Rejected Wife Of The President

Are We Talking About The Same Sarah?

POV: Valerie

That night was supposed to be perfect for us, but he ruined it because of some stupid necklace that he got for my sister. How the hell was I supposed to know that it wasn’t for me, how should I know that his childhood dreams of being with Sarah have never died in his heart?

I sat on the edge of the bed, the weight of disappointment heavy in my chest, visions of that moment replaying in my mind, Travis collecting his gift box from me, his fierce gaze when he spotted the necklace on me, my excitement fading into horror as I realized it wasn’t meant for me. The betrayal cut deep, sharper than any knife.

He didn’t come home to me after that night. I did not see him until it was time to leave for the family reunion. The silence was deafening during those weeks, only broken by my unanswered calls and the thudding of my heart against the walls of my chest. I wanted so desperately to talk to him, to explain myself, but every message I sent seemed to dissolve into nothingness. I was met with cold indifference. He didn’t even show up to pick me. His driver brought me to the airport, and there he was, waiting for me, his eyes sad and distant.

It was as if we didn’t share any connections these few weeks. Just standing there, I felt stripped of everything we had built. It was as though all the care and attention he had showered on me those past few weeks faded into thin air, leaving behind an emptiness that echoed. I had a surprise for him, a token of my love, but he didn’t care about it, didn’t even want to hear it.

“Trav…” I started, my voice trembling.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know… I thought…I… I…” I stammered, trying to apologize, to promise to be better. But he dismissed my words with a wave of his hand, refusing to listen to me.

“Save it, Val. I don’t want to hear it. You have not changed, you are still the same jealous, nosy kid that ruined my plans to elope with Sarah. I should have never initiated a contract with you. I should have left you in your lane until the divorce is finalized. I guess I thought you had changed. I even thought I could give this relationship a chance and...” he stopped talking before he finished that statement, but I saw his teeth grinding in anger as he glared at me.

I felt heat rising in my chest, desperation clawing at my throat. I didn’t even wait for him to finish. “I have changed, I promise you, Travis. I am not nosy or jealous. I’m just a girl that is deeply in love with you. I’m just a girl seeking your heart.” My voice cracked, and I felt tears streaming down my cheeks, shameful, desperate sobs begging for a second chance, begging shamelessly.

“I don’t want to speak with you, Valerie. I just want to be left alone.” His voice was filled with fury as he stood up and walked into the mini bedroom on the private plane, his silhouette tighter than a noose. He left me sitting there, all alone, sobbing my eyes out, feeling the weight of unrelenting sorrow crashing over me.

A few seats away, Justin sat with a smirk on his face, obviously revelling in my breakdown. I could feel his eyes boring into me, enjoyment radiating off him as if he had just watched the grandest show. He loves seeing me at my worst, he thrives on my pain, and the way I was unravelling before him seemed to bring him such delight.

I glared at him, my face betraying nothing but a stern resolve, wiping the tears away furiously. I may be sad and abandoned, but Justin would never see me at my lowest again. I wouldn’t allow him that satisfaction. Not now. I quickly shifted my attention, grabbing my phone to text Sarah.

I knew we may not agree on everything, but she was still my sister, and I needed her help. I needed her to fix my marriage, to convince Travis to change his mind about the divorce.

“Please help me convince him to stay with me, Sarah. Help me save my marriage and I’ll be forever indebted to you.” I poured my heart out in the message, explaining how Travis was about to ask me for a divorce.

“He still loves you, Sarah. He believes you’re unhappy with his brother. Just help me convince him that you love your husband and that you are happy with him. We’ve shared a few moments these weeks, and I know he will focus on our marriage if only you can convince him that you are no longer interested in him. Please, Sarah, I need you.” My fingers hovered over the keyboard as I desperately sought the right words.

I felt the tick of time beneath my skin as I waited for her response. Finally, my phone buzzed and I rushed to grab my phone and see

“Fine, I’ll help you convince him to stay. But you have to take care of my husband and give him his drugs while I speak with Travis on your behalf. He’s been sick for a while now, he always needs me to attend to some of his needs. If you can promise to take care of him while I spend some time with Travis and catch up on old times, I will help you fix your marriage.” She told me excitedly. Her quick agreement made me wonder why she had agreed so easily and fast, too fast. Wasn’t she the one who always wanted something in return for her help?

The fact that she didn’t even put a price tag on this one startled me. This was strange behaviour from her, she was not the type to turn her back on money. At first I hadn’t even thought too much about it, I was too focused on my goal to make her talk to Travis for me. I knew I wanted my marriage to work, and I was willing to do anything to make it happen, I would do anything to get Travis to look at me lustfully again.

As the plane touched down, I felt my heart beat faster, a mixture of anxiety and hope swelling in my chest. I knew we would face drama at his family home, but I couldn’t let fear paralyze me. I had to believe that there was a sliver of hope somewhere in this chaotic storm.

With every step we took toward the family home, the weight of expectation and desire grew heavier. My fingers tapped restlessly against my thigh, anticipation coursing through my veins. I needed this to work. I had to confront Travis and lay everything bare. If only Sarah would tell him the truth that she has never loved him as much as I do. Maybe he would finally understand what I feel for him and he will love me back.

The house was beautifully decorated, a reflection of their family’s wealth, and a stark contrast to the turmoil that bubbled underneath the surface. Familiar faces greeted us as we walked in, smiles plastered on, unaware of the war raging inside my heart. I forced a smile back, desperate to hide my emotional chaos behind a smiling face.

Everyone knows about our marriage arrangements. I guess a lot of folks in this welcome party didn’t really come here to welcome us home. They are her to find out if I’m happy in my marriage or not. Some even hoped to see me broken and hopeless. But I plastered a bright smile on my face, pretending to be happy with my husband.

Travis was talking to a group of people, his posture stiff, his smile polite but unfeeling. I could see the line of tension across his jaw as he nodded at family members with a sense of obligation. Every second felt like an eternity, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of being an intruder in a world where I felt increasingly unseen.

I turned, my heart racing as I spotted Sarah. Our eyes locked, and a wave of intensity passed between us. Her smile was warm, and I felt a glimmer of solace knowing she would help. Without breaking her gaze, I whispered,

“Help me.” She took one look at my face and nodded subtly, then slid away toward Travis, leaving me to muster the courage for what needed to come next. I knew I needed to find the right moment, the right words, but until then, I felt like a balloon waiting to burst.

The evening wore on, the laughter and chatter consuming the air. I felt small, lost in the flurry of noise. But then I noticed Sarah sitting beside her husband again and Travis was moving away, quietly stepping out onto the balcony, and I took a deep breath, summoning every ounce of courage I had left. As I stepped outside, the cool breeze gripped my skin, it felt cleansing against the rawness inside me.

“Travis,” I called softly, my heart pounding. He turned to me, his expression shifting. I could see the anger dance across his features, he looks even more furious than he did before we got here. But beneath it all, I dared to hope for a flicker of warmth.

“What do you want, Valerie?” The edge of his voice cut, but I held my ground, determined.

“I want to talk, and I would love if you listened to me this time, with an open heart.” I pleaded softly.

“No. Not now.” He let out sharply, refusing to spare me a second glance.

“Please.” I stepped closer, my voice breaking.

“You said you wanted space, and I understand that, but I need you to know how I feel. What happened… that night with the necklace?

I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I just… I just...” I stammered out, loss for words.

“Just what, Valerie, cat got your tongue?” he asked furiously.

“You think you can say sorry and fix everything?” His eyes were dark, stormy, and as I gazed into them, an ache pressed painfully against my heart.

“I need you to understand, Travis. I love you. I’ve loved you for a while. This is more than just a contract for me, it’s my heart. I can’t let you go.” I confessed.

“Well, that is too bad, Valerie because ours is just a marriage of convenience that will soon come to an end. I wonder how you sleep at night knowing you ruined my happiness and destroyed your sisters life. To think that she came begging you to leave me and all you can think of is to threaten her to help you mend our rift. How desperate and wicked can you be?” he asked me furiously, making me squint my eyes in thought because I had no idea what he is talking about anymore. Are we talking about the same Sarah here?