Another chance to love.

I got up early to watch the sunrise, as I have for many years, because it is where I find solace. My name is Zara, and this is my story. After watching the beautiful sunrise, I went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for my husband and his family. I have been married to Otis Jonathan for three years and have been a dedicated wife to him and his family. While preparing a light breakfast of omelette and toasted bread, I listened to the soothing classical opera music while waiting for my husband to arrive for breakfast but only his mother, Mrs. Jonathan, and his younger sister, Liora, showed up for breakfast. I checked in on my husband and discovered he was not at home. He had already left before dawn. I know you are probably wondering why I am unaware of when he left the house. I and Otis have not seen each other before bedtime lately. He usually arrives late from work after a long wait and when he eventually gets back, I would've fallen asleep by then. While breakfast was being served, I asked my mother-in-law and sister-in-law if they would be attending my family's company annual gala later today, and they both declined, citing personal commitments for the day. When I contacted Otis, he said he was preoccupied with work. Three years ago, I fell in love with Otis after a few friendly encounters in college. It was a rainy day, and I had gone out to get a drink to distract myself from my ordeal. I stood outside the convenience store, waiting for the rain to stop. I was about to run back to my dorm in the rain when someone approached me and covered my rarely drenched body with an umbrella. He walked me home, and we both shared my drink, venting our frustrations and comforting one another. I ran into him again at the café two weeks later. He was nice to me, and I assumed I found comfort in him because I had little experience with nice gestures. I proposed marriage without getting to know him well. Do not even get me started on my proposal; I did not care about our social status, and despite my father's objections, my stepmother and sister persuaded him to let me marry him, and I am now happier than ever. Picking out an outfit, I looked at the cloth-filled closet and was drawn to a silk cream-colored dress. The memories of waiting for Otis to arrive on our most recent anniversary while dining at a classy restaurant with a Michelin star. At the restaurant where I had previously made a reservation for our third anniversary, I waited for hours for my husband to arrive. The servers repeatedly returned to ask if I was ready to place an order. I recalled how upset I was but kept convincing myself that he had work to do. After a series of missed calls, I became tired of waiting and went home. I took out the dress, put it on the bed, and showered. All dressed up and ready to leave, I picked up a painting that I finished the day before yesterday and will give to my family. On my way out, my mother-in-law stopped me by the doorway to request for some money. Don't be surprised, I tend to the bills of the Jonathan's. It's the only way I can please them. I never saw it wrong or complained because I was happy I'm married to Otis, the love of my life. I handed her my credit card and drove to my family's house. I walked in and inhaled the fresh scent of lavender flowers from the garden. It was my favourite part of the house. I would go there to enjoy the sunrise and sunset peacefully when I was younger and get inspiration for my paintings. I moved around the sitting room and something was missing from the room. Oh my pictures, they were all gone from the sitting room. I know whose hand work it is but I don't feel bothered as I'm used to such treatments. I greeted the workers, left my gift and headed out.I parked carefully at the parking lot of the building, and went in and greeted some guests. “Look whom we have here, I didn't think you would be here today” Liora said as she walked up to me. “I don't see your husband or his family around, oh my... did you come alone?, That's disappointing”. She said with a smile not pure enough to hide her disgust. I continued to call Otis but he wouldn't pick up the calls. After the event was close to an end he showed up. “We need to talk". He said to me as I followed him to a quiet corner. “I submitted my resignation letter today, you have to talk to your father about getting me a more suitable job here at Wilson's Co.” “What did you do Otis? You quit your job? Why? I am your wife for crying out loud and I should be informed about decisions like this even before you make them. I have been trying to reach you through the phone the whole day, and you walk in here telling me about resigning from your job". I said with a straight face. Honestly I was very disappointed but there was obviously nothing I could do. He had already submitted his resignation letter. "Don't be too serious. I need you to fix it immediately”. He said and walked away. The event had just ended and I was ready to leave. I searched for my husband all over the place but he was nowhere to be found. I finally decided to leave alone. “Babe I've missed you too. I just resigned from my job so I can spend more time with you. I've sent the money to you, you will get the rest when Zara sends me some money. Give me some sugar baby". He said as he caressed her thighs, and they kissed steamily. I'll "Who'd be having s*x in a parking lot?”. I wondered as I walked to my car. “I can't stand sharing you with that wench”. Vera responded with a slightly upset voice. “You know I married her out of pity, I will take care of her in due time. Just patiently wait till we extort all we can from her”. I looked back when I recognized whose voice that was. I went and saw it was Otis and Vera, Claire's friend. I staggered in shock and lost balance when someone held me from behind and took me to my car. I cried for hours, hitting myself and blaming myself for what I wasn't sure I did. “Are you stupid, why do you blame yourself when you are the one who is supposed to be offended? For Christ sake you just witnessed your husband cheating and you blame yourself”. Ryan Thompson said as he scoffs and steps out of my car. Ryan Thompson, a tall dark-skinned, well built abs and handsome man who was every woman's dream including my sister Claire. We haven't been friends or enemies either since we were kids. There was a rumor that he was gynophobic because he has never been seen making close contact with a woman or in a romantic relationship. He was pressured by his family to bring home a wife as the heir to the Thompson's empire. I was boiling in range as I zoomed off with my car. I got to the traffic light but didn't stop because I was so angry. I forcefully stepped on the accelerator. Unaware of an incoming truck, I heard a crash and I passed out.