ARIEL POV
Being pregnant seemed to be tampering with my mood, as I seek solace in quiet places. In fact, I love silent places. I love to be alone most of the time.
Eva has been the kindest soul as she often sttays with me. She always leaves for work in the morning and returns in the evening. Damien had been making sure I was regularly checked by the doctor.
Every now and then, I felt lonely, the thought of Ryan's well-being hovering in my mind.
I didn't give in too much thought to Eva's words, but I still imagine what it was like for Ryan to have witnessed his father having sex with his wife. It was a betrayal that will definitely sting deep.
I wonder if he is drowning in alcohol, or wallowing in self-pity. He probably misses me now.
I sighed, as I glanced at my new phone, as if I was expecting a call from him. He doesn't even have access to my new number. How will he call?
I grimaced at my thought.
The doorbell rang, as I made to stand, but stopped as Eva passed by.
"I will get it, sisto.”She walked to the door.
I unlocked my phone, looking at the few pictures I took while I was here. I rolled my eyes at the selfies I took as I deleted some of them because I looked horrible in them.
Hairs disheveled, and I was pretty sure I took most of them when I woke up from bed.
Somehow, I got reminded of how it would have been to see Ryan beside me assuring me I looked beautiful, even though I don't think so.
There was something always convincing about his words to me, sweet and soothing, something I found heartwarming.
'You can just go back to him', my subconscious reprimanded as I sighed.
It wasn't that easy. I just wanted this space. I've been spending more time on books that will help build up our marriage, and most importantly, the holy writings. It has the best advice for married couples.
I raised my head as I caught Eva holding up to a big white box, as she had a mischievous smile on.
She sat as she handed the box to me. With shaky hands, I collected it, still glancing at her.
"Open it up, sis. From an anonymous fellow, or maybe a secret admirer.”She winked, as I swallowed.
My stomach twisted into knots at the thoughts of who the person might be. Taking one last glance at the box, I opened it.
The scent wafted through my nostrils, reminding me of the only person that wears that cologne.
My brows creased, surprise written on my face, as I picked the sky-blue teddy bear in the pack. It was beautiful.
My heart raced, noticing the note attached, as it has an imprint of' MR R' written slantingly on the back of the paper.
My gaze lingered back to Eva, who was wearing a smile.
"You told him?.”I made sure my voice wasn't high, as I raised the allegation against her.
She raised her hands in denial.
"I didn't. You really don't think Ryan won't find you out. Weirdly, he owns the estate you are staying at, probably the house's too.”She paused, as I felt my heart pinned.
Does Damien know?
"I didn't know too, and I doubt if Damien knew too. My brother wanted to come see you the moment his invigilator figured out you were here, but I stopped him. Apparently, he even asked me what is the best gift to give you.”
I felt a wave of guilt pass through me at Eva's confession.
"The pregnancy? I."
"No, he isn't aware. The moment I told him, you would rather not see him yet, he hung up on me. I'm glad he made the move to send you this cute thing. Oh! There is a note. Probably a love letter.''Eva winked, as she teases.
I let out a small laugh, holding firmly to the small piece of letter.
I wanted to hug the teddy bear but showing quite a restraint as I didn't want to make it obvious in front of Eva that I missed her brother. The nice scent kept calling onto me, as I sniffed.
How I had missed such a scent.
I opened the note as I read.
"Mi lady, I have missed you. Do you miss me too? I hope that gift will remind you of my presence around you. I will continue to have you glued to my heart because you are the only one my heart keeps beating for.”
Eva swooned, as I realized I shouldn't have read it in front of her. She would definitely try to convince me.
I felt momentarily dazed, my throat a bit dry, as my palms suddenly became sweaty. I could easily imagine Ryan chanting those words to me, his lips moving in rhythm.
"You are blushing.”My stare cut to hers, and I was sure my face must have reddened like a tomato.
What is wrong with me?
I'm still angry at Ryan, or maybe I wasn't. I was disappointed sure enough, but I couldn't help the emotion flooding through me right now.
"Eva, just stop, okay. Can you stop with the eyes stuff you are doing? It's creeping me out.”I spoke, as she chuckled, stopping her interval upward, eyes raising.
"You miss him, don't you?”She asked, her mischievous face disappearing into thin air.
"Not now Eva.”I put the teddy bear and note back, hoping to avoid glancing at Eva, who could read me within a wink if I looked at her too much.
I made a mental note to read the note to myself probably a thousand times. The last words were still echoing in my head. As for the teddy bear, most likely going to be my new pillow, as I drift into Dreamland.
"Sister in-law, what are you hiding? Evelyn is no longer a threat. Why are you still stalling?”I breathed out, seeing the annoyance slowly evident in her voice.
She was slowly getting mad at me.
"Eva, Ryan and I understand each other. We are only separated for a while. He is still my husband and I love him so much, I can never leave him. Meanwhile, he hasn't divorced Evelyn, has he?”I retorted, hoping I was calm, as Eva shook her head.
I thought as much. It was at that moment I was glad Ryan did not appear with the box instead. What if he came begging? It would have been tough for both of us.
"I hope you understand. You are the best sister-in-law ever, Eva. You made me feel welcomed, when I was engaged to your brother. Furthermore, you are not the snobby daughter who despises others like me as I have read in novels.”She let out a laugh, as she pulled me into a hug.
I reciprocated, as I smiled. She is understanding.
"It's fine. I won't bother you about it again. And stop praising me too much. I'm afraid my head will begin to swell.”We both laughed, tearing away from the embrace.
We spent the rest of the day talking about something else, but I kept thinking about someone else.
I was hoping to skip to the part where I would be alone in the room. But I would have to put up with Eva for a while.
'My heart keeps beating for you.' The words kept echoing in my head, bringing a giant smile to my lips.
EVELYN'S POV
I writhed in pain, as Bryan pulled out of me, his body still resting on mine. I pushed him away with the last strength in me. I picked my gown, as I hurriedly put it on, before taking long strides to the kitchen.
I was famished, as my face lit up with a slight touch of smile at the bread on the kitchen cabinet. I tear opened the nylon as I munched at it without applying anything to it.
I continued munching, swallowing in a large bite. I choked as I rushed down water from the bottle in front of me. I calmed down, my heart beating in rhythm as I looked down at the empty plate in front of me, with just a knife on it.
Tears brimmed down my face, as I sniffed. This was the consequences of dealing with a selfish Old man, who only wanted me to fulfill his sexual desires. Day and night, he plunged into me, making me restless.
I wasn't enjoying it. I was tired and helpless. I was slowly reaping what I sowed.
Ryan now knew I was screwing with her dad and he no longer wanted anything to do with me. Earlier today, I received a divorce letter from him, which ended up being torn by his father, who convinced me he would figure out something to make Ryan accept me.
That didn't stop him from going on sexual rounds with me, forcing drugs down my throat to make me sexually active , contraceptives to prevent me from getting pregnant.
I felt dirty and being used. I broke down in tears, not until I heard the voice that only made anger course through me.
"Break time over. Come to daddy."I could feel him approaching me, as I cleaned my face,my eyes meeting with the kitchen knife in front of me.
I picked it up, as I stood up pointing it at him.
"Stop, don't dare moving close to me."I stared fiercely at him, as he only walked closer, a mischievous look on his face.
My hand shook, as I slowly withdrew the knife, his body in front of me.
He leaned closer, as my heart spinned.
"You can't. You love me remember."His voice was low, as I felt goosebumps instantly.
His hand found its way to my butt, as I moaned. Oh no!
And just like that, I plunge the knife into him.
I watched as he held the knife, his eyes widened,dreaded with horror.
My hands shook, as I watched him groan. I fell to the ground, as I was slowly losing my mind.
What did I just do?