1. The Night They Crushed Me

MARISSA

“Sign it.” I looked up at my husband, then back at the file he slammed on the bed in our bedroom.

I had just come out of the dressing room after taking my time to dress up for tonight. The night I thought everything would change for me for good.

“What is this, Tristan?” I said with a confused look. I picked up the file, opened the first page, and boldly written on it was a divorce agreement.

I dropped the file as if my hand had just been burnt.

I stared up at him in alarm. “Tristan? What…” My heart was beating so fast that I could hear it.

“What is with that look, Marissa? Do you honestly think you are suitable to live happily ever after with Tristan?”

Another voice joined the conversation.

Tina.

My body went cold as I turned around.

“Baby, you are early.” Tristan widened his arms as Tina giggled and rushed to hug my husband.

Right in front of my eyes.

Why is his bloody secretary kissing him and Tristan is not doing anything?

Was I dreaming? I wanted to say something, but a wave of nausea flushed through me.

I forced it back, but it was too strong. I had been feeling that way for the past few days.

I had not had the chance to visit the hospital because of the project I had been busy with. The project that would be receiving an award for Vance Fashion house, my dear husband’s company.

My legs buckled as I watched them kiss right in front of me. The gown I had forced myself to fit into because of my fatness made it even harder for me to breathe.

“What are you still doing standing there like a fool? Sign the bloody papers, Marissa!” Tina snapped.

“And what the hell do you think you are doing with my husband?” I was on the verge of tears as I took a step forward, my fist clenched.

“Isn’t it obvious, you fool? Tristan is dumping you. As you can see, we are dating!” Tina hissed.

“What?” I shifted my gaze to Tristan, who just watched me calmly as he enjoyed seeing me unravel.

“What? Why are you giving me that bloody look? Have you seen yourself in the mirror, Marissa?” Tristan finally spoke.

I did not dare look down at myself. As a twenty three year old woman, I weighed about 150 kg. I had always had low self esteem because of my weight. But then I met Tristan in college. He was the only one who accepted me and cared for me while I was bullied. I thought I had met the perfect man for me.

My heart sank into my stomach at a cold realization.

“You are trying to dump me after using me? Is that it, Tristan?” I asked with a shaky breath.

“Aside from being annoyingly fat, you are quite intelligent, and I will give you that, Marissa.” Tina bit her lower lip teasingly. “And yes, you are right. I and Tristan have been dating all along. Even since college. You have just been our jackpot to wealth.” Tina’s grin widened.

It felt as if my world spiraled. It took all my willpower not to give in to the overwhelming nausea, which was now fueled by dizziness strong enough to make me slump.

“What… what do you mean?” I stuttered, scared to hear the truth even though I could guess it at this point.

“Well, you Marissa were a lonely talented girl back in college. While I was not so talented, Tristan here had the brain to run a conglomerate, an outstanding fashion house. So we thought of a game. We bring you in like a pawn, and your talent as a fashion designer would help Tristan build an empire. You stay hidden while I take credit for everything, Marissa. It was so much fun coming up with it.” Tina giggled as Tristan smirked.

“What! You taking credit for my… I will never…”

“Yes, I will take credit for it tonight. The Avery Couture Award. I will be accepting it tonight.” Tina interrupted smoothly.

“No… no… that is not fair. I have been secretly making designs for the company as Queen, and Tristan promised to reveal me to the world tonight and let me have the award!” I almost broke down.

“Here is Tristan, you can ask him,” Tina said mockingly and stepped aside.

I turned to Tristan, the man I considered my best friend, my confidant, the love of my life.

“Tristan,” I called softly, hoping he would dismiss all of this as a prank.

He began to take steps toward me, his blue eyes calm. Those blue eyes that made me fall for him at first sight.

He closed the distance between us and bent down so our faces were eye to eye.

“Are you so slow, Marissa?” he asked, his tone extremely cold. “All these years I have hidden you from the world as my wife and as the secret designer of Vance Fashion House, and you never once asked me why. You would only nod and say anything you want Tristan. Why are you such a fool?”

It was because I trusted you, Tristan.

I wanted to say it, but it would sound so stupid that the humiliation would burn deeper. I played with my fingers so much that my nails dug into my skin.

“I… I…” My voice was shaky.

“And what is with this tacky gown?” He tugged the flared sleeve of my dress.

I had gone through hell to find a perfect fit for tonight, but Tristan just called it tacky and looked at me like trash.

“You think I would be taking you to tonight’s event? The most important night of my life!” Tristan yelled.

“But it is important to me too, Tristan!” I did not realize when I yelled back, this time with tears streaming from my eyes. “I thought after Silver Silk Collection went public and won an award, you would finally see me as a worthy woman to show to the world, and I would finally reveal myself as Queen and gain the recognition I deserve…” I sniffed.

“Oh well, you are in for a surprise, because nothing like that will happen. First, you will sign those bloody divorce papers. And this…” He turned and picked another document I had not noticed earlier. “Is a document saying you will be transferring all your designs to Tina as the fashion designer in charge.”

“What?” I could not believe my ears.

“Yes, you heard me. You were never Queen. All this while, it has been Tina, and you never existed.”

The words resounded in my head, and I badly wanted to believe it was a joke.

“No. I will not sign it, Tristan. You both cannot have your cake and—”

Before I could finish, he grabbed me by the neck.

“Oh my gosh, this is so fun to watch!” Tina giggled while I struggled for breath.

“Tri… tri…”

But his grip was hard.

“Will you sign it or let me kill you right now?” he seethed as I hit his hand.

“Let…”

I began to cry and hit his hand desperately. He finally shoved me aside. The side of my tummy hit the wooden bed frame.

A sharp pain exploded through me.

“Arghhhhh!” I screamed. Because of my weight I could not move. Then I felt something else. Hot liquid between my legs.

“Tristan! She is bleeding!” That was Tina’s voice. I forced my gaze downward.

Blood. A lot of it.

Why was I bleeding?

“Arghhhhh!” I cried again as a sharper pain tore through my abdomen.

“Why do you think she is bleeding all of a sudden? This bitch is so fickle!” Tina hissed while Tristan watched with disgust.

Could I be pregnant?

My thoughts raced. The nausea, the dizziness.

Oh my God. I did not have the chance to take a test because of the Silver Silk project. All because of Tristan. And now he was going to kill my child.

“Tristan! Help me. I am pregnant. Help me get to the hospital or I will lose my child.”

“She is pregnant?” Tina snapped at Tristan.

“What? I did not know about that,” Tristan retorted.

“You did not know? You bastard. You said you do not sleep with her!” Tina yelled back.

They were arguing.

While I was in pain.

Tears filled my eyes as my cries were swallowed by their fight.

“Please… somebody… help…”

“Please….my baby. Let my baby live.”

And that was the last word I heard myself say before all I saw next was total darkness.