Chapter 2
1274 Words
SELENE
Six Years Earlier
"We need to talk." That was Luke’s welcome, his voice flat and cold.
But I didn’t care. My heart was racing too fast with joy to notice the shadows in his voice.
"I also have something to tell you," I said, smiling, clutching the test results in my hands, as if it was my ticket to paradise.
"I am pregnant," the words left my lips as I stared at Luke who, despite my news, didn't take his eyes off the big screen before him.
Slowly, fear crept into my heart, as my voice faltered, my hands trembled beneath the test results. "L... Luke, didn't you hear me? I just said I am pregnant!"
He exhaled deeply, reluctantly taking his eyes off the electronic set. "And so?" came his reply, "Who's the father?"
My world crumbled. My heart bled from the stab wounds of his words. "What do you mean by that, Luke? Aren't you my husband?"
"Just because I am your husband doesn't make me responsible for that thing in your womb."
Silence followed as tears trickled down my cheeks. Two years of marriage. I had tried everything possible to get pregnant. Followed strict diet. Made sure we had s*x during my ovulation. I thought he wanted kids. I thought this news had brought joy to him—to us.
"I don't understand. What are you saying?" a bitter smile left my lips as I faced him.
The table cracked loudly at his bang. "Are you acting stupid or just daft?" he yelled, running his hands through his brown hair—something he always does to calm his nerves. "Were you a virgin when I met you?" His choice of words left a thunder strike to my heart; my tears flowed greatly now as I crumbled the test results.
"Answer the damn question, Selene!" he roared, almost bringing down the roof with his voice.
The late nights. Sleepovers at the office. His distant attitude towards me lately. His forgetting me at a party, only to come back the morning after. Was it the reason for this?
All these questions?
All this disbelief.
All these... changes.
"No I wasn't," I forced the words from my croaking voice. "But that doesn't mean—" I was still speaking when he raised his index finger pointing it in my direction, like a teacher silencing his student.
"Once a wh*re. Always a wh*re." The words sliced me open. My hands flew before I knew it.
SMACK.
His cheek reddened as I took my palm away. He went still. Deadly still, as if time had frozen. His green eyes darkened, veins rising on his temple.
I gulped a lump in my throat before I spoke. "Just because you didn't marry me a virgin doesn't make me a wh*re, Luke. Besides, I told you I had only had s*x with one person when I was ten—that was before I got any s*x education."
"You slapped me?" his jaw clenched, his voice trembling with rage as his hands curled slowly into fists.
"I'm sorry," I stumbled back, my spine hitting the wall until there was no room for retreat, and then he descended on me, only stopping when he saw blood gushing from my nose.
"You should be grateful I am a peaceful man, and I would not like to expose your secret to the world," he exhaled slowly.
"Here," he flung some papers at me. "Sign the divorce papers. And leave my house," he said with finality in his voice, as he returned to his show.
"Please Luke, don't do this to me. I love you. I really do. We can work this out," I sobbed, holding onto his feet.
"I swear I haven't slept with any other man besides you," I pleaded, "and I can assure you that the baby in my womb is yours."
He shoved me aside. "Don't bring a curse upon yourself by swearing, Selene. Weeks back at the party! Why didn't you return home?"
Was he really accusing me of having an affair?
"Luke, you knew I was drunk, and the next morning when you came back, you even apologized for leaving without me."
"You were naked, Selene. Damn naked."
"Are you insinuating I had an affair?"
"Well, the result is in your belly."
"Didn't the room attendant tell you she brought me into the room?"
"And you expected me to buy that bulls*it?"
I collapsed onto the floor, letting my tears flow.
"Sign the damn papers, Selene," he yelled, his green eyes narrowing.
I picked up the pen, my hands shivering as I managed to scribble down my signature.
"I will leave, Luke," I said, staring at the man who I loved for any sign of remorse in his eyes, but... I found none. "Don't come looking for this child when it's all grown."
"In your dreams," he muttered. And just then the door chimed, and he rushed to get it.
Despite everything that happened today, this was the last thing I expected. The clicking sounds of her heels filled my ears, as a frown settled on her face—she took off her glasses, pointing them at me as she turned to Luke.
"What's she still doing here?"
"I'm sorry, babe," he rushed to her side, placing a gentle kiss on her somewhat soft lips, helping her with her bags. "She was just leaving," he added.
"Come with me, Rose. Let me get you settled in."
She raised her hand in protest. "No! Make her leave first. She's making the air unconducive for me and your baby." Her hands flew to her belly protectively as she rubbed them on it, a sinister smirk playing on her lips.
I didn't realize my nails had dug into my palms until blood dripped to the ground.
Rose—pregnant! For Luke?
But how? When?
"So all the late nights..." I started, but couldn't finish my words.
This was the same Rose who was Luke's ex—the same lady he cried over for countless nights after their breakup. And when she found out that I was dating him, she made it clear that I could have his leftovers.
Now were they both together?
I rushed my feet upstairs. "And where the hell do you think you are going?"
"I need to get my bags," I managed from my burning throat.
"You came to this house with nothing. And you will leave the same way."
I turned back down the stairs. He was right. I had nothing. I abandoned my family, everyone just to be with him, and this was what I got as a reward—a trop*y wife who answered her husband's beck and call.
I will make him pay. They shall both pay, and he shall never get access to his child with me. This I promised as I left his house. The home that had blossomed in my care now lay in the hands of another. I stared at the building one last time, and with a deep sigh I walked away.
They shall pay, I kept muttering to myself as I walked down the street, and after going for what seemed like ages through my contact list, my eyes got back to "Raymond." He was the only person who could help me now, despite how we ended things last time.
A low sigh escaped my mouth as I bit my lower lip.
Ignoring my shaking hands, I flushed my last string of pride, and messaged him. And he replied as if he had been waiting two years to do so.
"Welcome home, prodigal daughter," he sent.
- Writer
