The Perfect Wife

As I got ready to play the role of the perfect happy wife, the echoes of Jerry's mean words still lingered in my mind. With trembling hands, I applied my concealer to hide the mark from his mother's slap and I finished it up with a red lipstick. Jerry has ordered me to always put on red lipsticks. When I was finally done with the makeup, I picked up the dress Jerry's mom had chosen for me.

It was a blue shiny gown, I hated the colour—blue, but I didn't have a choice. I hated all the outfits she chose for me during every event, she may be a wealthy woman, but when it came to outfits she had very poor taste.

I picked up my purse and slid my feet into my shoes. I straightened my shoulder, put on a smile, and elegantly walked into the dining hall.

Jerry held my hands as we walked in together. There were whispers everywhere, "wow! she is so lucky, he loves her so much, how I wished I was her." Only if they knew.

I kept smiling, and Jerry kept acting like the loving husband. "I need to go answer a business call, make sure you sit here, and don't embarrass me," he whispered in my ears, and I just nodded.

I sat down looking beautiful, smiling like I was the happiest woman on earth, but deep down I was nothing, just empty and bitter.

"Where is your husband," Mrs Joy asked after 20 minutes.

"He went to answer a call," I replied 

"Go look for him," she commanded, "you both need to give your vote of thanks."

"Okay Ma'am," I stood up immediately and left.

I went straight to the only place I knew he usually goes to answer his calls— his study. As I opened the study door, my heart dropped at the sight in front of me; my blood ran cold; right in front of me was Jerry kissing another woman, not just any woman, his ex-girlfriend, the love of his life, Jessica. The purse in my hands fell to the ground, and my heart broke into many pieces. I couldn't believe what I was seeing, how could he do this to me, today of all days. 

Jessica was the woman he was meant to settle down with, but she broke his heart and relocated to another country. 

The sound of my scream pierced the air, drawing their attention. Jerry and Jessica turned, staring at me; the expression on their face was a mix of surprise and indifference, but no remorse.

"Why Jerry? how can you do this to me today of all days?"I choked out, my voice barely a whisper.

"How dare you barge into my study without knocking. Haven't I warned you before?" he said, raising his hand to slap me but stopping midway."You are lucky we have guests; if not, I would have taught you a lesson you won't forget," he scolded.

I couldn't say a word, I just stood there, tears streaming down my eyes uncontrollably.

His phone rang immediately, and he picked it up, "Hello, Mother, okay, we are coming in." he ended the call.

He turned to Jessica and gave her a passionate kiss, "I have to go now, baby," he said, "I'm needed at the party, I will see you later."

He moved closer to me, with disgust written all over his face, "Pick up your purse, fix your makeup, put on a smile, and meet me inside," he ordered 

"I...I don't feel too good," I stuttered 

Jerry gripped my left arm tightly, "You won't disgrace me, you fool. Now pick up your purse, and be a good girl." He released his grip with force, and I fell to the ground.

"Get up," he yelled, his eyes cold as ice, "Get up now!"

I stood up immediately and ran into the washroom. I stared at my reflection in the morning, I felt so sorry for myself, so this is my life, I thought to myself. I took a deep breath in and let it out, I quickly wiped my face and applied powder.

I walked back into the dining hall, faking a smile like I usually do. Jerry held my hands as we gave our vote of thanks.

Soon, the guests were leaving one after another. When they all finally left, I retired to my room. I sat in front of the dressing mirror, trying to wipe my makeup off; I couldn't hold back my pain; I broke down in tears, and the pain I felt tore me into shreds inside. I kicked, I pulled my hair, and I hit my hand on the dressing mirror, cracking the mirror and giving myself another glass cut.

I didn't care that my hand was bleeding, I was in too much emotional pain to even notice the blood. I felt like the walls were closing in on me; it felt like I was suffocating, and there was nothing I could do.

I cried all through the night, and sleep refused to come, by morning, I cleaned up myself, and went into the main room 

"Thank God you are here," Jerry said, throwing a paper at me, "You need to sign this," I picked the paper from the floor, and read the content written on it

Divorce papers