Deeply in love

Chapter 9 - Heartache

"Who are you?" Eric asked staring at a shocked Serra. They were sitting on the garden bench.

Eric was furious with Serra. Who was She? Why did she lie to him? He had believed in her. It shattered him. He, Eric had believed in someone this much. This was rare and precious but she had betrayed him.

"What do you mean?" She asked him innocently. She knew something was wrong, because Eric hadn't spoken a word since they had left the hospital. He had completely avoided her for two days.

"I mean, stop acting. I mean, your game is over. I mean, enough tricking me!" He shouted at her. Disgust and anger was written all over his face.

"I tricked you? Eric, are you alright?" She was alarmed.

"I'm not! Because I was foolish enough to be deceived."

"On which ground are you accusing me? What have I done to deceive you?"

She was furious now. He was pushing her limits.

"Which grounds? huh, I'll be more precise then, okay? what's your name, what is your real name?"

"Eric,"

"Tell me!"

"You can't treat me like this! I won't tolerate this!"

"Fine! Just tell me then. What's your name?"

"Serra."

Eric rolled his eyes sarcastically and said "Your mom's?"

"What?"

"What's your mom's name?"

"But why? Did my mom deceive you too?" She said annoyed and then added, "Sarah."

I knew it! He shouted and then said rather softly, almost to himself, "So you are Sarah's daughter?"

"Huh?"

"Nevermind, now let's talk some facts. Where did you first see me? Which magazine?"

"What? I saw you when I ran away from home." She immediately regretted telling him this. It wasn't his business and especially not after his arrogant behaviour.

"You ran away from home?" Eric walked aimlessly. And then tricked me into believing you came to pursue higher education? Wow, hands off to you, you're one professional."

"Excuse me, Eric, This is too much, you're humiliating me! I didn't plan on marrying you, it was you who convinced me and I didn't lie about going to University. As for why I left home, I didn't tell you anything about that, however, it's none of your business! Think before using bitter words, you can't swallow them words again!"

"Enough, Serra, or whoever you are. I am not trained to speak like you. it's time you come clean. I will not be betrayed once more."

"I didn't betray you and I'm Serra, why do you keep hinting on it? What's your problem?"

"I know Serra is not real. You used another girl's identity, just because she looks like you and for whatever reasons you changed only the name from Stella Williams to Serra Williams. You're identity and the story you told me was not yours, it was Stella's!"

Serra was silent. She couldn't understand his accusations. Why on earth would he tell something like this? Why was he blaming her? She didn't know where she went wrong and who the hell was Stella?

"Qui tacet consentit." Eric smiled.

"What?" Serra asked anxiously.

"Silence gives consent". He replied hinting at her silence.

"Silence doesn't always give consent Eric, do you understand that you are accusing me? What motive do I have to deceive you? A stranger?"

"You do have a motive."

"Not that I know of. Can you tell me what motive do I have? What do I benefit from deceiving you? Tell me."

Eric was furious. He didn't want things to be this way but he couldn't help it. He never explained him to anyone but he had trusted her and he wanted to know why? Why did she lie, did she have a valid reason or was it for,

"Money." The words came out of his mouth too soon and he regretted it but continued with the flow, "You planned all this for my wealth."

This hit her hard. She was taken aback by his cruelty. How dare he? She questioned herself.

"Enough. I'm leaving!"

She didn't say anything else but left the garden hastily and went upstairs to the room.

Serra took out her dresses from the cupboard and started packing her suitcase. She knew she had to leave immediately after being falsely accused.

"How dare he?" She fumed. He had accused her of lying, cheating, being a criminal and finally that she had scammed him for his money!

"**** his money!" She complained to herself.

She had trusted him. Let it into his life when she was most vulnerable but had believed him, married him! What was she thinking? All men were the same, her dad, Adam, Eric, every one of them!

She was done here and never wanted to see Eric again but it hurt her. For the first time in her life, she had felt independent yet protected, she had felt his warmth and had liked his company but he destroyed everything. She took her bag and went towards the door. Eric was standing blocking the entrance. His eyes were red, muscles tightened.

"Where are you going?" His voice broke. Did he regret what he did? She thought.

"It's not your problem Mr Eric. I didn't come to this city believing in you. I don't expect anything from you. Thank you for everything."

"Who did you believe?"

"Huh?"

"Who did you believe when coming here? Was it Mr Morrison?"

Wait, how did he know I came looking for a Mr Morrison? Of course, he dropped and picked me up in front of Mr Morrison's house but she had never spoken anything about it.

"How do you know about Mr Morrison? Did you investigate me?"

"I had to. But he didn't know anybody by your name."

"If this is your problem and if you are coming up with these unnecessary accusations, for this reason, let me explain two things clearly. Number one, it's none of your business to investigate me. Just because I'm your wife doesn't give you the right. We are only husband and wife on a contract basis, we are not actually married. Number two, it's not a revelation that Mr Morrison doesn't know me, we haven't met yet."

"What! You both are not married? Eric! what the hell have you done?"

They turned to look at Mr and Mrs Audrey standing behind them. Mr Audrey looked shocked and was angry while Mrs Audrey was frightened.

"Dad. I can explain," Eric began

"No more lies! I don't want to hear anything from you!" Mr Audrey interrupted and then looking at Serra continued, "You tell me. Is what I heard right? Is this marriage purely based on a contract?"

Serra looked down. She didn't want to continue this game anymore. Lies only lead to heartache. She had experienced it first hand. She shouldn't have accepted this fake marriage drama in the first place.

"I'm sorry, I didn't want it to be this way, I seriously didn't want to hurt or deceive you, Mrs Audrey or anyone in this family. I regret it now. Yes, we are married purely on a contract basis."

"Eric! Why did you do this? Did this girl manipulate you? My son wouldn't do that on his free will." Cried Mrs Audrey.

"Mom, I know what I'm doing. I'm not a five year old."

"Stop! This marriage business is over. This girl will leave the mansion now. This is final."

"That's for me to decide." Said Eric.

"Eric!" Mr Audrey began but Serra interrupted him.

"Don't. I'm leaving anyways. it's my choice, not Eric's, not anybody's."

Serra took her bag and was about to leave. She hesitated for a second and then turned around and looked at Eric. He was looking at her deeply. Was it disgust?

"Eric, you have been a strength to me even if it was temporary. I didn't depend on you but your friendship gave me a warmth that I have never felt before. Thank you for everything and remember I didn't deceive you. That's the only truth I know, believing it is entirely your choice but you spoke way too much. I didn't have to explain you this but I sincerely want this to be our last meeting and I don't want to leave without explanation for the sake of our good days."

Eric stood silently. He was overtaken by dozens of emotions. His heart felt her sincerity but his mind couldn't accept it. He watched painfully while Serra left the mansion with a broken heart.