It was almost midnight when I returned ‘home’- the place which was no longer my safe haven.

My mind still reeling with shock did not register Henry’s absence as I sat near the window staring at nothingness, the void left behind by Henry’s words made me numb.

It was then Henry finally entered reeking of an expensive floral perfume.

“Elena, you are back now? What were you doing all these days-”

“Work” Taken aback by my cold response Henry looked at me with his pressing gaze,

“Work? Baby how many times have I told you to be careful and not overwork yourself for the sake of your sick mother.

You are the madam of Arrows enterprises but to think you still work as a cheap bartender serving drinks and then go door to door working as a nanny for some dollars? You should learn to be a proper wife Elena.”

I did not speak a word to him and simply looked outside. Taken aback by my indifference, a flash of irritation passed his features

“Why is this fuss all about huh? That day it was a friends only party, and your constant calls and messages killed the joy.

Why didn’t you just book a hotel for that night? You almost ruined the mood of the party and did not show up the next day…It was mom who had to do all the cleaning and wash the dishes and now she is even more disappointed in you.

Now that you are back, go and apologise to mom first instead of throwing a tantrum-”

“Henry…I was away for three days and this is the first thing you say to me when I return?” Henry froze, as his eyes locked with my bloodshot ones, my face pale and lips turning blue. It was only now he noticed that I wasn’t really okay.

“Elena? Um..are you alright?” He asked, a trace of guilt flashing across his features before it disappeared.

“Baby I was just worried about you.” He came forward to embrace me from behind but at the last moment I stepped away avoiding his touch.

“Elena, are you pretending to be angry with me now?” He froze when I turned around and walked away from him.

“God are you still upset about a stupid birthday?!” His hand clenched around my arm tightly to stop me from going further as our eyes locked.

“Casey is your sister and my childhood friend and she is now completely heartbroken after her boyfriend abused her. So what if her party was on your birthday?! Can’t you understand?” He snapped angrily, making the atmosphere freeze.

Silence stretched long before my eyes stung with his painful hold making Henry drop my arm like he was burned.

“Fuck!” Red marks appeared on my wrist making him quickly soften his voice.

“Elena baby, despite everything I haven’t forgotten your birthday present darling.” Trying to coax me, Henry turned me around before gently slipping a small diamond pendant around my neck with care.

“It is a limited collection with no copies, a piece of this necklace is with me and the second with you, It has ‘forever’ engraved on it, just for you Elena.”

Earlier a sweet gesture like that would have won my heart instantly, yet now the platinum chain only felt suffocating thus I simply nodded.

“The diamond pendant my mother gave to me at our wedding…where is it? Just give that to me and I will be happy.” My eyes glanced at Henry making him speechless.

Two days ago when I was still in the hospital, I came across Casey’s social media post where she flaunted the blue diamond pendant I had given to Henry when his company was struggling with financial crises.

He had kissed me with love then and promised to never forget my kindness but then at last he repaid my love with ruthlessness and gave my most prized possession to his mistress.

“Why are you mentioning that thing now? Don’t you have everything that you can ever dream of but you still aren’t satisfied?

Come on Elena,you are lucky, you know that?

Your sister has every reason to hate you…after all, you are the illegitimate daughter of their family, a fake but look at her, she has always treated you so well.

My mom has reasons to dislike you but for all these years she guided you like an elder.”

My eyes widened as I heard Henry’s cruel words making me tremble.

This was the man for whom I dropped out of medical college because he had a brain injury and needed an all time available nurse, the man who was in a coma for three years and yet I agreed to marry him not even knowing if he will ever wake up.

This was the same loving husband who would embrace me tightly and whisper into my ears that he would never let anyone mistreat me again now that he has gained his senses.

“Elena you might be raised lowly but you cannot continue to be like that. Stop being so greedy

Have you seen Casey? She is the real heir. The one raised with dignity while you are the child of her father and a maid, you ruined her perfect family Elena but look at how gracefully she carries herself and how hard we are trying to hide your flaws.

Stop arguing on every silly thing and make an effort to mend ties with your family and apologize for all your wrongdoings.”

His words were like acid to my soul. .

I nursed him back to life, rejected medical school and a chance to become a doctor. When he was dying and the doctors suggested pulling off the life support it was I who begged them and took care of him day and night.

“Elena even with such a background my mom accepted you. I accepted you so don’t make me regret that. Be polite and learn your place. Tomorrow Casey is throwing a get-together and my friends have explicitly asked for you to attend.

After it is done, I may accompany you to the hospital to see your sick mother.” At this moment I realised he didn’t care for my reply. It was his ‘gentle’ way of reminding me that he was the one paying for my mother’s treatment.

A miserable thump sounded in my heart. My poor mother suffering from leukemia who had hoped for nothing and prayed for my happiness was my husband’s bait to me.

“Yes.” With an empty gaze on my face I whispered, making him kiss my forehead.

“Elena, I am doing everything for your good only.”

When I turned my face away from him and slept aside, he scooted over, his arms tight around me as he whispered how he loved me the most not even realizing that my entire body was trembling.