Don't Expect anything
613 Words
Chapter 4 — Know Your Place
I should have left earlier.
But I didn’t.
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The party had already ended.
The lights were dimmer now, the music long gone, the laughter replaced by silence. One by one, people had walked out—smiling, talking, living their lives like nothing had happened.
Like I hadn’t stood there the entire night, feeling invisible.
---
I sat in the car, staring out of the window, my reflection faint against the glass.
I looked… the same.
Same dress.
Same face.
But something inside me felt different.
Quieter.
Heavier.
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The door opened.
He got in.
No glance.
No words.
Just presence.
Cold. Distant. Unreachable.
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The car started moving.
Silence filled the space between us like it always did.
But tonight… it felt louder.
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“…Why did you bring me there?”
I didn’t plan to ask.
The question just slipped out.
Soft.
Careful.
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He didn’t answer immediately.
For a moment, I thought he wouldn’t.
But then—
“So people wouldn’t ask questions.”
That was all.
Simple. Straight. Empty.
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I let out a quiet breath.
“So I was just… an answer?”
He didn’t even look at me.
“What else would you be?”
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The words didn’t sound harsh.
But they hurt.
More than they should have.
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I turned my face toward the window again.
The city lights passed by in blurred streaks, reflecting in my eyes.
I used to think… maybe if I tried hard enough—
If I stayed patient…
If I didn’t complain…
Something would change.
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“Listen carefully.”
His voice cut through my thoughts.
I stiffened slightly.
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“This marriage is a responsibility. Nothing more.”
His tone was calm.
Controlled.
Like he was stating a fact.
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“You’ll live in that house. You’ll do what’s expected. And you’ll stay out of my way.”
Each sentence felt like a line being drawn.
Clear.
Final.
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“And don’t ever expect anything from me.”
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Something inside me went still.
Not shattered.
Not broken.
Just… still.
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“…Alright,” I said quietly.
No argument.
No questions.
No emotions.
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The rest of the drive passed in silence.
But this time, it didn’t feel suffocating.
It felt… empty.
---
When we reached the house, he stepped out without waiting.
I followed a few seconds later, my heels echoing softly against the floor as we walked inside.
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The house was quiet.
Too quiet.
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“If you’re going to stay here,” he said suddenly, stopping near the stairs, “learn your place.”
I paused behind him.
My fingers curled slightly.
---
For a moment, I hesitated.
Then—
“…And where is that?”
My voice was soft.
But steady.
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He turned his head just enough to glance at me.
His eyes were as cold as ever.
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“Not beside me.”
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It didn’t feel like a shock.
Not anymore.
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I nodded slowly.
“…I see.”
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He walked away after that.
Just like always.
Leaving me standing there.
Alone.
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I stood still for a long time, staring at nothing in particular.
Thinking about nothing.
Feeling…
Nothing.
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Maybe this was easier.
Maybe if I stopped expecting—
Stopped hoping—
Stopped believing—
It wouldn’t hurt as much.
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I turned and walked toward my room, my steps quiet, my expression calm.
Too calm.
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Because something had changed tonight.
Something small.
But important.
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I didn’t cry.
I didn’t break.
I didn’t feel anything at all.
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And somehow—
That scared me more than the pain ever did.
- Writer
