With shaky steps, I left the dining room behind, my wine glass clutched tightly in my hand. The familiar path to the piano room seemed longer tonight. As I pushed open the door, the soft glow of moonlight illuminated the grand piano sitting majestically in the center of the room. With a heavy heart, I crossed the threshold, the cool air of the room wrapping around me.
Sinking onto the chair in front of the piano, I reached out to press a key, but my trembling fingers betrayed me. Tears blurred my vision as I wiped them away, the ache in my heart threatening to consume me once again.
I was once a pianist prodigy but after witnessing my mother die in front of me, in my piano room, I cannot press a key ever since. I can clearly remember that day like it happened yesterday. It was raining so hard and my mother jumped on the balcony just the time a clash of thunder echoed in the room.
“Why would you even do that, Mom?” I raised the glass to my lips and drank deeply, the warmth of the wine spreading through me.
But then, just as I finished the glass, the sound of the main door echoed through the halls, jolting me back to reality. My heart skipped a beat as I realized that Regan had finally returned home. With a steadying breath, I rose from the chair and walked outside.
The sound of the front door opening made my heart leap with hope, but it quickly sank as I heard Regan stumble in. His disheveled appearance was illuminated by the soft glow of the foyer lights. His dark hair was tousled, strands falling across his forehead. The faint scent of cologne mingled with the unmistakable odor of alcohol that clung to him. His piercing blue eyes looked unfocused. His usually crisp shirt was untucked and wrinkled, his tie hanging loose around his neck.
"Ugh, fuck," he slurred, his words muddled, and his movements unsteady as he kicked off his shoes.
I plastered a weak smile on my face, trying to hide the disappointment. "You're here? I saved you some dinner,"
Regan waved me off dismissively, "Get out of my way," he mumbled, his words barely audible as he stumbled past me.
As he disappeared up the grand staircase of our home, I bit my lip to compose myself. With a resigned sigh, I reached for the cigarette resting in the ashtray. Alone once again, I blew out the candles one by one. The room was enveloped in darkness.
“Happy birthday to me” I whispered.
Another year older, another year of unhappiness. Deep down, I couldn't shake the hope that burned in my soul. Perhaps this year would be different, perhaps this time, things would finally change for me.
After what felt like an eternity of silent contemplation, I mustered the strength to go to our bedroom. As I pushed open the door, the sound of running water greeted me, and I knew Regan was in the shower. With hesitant steps, I approached the bed.
“Ugh,” I groaned as I sat on the edge of the bed.
And then, he emerged, a silhouette against the steam-filled room, his form obscured by the mist. But even in the dim light, I could see the familiar lines of his body, the contours that I knew so well. As his eyes met mine, a fleeting moment of recognition passed between us. Without a word, he closed the distance between us, his movements fluid and effortless.
And then, his lips were on mine. I couldn't help but respond, my body betraying me as I melted into his touch. Just like always.
But even as I lost myself in the sweetness of the moment, a single tear escaped my eye. I loved him, with every fiber of my being, and yet I knew that tomorrow he would return to being cold and distant. Yet, at this moment, as his lips moved against mine with a desperate intensity, I couldn't help but hold onto the hope that maybe, just maybe, there was still a chance for us.
……..
The next morning.....
I massage my forehead as my head throbbing from the hangover that now plagued me, I slowly opened my eyes to find Regan standing by the dresser, drying his hair with a towel.
"Morning," I mumbled, my voice raspy with sleep.
He didn't even spare me a glance, his focus solely on getting dressed as if I were nothing more than a piece of furniture in the room. The sting of his indifference pierced through me, but I forced a smile, determined not to let him see how much his disregard hurt. I’ve been doing this for 3 years; I am now used to it.
"Do you even remember what yesterday was?"
Regan paused, his gaze finally flickering towards me for a moment before he continued to fasten his shirt. "I guess just another one of those gatherings my mother insists on attending,"
His words cut deep, a painful reminder of the birthday he had forgotten, of the countless occasions he had overlooked in our years together. But instead of voicing my hurt, I simply nodded, pretending that his answer didn't sting as much as it did.
"And where were you last night?" I couldn't help but ask, even though I already knew the answer. For three years of marriage, I had known, but for three years, I had also feigned ignorance, pretending not to notice the late nights and phone calls.
Regan's eyes flashed with anger as he turned to face me. "Why does it matter?"
I swallowed back the lump in my throat. "I just... I was just curious."
“You are really good at ruining my morning.”
Remaining silent, I forced myself out of bed, covering myself with the robe nearby. I guess I’ll have a long-sleeve dress today since I know I have hickeys everywhere. Ignoring the pounding in my head, I stumbled into the bathroom and went through the motions of getting ready.
As I made my way to the kitchen, I tried to push aside the lingering sense of hurt and betrayal that lingered in the back of my mind. With weak hands, I set about preparing the table for breakfast.Susan approached me with a concerned expression etched on her face. "Miss, you should really rest. You've looked not okay.”I offered her a weak smile as I focused on the breakfast table, "I am fine, Susan.”When I heard Regan's footsteps descending the stairs, I plastered on a cheerful smile. "Good morning. I've made breakfast. Won't you join me?"But he merely stared at the spread before him, his expression unreadable as he brushed past me without a word."Not hungry," he muttered, his tone dismissive as he made his way towards the door.Desperate to reach him, I seized the coffee pot and held it out to him. "Please, just take a sip,"But before I could react, his hand collided with the coffee pot, sending scalding liquid splashing towards me. I cried out in pain as the hot liquid seared
I walked into the cafe, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mixing with the sound of chatter and laughter. It was one of my favorite spots in the city. Include her long floral dress with red heels, red nails, and red lipstick. I wore a long floral dress that fluttered around my ankles as I moved, paired with red heels that clicked softly against the tiled floor. My red nails and matching red lipstick completed the look, a stark contrast to my black hair, which framed my face like a dark halo. My green eyes scanned the cafe, taking in the familiar sights and sounds.The door chimed as I entered, and a familiar security guard snapped to attention. "Welcome, Ma'am," he greeted me with a respectful bow.With a small smile, I thanked him and made my way towards my usual table in the corner. The booth, nestled against a bookshelf overflowing with travel guides and well-loved novels. Today, however, the table wasn't empty. My grandfather sat there, his back ramrod straight despite his age, a
As I waited near the entrance of the mall, a familiar figure approached with an energy that could rival the sun. Sheila practically bounded towards me.Her curly hair, a riot of chestnut curls, framed her face in a wild halo, bouncing with every step she took. Her eyes, a warm shade of hazel, reflected the joy she found in even the simplest of moments. Sheila was like a ray of sunshine."Hey, birthday girl!" she exclaimed, as she linked her arm through mine. "I'm so sorry I couldn't be here on your actual birthday. I had that seminar; you know how it is.""I understand. Doctors are always busy"She grinned. "Today, I'm buying you a new dress to make up for missing your birthday!""Really? Anything I want?" I teased, knowing full well she wouldn't back down from the challenge."Anything!""Alright then, I'm choosing something ridiculously expensive.”To my surprise, she merely pouted. "Fine, be that way," she huffed, before breaking into a giggle. “But not ridiculously expensive, okay?
As Zarina and Regan glanced in our direction, panic shot through me. My stomach churned, churning so violently I thought I might vomit. Without a second thought, I grabbed Sheila's arm, my grip tight and desperate."Come on," I hissed, pulling her away from the scene with a force that surprised even myself.We weaved through the throngs of people, my legs moving on autopilot. I just needed to get away, to escape before I crumbled. Once we were safely hidden behind a pillar, out of sight from the escalator, I finally stopped, my body trembling uncontrollably.Sheila turned to me, her eyes wide with concern. "Did you know they were seeing each other?""No," I croaked, the single word scraping raw against my throat. As we hurried out of the mall, my steps pounded against the floor. My breath hitched in my throat. Hot tears pricked at the back of my eyelids, threatening to spill over. But I wouldn't allow it. Like an instinct, I blinked back the stinging moisture, forcing my vision
Sheila’s gasp was a sharp intake of breath. “Are you crazy, Anastasia?! He betrayed you, and lied to you! How can you even think about protecting something so rotten?”“Maybe I am,”“Tasia, you can’t keep doing this to yourself. You deserve so much more than this. More than a love that makes you feel like this, more than a man who doesn’t cherish you.” She took a deep breath, her voice dropping to a low growl. “You should leave that bastard right now! Pack your bags, walk out that door, and never look back!”“I can’t leave him, Sheila. Not now. I still love him.”“Did you know he was cheating on you?” Sheila asked, her voice laced with a quiet fury.I met her gaze with a heavy heart. “Yes. I knew there might have been someone else, but I never imagined it would be Zarina.” “I can’t believe he did this to you,” Sheila gritted in anger. “That bastard. I swear, I will kill him if I ever see him!”When I remained silent, she sighed, the sound heavy with disappointment. “So, I guess
With a forced smile that felt brittle on my lips, I walked to my designated seat at the far end of the table. The vast expanse of mahogany between us felt like an insurmountable distance. We ate in a tense silence, the only sounds were the clinking of silverware against China and the labored breaths I couldn't quite control.My appetite was nonexistent. But I forced myself to pick at my food. Halfway through the meal, I could feel Regan's gaze burning into me. In the past, I would make any remark designed to draw him into conversation. But tonight, the words wouldn't come. The image of his hand intertwined with Zarina's, the warmth in his eyes that had been absent for far too long, choked the words back down. Finally, he cleared his throat. "Anastasia,"I ignored him, staring intently at the floral pattern on my plate. The urge to scream, to throw my wine glass across the table, warred with the strange paralysis that gripped me.Regan cleared his throat again, louder this time. "A
Days passed in a blur of empty routines and forced smiles. But as the sun rose on another day, I pushed aside the memories of what I saw in the mall. Of what I and Regan talked about. I promised myself I would try everything I have on this marriage.And that involves staying and giving everything I have. Including chances.As I stirred from my fitful slumber, the weight of exhaustion pulling at my limbs, I found myself greeted by the sight of Regan still sleeping beside me. It was a rare occurrence.His features softened. With each rise and fall of his chest, I couldn't help but admire the sculpted contours of his physique, the gentle curve of his jawline and the way his tousled hair fell in disarray across his forehead. Regan slept with a sense of ease, his chest rising and falling in a steady. The absence of a shirt allowed me to appreciate the taut muscles of his torso. As I watched him, a sense of admiration washed over me. I couldn't help but be drawn to him, to the man who is st
As lunchtime approached, I happily packed the food I had lovingly prepared into a lunchbox. Today is a special day.Susan stands beside me, “I think you should just ask Marlon to send it, Miss Anastasia”I shook my head, "It's been a long time since I've done it myself. And I am sure Marlon must be too tired and sick of delivering lunch for Regan. It is his day off today."But Susan still looked concerned for some reason. “Why? Is there something wrong?”“No, nothing, Miss”I nodded and carried the lunch bag. “I should get going.”“Take care on your way, Miss”I walked out of our house, my house clicking on the garage. I don’t ask for drivers. For me, it was nicer to drive on your own. I entered my Red Mercedes-Benz and sped off the Dynastar Enterprises. It is a billion-multinational company owned by Regan.As I parked my car, I looked at the towering building in front of me. Then I walked inside. The guards greeted me with a polite nod, but I couldn't help but notice the unease that