EMBERS OF BETRAYAL

Chapter One: The Divorce “Get that damn table set!” my husband retorted. I quickly set the table, my hands shaking violently as I feared making him angry. Earlier, my husband had informed me that a guest would be coming. When I asked who it was, he refused to tell me, saying it would be a surprise. “Let them in!” my husband ordered the servant I stood by the corner of the dining table, watching to see who the guest would be. Lo and behold it was my sister, Cassy, and my mother, Isabella. I was so surprised and, at the same time, happy. My younger sister had gone to another country for heart surgery over a year ago, and since then, I hadn’t heard from her. My mother refused to communicate with me or let me go near her. I only got a little information from my husband sometimes. I rushed forward, wanting to hug Cassy, but my husband shouted, “Don’t hurt her! What are you doing?” I trembled slightly, not wanting to offend him or hurt my sister. “I’m sorry, sister,” I said remorsefully. “It’s okay. I know you’re happy to see me,” Cassy replied kindly. I turned to my mother, bowing to greet her, but as always, she ignored me. My mother always harbored resentment towards me because my father lost his job the day I was born. He died on my twelfth birthday, and ever since, she’s insisted I was bad luck to the family. “It’s okay,” Cassy said, patting my back gently. “Let go of her hand. I’ll walk her to the dinner table,” my husband said coldly. I gently let go of Cassy’s hand and went to the table, making sure everything was properly arranged. I watched as my sister, my husband, and my mother walked to the table. I didn’t dare sit before my husband, fearing to incur his wrath. When they sat down, I sat immediately. But just as I was about to eat, Cassy started coughing. Before I could turn my head toward her, a heavy slap landed on my face. “Didn’t I specifically tell you not to make the food spicy because of her surgery?” my husband yelled. I tried to speak, but my mother poured a glass of water on me. “You’re bad luck! Even if you don’t like your sister, can’t you pretend for a little while?” she spat. I looked confused. I didn’t even try to make the food spicy. In fact, I’d made it taste bland, fearing his anger. Cassy interrupted my thoughts. “I’m sorry, big sister. I shouldn’t have coughed. I would have borne it.” “Oh, my angel,” my husband said softly to her, “always apologizing even when you’re not wrong. It’s okay, my dear.” Then he turned to me, rage flashing in his eyes. “You fool.” Sensing his anger, I knelt down immediately, not wanting him to get angrier. If there’s anything I hate, it’s seeing my husband angry. I’d do anything to make him happy. “I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I didn’t know it was spicy.” “Remain there. Eat there. Don’t get up,” my husband said sharply. I didn’t mind kneeling it was nothing if it would make him and my mother happy. I brought my plate down from the table and began eating on the floor. “No! I won’t let my sister kneel down. I’ll kneel with her,” Cassy protested. My husband held her hand. “No, my love. I wouldn’t let you hurt yourself.” I watched their affectionate moment, unsurprised. It had always been like this. My husband always had a crush on Cassy, my little sister, and wanted to marry her. But back then, Cassy was flirting around and wasn’t ready to get married. She never loved him. At that time, Jason and I were childhood friends. I’d always loved him. Seeing that he loved my sister more, I shoved that feeling deep inside me. My mother couldn’t let go of the opportunity of a rich man wanting to marry into the family. She insisted that Jason marry me since Cassy wasn’t ready. I was really happy when Jason finally offered to marry me. I thought I’d finally be free from my mother’s hatred and be with the man I loved. I thought he no longer had feelings for Cassy. But did my happiness last? No. Jason turned cold, while I became obsessed. “Get up,” he ordered. I stood up from the floor and sat at the far end of the table, careful not to sit close to him. Since he was in a bad mood. I watched as my mother signaled to Jason. I looked at her, wondering what they were up to. I began eating again, but just as I was about to swallow, Jason threw a paper at me. I picked it up from the floor DIVORCE PAPER My eyes widened. What I dreaded most was living a day without Jason. I loved him so much. Even with all the bad treatment, I still loved him. “Sign those papers and get out of my life,” Jason said coldly. “Your little sister is ready to marry me.” I froze, speechless. Five years of marriage ended just like that because my sister was ready to take my place. I went on my knees, tears spilling down my cheeks. “Please, Mom, help me beg him. I can’t live without him.” “Shut up, you evil soul!” my mother snapped. “You can’t sacrifice for your sister? Your sister wants him now, and you can’t let go?” I was dumbfounded. I looked at Cassy, who continued eating, pretending not to see me. I crawled toward Jason, crying. “Please don’t divorce me. I can do anything to be with you. I can be your servant, Jason. I love you so much, please don’t do this to me.” Jason made me feel loved for the first time in my life. Nobody cared for me, my mother hated me, my late father hated me, and even Cassy sometimes acted cold. But Jason… he once made me feel seen. For the first year of our marriage, he treated me right. But then he changed. He grew cold, distant. I didn’t care I still loved him more. My love turned into an obsession. A resounding slap hit my face. I realized I had accidentally poured food on him while begging. Jason’s anger boiled over. He dragged me to where the divorce papers lay and forced me to sign them. He strangled me. I choked, gasping for air, as I signed the divorce papers When I finished, I thought he would let me go but instead, he shoved me hard to the floor. My head hit the sharp edge of the tiles. Blood pooled around me. My vision blurred as I looked up at Jason’s shocked face. “I love you… So much,” I whispered. Then everything went dark.