Blood?
1388 Words
OLIVIA
My whole body trembled as I stared at the text message, my eyes wide with disbelief. It took a lot of effort to keep the phone from slipping from my grasp.
Asher and I might not be the most affectionate couple, but I never thought he’d cheat on me. I had given him my all in this marriage, hoping he'd eventually open up to me. But now, it seemed like wishful thinking.
“What are you doing with my phone?” He barked at me, making me flinch. I swallowed hard, still frozen at the same spot.
He snatched the phone from me, his expression darkening as he read the text. He pocketed the phone and turned to leave, but I grabbed his arm.
“It's not true, right?” I asked, with my voice trembling, searching his cold, expressionless eyes for answers.
I once thought that one day, those icy gazes would melt into warmth. But would that ever happen?
He yanked his hand free, and grasped my neck, his grip tightening as he slammed me against the wall. “We agreed not to cross boundaries,” he hissed, his voice glacial. “Mind your business, woman.”
I struggled to breathe, coughing loudly as I tried to pry his hand off my neck. Tears slipped down my eyes as I gasped for air. He released me slowly, his eyes never leaving mine, before turning to walk away.
I called out to him, my voice barely above whisper. “Why did you marry me then?” The question had been burning inside me for long, probably since the day we got married.
He halted in his tracks, his back still turned on me. Even without seeing his face, I could sense his snicker.
I felt like a pathetic loser begging for his love, his affection, his warm gaze, any crumb of connection that might prove that I mattered to him.
My heart raced as I waited for his answer, though deep down, I feared I already knew.
I had married him because I loved him sincerely while he, I knew he never loved me. I was just someone he'd used escape the claws of his overbearing mother.
“You are just a tool to win againt my mother,” he responded bluntly, his voice cutting deep into my heart.
I was a tool, not a wife, not a person. He'd never considered me as his wife, not even once.
My legs gave out, and I slumped onto the bed dejectedly. Tears flowed without much effort, then it occurred to me, tears and pain were the only things Asher had to offer. Nothing more, nothing less.
I gently placed my hand on my flat stomach and a small smile crept on my lips. 'Just hang in there, little one,' I whispered softly.
'If I failed as a wife, I won't repeat the same mistake as a mother.'
My eyes gave in to sleep, I had no idea how long I slept. When I woke up the sun was already high in the sky. Asher didn't join me in bed last night, he likely slept in the guest room or elsewhere.
It was a familiar pattern - whenever we argued, he'd punish me by sleeping out, leaving me anxious all night. As a result, I'd learned to avoid any conversation that would lead to argument, walking on eggshells to maintain a fragile peace.
I got out of bed, my body aching all over from the previous day's tedious work at Natasha Brown's.
Getting to the living room, my eyes landed on a file lying on the table. The first few lines made a gasp escaped from my lips. It was a business presentation that Asher needed that day, the same presentation he had been stressing on for weeks. He must have left it behind in haste.
I quickly got dressed and headed for his office, hoping to catch him before the meeting.
“Good morning, ma'am,” The receptionist at the front desk greeted with a warm smile, I instantly felt welcomed. “How may I help you?” She added.
“Well, I'm Asher's wife and I have something for him.” I responded, showing her the file.
I noticed that her countenance changed, but I didn't think much of it. I showed her my phone's wallpaper, our wedding picture, to prove my identity.
“His office is on the fourth floor,” She said, her smile seeming a bit forced now. “Take the elevator, and it would lead you right there.”
I thanked her regardless, and headed to the elevator, joining other workers.
As the doors closed, my mind drifted to Asher and I couldn't but wonder what he'd when he sees me. Would he be relieved or annoyed at the fact that I showed up unannounced?
“Haven't you heard what's going on at Mr. Asher's office?” One of the workers whispered to another, catching my attention.
“Chloe is just being shameless, clinging to him despite knowing he has a wife at home.”
That wife should be....me, right?
And Chloe? That's the same person who texted who texted Asher last night. If my thoughts are correct, then..... Oh God! I felt my mouth ran dry.
“I just pity the wife; she's probably at home, clueless about what's going on” The first one said.
From where I stood, beads of sweat broke out on my forehead. I gasped for air, suddenly feeling choked. I was the first to rush out as I got the elevator doors opened on the fourth floor.
I headed straight to the CEO's office with my eyes burning in fury, I should confront him on this. The secretary was nowhere in sight, so I walked straight to Asher's office.
I meant to barge in, but a sound made my heart skip a beat. I wasn't a child; I knew exactly what that sound meant. It was a moaning sound of a lady.
My hand trembled as I reached for the door knob, fear of the unknown eating me up. I slowly turned the handle and pushed the door opened.
My eyes locked on the scene before me, and my heart shattered in a million pieces. Asher and a lady, I presume to be Chloe, were kissing passionately, their lips moving in a perfect sync as they devoured each other.
“Asher!” I screamed at once, walking into the office fully, the door closed behind me with a soft click.
They disengaged from the kiss at once, but Chloe stood defiantly beside Asher while holding his hand tightly. Shameless.
I shook my head repeatedly like I was trying to shake off a bad memory. My teary eyes locked with Asher's, and for a moment, I saw guilt flashed across his face, but it was quickly replaced with a blank expression.
“What are you doing here, Olivia?”
“Should you be asking me that right now? Fine, it's against your rules and I shouldn't be here but that's not the point! Why her? Why did you cheat on me? Wasn't I enough for you? Haven't I been enough?” I bombarded him with questions, my voice cracking in anguish.
“You should go home,” He said dismissively, not bothering to answer any of my questions.
He wasn't going to give an explanation or even apologize, how could he be so callous? I felt a surge of anger and hurt wash over me.
“I've done nothing but love you years!” My voice trembled despite my effort to sound strong. “Why did you do this to me? Just why!?” I questioned, but my words were met with deafening silence.
I turned away from Asher and glance at Chloe, a smug smile spread across her face. What the...? Was she mocking me? My heart sank, and tears flowed ceaselessly.
I tried to move, but my legs felt heavy, as if rooted to the spot. I felt a warm, sticky sensation crawling down my skin, starting from my mid-thigh trickling down my legs.
I looked down, and my heart raced as I saw the red, warm, and sticky liquid. Blood.
I screamed in terror, and my eyes snapped shut, plunging me into darkness.
- Writer
