Discarding my Loveless Marriage

I enabled my husband's unfaithfulness. So much that on our eight anniversary, he brought another woman home. I knew about his past affairs but at least he had the decency to try to hide them and to avoid knocking them up with pregnancy. Maybe that was why I could tolerate him this whole while. My husband, James Simmons, broke the rules for Mona, his secretary. He publicized his relationship with her even though he was married. And now? She was two months pregnant with his child. As soon as they set foot in the house, James started dishing out orders to ensure Mona's ultimate comfort. He was so cool rubbing his infidelity in my face as if it was the new normal. Mona shot me an unapologetic look as she sat like a queen untop a sofa and maids brought to her an array of teas, juices and wines for her to choose from. "Mona eats all kinds of food which will be good for the baby so from now on, even the foods Ronica is allergic to will be allowed in the kitchen. I also can't allow the mot

"No, no!" I said fervently. "You don't have to stress yourself by flying all the way.""Something's always coming up, I'm sick of it," the voice protested."Just give me a few more days to sort myself out. Please don't ask what it is. Just be patient for me, please."The voice begrudgingly agreed. "Call me immediately you have a change of heart. Don't even hesitate.""I won't."On cue, James entered the room as I was ending the call. His eyes curiously strayed to my phone but he did not ask. I sensed that he was in a hurry what with how he was bouncing on the balls of his feet. Of course. He couldn't wait to be reunited with Mona. I grunted with disappointment and disgust. I didn't even know why he bothered showing up here. He had nothing to prove to me, did he?"I have to go baby shopping with Mona. Get yourself discharged and wait for me at home." Just like that, he was off once again without even waiting for a response.I did not want to be immediately discharged however. I had a s

Mona's howls attracted the house serving staff to the scene. James totally panicked. He wasn't even looking at me as he pulled off his coat and tossed it to the side along with the other two coats before he dived into the lake to save his damsel in distress. I was frozen with amazement as James clambered out of the waters with Mona draped in his arms like a fragile princess. "Call the family doctor now!" he ordered as he put the three coats (mine, his and Mona's) across her shoulders to keep her warm. She was crying pitifully. "I was just asking her why she didn't bring a coat and she just pushed me," Mona moaned. "Argh, James, she's lying?" I yelled, sick of her pretence. Of course James did not believe me. He stood up and strode towards me with a determined gaze. To the horror of all who were watching, he cruelly pushed me and I fell into the lake. I struggled to stay afloat. "Don't you know Mona can't swim? How could you be so callous? Stay there and think about what you'v

The following morning, my picture was plastered on the face of major newspapers across the country. This was unsurprising, considering I was a gifted musical prodigy who was known nationwide for my soulrending music. Everyone wanted a piece of my art and were devastated when I left it all for marriage. Now, eight years later, they would all hear me play again. I bet they were all excited.'Music Prodigy Ronica Risconce set for Career Comeback to Host a Concert on the Last day of the Month.' Then a picture of twenty four year old me curtsying on a stage while clasping a vintage Stradivarius violin. I walked leisurely around my hotel suite sipping a flute of white wine. Next to my headline was another headline that filled me with equal satisfaction.'Patrick Simmons Once Again Delays Announcing Successor to his Vast Family Fortune.'It was no doubt that everyone had expected Patrick to officially name James as his successor during his birthday party.My phone began to ring. The people

"Hello ma'am. My name is Antonio Giretti representing Songbird Press and we would very much like an exclusive interview."The message played over and over again on my private voicemail. I could not help but wonder how this reporter had gotten my new number especially since my secret contact had undertaken the press and public regarding the planning of my concert. All I had to do was show up on the stage on the D-day and play.I thought of calling my secret contact and running a background check on Songbird Press but I did not want to burden him anymore than I already had. I grabbed my new laptop and ran a quick google search. Songbird appeared to be a prominent journalism company, one of the best in fact in the country.I frowned with confusion. Even if they wanted an interview, there was nothing I could tell them that I hadn't already told Amy Gold. With this in mind, I called Antonio Giretti in order to politely turn him down."We would give you fifty thousand dollars for the interv