Bound by Blood and Betrayal

Paige POV 

I sat on the edge of my bed, the clock ticking echoed in the silent and dim room. My husband's disgraceful photos were scattered on the floor.

Earlier in the day when I had received the package. I was surprised because Ethan had never remembered our anniversary so I was beyond shocked when the package was placed in the door.

On the front of the package nothing was there, no name,no address, just a simple looking note,a small box with a single piece of black dahlias placed on it.

Although the flower wasn't my type, I still accepted thinking it was a gift from Ethan when suddenly I was struck by the sudden pain of betrayal.

Inside the box were photos taken by God knows of my husband folicating with no one other than my best friend, my sister, Diana.

I kept on asking myself what I had done to deserve this cruel reality that I can never find love. Never.

For the past five years of my marriage I had already come to that harsh realisation but then again I never wanted to accept it. I never wanted to believe that it was the truth.

I kept asking myself if I wasn't enough, if I was the cause of every bad thing that happened in my life. If I was the goddess of bad luck.

Was it really that hard to find someone that truly and sincerely loved you? Was it really that hard?

Tears streamed down my face, I glanced at the clock as the hand stuck at ten o’clock and my husband wasn't yet back.

Just then the door opens revealing the mighty Ethan of a husband. The one my heartbeats for.

The irony of my marriage.

“ Honey, sorry I'm late, my boss gave me another job at the office today,” he said, bending forward to kiss my forehead.

The normal excuse.

I shifted immediately as he approached making him pause mid air.

“ Honey?” He called but I didn't answer “ honey?” He called again but I was too annoyed and hurt to bother with his calling.

“ What's wrong with you and why is the room so…” 

Tick, the click of the switch sounded brightening up the room.

I closed my eyes immediately as the sudden light made me uncomfortable.

“ Honey, Paige, what's all these?” He bent down to pick up the photos lying on the floor.

I looked at him, noting his expression. His face showed shockness and regret but his eyes were void as always.

“ Paige listen to me, this isn't what it seems like I and Diana have nothing together.This was all forged,” he said, attempting to hold me “it was all forged Paige believe me”

I shifted away immediately, his hands stretched towards me. “ Don't touch me” I said, my eyes tired from all the tears I had cried.

“ Today was supposed to be our fifth anniversary, today you and I were supposed to celebrate our anniversary but you were out there folicking with another woman. My best friend for that matter.”

“ Baby… it's all fake”

“ Don't baby me. Look at this, does this look fake? Does it?” I shouted, shoving the photos to his face.

“ After everything we've been through, after all I've ever done for you. I sacrificed my career. I gave up everything just for you and look this is what I get back in return. I even sacrificed our child Ethan.”

Tears streamed down my face the more I realized how stupid I have become and how dumb I was to ever love him.

“ You know, I can't believe I let myself love a man like you who couldn't keep his things in check. Gallivanting around with his legs wide open.”

“ Enough Paige, I will not let you insult me “

I scoffed, raking my hand through my head, “ You're despicable. You even had a child with my sister. Was that how shameless and low you could get?”

“ Paige I said that's enough “

“ What isn't true? You rather be a father to a bastard son than have one of your own.”

“ Paige!” 

Pah.

The tingling sound in my ears as a heavy slap landed on my face . I stood there frozen unable to lift my hands off my face.

I just stared wide open at Ethan, my mouth slightly open, no words came out, no tears , just unspoken pain.

He looked at me, chest heaving, eyes still void. “ You pushed me,” he muttered, more to himself than me.

I swallowed hard, my hands trembling. “ This pain is nothing compared to what you've done to me and our dead child.” 

He said nothing. Just looked away. Shame? Regret? No. There was nothing on his face. Just cold and tired indifference plastered on his face 

Then he turned back to me and walked to the drawer near the TV stand, and pulled out a brown envelope. 

“ Ethan I'm talking to you…”

He tossed the paper on the table like it was some bill. “ I already filed for divorce.”

My knees buckled, and I stumbled backwards like he'd slap me again, just this time the slap hit harder than the last.

“ What?”

“ You heard me,” he said flatly, eyes still not meeting mine. “ I filed the papers two days ago. I was gonna wait till after today… but clearly, there's no point pretending anymore.”

“ Ethan, you want to divorce me?” I asked, literally asking myself not wanting to believe it.

I scoffed, “ no,” I shook my head violently, the word tumbling from my lips in disbelief. “ No, Ethan, no. We can talk about this. We could sit down like married couples and talk about this. We could fix things, we could fix everything “

I motioned towards him, grabbing his hands. “ Just don't leave me. I forgave you when I found out you had a child with Maya. I didn't even say anything up until now. I acted like nothing happened.”

“ Please, Ethan . Don't do this. Don't throw us away.” I said, sounding more desperate.

The earlier disgust was now filled with desperation and fear. I couldn't live without him. I didn't

mean for this to happen. I was just being the way other couples will react. I didn't mean any of this.