane tried to speak but Valerie shook her head, gesturing that she should not. More wrinkled lines formed on Jane’s forehead as she swallowed the words. 

“I’m fine, Jane. Trust me.” She smiled but Jane pouted her lips. 

Jane knew she was lying but Valerie was the boss. And she knew better than to continue to impose on Valerie. “If you say so.” Jane resigned to defeat.

“I’ll see you tomorrow. Goodnight, boss.” 

Valerie chuckled, “Goodnight Jane.”

Jane exited the office, leaving Valerie to herself. Jane’s words only poked at wounds she had tried so hard to overcome but Jane did nothing wrong beyond stating facts. Valerie cleared the thought off her head and wrapped up her work. Dee’s Bakery closes at 6:30 pm. She had to leave now if she was to get there on time. 

It was exactly 18:30 when Valerie arrived at the shop. The blinds were rolling down already and there was a sign ‘WE’RE CLOSED’ hanging on the door but thankfully, one of the staff was still inside, tidying up. 

Valerie knocked persistently until she successfully attracted the staff’s attention. She had to practically beg before her order was handed out to her once she was in but Valerie did not mind the hassle. She thanked the staff, paid for her cake, and left the store. Her next destination, HOME.

It was a thirty-minute drive from the store to her house. Carlos was yet to return from work. Unlike their other wedding anniversaries where she had gone all out with decorations, Valerie decided it was best to keep it simple this time. She set the cake on the table and hurried off to her room to freshen up. 

Valerie slipped into a sexy night dress that stopped at her thighs and had a slit on the side. She pulled her hair up in a messy bun, allowing two strands to fall on both sides of her face before going back downstairs to complete her setup. Valerie was confident that she looked breathtaking in her dress and makeup. There was no way Carlos could resist her. She hoped he wouldn’t like he had always done.

The table was set finally. With the unboxed cake, a bottle of wine, saucers, and two wine glasses, all that was left was Carlos’s arrival. Her gaze shifted to the clock on the wall. It was almost 9 pm, meaning that Carlos would arrive anytime soon. She settled into the couch, waiting to hear the door creak open but that was not happening.

Seconds turned into minutes, and minutes into hours but Carlos was far from home. She checked her phone to see if she had missed his calls or text but there was nothing. “Happy Wedding Anniversary, Valerie.” she sighed as she poured herself a glass of wine and ate a spoonful of cake. 

Just as she was about to pour herself another glass, the door creaked open and Carlos entered, looking grim and worn out. Valerie rose to her feet, staring at him. “You’re home late.” she said, softly, trying not to provoke him but Carlos ignored her.

He walked over to the table and grabbed the wine bottle, downing its contents. “You must be stressed.” she said, moving close to him. “Let me take that.” She reached for his suitcase, but he shrugged her off. 

Valerie ignored his act and reached for his jacket but this only infuriated him. “Can’t you just leave me be?” he turned to her, eyes blazing fury.

“I just….” She could not complete her sentence before he cut her off.

“You just what?” His eyes widened but Valerie could not utter any words. 

Carlos shook his head and began walking in the direction of the stairs. “I set all this up for our anniversary, you know? The least you could have done was show up on time and not like some lunatic who just bailed from the asylum.” she blurted out her frustration, her heart was heavy with pain.

Carlos paused at the foot of the stairs and slowly turned to face her. “I never asked you to do anything, did I? You must be so desperate to be fucked that you had to dress up like a slut just to appeal to me. But guess what, you don’t.” He spat and Valerie winced in pain.

Tears she had no idea had flooded her eyes flowed freely down her cheeks. “I’m your wife Carlos. You have refused to touch me in years or celebrate our wedding anniversary. Why do you despise me so much?” Her voice broke as she spoke.

Carlos chuckled in disbelief, neck craned to the side as he regarded her. Valerie violently wiped off the tears from her eyes, watching as he walked up to her. “Do not try to play dumb with me, Valerie.” He scoffed.

“I don’t know you to be that stupid.” He added.

“Carlos.” Valerie’s lips trembled as he got closer. Pain tugged at her chest violently.

“I hate you, Valerie.” Carlos said in an audible whisper when he got close enough.

An invisible bell went off in Valerie's ears the moment Carlos’ words graced them. She could see the look in his eyes. He meant every word. He wasn't trying to patronize her in any way. 

“I despise your existence and I cannot stand the very sight of you let alone touch you.” He continued to speak.

Valerie was lost for words. Her heart constricted so tightly in her chest, she feared she'd suffer from a heart attack. 

“I have no business staying married to you if not because of my father's damned threats. You should've been the one who died that day.” Carlos’ cold words struck her.

Finally, after all these years, Carlos had referred back to that day. The day when their marriage came crumbling before her very eyes all because of one silly mistake that wasn't even her fault. 

Carlos had avoided talking about it all those times but Valerie always knew his sudden shift in attitude dated back to it. The day their son drowned in the pool.

FLASHBACK:

That very day, Valerie had left their three-year-old son, Jason, in the custody of his nanny and excused herself to go attend to an important call. She was still on the call when she heard the loud scream coming from the direction she had just left, the pool area.

Without wasting a second, Valerie dashed in the direction of the voice, worried for her son. She lost it when she saw Jason lying motionless on the ground, his still form stretched out by the pool. His nanny was weeping profusely as she attempted to resuscitate him. 

“Jason?” Valerie's voice came as a faint whisper, tears streaming down her eyes.

She ran to his side, knelt beside him, and placed him gently on her thighs as she began checking his heartbeat and breathing.

“I'm sorry. I only left him for a split second and when I came back…” the nanny wept profusely, unable to complete her sentence.

“Call an ambulance!” Valerie yelled at the top of her voice, her heart shattering into pieces with each passing second. Fear consumed her as she called his name repeatedly, shaking him at the same time but there was no response.

Jason was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital. It was discovered that he had fallen into the pool and drowned. Carlos had never looked at Valerie the same again since then.