Forbidden Vows: The Uncle’s Possession

Chapter2:Lies

Emma came home and sat on the living room sofa. She stared at her phone. The number she had just called was still on the screen. After her anger faded away, she had to think about real problems. To get a divorce, she needed money. Marcus was paying for her dad's hospital bills every month. The bills were huge, about $100,000 each month. Emma had no way to pay that much money.

Her fingers shook as she looked through her contacts. She stopped at one name. Professor Williams. Her old teacher from college.

"Professor Williams? This is Emma. Emma Chen." She tried to sound calm, but her voice cracked a little.

A surprised voice came from the other end. "Emma! Oh my goodness, are you okay? I haven't heard from you since you got married three years ago."

Emma bit her lip hard. She could taste blood in her mouth. "Professor, I want to come back to work in science. I know this sounds sudden, but I need a job."

"Of course!" Professor Williams agreed right away. "You're one of the smartest students I ever taught. Your research paper about cells was amazing. I can call a company right now. They need a senior researcher. The pay is really good."

"Thank you," Emma whispered. She felt a tiny bit of hope in her chest. "I really need this."

"Don't worry about it. You have so much talent. It was sad when you quit research to get married. When can you start working?"

"As soon as possible."

After hanging up, Emma felt a little spark of hope. She could do this. She could leave Marcus and build a new life.

She walked into their bedroom and started packing. Her hands moved like a robot, folding clothes and putting them in a suitcase. In the closet were matching pajamas they bought on their honeymoon in Paris. On the dresser was a little angel statue from their trip to Italy. On the wall were photos of them at the beach, laughing and kissing.

Each thing reminded her of happy times. But now they hurt her heart. How had she been so stupid? How did she miss all the signs?

She opened the dresser drawer to get some personal things. Her wedding ring caught the light, almost like it was laughing at her. Then she saw it. The marriage certificate.

With shaking hands, Emma picked it up. She opened to the first page and saw two young, happy faces. Her own smile was so big it hurt to look at now. Marcus's eyes were shining with joy.

It was June 15th, three years ago. To be the first couple to get their marriage certificate that day, they woke up at four in the morning to wait in line at the government office. Marcus had been as excited as a little kid. He talked nervously the whole car ride.

"Emma, we're really getting married," he had said, bouncing in his seat. "I feel like I'm eighteen again. Like the first time I saw you in Professor Brown's chemistry class."

When the office worker gave them the marriage certificate, Marcus's hands shook really hard. He took it carefully, like it might break. Tears filled his eyes.

"Emma, we're finally husband and wife," he had whispered. His voice was breaking. "I promise I'll love you and protect you forever. You're my whole world."

Emma had believed every word. She thought they were soulmates. She thought they would be together forever.

But now...

She stared at her smiling face in the photo. Before she could cry, she heard the sound of a car engine outside. Her heart stopped. The garage door opened. Footsteps on the stairs.

"Honey, I'm home!" Marcus's voice called from downstairs. He sounded happy and casual.

Emma panicked. She quickly shoved the marriage certificate back in the drawer. She wiped her eyes fast and tried to look normal. The bedroom door was still open. She couldn't let him see the suitcase.

Footsteps came down the hallway. Marcus pushed the door open. His face lit up when he saw her. Without warning, he put his arms around her from behind.

His hug used to make her feel safe. Now Emma felt sick to her stomach. She could smell perfume on his skin. Sweet vanilla body wash. He had obviously showered somewhere else before coming home.

"Did you miss me?" Marcus whispered in her ear. His voice sounded lazy and satisfied, like a cat who just ate.

Emma's muscles got tight. She wanted to push him away. Her body felt stiff like a rock. "Where have you been?"

"I'm sorry, babe." Marcus lied so easily. "I was so busy at work yesterday that I fell asleep at the office. I completely forgot our anniversary."

He pulled a pretty jewelry box from his jacket pocket. "But look what I got you to make up for it."

He opened the box with a big movement. Inside was a beautiful diamond necklace. The stones caught the light and made rainbow patterns on the walls.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Marcus's eyes sparkled with pride. "Turn around so I can put it on you."

Emma turned around like a robot. She felt like a puppet with cut strings. Marcus's fingers touched her neck as he put on the necklace. The cold metal pressed against her skin. The diamonds felt heavy. They made it hard to breathe.

"Perfect," Marcus stepped back to look at her. He looked very satisfied. "Tomorrow night is Grandpa's birthday party. The whole Blake family will be there. With this necklace, you'll be the most beautiful woman there."

"Do I have to go?" Emma asked. Her voice sounded empty even to her. She just wanted to escape. To get away from everything about the Blake family.

"Of course you have to go. You're my wife." Marcus looked at her with what seemed like real love. He leaned in to kiss her, but Emma quickly pushed him away.

"You should take a shower first," she said, turning her face away.

Marcus nodded. He didn't seem bothered. "Good idea. I've been working all day."

He grabbed some clothes and went to the bathroom. The shower turned on. Steam started coming out from under the door.

Emma's phone suddenly buzzed. She looked at the screen. A social media message.

Her blood felt like ice.

On the screen was a photo. A woman wearing the exact same necklace as the one around Emma's neck. The woman had hickeys and scratches all over her skin. The photo was cut to show only her neck and part of her chest.

Below the picture was a message that made Emma's world fall apart: "Does the necklace look good? I helped pick it out for you. I wore it when we were together last night. Marcus said it looked beautiful on me."