Chapter 45: Chapter 45

Constance point of view:

It's already been three weeks and today is my birthday. My husband hasn't returned home for the past three weeks. It hurts but I held back the pain.

But right now, I don't think I can hold back the pain. It hurts too much… looking at these pictures hurts a lot.

My birthday was yesterday, I thought I would be happy but I wasn't. The arrangements were extravagant but still I couldn't find the happiness that I needed.

Jocelyn, Darren, grandfather and Hannah were there for me. They wanted to make me happy but I was so selfish, their love wasn't enough.

I wanted the love and attention of one person but he wasn't there for me. He didn't come to my birthday. I wanted to believe that he was busy and that was why he couldn't make it. But no, he was with a woman.

More tears stride down my cheeks as I stare at the picture on my phone screen. It's a picture of my husband and a lady called Shantel. She's the same lady that came to the restroom at Hannah's beauty salon. The same lady that told me that she will take my husband away from me. It looks like she has succeeded. She finally took him. Instead of him coming to my birthday party yesterday, he was with her.

I quickly turn off my phone and throw it away. Luckily it fell on my bed. I don't think I can bear this pain anymore. I need to find the courage to leave this marriage…. I can't hold back this pain any longer.

After crying to my heart's content. I walked into the bathroom and took a warm bath. Darren messaged me a while ago. He wants to take me out for dinner. I'm glad to have Darren and Jocelyn as my friends. They made things less painful for me. Darren is doing his best to cheer me up although he doesn't know why I'm sad and I think I will give him the chance. I really want to know what happiness is since I lost my parents… I want to be happy.

After taking my bath, I put on a simple green dress but it still did justice in revealing my curves.

I packed my hair and just applied a little makeup. I was about to leave the room when the door clicked open and my husband walked in.

The moment I saw him, the pain in my heart returned. I tried my best to hold back the tears that were threatening to fall off my cheeks. I will never let him see my weakness. I will never give him the satisfaction that the love I have for him has made me crazy and I'm so stupid to still stay in a marriage that hurts me.

I ignored him and tried walking away but he held me back. I stiffen. What? Why is he holding me back? What excuse does he have to hurt me this way?

“Constance," he called softly.

I clenched my fist as the image of what I saw on my phone screen popped into my head. No, I will never let him take me for a fool.

I gently take my wrist back and walk away. Getting to the parking lot, Jake is already there. I got in the car and he drove away.

“Darren," I called when I saw Darren seated at a round table in the five star restaurant.

“Hi!" He smiled brightly. I smiled back and took a seat opposite him.

“How have you been?" He asked so tenderly.

I haven't really told Darren what's going on in my life but it looks like he noticed, that was why he has been there for me all through.

“I'm fine," I simply replied.

“I want to treat you to dinner, that's another gift from me to you for your birthday."

“Thank you so much Darren." Darren is so nice, he has been doing nothing but to bring happiness in my life and see me smile genuinely. I wish my husband could be like him. But unfortunately, it looks like my wish won't come true.

“Let's order," he said. I smile and pick the menu which is already placed in front of me.

I ordered a simple meal. I don't even have an appetite.

“You can have this wine, it has a great taste," Darren said. Our food had already been served, together with the wine he's speaking about.

“No, Darren. I don't drink alcohol," I've already checked the wine. It smells like alcoholic wine.

“The alcohol is less. Believe me this drink will make you feel good. It will make you forget about all your worries."

Forget about my worries. I think this is good. I really need something that will make me stop thinking about my husband.

“Okay, I will take it."

I took the wine and took a sip. It's actually tasty. I sipped more and before I knew it, I'd already drunk three glasses.

Now, I'm feeling dizzy and sleepy. I'm sure it's the effect of the wine. Darren said the alcohol is not too much but I don't think so. Why did he lie about it? Well, I think it's good. I actually want to fall asleep and forget about all my worries. I hardly sleep these days because I'm always thinking about my husband.

“Darren, I'm sleepy. Please help me call my driver." That was the last thing I said before darkness clouded me.

When I opened my eyes, I was in bed. I still feel dizzy and my head hurts a lot. The effect of this alcohol is too much, it's making me sick.

I was feeling some soft object pressing on my body. No, I think that someone is kissing me. Who could it be?

I'm too weak to find out but I really need to. I forced my eyes open and saw Darren standing in front of me. I no longer feel the soft kisses on my body.

“Darren… you… what are you doing? Where am I?" I asked.

Darren smiles and crouches beside me. He ran his fingers through my hair and gave me a soft kiss on my forehead.

What's going on with Darren. The look in his eyes right now seems different. I can see lust in them.

“Constance," he called, still kissing my forehead, my cheeks and my neck.

What the heck is going on with Darren and where did he bring me.

“Constance, why can't you notice my love for you. I've always loved you Constance. I did everything so that you will notice me but no you refused to do. Why thinking about your husband who doesn't love you at all. I've confessed my love for you but you rejected me." His voice is full of sadness.

“Darren, what's going on with you? Are you drunk?'

Just a few days before my birthday. Darren confessed that he loves me. I thought it was a joke but he actually agreed that it was a joke. We both laughed it away. What then is he speaking right now? Is he truly in love with me?

“I love you Constance, so much. I've done everything to make you fall in love with me. I arranged your kidnapping, I wanted you to think that only I can protect you. I did many other things so that you can love me. Your husband is only hurting you but you are still with him, Why can't you leave him and come to me. Let me love you."

I was shocked to the bone. Darren arranged my kidnapping. He… No… I can't believe this. Darren is my friend. He can't do something like that to me.

But he said it himself, he said it now. He planned my kidnapping and had done many things to make me love him.

This is so unbelievable to me.

“I love you Constance, you are mine. Only mine," he said in between his breath and crashed his lips on mine.

He started kissing me roughly. He wreck of alcohol and it looks like he's trying to rape me.

No, no… I won't allow it. I tried pushing him away but I'm too weak to do so. Darren pushed something down my throat when he was kissing me. I don't know what it is but immediately that melted in my throat I felt dizziness clouding me and my eyes becoming heavy, I became weaker than before and before I knew it. I was lost in darkness.

When I opened my eyes, my head hurt but not too much. My view was blurry but after blinking, I was able to see clearly.

This room looks familiar but I'm sure it is not me and my husband's room. Neither is it Darren's room.

I'm not in Darren's room. Does it mean that I was dreaming? Darren trying to rape me was a dream right?

The door clicked open and a figure walked in. My husband. He has a tray of food in his hand.

Immediately, I remember the photo I saw on my phone. It hurts a lot, more than the dream I had now. I took my eyes away. Not trying to look at him.

“Constance, you are awake," he said and touched my forehead. But I shifted my head, making his hand slip away.

I know who my husband is, I know that he messes around with women but why can't he stop. Why can't he leave that old life and love me, and accept our marriage. He has hurt me enough, I won't try to hide my pains any longer. I don't care if he notices it.

“Constance, I'm sorry."

I quickly glance at him. It was just a glance, I didn't stare long. What did he just say? He's sorry. That's unlike my husband to say the word sorry. He's apologizing to me, that's so surreal.

So he knew what he did, instead of coming to my birthday party. He….

I just can't say it. No, Constance. Even if he asked for forgiveness, you can't just easily forgive him. He had hurt you enough already. You need to make him understand that he can't just hurt you, ask for your forgiveness and expect you to quickly forgive him.

“I really want to come to your birthday but I was caught up with something. I'm also sorry for the way I screamed at you on the day of my grandfather's birthday party."

Caught up with something. What exactly? Why can't he say it? Of course he can't. How can he tell me that he was with a woman Instead of coming to his wife's birthday party

I know that he went through a lot in the past but I also suffered in the past. I want our relationship to work but he keeps making me a fool. I was so worried when he was nearly shot. I wanted to clean his wound but he shouted at me and told me hurtful words.

How did he expect me to forget all those things and forgive him? No, I won't.