Crippled: My Husband Chose Her And The Biker Chose Me

Shay “I want to take a second wife,” Micheal my husband of three years says to me, his voice steady and calm, as though he hasn’t just handed me a blow. My breath shaky, “Who is she?” He huffs. “Vanessa Moon.” His eyes hold me steady. I cough, choking on my own spit. “Vanessa Moon! the woman you claimed was just like a sister to you… You assured me not to worry about her!” My voice is sharp as it cuts through the living room. My breath comes out in shallow gasps as I hold my chest. “Yes,” he answers confidently, too confidently, and I blink back tears as I slowly begin to realize. “It’s a good idea for me to marry her because of your condition. She can help out with the overwhelming chores as well as taking care of the twins, as I can’t always be here,” he says, blaming my condition. It’s been three months since I gave birth to the twins, and since then, I haven’t been able to walk. Neither the doctors nor I know what really caused that. It’s only been three months of being in this condition, and now he is telling me he wants to marry a second wife. So damn soon! “I never complained or said I needed help.” He stares at me, and his gaze settles on my legs. I have never felt so exposed to scrutiny. He is openly judging my inability to walk like I deliberately caused this. He doesn’t need to utter any words, his face tells me all I need to know. “We need the help, and Vanessa is the perfect fit. She can help us with everything, and you won’t have to worry about women you don’t know about because Vanessa will fulfill all my needs as my second wife,” he says, a small smile playing on his lips. He has already planned out everything, and he is using my disability as an excuse. Wet, fat tears finally slip through as I can’t hold back my emotions anymore. This is sudden. We were supposed to spend quality time as a couple, as we haven’t gotten to do so since the birth of the twins, and this is what he is telling me. “I won’t be disabled forever. Give me time. I will walk in no time.” I push my wheelchair closer to him, and he stares at me more intensely. “Have you forgotten what the doctors said, Shay?” He asks, his sharp gaze piercing harder. Looking at him feels like I am looking at a total stranger. This man isn’t the man who assured me that everything would be okay the day that the doctor broke the news to me. “But the doctors… they could be wrong?” I say, my eyes pleading with him. “Doctors are rarely wrong,” He shoots and panic hits me. “Please, I won’t let you carry any weight. I will take full responsibility for the twins.” “I already thought about this,” he says simply, leaving no room for arguments. His words cut deeper than a knife. Micheal walks over to my wheelchair. He lifts me out of the chair and places me on the sofa next to his empty seat. His action reminds me that I am crippled, and it’s because of these very legs that he will bring another woman into our marriage. Stubborn tears fall, and Micheal wipes my cheeks carefully. His gaze grows soft, and he looks almost sympathetic. “You don’t have to cry, Shay. Vanessa will make a great second wife. I have known her for years, and she is someone I can trust to take care of the twins. She is kind-hearted with a great personality. She has been my childhood friend. She understands how important my family is, and that’s how I know you are in safe hands with her.” His voice is soft, convincing, like a soft caress to my cheek. I am almost convinced that his words are making sense, but the sharp pain in my heart brings me back to cruel reality. “Can’t you see that you are hurting me, Micheal? It’s only been three months since I gave birth to the twins. I disabled my legs just after the birth process, and I am still getting used to this life of not using my legs, and you are telling me you want another wife?” I wipe my tears this time, swatting his hand away when he tries to touch me. Those crystal-blue eyes look at me with softness and pity. I never wanted his pity, and it’s all he is offering. “I am sorry it had to be this way, but I have made up my mind. Vanessa will help both of us. You can’t see it now, but as time goes on, you will.” “Make her your mistress, then,” I whisper defiantly, looking into his deep crystals. He sighs, leaning back into the chair. He runs his hand through his dirty-blond hair. “I can’t make Vanessa a mistress. She deserves a title of wife too. You know how the Monteros treat mistresses. I want my family and friends to give Vanessa the respect she deserves,” he says, and I huff. Another pang of hurt envelops me. He is protecting her. In all our years of being married, he has never protected me like this. I angle my head away from his gaze, and he continues. His voice is like sweet poison to my delicate heart. “Besides, her family wouldn’t have agreed to this if I asked to make her my mistress.” Another stab to the chest. So everyone had discussed this, and I am the only one who didn’t know. “Does your family know too?” I hold my breath as I wait for yet another blow, hoping this one doesn’t land as I expect it to. “Yes, they know about everything,” he answers, and I sniffle my nose. My vision gets blurry as I pray and hope this is just some terrible dream. He secretly arranged everything behind my back, and when did he begin to arrange for this? “Baby, listen…” I raise my hand, and his voice dies down. I finally break down, hiding my face behind my hand as my shoulders shake. Everything I have experienced and bottled up since the birth of the twins comes crashing into an agonizing feeling. The sobs escape, and I can’t stop them anymore. “I never wanted any of this. You are the one who insisted we have children, and now you are bringing another woman into our marriage!” I burst my emotions everywhere, and I can’t grasp onto one feeling. “You don’t have to cry, honey. It’s going to be alright with time. Besides, you have always gotten along with Vanessa,” he says, trying to comfort me with a light pat on the back. Through the tears, another bitter, cold laugh escapes my lips. The same Vanessa who always looks at me like I am a problem she wants to solve. The knives in my chest keep twisting, and all I can do is cry. I am truly hopeless. I should have listened to Isaac Vane’s warning. Micheal’s hands wrap around my shoulder, and he brings me into his chest. His sweet scent of cider almost calms me down. “Don’t be sad. I am doing all this for you. You are my first wife, and nothing will ever change that. I won’t ever let you lack anything or suffer.” His voice is honey, and yet his words are dangerously sharp. “Please don’t marry Vanessa.” I beg, looking pathetic in front of him. The hand that was caressing me settles on my knee. I look at him pleadingly. He smiles faintly and warmly. “Trust me, the decision I have made is for the best,” he says, smoothing my wavy hair down. My hands lie flat on his chest, and I push without thought. I land on the floor, and Micheal clicks his tongue, suddenly looking irritated. He picks me up and settles me on his lap. His hands lock around me, and I feel helpless once more, only this time with a heavy feeling in my chest. “When will she come?” I try my best to compose myself. My mind is still hazy, and I can’t process or regard what’s happening. “She will be at the end of the week, right after she and I have our wedding.” I fold, biting my inner cheek hard. All I can taste is the bitter taste of betrayal. The woman he told me not to worry about is the woman he is taking as a second wife.