THE BROKEN FAMILY ( The journey of the unchosen wife)

CHAPTER 1-PAIN

" Liam......"

I stopped when I heard a woman's voice inside Liam's office. I slowly closed the slightly open door of his office, maybe they forgot to lock it.

" Sssshhh , don't be loud Nat...." Liam's words made my hair stand up. It felt like my ears were being stabbed and bleeding at this time.

" I want you ,Liam....mmmmm..."

Pain. I felt a stab like pain in my chest as I saw them. Do I really have to witness this right infront of my eyes? This is very painful compared with my illness. Nathalie is sitting on his lap almost half naked while Liam,my hushand grabs her waist while their lips brushes each other. Isn't it awkward to do something awful inside the office?

" Liam, you're makin' me crazy..." Nathalie moaned as his lips brushes down from her neck line down to her chest.

He did'nt respond, instead he slowly unbutton Nathalie's top.I can't believe I am seeing this. I covered my mouth, for I might gasp because of desperation.

Liam is my husband. We are newly married and recently celebrated our first year anniversary. I thought getting married was like a fairytale but what happened right in front of me was ruining my dream of a love like the ones I see on TV shows.

I felt broken and at the same time, I felt betrayed by someone I trusted for so many years. I thought that when I married him I would no longer be sad and hurt but there was more to hurt.

Marrying him is a scam.I slowly closed the door and composed myself.I decided to walk away from them.This is not the right place to cry, I don't have to be miserable. I left that office easily, I didn't want his employees to see me crying.Maybe they already knew the thing between him and his mistress?Why would I make a scene? What else would I be blaming for? I'm about to die.

I am diagnosed with brain tumor a month ago and its on its terminal stage already.I don't have any reason to confront Liam and neither Nathalie because death is my end game and livin' happily ever after with Liam is already impossible.

" Are you leaving, Mrs. Montealto?" Cley asked me with a confusing tone. He is the oldest security guard who works in Liams company.

I just nodded in response. All my energy wanes with what I saw inside the office. I hurriedly walked towards the parking lot and drove my car towards the cemetery. I usually visit my parents grave every Monday. They died in a car accident when I was in college. It was Liam who helped me cope with the depression from my parent's death.

" Mom, Dad...we'll see each other soon. I can't even live anymore, especially since Liam has someone else in his heart." I cried at their grave. I have no other words to say about the problem. Liam is my only friend, best buddy and protector since my parents died. Without him, I am nothing. I am useless and worthless without him.

And Nathalie? How could she do this to me? I treated her as my sister because she was Liam's best friend since childhood. I thought all the goodness she showed me was real, but she was a traitor. They were just like Liam.

Two months ago, she keeps on sending me foods that she insisted me to eat. Knowing that she is a dietician, I followed her advice believing that those foods will easily make me conceive for it helps to boost fertility. I followed her advice but until now I have not conceived. What's worse is that I have a tumor, a terminal stage tumor.

I realized that the kindness she shows me is just a cover-up. She just wanted to take Liam from me so she could make amends with me.

I bet they already did more than just kissing. Since when? Before or after I knew about my illness? When have they been fooling me? Did Liam really love me or was he just forced to marry me out of pity?

I clenched my fist along with my raging anger inside me. I shouted dreadfully as I feel the pain that doesn't subside. " My God, what have I done to you? This is too much, I probably can't handle it anymore. Take me now....I don't want to live anymore..."

" Amaiah!" a woman's voice spoke beneath me. I saw Melinda, an old womanand at the same time caretaker of the cemetery. I met her when my parents were buried and whenever I visited their grave, the old woman was also there. She was holding a broom and wearing a big hat on her head.

I stopped crying. I really don't want anyone to see me crying. I don't want to see their faces that they pity me. Ever since my parents died, I promised myself that I would be strong. Crying is indeed a sign of weakness.

" What's the problem Amaiah? The last time I saw you cry like that was when your parents were buried." he said sadly to me. He took off his big hat and made a fan. He sat down next to me and looked at me intently.

" W-no, I just miss them...." I lied.

" You're really young, don't cry anymore... You're still beautiful now." he said with a smile.

I smiled but deep within no words can comfort me as of this moment. It bleeds inside me and I don't know if I can still hold on. I suddenly closed my eyes for a while.I frequently felt so dizzy and I think I'm gonna throw up.The doctor said that this is one cancer's symptoms.It is eating my cells slowly 'til it will leave mr lifeless.It hurts thinking the day that I will leave this world. I still wanted to be with Liam but he gave up before me. He was the one who should comfort me and give me hope but the person who gave strength to your life is gone....there is someone else.

I bid goodbye on my parents grave and drive towards home.

I saw somebody on the yard wearing white blouse and white slacks. He came up to me when I saw him getting out of my car.

"Good evening, Ma'am. Dr. Morris sent me to take care of you. I'm Nurse Joan." she politely said.

I just nodded my head for approval. With this kind of illness, I really need someone to take care of me. Someone to monitor me and watch over my medications while my husband is so busy with Nathalie. I got disappointed when Liam is not yet around. It's past six in the evening . He wasn't like this before. He's really changed. Liam changed a lot when Nathalie came back . He's no longer the man I met in College days. I couldn't help but cry again when I thought about our happy memories. We were going to be happy but on our first wedding anniversary, his best friend Nathalie came back. Since then, Liam seemed cold to me.

It was midnight when I woke up but he was still not by my side. I rose from bed and made a tea that Nathalie gave me. a chamomile tea that would make me relax and help me sleep comfortably.I breathe softly as I take the last sip from it. it made me feel better.

I went back to the room when I heard footsteps. I bet its Liam.

" Still awake dear?" he smiled and kissed me passionately on my forehead. How couls he be such a great actor?" Did you take your meds already?"he asked.

" Yeah, Where have you been? Its really late already!" I managed to hide my trembling voice.I didn't want to let him know that I knew about them and Nathalie.I'm afraid that he might leave me alone and choose her.

Who will choose a woman who is about to die? A dying wife between a hot and sophisticated mistress? I don't have any choice but to remain as his good wife. I don,t wanna diein vain. Having him by my side while breathing the last air is all I wanted. That's how much I love him.

"I'm with Mr. Okaido. We talked about business. Hmmm, I know what you're thinking my beautiful wife...I love you then and I love you now, remember it always." He seriously said while holding both of my palms.

"By the way, Nathalie gave it to you. She left it at the office earlier. She said this is healthy and you might have a chance to be cured." he said while handling me two paper bags that he picked from the floor. I saw six bottles of tea with different flavors, same brand as the tea she gave me months ago.