Chapter 2 Revealing the Reality
844 Words
It was 10 PM when the sound of the digital lock echoed from the doorway.
Joshua was back.
With a carefully adorned cake box in hand, he called out towards the dimly lit living room as he kicked off his shoes.
"Sarah, are you still up? I've brought your favorite Napoléon from a place outside the city. Come try it."
I was seated on the couch, surrounded by shadows.
He approached, flicked on the light effortlessly, and his eyes immediately narrowed as he took in my wan complexion.
"What's wrong this time? Is it your stomach again? I told you to watch your meals while I was away."
His hand reached out to check my temperature.
I turned my head aside, evading his touch.
His hand lingered awkwardly in midair before lowering, his gaze clouded.
"What is it now?" he sighed, setting the cake box down with a resigned edge to his voice.
I slid the early pregnancy report I had collected from the hospital to the edge of the coffee table.
"Is this Napoléon from a trip, or just around the corner from St. Elara's Hospital?"
His eyes locked onto the paper.
For a fleeting moment, recognition flickered across his face.
There was no sign of embarrassment about being found out.
He calmly moved to the armchair across from me, settled in, and nonchalantly lit a cigarette.
"Have you been tailing me?"
He let out a smoke ring, his voice as cold as ice.
"Joshua, won't you explain this to me?"
I searched the face of the man I had loved for five years, now a stranger to me.
"Sofia's expecting."
He flicked ash from his cigarette, speaking with disconcerting ease, "It's hardly unusual for men to have an affair. Keeping secrets wasn't my plan forever."
I stared at him, shocked.
"Joshua, I thought we would get married, grow old together..."
"Seriously?"
He chuckled derisively, as if I had said something amusing.
He leaned in closer, his expression icy and remote as he peered at me over the coffee table.
"When did I ever promise to marry you?"
A chill ran down my spine.
He continued, "Sofia's the only heir to the Stone family. Our families go way back. She and I have had our marriage certificate for three years now."
"Marriage certificate?" I echoed, my voice quivering. "Then what have these last five years meant for me?"
Joshua gestured around the luxurious penthouse, the cigarette between his fingers leaving a trail of smoke. "You live in a 30-million-dollar apartment right in the heart of the city, drive a Porsche, and get a lavish allowance every month. Your sister Chloe is in the best private hospital, receiving treatments that cost five grand a day. Who do you think foots the bill for all that? Do you really believe your minor design projects could cover Chloe's medical needs?"
I glanced at my plans, sketched in the dead of night, my fists clenching in quiet frustration.
Joshua adjusted himself, smoothing down his tie. "Sarah, don't be unreasonable. I've given you five years of care and upheld my duties as a man. It's absurd to meddle in my legitimate marriage."
My mind buzzed as if struck by lightning.
Something within me shattered beyond repair.
I stood abruptly, snatching the pregnancy test from the table, and hurled it at him with all the force I could muster.
"You bastard!"
A shocking change crossed Joshua's face.
He clenched my wrist, his grip so tight I feared my bones might snap.
"Sarah, have I indulged you so much that you've forgotten your place?"
He approached me, his voice dripping with menace.
"Sofia's delicate and shy. You'd better zip your lips. Hurt the baby, and you'll face severe consequences."
I fought with every ounce of strength I had, yet couldn't escape his grip.
"Let me go!" I yelled, "Joshua, it's over between us. I'm leaving tomorrow."
He was momentarily startled when I said I was leaving, but then he scoffed, mocking me with a grin.
He suddenly released my hands.
"Fine, pack your bags. Get out right now."
He pulled out a few tissues, wiped the traces of my touch from his hands, and tossed them into the trash.
"But Sarah, before you step out that door, consider Chloe in the hospital. Without my approval, she'll be thrown out of the sterile ward by tomorrow morning. With her body teetering on the edge of organ failure, how much longer do you think she can last?"
My feet felt glued to the floor.
Joshua observed how rigid I'd become, satisfaction curling his lips.
He moved closer again, as he always did, reaching out to smooth my disheveled hair.
"Be a good girl, Sarah. Behave, and you're still my priority. I'll keep searching for a bone marrow match for Chloe. Go wash up. I'll be waiting for you in bed."
He patted my cheek and turned, heading for the bathroom.
As the sound of running water filled the silence, I sank to the floor, utterly spent.
Tears finally streamed down my face.
- Writer
