CHAPTER 3 – Zara’s POV
1491 Words
Since our wedding night, Lucas continued to blame for ruining his life. I thought I had won after marrying him but then he told me to wear a maid’s uniform whenever he’s at home.
And as he kept blaming me, I started to believe that it was indeed my fault. I blamed myself for getting drunk that night, for letting alcohol take over my senses, and for flirting with him.
Each day, I tried my best while hoping that he would just let it go. But Lucas was serious in making my life miserable, and his punishment for that one mistake lasted for six years already.
Yes, I had been paying for that mistake for six f*****g years!
I endured it well though. I even pretended to my family that everything was fine with me but after six years of enduring our unhappy marriage, I wanted to free myself.
He couldn’t keep me as his secret forever! Seriously, if he didn’t want me, then he could just grant me a divorce!
But my husband was Lucas Blackwood, and he made me sign a contract before. Taking a deep breath, I glanced at my son and felt bad for him again.
Since he was born, Lucas didn’t bother to check on the boy. He never felt love from his father and that’s something I couldn’t forgive him!
For six years, he was always cruel. He was so hung up on the past and kept blaming me each day. For pet's sake, he was the CEO of Blackwood Corporation but when it came to me, he was so childish and bitter!
He mistreated us enough. I put up with his behaviour because I was hoping he would change and I didn’t want my son to grow up in a broken family.
However, being with Lucas just made it worse. He was hostile towards me and our son. He was always unkind and unreasonable!
At first, I thought I could handle it, but his mistreatment extended to our son, Enrique. I was a fool in enduring his anger and resentment, hoping that he would let go of his grudges. I was a fool for holding onto someone who didn’t give a f**k about us.
I was a fool for living a miserable life with Lucas Blackwood!
What was my reward for this kind of sacrifice? Nothing but heartache, deception and betrayal!
Time and time again, he shattered our vows, and trampled on my trust! How could I have been so naive to stay in a situation where I was destined to be hurt every single day?
One day, when our son Enrique misbehaved, Lucas insisted that I discipline him. I couldn't blame Enrique for his occasional stubbornness; he had inherited it from his father though.
Moreover, I knew the reason behind his behavior. He was just craving for his father’s attention but all he got was his father’s indifference.
So, I made a tough decision.
Actually, I had been contemplating it for days. I hoped it’s not too late but I realized that by staying with Lucas Blackwood, I was only sabotaging my son’s happiness.
“Zara, aren't you going to do anything? Tell your son to behave!” he shouted after Enrique accidentally bumped one of the vases and it shattered.
I had enough of his maltreatment!
“Our son, Lucas! He is our son! How can you be so indifferent to him? We can argue all we want, but not in front of Enrique,” I retorted, my voice tinged with desperation.
It was a plea for him to show some consideration for our son.
“Really, Zara? I see a bit of the old you. You seem to have found your strength to stand up to me,” he observed. “Enrique, behave!” he barked at our son.
I shot Lucas a glare for yelling at Enrique, then took the boy's hand and pulled him into a hug. I squeezed his small hands, trying to reassure him that everything would be alright. He was on the verge of tears, but I told him he could cry later, after I had dealt with his father.
“Will you please be considerate, Lucas? It’s just a vase!”
“Just a vase? Didn’t you see it? It was intentional!”
I clenched my jaw.
He was really the worst father in the entire world!
Oh well, what did I expect from someone like him? For six grueling years, no one knew he was married. No one knew about me and Enrique. He kept us a secret for a long time because he wanted to maintain his bachelor CEO status, which made him popular among women.
To him, we were nothing more than a nuisance that spoiled his perfect life. He often told me that if I hadn't seduced him that night, he would be happily married to his fiancée.
I couldn't understand why he clung to the idea that if it hadn't been for that fateful night, he would be living a blissful married life with his fiancée.
“Where are you going, Lucas? Apologize to Enrique!” I demanded, but he just scoffed and walked away.
Looking at my little boy, I saw his eyes welling up with tears.
For several days, he had been excited about a school activity. He hoped that Lucas would attend, but when I brought it up, Lucas flatly refused.
“Mom, he doesn't love me,” Enrique lamented.
“Hush now, don't speak like that. Let's just ignore him for now, sweetheart. Let's just have breakfast and then I'll take you to school, alright?”
“Alright,” Enrique agreed.
Honestly, Lucas had a knack for spoiling my appetite whenever he was present. But for Enrique's sake, I forced myself to eat, to pretend to enjoy the meal even when I had no appetite to consume anything.
Minutes later, we finished our meal. I cleared the table, placed the dishes in the sink, and pulled the car out of the garage.
This routine has become my life.
Trapped in a cycle of fear and hope, my days were shrouded in uncertainty. I clung to a faint hope that maybe, just maybe, Lucas would come to love his son. I wouldn't care if he only loved Enrique and not me. He could despise me for all eternity, and I wouldn't mind!
But his behavior earlier told me that it was hopeless. He wouldn’t change for us even if it’s the end of the world.
Did he really think I wouldn’t survive on my own? He was probably not aware because he was never interested in me. He probably had no idea that I had a lucrative job and fat savings on my account.
While washing the dishes, I imagined that if Lucas could just love Enrique, I could bear his resentment for another year.
“Ready?” I asked the little boy who was patiently waiting for me.
He nodded.
Together, we went to his school but every time I read what’s written on his nametag, I felt like crying. Enrique Delafontaine, that’s his name.
From the beginning, Lucas refused to give our son his last name, a fact that broke my heart a million times. I couldn’t believe he could treat his own flesh and blood this way but then again, he was Lucas Blackwood.
He was Claybourne’s most heartless man!
“Zara! Our paths have finally crossed!” a shrill voice exclaimed.
It was Antoinette, noticeably pregnant. I wanted to ask about it, but I held back and waited for her to speak.
“Hello,” I greeted her.
“It's been a while, Zara. Is Lucas with you today?” she asked.
“No, just my bag and my handsome little boy,” I replied.
Then I looked at Enrique. He was a miniature Lucas Blackwood, with the only trait he inherited from me being his gentle eyes, unlike Lucas' fierce ones.
“I see. Well, see you around, Zara! Let’s catch up soon,” she said.
I sighed deeply. “How? You are always pregnant!”
She just smiled. “Sorry, but my husband loves me so much,” she said.
Although it was innocent, it was still painful for me to hear. But of course, Antoinette didn’t know the entire truth of my relationship with Lucas Blackwood.
“See you later then!”
“Of course,” I responded, then turned my attention back to my son.
Seeing his bright smile and little white teeth, I couldn't help but return his smile.
“Always remember, Ken, to be kind, good, and brave at all times,” I gently reminded him, smoothing his hair with my hand.
Enrique's smile widened, his enthusiasm shining through. “Yes, Mommy! I'll be good at school, but I want to be brave against Daddy. He's not a good man, Mom!”
“Someday,” I whispered.
- Writer
