To Marry in Her Stead
Anna's POV
Sadness has been my companion every time I enter this house. It's huge but cold. It keeps the dark life that I have chosen. This is also the house of the man I loved for so long. He has been my husband for a year now but I have never eaten with him on the same table yet. You see, it is not me that he loves. It's my sister that he adores more than his life . I still remember our wedding night when he came home drunk and shouted at my face that only my sister can be his wife. It was like my heart was shattered into million pieces that I can never find its bits even if I wanted to. How did it turn out to be like this? I just wanted to follow my heart.
He is now angrier at me when he woke up with me sleeping beside him a week ago. Since that day, he's been pestering me with the divorce papers. He came home so drunk and started undressing me and it was so stupid of me to be carried away. Why did I ever force myself to him? Why was I crazily serving him even when he hated me so much? He blamed me when my sister married another man.
Oh yes It was me who helped my sister marry Daniel even if our family was against it. I knew my sister loves him so dearly and I don't want her to be forced to marry Sheldon. When Sheldon found out that it was I who helped my sister marry Daniel, he asked my hands from my father in marriage. I was too naively happy that I skipped the part that he's still deeply in love with my sister. I thought I could make him have a change of heart but to no avail.
The day of our marriage was also the day he told me that me married me for revenge. He knew I was into him and he wanted me to feel how hurt he was when my sister got married.
There were too many things I would have done but didn't because I was hoping for him to fall for me.
Would he? Would I still find happiness in this lifetime?
My love for him has been my constant motivation to continue serving him but he never acknowledges any of my efforts. He sees me as a pest that should be avoided.
Everyday is a punishment for me. He never cease to point out my stand in this house. Since last week, He is suddenly pushing me for a divorce.
I was deep in my thoughts when I heard a beep on the door, as always I went and stood in ceremony by the door waiting for him to ask me help him do something even he always regards her as a coat hanger stand. Still I never stopped doing these things hoping he'll see my sincerity someday.
Today was different, he looked at me fiercely when he opened the door and to my surprise, he gently pulled someone from outside. It's a beautiful woman! She seem so innocent and fresh compared to my homely look. She shyly looked at me and followed as my husband pulled her inside his room. I was too stupefied to move. What on earth is happening? Who the hell is she? Why did he pull her to his room? Too many questions, I never noticed how I was able to stand longer.
"Anna, please prepare some food." He shouted at me from the door of his room. It was the first time he asked me for something since our marriage and his tone is monotonous like a master asking his servant for favor, this is a first time too. It's either he is shouting at me or he doesn't talk at all. He seem kind today but my heart hurts even more. That's how he talked to me before when he was with my sister. And as I come to my senses I realize, the woman he brought home resembles my sister. The way she dresses and behaves. Where did he find her? Was this the reason he was so violent when he found out we slept together when he got drunk? He shouted at me that everything was my plan to get him. He would never believe that I got carried away because I love him.
I have always been fighting for a losing game I know but I want to try.
"And by the way there are some friends coming over so prepare for at least ten people." He added. I am still too confused to ask any question when he shut the door.
I walked like a zombie to the kitchen. Hours later, some people came pouring into the lonely house. Most of them are good looking men.
" Hey Sheldy! you've got a hot maid here" Someone shouted at Sheldon while smiling at me. I waited if Sheldon will correct his friend but he just sneered at me. I was hurt so I walked back to the kitchen.
I was doing the dishes when someone touched my shoulders, It was Sheldon's friend a while back.
"Hey" he started. "I'm Alex, what's yours?" He started caressing my back. He reeks of alcohol.
"I'm sorry mister, I'm just a maid. You seem drunk it's better for you to go back to the living room." I politely asked him but he doesn't listen. His hands moved downwards do my buttocks and it's making me shiver is fear.
" Oh, I'm not drunk at all tsk! we can try it on the floor here and I can still show moves." He started licking my neck so I panicked and started pushing him.
" Please don't" I started struggling but he's stronger than me so I kicked him and he started tearing my clothes. I even started crying for help but the music is too loud for people n the living room to hear me so i just hit and kick anywhere I can as I screamed for help. My tears are falling like pouring rain . No more... I'm no gonna live from here. I'd rather die. What's with my life any way?