It's been a month of our marriage and after that night, I didn't even try to be intimate with her.
We lived our lives ignoring each other. Whenever I try to touch her I don't know but something pulls me back.
I still wanted to see her destruction, the day when she'll beg me for forgiveness for destroying my life and not just her but everyone, including you too, Marianne.
‘You shattered my heart, I ‘loved’ you dearly and you just... leave it, all I can do now is to curse all of you.’
It somehow became a routine of mine to be awake by Rebecca.
“Mr Knight. Wake up.”
She woke up before me and then came after a while to wake me up and then wait for me to get ready as she hung clothes outside the closet for me knowing that I'll never wear the clothes chosen by her but still.
“Breakfast is served.”
And then I'll walk out in my shirt and pants as she'll help me to wear my coat and then she'll fasten the tie around my neck.
“Don’t do it.” I said coldly.
“I will do whatever I want.” She scoffed as we'll leave the room together to have breakfast.
None of us spoke a word during that or even looked at each other but it didn't feel awkward either.
And when I'll return from work.
“Welcome home.”
She'll be leaning on the right column, arms closed at her chest, looking all too stoic and will wait for me until I come back as we both will have dinner together.
‘Is it me or is it truly her devotion?’
“Damn, it’s Sunday.”
But, Sundays are different except the fact that she wakes up before me. That day, she just didn't acknowledge my existence.
“What a nuisance.”
No words, no devotion, no arguments like some kind of silence. A dreadful silence, that day, she doesn't even reply to me and today is Sunday.
And after the first day of our marriage today was the first time, I woke up before her. I freshened myself and saw her sleeping, curling like a ball and shivering violently.
“Damned witch.”
I picked the blanket and put it over her and walked out of the room. I sat down to have breakfast but I somehow lost my appetite.
I wonder why?
Still, I took a bite of my food as the taste wasn't delicious like before. It's that same plain omelet of Flurry.
What happened to that new exquisite taste of hers?
"Jen." I called the head of maids.
"Yes, Sir?"
"Call Flurry." She nodded and Flurry came looking timid.
"You called me?" She asked.
"Yes, Why is it so bland?" I asked and she lowered her head in.. Fright?
"I am sorry, Sir. We told the madam to not cook but..."
"Did she cook it?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.
"No.. Not this but rather.. All your food ever since your marriage."
"What?!" I asked, shocked.
"Yes Sir, I'm so sorry, I tried to stop her."
"Why is she cooking?!" I exclaimed exasperated.
"She said, 'I don't have anything to do and I like it when Ryan smiles after eating his favorite food. It made me feel like he has a heart." Flurry rambled on.
"What?" My voice came out like a whisper.
"Yes and she also-"
"Wait a minute. She called me Ryan?!" I asked the most astonishing thing.
"Yeah... is there a problem?" She asked.
I stood there stunned. My mind can't comprehend the information I have gained, she calls me by my name?
I have never heard her calling my name. How my name rolled on her lips, how it sounds.
"JEN!" I called her and she came to me, looking scared by the sudden call.
I slammed my hand on the table, for all this time, I have been eating the food made by her? I ran my one hand in my hair as I asked, stressed.
"In my absence, Did Rebecca talk about me and most importantly, what she calls me?"
"Uh... Ryan... and she asked me about your likes, dislikes and stuff." We are not a typical couple.
I grit my teeth and stormed into our room. I saw her sitting on the bed hugging her knees close to her chest with her eyes closed as some tears gleamed on her face.
“You?”
I narrowed my eyes at her and slammed the door behind me and the loud sound made her open her eyes.
“What is your problem?”
She sniffed and wiped the tears and turned her head away from mine.
I walked to her and hissed, "What are you doing behind my back?"
She didn't reply and blew her nose with the tissue.
"Answer me!" I shouted at her but she didn't even flinch and stood up as she threw the tissue in the dustbin and sniffed again as she looked at me with her eyes narrowed.
"You call me by my name in front of others but in front of me, it kills you. You do things you should show but no, I know nothing."
"Aren't you the one who wanted to keep up your image in front of others?" She spoke in a raspy voice which made me raise an eyebrow.
"Why do you cook for me?" I asked, inhaling deeply, regaining my senses.
"Obligation." She replied, leaning on the wall.
"I don't want anything from you." I snarled.
"Then exterminate me from your life." She said and closed her eyes.
"Only if I could." I muttered to myself and turned to look at her.
She put her hand over her chest and coughed badly as tears brimmed in her eyes again.
I gave her a questioning look and asked hesitantly out of pity, "You.. Okay?"
She let out an empty laugh and replied derisively, "Alive. "
I sighed and knew it's impossible to even start a casual conversation with her. I put the back of my palm over her forehead, she was burning.
"God, Rebecca, can't you even take care of yourself?" I exclaimed with worry.
"I am fine." She said, yanking my hand away.
"No, You are not, woman."
"Stop annoying me Mr Knight. I'll take some rest and be fine in no time. Do not concern yourself." She said rudely and sat on the bed.
I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed,
"You are the most irritating, stubborn and rude woman I have met in my entire life."
"I take that as a compliment." She said in the hoarse voice of hers.
I looked at her for about a minute as she sat there and I stared at her feverish form, thinking whether I should console her or leave her?
After looking at her for a while, I did what I considered right. I left her.
I want her to wallow in misery, how can I comfort her?