015. Blind Bitch

Raven

I kept my head turned toward the window even though I couldn’t see what lay beyond the glass,only an endless, thick darkness pressed against my eyelids. I could see flashes of light but it ended there.

Why is this happening to me?

I've been taking my medication,Killian makes sure I do . I take eye drops but the only improvement I've seen so far were flashes of light. I'm so sick of this coupled with all that's been happening.

It was like all the forces on earth had ganged up against me.

As the car sped fast through the highway, my heart beat accelerated. I'm going home after five years . Five good years of going against my father and marrying against his will.

They had disowned me the moment I chose Viktor over them .

“ The day your surname changes to Markov is the day you stop being my daughter." My father said that five years ago. I still remember that day clearly and now I wish I had listened.

My parents hate the Markov's but unfortunately it's where I found love which turned out to be my doom.

My fingers twisted tightly around the loose thread of my sweater. It was the only thing keeping me from shaking again. The car smelt a little like sandalwood and cinnamon with a faint smell of cigarettes .

The Uber driver smokes and It reminded me of Killian.I tried not to think of him ,his voice and his offer.

Marry him?

Pffttt!

That's bullshit. I don't even know him and I'm certainly not marrying another Markov. My parents were my last hope. If my father accepts me then I'll get back on my feet again.

And if he doesn't……

The driver cleared his throat softly. “You okay back there?”

He must have noticed the redness in my eye and my constant sniffing because a hint of concern was evident in his voice.

I nodded anyway.“Yeah. Thank you.”

He didn’t push further, and I was grateful. If he had asked one more question, I might have broken down right there.

My phone vibrated suddenly in my lap,making me jump.

The vibration buzzed against my thigh and I struggled to get a grip. My hand jerked forward instinctively, groping blindly until my fingers brushed the screen. I cursed under my breath as it slipped and nearly fell to the floor.

“Ma’am, do you need help with that?” The Uber driver asked.

I hesitated but then nodded,after all I couldn't even tell where the answer button was.“ Yes please. ”

I felt the car slow down and then come to a halt.“ Here” The driver says and I felt the phone stabilize on my palm.“ I already answered it.”

Seconds later, the car started moving again. “ Thank you. ” I whispered. I pressed the phone against my ear,wondering who it was. My brow lifted up in a tiny bit of excitement which I could not explain, because I thought it was Killian calling to check in on me.

“Rave.” My brow dropped as I recognised the voice.

“ Viktor ?” My stomach twisted in discomfort.

“ We need to talk , Rave. Come over right now!" He barked.

Yeah ,he barked…lika a dog.

I creased my brows.“ What? Why?”

His voice roared from over the phone.“We have to talk immediately....get on your way back here now.”

My lips twitched as I clenched my fists. Who does he think he is to order me around?“ I'm on my way to phoenix Viktor ,I can't turn back now.”

Why did he want to talk now and why did it feel like this wasn't a request.

There was a growl from the other end before he finally spoke.“It's about the twins….it's an emergency.”

My heart skipped a beat as I gripped the leather seat.“ The twins? What happened?”

His voice suddenly turned pitiful “ I don't know… Julie's not here right now, and Holly's gone. I don't know what to do,Leah is not moving.”

My breath hitched as I yelled at the driver to turn the car around.“ Call an ambulance ,Viktor. I'll be there as soon as I can.”

A cold surge of dread slipped through my veins as I ended the call. My mind kept racing to a million things that could have happened.

Did she fall down the staircase? Or did she have an allergen?

She sounded fine before I left this morning so what could be the problem?

As the car sped through the road , my thoughts were beginning to sink in. I don't have to do this.

Killian's voice began to echo in my head.

‘He used you as a nanny for his kids and a stepping stone for himself.’

Why didn't he call Holly instead ,after all he was going to divorce me right?

My fingers tightened around the hem of my sweater as the scene from this morning replayed in my head. They said they don't want a blind mom. They don't want me anymore so why bother?

I wanted to tell the driver to turn around but I couldn't. The soft part of me that took the twins as my own urged me to go and I didn't protest.

Because deep down they were my children and I still loved them.

The closer we got to home, the heavier my chest began to feel. By the time the car rolled to a stop in the driveway, I felt like I was breathing in lava.

I reached for the handle,stumbling out of the car with my cane stretched out in front of me.

“Do you need help getting to the door?” the driver asked from behind.

“No,” I said, “I can get it.”

I lied to myself, because the next moment I came face to face with a concrete wall. “ ouch….fuck” I cursed,pressing my palm against my face where it hurt.

My fingers brushed the rough edges of the wall trying to trace the door handle until I found it.

I pushed the door open and ripples of laughter greeted me,one I recognised well —Holly.

My stomach dropped. The cane tapped the floor as I moved forward.“ Viktor?You said……” I swallowed hard, shutting my mouth.

My foot hit something, a barstool then a soft gasp followed.“ Careful or you'll trip.” Her tone was obviously mocking.

I gritted my teeth as I swallowed the pain.“ Where's my daughter….what happened to her?” I asked instead,they are the reason I'm here anyway.

Holly snorted.“ oh…they are fine… it was just a ruse to get you to come over.”

I froze hard as my fingers tightened around the cane. This better not be true.

“Raven.”Viktor’s tone was flat with a hint of amusement in them.

I turned toward where his voice came from, my jaw clenching. If this turns out to be a ruse and that Leah wasn't sick then I swear I'll lay a curse on him.

“What… What's happening?Where's Leah? ”I asked.

I heard his footsteps approaching and paper rustling.

“Leah is fine ,take this and sign it ,” Viktor said,handing me over a paper.

I stood still, disbelief in my eyes.“ You raised a false alarm to make me come here?” My lips trembled,I would have been in phoenix by now.

Why was Viktor doing this to me?

“Its not a big deal…just sign it.” He sneered and I could only stare in darkness,Anger boiling at the bottom of my belly.

Not a big deal?

“W… what are they?” My voice was barely audible.

Holly’s voice slithered in, a chuckle leaving her lips.“Divorce papers.”

My fingertips went numb and my head suddenly started spinning.

“ Oh wait….she's blind,she can't write.’ Holly added, giggling .

“You’re divorcing me?” My breath hitched. It's not like I didn't know beforehand but the reality of it was more terrifying.

Viktor exhaled sharply.“Raven, don’t make this dramatic.” Then he snapped his fingers.“ Holly,help her let's get this over with.

Holly appeared at my side and forced a pen in my hand. She then placed my hand on the paper.“ Draw out your signature, blind bat!”

My fingers trembled,things were happening so fast but I moved my fingers and signed it. The paper was taken away from me and I was left standing there in my own misery.

I couldn't move my feet,I couldn't think,I couldn't even breathe. I just stood there,my chest heaving up and down as my heart squeezed violently.

The pain finally hit and I clutched my chest as I worked to steady myself. It hurts so bad,it felt like I had been stabbed in the chest over and over again.

“Awwn…..it hurts doesn't it.” Holly purred.

I swallowed hard as the first tear dropped.I couldn't form words and my limbs were about to give away.

I shouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing me cry but the fact that he deceived me and made me rush down here for a divorce was overwhelming.

I hate this .

I hate that I was too gullible.

“We just want to make it official,and Viktor wants someone who can see and actually take care of him.You know ,satisfy his needs and all that.” Her sly voice echoed, piercing through my soul.

Official? God what is this?

I sucked a breath through my teeth to keep from sobbing. I should leave .

I need to leave right now!

“You can leave now,it was nice having you around.” Viktor muttered beside me.

I choked on my own saliva.“ What?” Another tear dropped.“Nice?..... We were married,Viktor .How could you say that?”

I felt him shrugging.“ Exactly,we were…..not anymore.”

My blood ran cold.After everything….

I turned on my heels immediately,I can't give him the satisfaction of seeing me cry. I can't let him see the pain he has caused me.

I stumbled with my cane and ran into a wall in an attempt to find the door and almost fell on my ass.

Holly's laughter echoed loudly.“ Do you need help finding the door ? I could hold your hand?”

Her laughter was tormenting.My jaw clenched tightly,more tears escaping my eyelids. Fuck! They won't stop flowing .

“ A little to the left." She said and as much as I don't want to, I followed her lead and that was the most foolish decision I've ever made.

I ran into a wall again,my cane slipping out of my grasp. She burst out laughing and I could only bite down on my lips hard enough to stop the aching in my heart.

Viktor was standing there watching her humiliated me.

“ Just kidding ,the door is on the right. For real this time.” She continued,amusement still in her voice.

I picked myself up and moved to the right.

Do I have a choice ? I'm blind ,I'm pathetic.

I moved to the right, my hands stretched out before me and searching for the door knob. Thankfully I found it and pushed the door open.

“ See ya …blind bitch! Try not to get run over by a car on your way out.” Holly yelled after me as I staggered into the driveway.

Maybe I should get run over. That way I would be gone from this world and not feel this pain.

But if I die ,it's my loss. I can't let Viktor have a happy ever after not after what he has done to me.

He has to pay.

He has to feel twice the pain he has caused me today.