I am the other woman?

SLOANE

When awareness slowly claws back, I realize two things. First, it’s morning already. Secondly, I’m floating in the air, and I am no longer on the chair. I force my eyes to pry open slowly, and my eyes meet someone’s hard jaw. The person is carrying up the stairs. I close my eyes again, trying to stop my throbbing headache. The person drops me on the bed softly, and I finally see his face.

Rowan?

How is he here?

He was with Christine yesterday. I hold my head as the memories rush in. I am married. And my husband spent our wedding night with another woman. I sit up slowly, and his hard gaze makes my heart stutter. He’s staring at the ground, clenching and unclenching his fist. And it is then that I realize that my robe is open, and my nightwear is on display. I don’t know where the sudden boldness comes from. I remove the robe from my body, wearing only the silky nightwear, as I stand in front of him. 

“Where were you last night?” I say, looking up at him. I knew where he was. The lipstick stain on his shirt and the feminine smell on his body doesn’t hide the fact that he was with her. 

“I was with Christine last night. She needed me—” I don’t let him finish before I interrupt him. “And I didn’t need you? First, you came late to the wedding, and you went to meet another woman on our wedding night, Rowan! I waited all night!” I say,  frustrated. He snakes his arm around my waist and pulls me closer.

“Listen, Christine is not some other woman. I already told you before that I won’t tolerate any sort of harassment from you. She’s in a critical state because of you. Not only did you try to come between us, but you also physically assaulted her. She’s in a fragile state, and she needs me. Besides, you’re just like every other girl. You wanted to be Mrs. Prescott so bad. Now you’ve gotten what you wanted, so please stop this drama. And find something to wear and stop acting like a whore.” He pushes me back softly. His words stab me in the heart like a physical knife.

“What about you, Rowan? You wanted the marriage, too.” I whisper.

“You made a promise to me, Rowan. I won’t let you insult our marriage by being with some other woman. It’s not my fault that you’re in this mess. Fix it, before I do so myself.” I release a harsh breath.

“For the last time, Sloane, I was dying in the hospital. My parents died, and I was frightened. I never loved you, Sloane, so don't you dare say you agreed to the marriage because of the rubbish I said years ago. You may be able to fool Grandpa, but not me. I really know what you are after, and I'm willing to give you as long as you stay away from Christine and me. The card with you has no spending limit, so enjoy yourself,” he sneers. A bitter taste settles in my mouth when hearing Rowan’s cold words.

“You think I’m after your money?” I retort in disbelief.

“You could’ve told grandpa you don’t want the marriage because I’m sure he wouldn't have forced you. So please spare me the unnecessary drama. And stay away from Christine. I mean it, Sloane, if you do anything to hurt her, I won’t forgive you.” He says with a stern face, before storming outside. 

God, what have I gotten myself into? My phone rings and I take a deep breath when I realize it’s my mum calling.

“Good morning, mummy,” I say, faking a yawn.“The fact that you’re telling me good morning in the afternoon is a good sign.” I know what she means, but I keep quiet.

“Are you okay, my dear? I know it’ll feel foreign at first, but just take care of yourself, okay? You can always talk to me about anything, my dear. And let me know if you need anything.”

“Mummy, you don’t need to worry about anything. He’s taking care of me.” I lie to my mum, because I don’t know what else to say. I drop my phone on the bed, freshen up, then eat lunch. I’ve not really had anything to eat since the wedding preparations. 

Lizzie gives me a tour of the house, and I’m not surprised that Rowan shares his master bedroom with Christine, which is why he gave me a separate room. My favorite part of the house is the library. I spend the entire day in the library, and I don’t know when I drift off to sleep. 

Slowly, that becomes my routine. Waking up, eating, reading, and sleeping. Rowan has not been home for two weeks, and his number has been switched off.

Fuck my life!

~~~~

It’s been three weeks since I got married to Rowan. And my husband has spent those three weeks with his lover. My leave of absence at the hospital ends tomorrow. I’m eating lunch with Catherine today, then I’ll resume work tomorrow. At least I will be busy with work, instead of brooding over my sad life. I pick one of the clothes in my closet, and I wear a simple gown. The driver follows me to the restaurant even after I insist on going alone. 

“My baby,” Catherine screams across the table before I even sit. “I missed you.” She lunges at me, and I hug her back tightly. “Are you okay?” She asks softly. Catherine has always been the only one to truly know when I’m in a bad mood. 

“I guess I’ve become invisible.” A familiar voice sounds beside me, and I see Mark grinning, opening his arms for me, and I hug him. Mark is one of my good friends at the hospital. 

“Girl, you’re glowing. I guess I need to get married, too.” I miss Mark and his teases. “Stop teasing her asshole,” Catherine hits him lightly. He gives me updates on the things that have happened at the hospital since. Mark leaves us early, and it was just Catherine and me.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, pumpkin.” He says, and kisses my cheeks softly. “Mark still has the hots for you,” Catherine says, winking. 

“Catherine, please.” I roll my eyes. “Come on, spill the tea. I know something is wrong with you. Did you get disappointed at the size of his dick? He couldn’t satisfy you?” 

Oh, I wish.

“We didn’t have sex,” I mutter lowly. “What do you mean by you didn’t have sex?” She replies, shocked. I explain everything to Catherine, and she goes spiral. “That bastard! I’m going to fucking castrate him! How dare he say you’re after his money? You could’ve dated all those boys at the college! Hell, even if you had dated Mark, he’d have treated you better. But you wanted him to be your first, and now he’s saying he has another woman? Who on earth does he think he is? Why didn’t he tell his grandpa that he has another woman? He made you believe he also wanted the marriage, and left you to be with another person.” She laments painfully. 

“Calm down, Cat,” I pat her. “You’re too pure for this, Sloane. Trust me, he’s going to regret this. He can’t even respect you. He left alone in his mansion for three weeks, Sloane.”

“It’s fine, Cat.”

“No, it’s not. Where is the card he gave you?” She looks at me with a wicked grin. “No, I’m not spending his money.” I refuse to give her the card.

“Come on, let's show him what a real gold digger looks like.” She drags me from my chair. 

This is the ninth store we’re entering, and I’m already feeling bad for him. “Calm down, he’s a billionaire. A few million won’t hurt him.” She says, taking a dress from the rack for me to try. However, my attention is not on her; rather, my eyes are focused on Christine. Just on cue, our gaze meets, and she smirks. 

“If it isn't the gold-digging whore.” She says, giving me a digested look. “Excuse me, who on earth are you?” Catherine jumps to my defense before I can say anything. 

Remembering Rowan’s words, I take Catherine's hand and leave the boutique. I don’t want to create any scene. But Christine, on the other hand, has another intention.

“Poor Sloane.” She says, circling me, like a predator. “Did you enjoy the call the other night?” 

That means she was the one who picked the call. She wanted me to hear how my husband was fucking her. “How does it feel to cry yourself to sleep every night knowing your husband is with me, making love to me?”

“Listen, I don’t know who the fuck you are, but you don’t talk to my girl like that. You’re the only one who is happy to be the other woman. She’s his wife publicly, but you’re just a secret woman that nobody gives a fuck about.” Catherine says venomously, which makes Christine laugh hysterically.

“You’re such a dumb bitch. Where did you think he was on your wedding day? He was getting married to me, and he made love to me that night.” She says, showing off her ring.

“I became Mrs. Prescott before you. You’re the other woman, and your marriage is invalid. He had already been married to me before he came to the altar. We’ll be a complete family soon, and you’ll be all alone.” A sinister smile curves her mouth before she walks away.

A complete family?

What does she mean by that?

“Don’t listen to her, Sloane,” Catherine says as we walk to the car, and I don’t respond.

How can I not listen to her?  

My marriage is not valid.

He married her first.

I’m the other woman.

“Sloane!”

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Catherine,” I say before the driver leaves. He made a mockery of my love, and I don't know how much I can tolerate anymore.