The cursed aplha's peace offering

Breaking Point

Addison

I had never been hit in the face before, ever. I didn't know what to do, continue staying on the ground or pick myself back up. The smug grin on Mrs. Arthur's face was enough reason to pick the second option. I realised I was the only one in this room who cared about me.

“Are you happy now? After you've made me lose my temper and do something so demeaning?” Mr. Arthur asked while he wiped the blood away from his knuckles.

I didn't answer. I started going through the cabinets in the room, looking for the first aid box. On a normal night, I would have easily found it, but the punch seemed to have fried my brain.

“A woman's job is to keep her husband, it’s not that complicated. Look at you, are you even eating properly? You don’t look like someone a man would desire,” Mrs. Arthur added.

“Great, like always, it's my fault. Hunter can do no wrong in their eyes,” I thought.

Sometimes I wonder how my parents became friends with them. Surely they must have seen through their facade, or were they just so good at hiding it?

“Won't you answer, or is this how you ignore my son when he tries to talk to you? You know we are doing this for you, right? We are only trying to help you become a better wife. I mean, nine years and still nothing? That’s not normal.”

I still didn't answer. I feared my honest opinion would earn me another punch.

“Just so you know, Hunter is bringing Kiera home tonight. He says they are engaged and he wants to marry her. We are obviously not going to accept that, not after our promise to your parents. But we figured the competition might snap you back to your senses.”

“Yeah, maybe you will learn a thing or two from her on how to keep a man,” Mr. Arthur said. He seemed to have gotten over the mortifying experience I had to endure.

I applied the bandage and took a quick look at Mrs. Arthur. I wondered if he did the same to her.

Some minutes later, Hunter arrived home. I braced myself for whatever was going to happen that night.

“Just in time, dear, we were just speaking to your wife,” Mrs. Arthur gushed to her son.

Hunter cleared his throat uncomfortably, probably signalling to his mother not to talk about me in front of his fiancée, who was clinging to his arm like it was life support.

“Can you believe she walked into a wall? It's quite ridiculous, she isn't even a child. We were advising her to see a doctor and get prescribed glasses before you arrived,” the woman rambled on, completely ignoring his signals.

“That's irrelevant, Mom. I want you to meet the love of my life, Kiera.”

The stunning woman in the vibrant red gown finally spoke. “I have always wanted to meet the parents who raised him to be such a gentleman. It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am, sir.”

Her voice was soft, controlled.

“So that's the kind of voice he likes,” I thought.

“It's nice to meet you too, dear. You can call me Naomi, by the way, although I’m sure my husband prefers the formal address.”

“That's no problem, thank you, Naomi,” Kiera said with a shy smile. I must admit, the girl's game is on a hundred, she has managed to win over my mother-in-law with little to no effort.

“Are you staying the night, so I can get Addison to prepare the guest room?” Mrs. Arthur asked. I see she is hell-bent on embarrassing me.

I finally met her gaze. She dropped Hunter's arm and walked up to me. “I am glad to meet you. I hope it's no problem if I stay?” she asked with a big smile, a smile I know is fake because I have given many like that.

“Sure, stay as long as you want,” I said calmly, hoping my voice didn't give my breaking heart away.

“You don't have to clean the guest room," Hunter said.

For a second, I thought he was going to correct them, maybe set a boundary.

Maybe…

“She will be sleeping in my room.”

The words landed quietly, but the arrogance in his voice was unmistakable. He was enjoying this.

“You all can stay and catch up. I need to rest and recover from this,” I said, pointing at my bruised face.

“I see walking has become too difficult for you. How did you manage to walk into a wall?”

“Ask your parents, they were there.” I could feel Mr. Arthur's glare on my face, but I was too tired to care. I made sure I locked the door once I entered my room.

Only then did I let out a breath.

Today was a series of horrible events. I hope tomorrow is not, but that hope is bleak.

I woke up to sweet birthday messages from Matthew and Mrs. Grey. I don't know what I would do without those two. The other birthday wishes were from banks and all the companies I get services from.

“I need to leave here early, before those two wake up.” I rushed to the bathroom to clean up and saw my tear-stained face in the mirror. I must have cried myself to sleep.

Today is going to be different. It must be different. I picked out an amazing dress for myself, did my makeup, curled my long black hair into waves, and made my way outside.

I spotted Hunter in the kitchen trying to cook, emphasis on trying. Kiera was sprawled on the couch, eyes closed. I don't know if she is truly asleep or pretending. So much for avoiding them.

I opened the refrigerator and grabbed an apple and a bottle of water.

“I didn't know you ate breakfast,” I commented.

“I do, just not the ones you make,” Hunter replied.

I nodded slightly. “Well, the ones you made aren't any better. You should order in.”

“Where do you think you are going?” Hunter asked, his hand closed around mine before I could take another step, firm and unyielding.

“Huh, work?”

“This early? You can't wait to see Matthew, huh?”

“I am giving you two privacy," I said, glancing briefly toward the couch. “Don't you want that?”

“Since when did you care about my feelings?”

“Are you joking?” I couldn't help but laugh. “I have literally never done anything without considering your feelings.”

He stepped closer. There was barely any space between us now. For some reason, I was hopeful. I thought he remembered today was my birthday and was going to whisper sweet words into my ear.

“Since when did you go to work with a full face of makeup and properly styled hair?”

Right. I pulled myself back together quickly.

“It shouldn't matter to you. You don't want to give mixed signals like you did before, do you?” I didn't know where this wave of confidence was coming from, but I appreciated it.

“I never gave you mixed signals,” his jaw tightened.

“You kissed me, Hunter, and immediately after, you told me to get out of your sight,” I whispered into his ear. “That sounds pretty mixed to me.”

“Why are you whispering?”

“Your fiancée is on the couch,” I answered, pulling back and rolling my eyes.

“What are you two doing?” Kiera’s voice cut cleanly through the air.