After the vows

Chapter 4— “ I’m Done”

Drew didn’t come home that night.

I stayed awake long after midnight, sitting on the edge of the bed with the lamp on, my phone beside me,I wanted to text him but he already did , he said “ Go to bed , I am not coming home tonight “

This was who he was ,He sounded caring but not caring at the same time, It was hard to wrap my head around it, I wished we could actually sit down and talk about this , I know it was hard to be in an arranged marriage but he told me on our wedding night.

“ I will love you, care for you , protect you …we can make this work “

Those words was what made me trust him but it only lasted for few months, I wish we could actually make it work .

By morning, the bed beside me was stil empty , as expected

I got dressed quietly, my body heavy, my head aching from lack of sleep. If there was one place I needed to be that day, it wasn’t this house.

It was with my children.

My parents’ house looked lively when I arrived. Balloons were tied to the railings. A small banner hung by the door.

“Happy Birthday, Liam & Luna.”

This house had become some welcoming since I married Drew, I was the second favorite child , my sister was the first obviously .

So much effort. So much luxury. Yet my heart felt painfully empty.

I had barely stepped inside when I heard my mother from behind , Alice was beside her as usual . .

“So you finally showed up.”

Alice arms folded, lips pursed in that familiar way that meant something was bothering her , she didn’t even say hello to me.

“What is going on, Alia?” my mother demanded. “Do you know how embarrassed we were this morning?”

I frowned. “Embarrassed about what?”

Alice scoffed. “Oh, don’t pretend. We saw Drew at the airport when mom came to pick me up ”

“Oh wow …I guess he is leaving the city for the event “

“Yes,” my mother snapped. “With a woman.”

I just scoffed even though my heart skipped a beat

“We asked him where his wife was,” Alice continued, shaking her head like she was disappointed for me. “Do you know what he said?”

I swallowed. “What?”

“He said you refused to go with him,” Alice said. “That you chose not to attend the event.”

My mother glared at me. “Is that true?”

“It’s the twins’ birthday,” I said quietly. “I wasn’t going to miss it” I looked around and faked a smile, trying to change the subject.

“ Where is the birthday girl and boy ?”

“That’s your excuse?” My mother shot back not even bothering about my question “Do you know how that made us look?”

Alice stepped closer. “Alia, you should have gone. You know how important these things are for a man like Drew.”

“I’m their mother,”I said, my voice shaking. “They come first, I was their Mother before I became Drew’s wife”

Alice sighed dramatically. “You always say that, but look at the result.”

Then she dropped the bomb.

“It was Kirah,” she said. “He went with Kirah.”

The name rang in my ears.

Kirah.

His past lover. The woman we also fought about last night .

I felt a dull ache spread through my chest, but I straightened my back. “So he is meeting her openly now?” I asked. “Not even caring who sees him?”

My mother’s eyes hardened. “Enough. You’re not seeing the children today.”

I stared at her. “What?”

“You will take the next flight and go meet your husband,” she said firmly. “Fix this nonsense.”

“That’s absurd,” I said. “I’m not doing that.”

Her hand came out of nowhere and what happened next was shocking, My mother slapped me !

My head snapped to the side.

I didn’t even feel the pain at first.

When I turned back, I saw my twins ,Liam and Luna.

Standing at the hallway watching, They looked so confused and terrified.

I rushed to them, dropping to my knees, pulling them into my arms. Luna burst into tears immediately.

“It’s okay,” I whispered, holding them tight. “It’s okay.”

Liam wrapped his arms around his sister, shielding her with his small body like he always did.

“ Stop crying Luna , You will make mom cry “

On their birthday.

They had to see this.

Alice grabbed my arm and yanked me up. “Stop acting dramatic. Book the next flight and go meet your husband!”

“No!” I yelled, pulling away.

I grabbed my kids’ hands. “Come on.”

My mother’s voice softened suddenly. “Alia… please. Don’t do this.” She was obviously trying to guilt trap me .

I looked at my children and forced a smile. “Wait for me in the car, okay?”

Luna sniffed. “Mommy… are you okay?”

I nodded. “I will be.”

Liam led her outside, holding her hand tightly.

The moment they were gone, everything I had been holding in exploded.

“Two years,” I said, my voice breaking. “I endured for two years.”

They stared at me even when my mother opened her mouth to speak , I spoke first .

“You think this marriage is easy?” I continued. “You think I’m just being stubborn?”

I laughed bitterly. “He never loved me. Not once. He tolerated me.”

My chest rose and fell rapidly. “His mother humiliated me. His sisters treated me like dirt. He watched and did nothing even after he promised to protect me “

“Did he beat you?” my mother asked sharply.

“No,” I said. “But he broke me every day. Emotionally. Quietly.”

“ You are acting like he was throwing blows at you !” My mother scoffed and I laughed not because she cracked a joke, I was amused that she had such rubbish to say .

“ Mother ….” Alice whispered to her to stop

“I hid my children,” I whispered. “I hid my own children like they were a sin. I thought this was going to be a bed of roses because of his promises , He said he loved me that he fell in love with me after what you guys told him …So I tried to keep that image you guys painted for him but than wasn’t enough, You know why ? Because he never loved me “

Alice scoffed. “Then make him love you.”

I snapped.

“I tried!” I screamed. “I tried!”

Tears streamed down my face. “I gave him everything. My patience. My dignity. My heart. Drew is never going to love me !”

My voice dropped. “Luna cries because I always miss her ballet classes and that’s because I was busy playing ‘perfect wife ‘ Liam pretends to be brave so I don’t feel guilty. And for what?”

I shook my head. “This happy family you promised me? It doesn’t exist.”

I turned toward the door.

“I won’t be surprised if he wants a divorce,” I said calmly. “And if he does, I will gladly sign those papers.”

I paused, my hand on the handle.

“I am done.”