Chapter Two: The shattered anniversary

Chapter Two: The Shattered Anniversary

ANNA

I woke up with a throbbing headache. The kind that pulsed behind my eyes. Soft sheets cradled me. My eyes blinked open to sunlight spilling through familiar curtains. My room. I'm on my matrimonial bed.

Confusion crept in.

I remembered passing out in the dining room last night… So how did I get here?

Abel.

Did Abel come back? Did he bring me here?

A hot, bitter rage bubbled in my chest as my thoughts turned to him. How dare he? After fooling around with Flora?

I pushed the duvet off me and swung my legs over the bed, only to notice I was wearing a skimpy nightdress I definitely hadn’t put on. He changed my clothes. My skin crawled with anger. The betrayal burned hotter.

The door creaked open.

I spun around, my heart pounding.

Abel stood at the doorway, disheveled, eyes shadowed. Not drunk. But… guilty, heartbroken, sad. And yet, when his gaze locked on me, it was laced with anger.

“Where were you?” My voice was barely above a whisper. He stared at me, anger flashed through his eyes. I was taken aback by the amount of rage and irritation in his eyes towards me. He has no right to show those emotions. I should!

He stared, his jaw tight. “You have no right to ask me that.”

“What?” My heart dropped.

He walked in slowly, a man I barely recognized. “You should ask yourself where you’ve been, Anna.”

I scoffed. “Abel, what are you talking about?”

He held up his phone, another photo. My stomach dropped. This time, on the screen was… me. In bed. Unclothed. Asleep. And next to me... a man. Shirtless. His face obscured. On this bed.

“On our matrimonial bed!” Abel thundered.

“What is this?!” I gasped, snatching the phone. “This isn’t real! I… I don’t remember this! I swear…!”

“Save it,” Abel snapped. “You’ve been cheating on me.”

“No! I haven’t! I would never…”

“Then explain this!” he shouted, pointing to the image. His shout made my heart jolt.

“I don’t know!” I cried. My mind scrambled for clarity. For answers.

“Abel, someone must have…” My voice caught as I remembered the photos of him with Flora from last night. “Stop, Abel! Stop! You’re accusing me when you…”

I spun around and scrambled for my phone which was beside the night stand. I couldn't remember anything that happened last night after I passed out but…

I went through my phone but it's all gone. Everything is gone!

“What are you talking about?” Abel scoffed, stepping closer.

“Where were you last night Abel? Why were you with Flora? You slept with her!.” His gaze faltered for a split second, guilt flickering before he straightened and pulled at his tie.

“So it's true!”

“What is true? I didn't… Anna, I didn't sleep with Flora. What are you trying to accuse me of? Are you trying to buy your way out of this? After this?”

He pointed the phone right in my face. “You think you can get out of this? With lies?”

My throat constricted and I shook in confusion.

I did not know what to say.

That wine! The wine Flora bought.

I couldn't remember anything after drinking it.

The evidence in my phone, the pictures that made me lose my mind last night, that made me drink that wine was gone.

And now, Abel is here accusing me of infidelity.

And I can't defend myself. He will think I'm lying. I'm trying to defend myself.

Everything started linking up. Everything started making sense. Flora! She is behind this.

“Abel, wait! I think this is all a lie. This is a set up. On me and you. I…”

“Save it!” He muttered lowly.

“Flora…”

But he was already turning away, walking past me.

The door slammed shut behind him.

I rushed out into the hallway and saw him storming past the carefully arranged untouched dinner I’d prepared, past the unopened envelope, going outside.

I grabbed the envelope, crushing it in my hand. He couldn’t see it now.

What am I going to do?

Abel should believe me. He will believe me. I had nothing to do with this. This is a set up.

Abel barged in and came straight towards me.

He threw a stack of printed photos at me. They fluttered around me like fallen ash. His face squeezed in anger and frustration.

I picked up one, tears falling from my face. It's me, unclothed on the bed with the strange man.

“These pictures are all over the media. All over!” He barked. “I've been getting calls and the board is about to hold a meeting. You betrayed me Anna. You've humiliated me and now, you are dragging me down with you.”

The door swung open again and Flora walked in.

“The photo is everywhere. Someone had this delivered this morning. Someone unknown!”

Abel grabbed the wine bottle I’d bought for him and smashed it against the wall. I flinched.

I turned to Flora. Her lips curled in a smirk just for me.

“What is she doing here?” I asked, glancing back at Abel.

“Is this what you are concerned about right now? After what you did?” Abel looked at me in disbelief, like I had lost my mind.

“I didn't do it Abel. You know me! You know I will never do something like this. You trust me, right.” I retorted, desperate. Desperate to get out of this messy situation.

“She…” I pointed to Flora accusingly. “She is behind this. I didn't cheat on you Abel.”

Flora stepped forward with the best puppy innocent face. She has gotten away with almost everything with that face.

Whenever she gets into trouble and pins it on me or frames me for something, she will pull off this look for father and he will believe her. She had always been petty, manipulative and conniving.

But not to this. Never to this extent!

Flora stepped forward, eyes wide with false innocence.

“Sister! Why are you trying to put this on me? Why are you blaming me? I came to visit and found you… with him. I chased the man away and called Abel. I never thought you’d betray him like this.”

My mouth hung open in surprise. I didn't even remember what happened last night after I passed out. Did I really sleep with this man? I raised the photo up to check it again. The man in the picture looked familiar. My mind raced back to the park. The man who wouldn't leave me alone.

I stared at her, hatred coiling in my gut.

Flora kept talking, voice dripping with pity and innocence. “I chased the man away and called you immediately. I didn't expect this from Anna. Anna, I never expected this from you but Abel has been the best husband he could ever be. Why would you do that?”

“Flora!” I called warningly.

I’ve always supported you, but this? You’re evil for doing this to a good man.”

“She’s lying! I passed out after drinking the wine she brought!”

“Just stop, Anna!” Abel’s shout made me flinch. “The man in the photo is the same one she warned me about. She is right. She has always been right.” Abel slammed his hands on the dining table.

Tears burned my eyes. My hand instinctively covered my belly as I rubbed on it protectively. My other hand clasped my chest, soothing my aching heart.

“It's all over the Internet.” Abel went on. “Your face is blurred but the caption says it all. Abel Donovan's wife!” Abel gritted his teeth in anger.

I’d always been kept out of the spotlight. No public appearances, no photos. That was fine by me. Now… it was being used to destroy me.

The photo was blurred

But

The message was clear.

“You’re moving out tonight. I never want to see your face again.” Abel thundered moving towards me.

“No, Abel!” My cry was raw. I screeched as he pulled on my hair. “Arrggghhhh.” I screamed in pain.

“You cheater! I trusted you!” His hand twisted in my hair. Pain ripped through my scalp as he shoved me to the floor.

“Abel!” I screamed.

“I don't want to see your face. Flora! Get her out.” He ordered and stomped up the stairs.

She grabbed my hair and yanked me toward the door. “You’re nothing but an embarrassment.” She spat at me and shoved me outside. “A disgrace to the family.”

The door slammed in my face.

I stood there, my heart breaking, my mind spinning, my hand still protectively cradling my stomach.

No! I have to fight for my family. I have to fight to keep us together. Flora is lying, trying to break us apart.

There is no way I will be giving up on Abel and our marriage. I just wish he would see through Flora's lies. I didn't cheat on him and Abel knows this. He knows!