Less Of A Woman

DAVINA

“You came too late, Mrs. Miles.” The grave words of the doctor, caused my heart to sink.

“The IUD device needs to be surgically removed. It has perforated your uterus beyond normal and uterine removal is the only solution…”

Those words put a final stamp on my proficiency as a woman. Weeks of pushing off the doctor’s visits even with the pain I was feeling just to care for my husband in his last stages of illness.

“Davina!” His sharp voice cut through my self-deprecating thoughts, reminding me I had an issue at hand.

“What did you say?” My shaky voice bounced off the ears of everyone who watched us intensely on stage. Gossip mongers, waiting to carry the news of my impending doom.

“I want a divorce.” Again, he said, for the second time that day. He wasn't bluffing, he said it like something I could just accept and get it done with. To him, breaking from a marriage of five years after I had devoted my life and energy to caring for him was nothing.

“Right now? Everyone…” I paused, gripping the stem of the wine glass in my hand. I took a deep breath as an embarrassing news headline flashed in my head.

“HEIRESS GETS DISCARDED AFTER CARING FOR HER ILL HUSBAND! DID HER FAIRYTALE TURN INTO MISERY?”

“Everyone is here…” I would bow my head in shame for the rest of my days.

Now was supposed to be a perfect time to celebrate Semion as a couple with family. A night I looked forward to, carefully wrapping gifts that made my fingers bleed. Yet, he discarded those gifts to the side like trash.

“Davina, don't make this hard for everyone. This isn't about you.” He sighed, rolling his eyes in disgust, a feeling I had gotten used to in our marriage.

But I persevered, at least, the high society didn't know that my marriage was rocky.

Even if he didn't love me, at least, I would have security to protect my dignity as a woman if we stayed married. He should consider the time I put into caring for him when I married him when he was bedridden. The Miles family wanted a carer and a wife for their son, and I came into the picture.

I glanced at my parents, who looked away instantly. They were the sole pioneers of this marriage.

“Do it for the good of the family. Caring for him shouldn't be too hard.”

“They don’t want a child just yet and they will provide adequate care for you to avoid such such commitment.” They had told me. They were desperate to save their company, they begged me and now they looked away?

Their words ultimately led me to a situation of no return. Suppressing myself to give more. Their “adequate” care, led me to lose myself.

“We had an agreement, Semion. I would stay as your wife, and–”

“Oh please,” Semion groaned, disappointment swirling in his eyes. “Anyone with common sense will see that our deal is over.”

“Are you now so greedy and want to hoard the Miles family wealth for yourself?” Semion laughed, and a mocking snort followed. “The wealth wouldn't suit you though. You look like a sackcloth next to me. At least, I will get someone that suits my image better now.”

“Look at your face…eugh!” He uttered in disgust.

His words made a sharp cut that made me suck in cold air. I was too ashamed to admit that he was right. A sackcloth. I was dressed in the faded white Chanel dress the Miles family got for me for our wedding.

My face wasn't even suitable for a high-class daughter-in-law, riddled with acne I didn't have the time to treat.

“So, there is someone else?”

That question made everyone look at him, even his mother was expectant.

“Yes.” Semion’s face suddenly lit up, his gaze transformed from disgust to admiration. And then a proud look shone in his eyes, “She is pregnant too!”

“What?” My heart plummeted. That news was too shocking, it threw me off balance. The pyramid of built wine glasses which was behind me, tilted backward. The contents and the glasses hit the floor, shattering like my heart did. The cuts on my pale calloused legs were nothing, compared to the ones within.

Semion looked from the shattered glasses to me, disappointed. I wasn't steady, proper, like the woman he would want.

I balled my fists, “She is what–”

“Pregnant!” His mother jumped in, her gaze sharp like knives. She got to us quicker than I expected. As always, she was quick to jump into matters that concerned my marriage. She never gave me the mantle for once, claiming I couldn't handle it well. I wasn't good enough.

“You knew too?” I stared at her, demanding answers. But she ignored me.

“Who is the lucky girl, son?” Semion’s mother turned to him, not caring if she had put down another woman, “Is she here? Call her up!”

“Yes, she is.” Semion was almost jumping up like a child. I was quickly forgotten, everyone wanting to see who would take the Miles daughter-in-law position.

The doors opened, and a clicking sound echoed in the room with bated breaths. The lights slowly shone on her face and I took a step back in shock, and disbelief. My backward footsteps echoed with hers, the heels I couldn't manage slipped and my bare feet pierced the glass beneath me.

I stumbled, falling to the floor as she came into the light.

She took control of the room, the perfect smile on her face. A stark contrast to who I was. The woman I lived every day, looking up to.

“Sister…” I gasped.

“Adeline?” His mother gasped, not because of shock but excitement. The immediate support for their adulterous relationship wasn't surprising. His mother had always compared me, wanting me to be pristine and perfect. Pushing me to learn from Adeline.

She rushed to Adeline, holding her stomach with excitement. “How long has it been?”

“How did you and Semion keep this from us?” Everyone wanted to know, including me.

“Three months.”

Those words gravely hung in the air. I stared at Adeline, wondering how she was able to keep a brave front while she accompanied me to the doctor. While she watched them remove my womb and all the while, she was fucking my husband behind my back.

“Wow! This a blessing for the Miles family!” The guests exclaimed. “Congratulations, Madam Miles.”

My parents, the last people who were supposed to be by me, stood by their other daughter, taking the praises too. Their actions were too damning, too hurtful for me to look by.

“Aren’t you…” I paused, wiping the tears from my face so I could stare at them and assess where they stood. “Aren’t you going to say something? Adeline slept with my husband behind my back.”

“Common, Davina…” My mother rushed to me. “Why are you making this difficult? You didn't want the marriage anyway, and Adeline has come to save us here. Do you want our company to go bankrupt again?”

“If you oppose their union, it would be damning for our family. Why are you being so selfish?”

Wow…her words exploded in my head; Why are you being so selfish? After sacrificing myself, Adeline swooped in and took the fruits I labored for.

“I hope you aren't so annoyed, sister?” Adeline’s gentle voice that could make anyone calm resounded. “You see, I couldn't afford to let Semion suffer. He needed a child, and since your womb has been removed, I decided to do you both a favor.”

“Her womb…what?” The guests gasped, I could feel their judging gazes on me already, calling me less of a woman.

Adeline knew I dreaded to let that secret out but she spilled, with a smile on her face as if she had done a good deed.

“Why should she be annoyed? Shouldn't she be embarrassed that another woman is doing her job?” Semion’s mother cut in. “She is lucky I kept her in here even with her disability.”

“Don’t be too harsh on her, mother Miles...she needs care.” Adeline’s face transformed into that of the thoughtful sister. “You know, you can stay here while you heal from your surgery…take the offer as my love for you.”

Everyone thought of her as pure, willing to share her home with someone unworthy. But I knew better.

Without me, they were still going to be a perfect family.

Semion was happy, everything would be complete if I vanished.

I stood up, my decision taking form. I walked to Semion, grabbing the papers from his hand. However, he drew them back.

“What are you doing?” He barked.

“What you wanted. Now, I can leave you–”

“Where will you go, huh?” He cut me off with a snort, his tone mocking. “Isn't it better if you stay here? At least, Adeline may have a little use for you.”

Ahhh…I was doomed. How did I end up with such a selfish and heartless man? Why did I realize this so late?

“Yes, Davina. I care about you too much–”

Pak! My fingerprints were plastered all over her face and she staggered into Semion’s arms.

Hearing her perfect voice made me so furious, I sent a slap to shut her up. Her deceitful care, I didn't want to hear it.

“You—” Semion rushed at me, raising his hands. I stood still, expecting him to hit me so I could send the atmosphere into turmoil. But Adeline was ready to play the perfect merciful Goddess.

“Let her be, Semion. She is just hurt. She will understand that we mean well, soon–”

“I don’t need it.” I cut in, my gaze sharp. “I will suffer till I die if I can, but not here.” I grabbed the divorce papers forcefully, and signed them, throwing the pen straight at him.