You Broke Me First

Chapter 2 - Unconscious

Lara stood, not surprised, just disappointed and hurt as she watched him walk away,

After a few seconds of hesitation, she followed behind Carol as they both made their way into the house,

On walking in, Lara only wished for the ground to open and swallow her up,

She had been hoping to have it easy this time when revealing her sixth miscarriage news…

But here she was, standing like a helpless exhibit in front of her husband's complete family—His parents and his brother.

“He—Hello,” Her voice betrayed the boldness she had tried to put up,

Ray’s Mother, Helen, shot her the usual tight, disapproving glare,

“We heard you went to the hospital today…” She began flatly,

Lara forced a nod, her heartbeat speeding up,

“So what? Don't tell me it's another stupid miscarriage?” Helen curtly demanded,

Lara could feel her legs began to tremble beneath her,

It took everything in her to stop herself from leaning on Carol who was standing just a feet away from her,

At that moment, her eyes impulsively moved to Ray.

He was standing in a corner, his hands in his pockets,

This was how it had always been—Whenever she got questioned or trolled by his family, he would just stand in that same corner, with the same strong, edgy look on his face,

“Speak up, you weakling!” Helen's shrill voice cut through the thick air, making her flinch,

Lara staggered, “I'm—I’m sorry, Ma,” uninvited but expected tears welled up in her eyes,

“Yeah, live up to your name, stupid weakling!” Helen went on with an icy tone,

“Stop it, Helen,” Ray's Father, George, chimed in, his hands on hers as if that could calm her down,

“Get lost!” Helen turned at him, pushing his hands away,

The room fell silent as she turned her attention back on Lara who had her head facing the floor,

“Gary told me everything,” She began, her tone surprisingly calm,

“Your womb is fine. The problem is your body. Is that right?” She asked,

Lara looked up at her, forcing out a barely audible, “Yes,”

Helen nodded to herself,

“Perfect. You can leave,” Was all she said, leaving Lara very confused,

Still, she was out of the living room before her thoughts could even process it,

Back in the living room, Ray finally stepped out of the corner,

“This should be the last time you speak to her like that,” His voice sounded off, earning questioning looks from everyone in the room,

Helen turned to him, her eyes flashing with anger, “Excuse me?”

“Lara is my wife…” Ray continued, completely unfazed by the death stare his Mother and brother were shooting at him,

“Not for longer,” Helen released before he could say anything else,

Now, he was the one with the questioning look, “What do you mean by that?”

Helen proudly cleared her throat as she rose to her feet, “I'm giving you one week to divorce that parasite of a wife…”

Ray's face fell flat but he stepped forward, “Do not call her that. And there is no way I'm divorcing her—” He refuted with a clenched jaw,

A noticeable smirk played off on Helen's face, “Alright. Then be ready to lose your CEO position to your drunkard of your brother here,”

A slight gasp of disbelief escaped from Ray's lips as he watched her walk out of the house,

“You heard that…Hehehe,” Colin laughed at his face, quickly trailing after his Mom,

The Living room fell in deep silence with a dumbfounded Ray and a concerned Dad standing nearby,

“I'm sorry, son,” George patted his back, “I wish I could help,”

Ray wished too. But there was nothing he could do.

George had no say in whatever decision Helen made—It had always been that way,

He was just a powerless man who had been lucky to have the only daughter of a Billionaire fall in love with him.

Minutes passed,

Ray stood still right in front of the guest room Lara had entered before,

He moved his hands to knock on the door…but hesitated.

What would he even say?

How would he even express his feelings to her when he had already lost her trust a long time ago.

He could have been a better companion to her instead of letting his Mother walk all over her for something that wasn't her fault,

“I don't even want kids. I just want you,” Ray murmured to himself, his voice heavy with emotions,

He sighed frustratedly and walked away.

***

It was exactly 3 at midnight when Lara woke up to the feel of something tucking at her arm,

She fluttered her eyes open and the figure she saw looming above her made her heart jolt to her mouth,

But before she could let out any scream, something was pressed to her nose, making her lose consciousness,

Outside the room, Carol stood guide in the dark with wide, bright eyes moving everywhere at once,

Her hands couldn't stop shaking with fear, but this was something she had to do for Irene since she owed her whole life to her.

Colin walked out of the room at that moment, sweating profusely,

“Are you sure you did it right?” Carol asked with a whisper,

Colin grinned smugly, “I can't disappoint Irene unless I will not be getting my bag of coke,” The words slurred out of his mouth.

Carol nodded with confirmation.

***

Morning came quickly,

In his home office, Ray got off the couch he had slept on the entire night,

The first thought that came to his mind was to check up on Lara,

After a brief moment of hesitation, he finally pushed himself to knock on the door,

But even after the fifth knock, there was no response,

“I'm coming in,” He announced calmly before he pushed the door open,

But as he stepped Inside, nothing could have prepared him for the sight that greeted him,