His Forgotten Bride

Chapter 4

Despite my loneliness, I still forced myself to prepare a dinner date that night, hoping he would celebrate this special day with me.

When I was finally satisfied with how the kitchen looked, I decided to go upstairs and change my clothes. Somehow, I still felt a little excitement as I searched for a dress to wear.

I picked out a pink above-the-knee tube dress and brought it with me to the bathroom. I took a shower and fixed myself afterward. I applied a little powder on my face and a touch of lip tint before quickly moving when I heard Terrence’s car arrive outside.

Even though I was nervous, I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. Despite his cheating, we still managed to stay together for this long.

I walked toward the window and peeked outside to see him. The remaining happiness inside me disappeared instantly when I saw him step out of the car with another woman wrapped around his arm. I bit my lip as they started kissing as if they were the only people in the world. My hand flew to my chest as tears slowly streamed down my face.

“H-Happy anniversary…” I whispered in a broken voice before hurriedly walking back to the bed.

I buried my face into the mattress and let my tears fall freely. I cried into my pillow and silently asked myself why.

Why can’t he love me back?

Why can’t he even try to love me?

I stayed there crying until I finally decided to leave the room. I quietly walked down the hallway until I stopped in front of Terrence’s room. A bitter smile formed on my lips as I imagined what was happening inside.

Instead of drowning myself in misery outside his door, I continued walking downstairs. Even though the household staff avoided staring at me, I could feel their pity.

“Hija…” Manang called softly as she approached me.

I forced myself to smile. “Did he eat already?” I asked, trying hard to steady my voice.

She slowly shook her head. “They went straight to his room. He didn’t even notice the surprise dinner you prepared for him,” she said sadly. “Do you want me to call him downstairs?”

I quickly shook my head. “No, it’s fine. Maybe it’s better if he didn’t see it because… I’ll just embarrass myself in the end,” I answered hoarsely.

Manang sighed deeply before pulling me into a hug. “You should leave him already, child,” she whispered.

I slowly shook my head and bit my lower lip to stop myself from crying harder.

I can still endure this. I still can.

I pulled away from her embrace and forced another smile. “You should rest now, Manang. I’ll clean the kitchen. I also plan to drink a little… maybe it’ll help me sleep.”

She looked at me sadly and gently caressed my cheek.

“I’m always here for you, hija.”

I nodded softly in response.

Just as I said, I cleaned the kitchen by myself. I stored some of the dishes I cooked inside containers while giving the rest to Terrence’s staff. Afterward, I went to the mini bar and grabbed a bottle of alcohol.

I started drinking, letting myself drown in my own thoughts. I kept remembering the moments when we pretended to be in love in front of other people because those were the only memories I could honestly call happy in our entire marriage.

I was already on my third bottle when I caught Terrence’s familiar scent. With blurry eyes and a dizzy head, I turned to him as he sat beside me on the high chair.

“You should sleep. You’ve had too much to drink,” he said coldly while staring at me.

I scoffed and laughed bitterly. “As if you care, Terrence.”

I shook my head before pouring myself another glass of alcohol.

“Enough, Alliyah,” he said firmly while stopping my hand from grabbing the glass.

I stared at his hand and let out a painful chuckle. “Now you’re holding me.”

I slowly looked up at him, my eyes clouded with tears.

“Why? Why can’t I just be the woman you sleep with, Terrence? I can give you the same things they give you. I can satisfy your needs as your wife, so why can’t it just be me?” I cried out in frustration as tears finally streamed down my face.

He remained silent, letting me cry and speak through my pain.

“I love you. I love you so much. We’re married, so why are you doing this to me? Did I do something wrong? Did I hurt you so badly that you have to punish me like this?” I weakly hit his chest, but because of my drunkenness, I only ended up collapsing against him.

I cried harder, hoping he would finally understand my pain.

He still didn’t say anything. Instead, his arm slowly wrapped around me in support.

“I’ll bring you to your room,” he said hoarsely while gently stroking my hair.

I stayed quiet and softly sobbed against his chest. We remained like that for several minutes until he carefully carried me bridal style. I leaned my head against his chest and closed my eyes as he walked upstairs.

“Can you stay with me tonight?” I murmured softly without opening my eyes.

I wasn’t expecting him to agree. I already knew he would refuse, but I still wanted to ask.

He didn’t answer until I felt him gently place me down on my bed. I still refused to open my eyes and simply turned to my side, hugging my pillow while waiting to cry again the moment he left the room.

I held my breath when I felt the other side of the bed dip slightly.

My eyes slowly fluttered open as I was about to turn around, but he immediately spoke.

“Just sleep, Alliyah. Don’t even dare look back,” he said lazily, his deep bedroom voice sending shivers down my spine.

I blinked several times before quietly facing away from him again.

“Rest now, Alliyah… or else I’ll leave this f*****g room,” he warned.

Faster than lightning, I shut my eyes tightly.

Despite the pain and heartbreak I felt, I still couldn’t stop myself from becoming happy over the tiny amount of time he chose to spend with me.

“Goodnight, hubby…” I whispered unconsciously before sleep finally took over.

The next morning, I woke up with a pounding headache and a shattered heart as I stared at the empty space beside me.

Yeah.

Everything was still the same.