Wounded Heart

Chapter 3 Faded illusions

After Elena finished donating blood for Anna, she felt drained and weak, her body trembling with exhaustion.

Despite her condition, she couldn't bear to spend another moment in the suffocating confines of the hospital.

With resolve hardening in her heart, she stood up and left, the darkness of the night offering her a cloak of anonymity as she walked aimlessly through the deserted streets.

Meanwhile, in Anna's hospital ward, Williams felt a pang of unease as he watched over Anna, her frail form a stark reminder of the consequences of his actions.

As he stepped out to check on Elena, the nurse delivered the news that she had already left.

A painful sting pierced Williams's heart at the realization that Elena had left on her own.

Yet, amidst the turmoil of his emotions, he pushed aside his feelings , choosing instead to focus on Anna's recovery.

As Elena wandered through the empty streets, her mind raced with memories of her tumultuous relationship with Williams.

She had sacrificed so much for a love that had only brought her pain and heartache.

As Elena finally arrived home, the weight of the day's events pressed heavily upon her shoulders.

With each step, exhaustion gnawed at her, threatening to engulf her in its suffocating embrace.

She trudged through the door, her movement sluggish, her mind numb with weariness.

Without bothering to remove her coat, Elena made her way to the bedroom and collapsed onto the bed, the softness of the mattress offering a fleeting reprieve from the turmoil of her thoughts.

She lay there in silence, consumed by the heaviness of her own exhaustion, her mind a whirlwind of emotions.

In the silence of the night, Elena found herself confronting the demons that lurked within the shadows of her own mind.

Memories of past heartaches and betrayals rose up like specters, their icy fingers tightening around her heart with each passing moment.

She closed her eyes, willing herself to find solace in the darkness, but it eluded her like a distant dream. Her thoughts were a tangled web of confusion and despair, trapping her in a cycle of endless torment.

Later that night, as Elena drifted in and out sleep, she felt a presence in her room—a weight pressing down on her chest, suffocating her with fear.

With a jolt, she opened her eyes to find Williams looming over her, his gaze dark and unforgiving.

Panic surged through Elena as she tried to push Williams away, but he refused to budge, his grip tightening on her wrists. "You are my wife," he hissed, his voice laced with venom. "And it is your duty to satisfy me, your husband."

Elena's heart pounded in her chest as she realized the depths of his cruelty.

This is your punishment for daring to defy me, leaving the hospital without my permission.

She said nothing, her body limp with resignation as Williams had his way with her, uncaring of her weakened state from donating blood to Anna.

As Williams forced himself upon her, Elena couldn't suppress the cries of pain that escaped her lips. His roughness left her bruised and battered, each movement sending shockwaves of agony coursing through her body.

With each thrust, Elena felt a piece of her soul shatter, her spirit crushed beneath the weight of Williams's cruelty. This was not lovemaking—it was a violation, a brutal reminder of the power he wielded over her.

As Williams finally withdrew, leaving Elena broken and bleeding, she felt a sense of despair wash over her. How had she allowed herself to become trapped in this nightmare of her own making?

Barely a few days ago, Williams had never returned to the house, leaving Elena alone in their empty home. The silence weighed heavily on her, a constant reminder of his absence. Yet, in those solitary moments, Elena found her self preferring how things was before.

But everything changed when Williams returned, his presence disrupting the fragile peace that Elena had cultivated in his absence.

Even with the pain and turmoil that plagued their relationship, Elena couldn't bring herself to hate Williams.

After all, he was the man she had chosen eight years ago, the one she had vowed to love and cherish for better or for worse.

Elena considered herself fortunate to have married Williams, but deep down, she knew that their union was more a product of circumstance than true love.

If not for the meddling of Williams's grandfather, who had known her mother, she might never have had the chance to be his wife.

For three long years, she had navigated the complexities of their relationship, all while feeling the weight of her own unrequited affection.

With the passing of William’s grandfather the previous month, that’s is probably why he has decided to make her life miserable for agreeing to marry him even though he never loved her.

As Elena looked back on the eight years she had spent loving Williams, she couldn't help but feel a pang of regret.

She had clung to the illusion of happiness, convincing herself that if she loved him enough, he would eventually return her affections. But as time passed, it became painfully clear that their marriage was built on shaky foundations, destined to crumble beneath the weight of unspoken truths.

In the quiet moments of the night, as Elena lay beside Williams, she felt the emptiness within her grow more pronounced.

Despite his physical presence, she felt alone—adrift in a sea of unfulfilled dreams .

And as she stared up at the ceiling, her mind filled with regrets and what-ifs, she couldn't help but wonder if she would ever find the courage to break free from the chains that bound her to a loveless marriage.

Elena knew she couldn’t continue living a lie.

Elena managed to muster the strength to stand up from the bed, her limbs heavy with exhaustion

She went to the bathroom to wash up.As Elena turned on the faucet, the sound of rushing water echoed through the silent room, a soothing balm to her weary soul.

With trembling hands, she reached for the soap, scrubbing her skin vigorously as if trying to erase the traces of her pain.