003 Future Fractures

(Maya)

Lucy is fifteen months old now, wild curls bouncing as she tears through my wing of the mansion.

Cole moved us in here so the main area isn’t always so messed up. It makes sense with his formal dinners and visiting dignitaries.

I show up at every function I need to as the loving wife. Perfect in every way and Cole plays the loving husband so well.

Those nights we make love. Okay, it isn’t the headiness of the honeymoon. And he never stays the whole night. But it’s something and I think I’m starting to make a difference to him.

I live for that. I know that’s how he would be all the time if he didn’t have so much pressure on him.

He wants to love me. I’ll help him do that again like he used to. 

No marriage or relationship is perfect, Jade says. And she’s right. It’s impossible to be happy all the time.

Cole is still with me so that proves he loves me. He could have any of the women who hang over him at every event.

He even flirts with some of them, but she said not to worry, he always comes home to me.

This is how men like this are. They need freedom, they need understanding, they need unconditional love. If you give them that and not a hard time over it, they will always come home.

And one day when all the distractions have gone, they have the time to love you again fully.

And she’s right. I hear the other wives talking. Rich husbands, kids and they still say the lifestyle is worth some bumps in the road.

Lucy’s screaming, throwing blocks and being energetic as usual. This place is a mess, and it’ll stay that way until Lucy sleeps.

She barely sleeps. She never stops. I love her more than anything. She is the only thing I’ve got. She loves me always.

She hardly sees her father, so I try to make up for that by letting her be free and happy. Letting her do whatever she wants.

And in a way, it’s easier that way. I’m still struggling with postpartum depression. 

I have medication that helps. Jade gave me the name of an excellent doctor six months ago. She’s been supportive whenever she can.

Today Tessa is visiting. I said no but she insisted. It’s hard to say no to my best friend. We grew up together.

Tessa dumps her rainbow hemp bag on my couch, bracelets clinking, and pulls out her tarot deck. “You don’t seem right, Maya. The cards say there are hidden dangers.”

I roll my eyes, clutching a squirming Lucy to my chest. “I don’t believe in that mumbo jumbo. Life is what you make it.”

Tessa stares at me. Her blue eyes sparking through her blonde bangs. “What? You mean being controlled by everyone around you?”

I put Lucy down and shake my head. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Maya, you are the least happy I’ve ever known you to be.”

“I’m perfectly happy,” I shoot back. “Any woman would kill for this life. Married to Cole Vance. Living in a mansion. With his child. Having a limitless credit card.”

“Not me,” Tessa says flatly. “You’re miserable and you refuse to see it. It’s called coercive control… He love-bombed you and now he’s treating you like shit and you are saying thank you.”

“Don’t be dramatic.”

“It’s the pills, they are numbing your mind to any feelings at all. It’s not healthy.”

“I’m handling it. I’m seeing a doctor. I’m trying harder with Lucy.”

“This is not your fault, Maya.”

“Cole will come around, he loves me. He’s under pressure, that’s all. Owen’s immune system… he’s sick a lot. But he’ll be getting better soon, they are trying new treatments.”

Tessa leans forward, eyes sharp. “That’s what they tell you. But I’ve seen Owen, Maya. He looks worse than bad. Do you think Cole and Jade might be lying about how sick he really is?”

My mood is spiking. She is just saying stupid stuff now. “Why would they lie?”

“I don’t know. But Jade never brings him here when she comes to help you.”

I don’t miss the sarcasm.

The heat rushes to my cheeks. “You’re just jealous of Jade. She’s been nothing but a friend. She’s helping me. You hate her because I like her.”

Tessa slams her cards back into the deck. “A friend? I’m your friend. I’m not manipulating you. Open your eyes, Maya.”

“Enough!” My voice shakes the air. “If you can’t support me and be happy for me, don’t come here. Don’t contact me at all.”

Tessa glares, hurt flashing through her eyes and then anger. “Fine. Have it your way. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“Cole loves me, he loves us. You’ll see. I’ll prove it to everyone.”

“You shouldn’t have to prove anything to anyone. What about your career?”

“Careers are overrated. Why would I need one now? I have everything here.”

“And except for Lucy, none of it is yours. You don’t have a job so you can’t pay rent anywhere. You don’t have a car or a driver’s license even.”

“I don’t need one.”

“You dropped out of your degree and wasted that scholarship…”

“I’m Mrs. Cole Vance now. That’s all I need.”

“He doesn’t love you. You’re being a fool for him. He’s using you for something.”

“Just get out, Tessa. I’m done with your attitude.”

She storms out, her perfume of patchouli and sage clinging in the room.

Lucy fusses against me.

“Daddy loves us. Auntie Tessa just doesn’t understand.”

I’m tired. I’m stressed. I grab the pill bottle.

One extra won’t hurt.