The Scorned Wife's Return

Mira Dragging myself to Chloe’s “Congrats on the promotion” party was the last way I wanted to spend a splendid Saturday evening. But fate, and my “darling” husband Luke, had other plans. Chloe’s party started in twenty minutes, and I was still wrestling with the stubborn zipper of an emerald gown that settled over my figure as best as it could. Everything felt tight and I hadn't yet gotten familiar with the “extra weight”. My hand skimmed over the gentle bump protruding beneath my ribs – a soft reminder of why my usual dresses no longer fit. Thump. Thump. Thump. Luke's impatient knocks shook the bathroom door before a moment of silence, then his cold voice sounded. “Mira! Now. We're late.” A second passed before I realised that my knuckles had grown white from holding the bathroom sink tightly. We were at least fifteen minutes early and the drive from our place to my sister's was just 10 minutes. Yet my darling husband cared more about being there for my sister than his pregnant wife. “Almost”, I squeezed out breathlessly. I finally forced the zipper over the unfamiliar swell of my hips. It pinched and the gown felt uncomfortably tight, still I managed a smile as I rubbed my protruding belly. This baby was perhaps the only good thing left in this sham of a marriage. I looked up to do a last minute body check in the mirror and stared at my reflection. My luscious black hair flowed down my back and unto the emerald green gown that shimmered in the bathroom light. It hugged all my curves while still leaving space for the new visitor in the front… Not bad Mira, I thought as I smiled again. A little self therapy never hurt and I needed all the all I could get for tonight's gathering with my whole family and husband fawning over the golden girl. I opened the door to find Luke pacing the bedroom as if he was late to a boardroom meeting and not just a family party, my family party. Still he looked effortlessly handsome in a tailored midnight-blue suit that fitted his broad shoulders. I looked at his scowling expression and tried to remember the once charming smile that had made me fall for him years ago. Now even that was reserved for Chloe. Luke stopped pacing at the sound of the bathroom door and gave me a quick once-over, his expression indifferent before tapping his platinum watch twice. “Car’s running. Two minutes.” His voice was cold and flat. “Don’t make Chloe wait.” Then he turned while fixing his golden cufflinks and walked out of the room, heading for the grand staircase leading down to the foyer. “Two minutes, Mira,” he said without turning back, his voice hitting me like a sledgehammer. “Or I leave without you.” My smile turned upside down immediately. Nothing like a dose of Luke-obsessing-over-Chloe to burn whatever help my therapy had done. My heart squeezed over as I thought about my sister - Chloe Kingston, the undisputed golden child of the family, and when I said golden, I meant the perfection that everyone worshiped, even Luke. With a sigh, I sat heavily on the edge of the bed and reached out to the crystal heels that were waiting just at the side. My back ached slightly due to the pregnancy but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle as I deftly wore a heel on my right foot. Then I heard the heavy sound of the front door being opened, and the sound of steps that followed outside… Luke was going to the car, now?! A sudden chill climbed up my spine as my mind started sprouting different scenarios. Being late to a Kingston's gathering meant that all attention would be on you the moment you entered, and it wasn't the good kind. My only hope was to enter just before and find a suitable corner to hide myself away hopefully for the entire party. But being left behind was not only far more humiliating, it was unthinkable. “Luke, Wait!!” I shouted as I placed my second heel on in a hurry. Grabbing my purse from the bed I bolted from the bedroom, and straight to the stairs just in time to see Luke walking out the door. “Luke!”, I shouted once more but he didn't answer. Instead the smooth whirl of a car's door opening sounded, making my heart skip a beat in quick successions. No, no, no… as much as I didn't like watching my husband fawn over my sister, at least I was by his side. My family members would eat me for dinner if I stepped into that hall alone. “Luke! Wait!” I cried out as I bounded down the stairs, first step, then the second, moving faster than caution allowed. The dull ache at my back flared in a sharp throb, but I ignored it as the fear overruled every other thought in my head. Then at the third step, I felt myself slip. Time paused My ankle twisted sideways on the stairs and I could feel a silent ‘crack’. I gasped as blinding pain shot up my leg and my grip on the railing loosened. Then I fell. The world turned into a terrifying blur of up, down, wood and ceiling as I fell down the stairs, the unforgiving edges of the stairs rushing up to meet me. My hip slammed into the step with jarring force, then my shoulder went next with a sickening thud. But worse than the impact was the agonizing pain that emanated from my belly. I could faintly feel something hot and wet flood between my legs. And the primal terror I felt at that moment eclipsed whatever pain came from my broken bones. No, no, no….!!!! Then the last blow that signalled the end of the descent was the faint sound of the car zooming off. Luke had left. I lay crumpled in a graceless heap at the floor of the stairs as pain exploded from every part of my body. But I didn't seem to feel any of that as the cramping agony of my insides made me scream. My vision swam and I could feel my brain shutting down from the pain, but I couldn't just go like that. I gasped, almost choking on my tears and pain as I tried to stand up. I finally managed to push myself to a resting position before reaching for my purse and bringing out my phone. I placed a call to Luke and watched it ring… but he didn't pick. Twice. I quickly switched to the other contacts that I had on speed dial - my parent and siblings. Even with them normally being assholes, they were still family… at least I thought so. Each call went to voicemail, every time. I couldn't hold it anymore and I heard the sound of feet clapping on the floor, probably our maid having heard my scream. Then my vision turned black and I fell unconscious. §§§§§§ Drip, drip, drip… I woke up to the sound of the IV feeding cold liquid into my vein. The room was quiet and the numbness of whatever they had pumped into me was fading, as my body began to ache. My hand reached straight for my stomach, hoping to feel something, anything but all I received was nothing. I gasped as a sob tore through my throat, I knew it from the moment I fell. The moment I felt the blood between my thighs… that it was a lost cause. But I still hoped, against all logic that maybe, just maybe I could have this all to myself. My child. But fate didn't want even that for me. The door knob shifted slightly and I cleaned my tears as the door opened to reveal Luke, and a dark haired beauty in a flowing gold dress that followed him while clutching his arm. My sister Chloe. I waited for that wrench of despair that always followed when I saw my husband caring for my sister more than me. But it never came… All that was left was the empty sense of nothing. And I stared at my sister and husband like they were strangers. "Mira." His voice is flat. Tired. Annoyed. The door closed as I felt their gazes sweep over me. “What happened? The clinic called the office line.” He sounded like I had just ruined the perfect evening. I turn my head slowly on the thin pillow. My eyes feel scraped raw. "What does it look like happened?" My voice sounded dry, barely recognizable. Oh, Mira!" Chloe's voice sounded pure, with honeyed concern. "Luke, just look at her! Poor darling, you look simply dreadful." Then she stretched a perfect, manicured hand towards my arm – a gesture meant for Luke’s eyes of course. “Don't touch me.” I spat out coldly. I was tired of playing her games and whatnot, I just wanted to be alone. “I'm fine, now you can leave.” Chloe jerked back her hand immediately. “Mira! I only wanted to help! Luke, I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have… I know she’s… fragile right now." Tears welled instantly, sparkling under the harsh light. Perfect. "Chloe, it's fine," Luke says, his voice softening like butter left in the sun. The sound of it, directed at her while I lay here broken, made me feel something different from the hollowness in my chest. "Wait outside. I’ll handle this." "Handle me?" I said, as something akin to fury bubbled up in my chest. "Don’t take it out on her," Luke snapped as his face frosted over. "She’s been nothing but kind. Worried sick." I almost laughed, there I said it. I almost laughed at the whole absurdity of it all. Then I turned to Luke. “I meant the both of you.” “What?” Confusion marred Luke's face as he asked. I sighed, my hands clenched beneath the covers. “Get Out.”