Ex-wife Returns

Today marked our wedding anniversary and my husband's birthday—our special tenth year together. I had a big surprise planned for Luke. While he slept, I snuck out of bed, grabbed the party popper, and let it burst. He blinked open his eyes.

"Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary!" I giggled, holding out the cake. He responded with a sour expression.

"Make a wish…" I urged, trying to smile. But as he rose from bed, he shoved me, causing the cake to splatter on the floor.

"I wish you'd leave my life," he grumbled before storming out.

Did he really have to say that today?

Sadly, I was used to it—a marriage without love. I married Luke in my final year of high school. He was my best friend's brother, the handsome college guy every high schooler drooled over. I never thought he'd be mine. Fate, however, had other plans. One thing led to another, and I ended up pregnant after an accidental encounter.

My life changed drastically. Bullied relentlessly, I almost dropped out of school. My best friend turned against me. I became the outcast of my family. My father disowned me, my mother ignored me, and my sister, Nelly, became my enemy when I found out she was Luke's girlfriend, She broke up with him and decided to stand with me after we got married,We became best friends and I shared the pains of my marriage with her .

Luke's family eventually took me in and arranged a secret wedding. They planned to take my child once she was born, but Luke's grandfather pressured him to keep the marriage to maintain the family business.

Ten years of enduring this marriage from hell. We lived in the family home, where everyone contributed to my misery. My ex-best friend tortured me until she left after getting married. Luke's mother, Madame Claire, was a nightmare. She made me the family maid, and Luke did nothing about it. Yet, despite it all, I still loved him, desperately wanting to please him, but everything I did only fueled his hatred.

"Luke… Happy Birthday, darling," Madame Claire interrupted. I quickly grabbed the broom to clean up the mess, her disapproval evident.

"Thanks, Mother," Luke said, kissing her cheek.

"What's she doing?" Madame Claire frowned at me.

"Mom… don't mind her. How's the celebration going?" Luke deflected

"Why are you here? Why aren't you in your room?" His mom scolded, making it sound like I had a real room. I was stuck in the basement behind my daughter's room, unable to see her when I wanted.

"Why are you in my son's room? Are you deaf?" She yelled.

"I wanted to surprise him," I stuttered.

"Why?"

"It's his birthday and our anniversary…" I explained, but she burst into laughter.

"What anniversary? You trapped my son with a child and call it marriage…"

"Mother, I—"

"I'm not your mother, you wretched thing. Get out," she ordered, and I rushed to leave.

"Wait. Stay out of sight today. I don't want to see you at the party. Hide in the basement, okay?" she commanded, and I nodded.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Now, go."

As I made my way to my room, my heart felt heavy with the weight of my struggles. But amidst it all, there was my daughter, playing with her toys, a beacon of light in my world of darkness.

"Hey sweetie," I said softly, kneeling down beside her. "What are you playing with?"

Her face lit up as she looked up at me. "Mommy, I'm playing with my dolls. Do you want to join?"

Her innocence warmed my heart, and I couldn't resist the invitation. "Of course, darling," I replied, suppressing the ache in my chest. "Let's play together."

We spent some time lost in our make-believe world, the cares of the outside world momentarily forgotten. But as I glanced at the clock, reality came crashing back. Luke would be request for breakfast soon, and I had duties to attend to.

"Mommy, why do you look sad?" my daughter asked, her brow furrowing in concern.

I forced a smile, not wanting to burden her with my troubles. "Oh, it's nothing, sweetheart. Mommy's just a little tired, that's all."

But even as I spoke the words, I felt a lump forming in my throat, threatening to unleash the flood of emotions I had been holding back. Before I could stop them, tears welled up in my eyes.

My daughter's expression softened, her eyes widening with concern. "Mommy, why are you crying?"

I quickly wiped away the tears, not wanting to upset her further. "It's okay, honey. Mommy's just feeling a little emotional today."

Just then, Luke barged into the room, his usual brusque manner sending a shiver down my spine. "Where's my breakfast?" he demanded, his tone impatient.

I rose to my feet, trying to compose myself. "I'll go make it right away, Luke," I said, my voice trembling slightly.

But before I could leave, Luke's words stopped me in my tracks. "And don't forget what my mother told you earlier. Stay out of sight today. I don't want to see you anywhere near the party."

Confusion clouded my mind as I struggled to make sense of his command. "But why, Luke? What have I done?"

He rounded on me, his eyes blazing with anger. "Just do as you're told, okay? I don't have time to argue with you."

My heart sank as I realized there would be no reasoning with him. Turning away, I made my way out of the room, my daughter's innocent question caught my ears.

" Dad ,Why is mummy always sad?" Nelly asked and Luke knelt in front of her.

" Mummy isn't always sad, She just wants pity" Luke replied.

How could he say that to our daughter.

" Mom…Is that true?" She asked but I couldn't say anything,I felt a lump of tears in my throat and my tears started to roll down freely.

Luke moved closer and dragged me to a corner.

" Get a grip of yourself" Luke whispered to me and I pushed his hands away.

" Luke…Will you ever love me?" I asked,I didn't know why but I was desperate to make my self feel better but unknown to me,I was about hurting myself.

" I will never love you"