Where His Heart Is

Charlotte pov 

I massaged my wedding ring nervously, the blindfold wrapped over my eyes made the sounds of the car of the slowly congesting traffic it was driving by.

Beside me was my husband who expertly maneuvered us through like the car was an extension of his limbs.

 “Can I get a clue?” I chipped in through the silence between us, he was never really the talkative type.

At least…not with me.

Today was our 10 year anniversary, to think that I had been married to my first and only love for a decade now warmed my heart.

And this was the first time he had remembered. 

 Normally I was the one preparing weeks in advance, sometimes he even canceled on the day off and I would spend it alone. 

But just when I thought of giving up he was now making an initiative. 

Part of me was happy, I had already given 10 years to this man…walking away now would be such a waste, but I'll have to see how tonight goes. 

 Eventually he parked the car, my heart was racing even faster as he opened the door for me and escorted me out. 

He told me to pause and took several pictures of us for his social media.

I was never really a big fan of social media, but Jacob was so I just had to nip my discomfort in the bud.

“I think we should do a live stream..” he suggested excitedly. 

I pursed my lips together, “Should we?” 

“Yes, I want everyone to see the surprise I got for you,” 

I let out a tight smile, “All right then, if you want to do that go ahead,” 

He pecked me on my forehead.

“That's why I love you, babe, you're so understanding,” 

Of course.

We were perfect as long as I didn't complain.

As long as I was ‘understanding’ 

The live stream started, and Jacob was all smiles. I knew it even when I couldn't see. He was reading out to the comments and the more he spoke the more my stomach twisted. 

Comments like; “May this type of love find me,”

“Girl, can we switch places for a day?” 

“If this couple breaks up then I'll stop believing in love!” 

I smiled all through it all, it was a practiced smile that held in nothing but pent up resentment behind it.

 I was a private person, or normally wouldn't mind a post or two talking about us.

 But something told me that his post was more of a performance than a declaration of his love. I understood that my sister broke his heart and he'd probably want to rub it in her face that he had moved on. 

At least I hoped he had moved on.

But it's already been 10 years, why did it still feel like he was trying to impress her?

My eyes remained closed and there wasn't much clue as to where we were going, soon we stepped into the elevator and he was already buttering me up for my surprise.

I decided to forget all about the live stream and focus on us.

Then finally he untied the blindfold, it fell to the floor but my jaw didn't. 

It was a hotel room, the bed at the center was queen-sized with rose petals haphazardly thrown about into what remotely looked like a heart shape, they were heart balloons too and scented red candles. 

“Surprise!” He yelled behind me like it was supposed to kickstart my excitement.

I managed a smile but anyone could tell it was sincere.

Including him.

He ended the live stream, probably because he didn't want to shatter the picture perfect image that he had made for us as a couple. 

“What's your deal?” He said the moment the camera was off, “you've been knocking about how I never plan anything for our anniversary, well I finally did. So what's the problem now?” 

I sighed, he always knew how to make me feel bad like I was always in the wrong. 

I knew if I spoke up now I would only be villainized once more.

So I swallowed up everything, the bitter feelings that churned my stomach made me want to throw up. 

After 10 years together, this was what he thought I deserved.

A night in bed.

He couldn't even take me to dinner first, didn't buy me a gift, in a way I would have preferred if he just let me prepare the anniversary as always. 

The hotel didn't even look spectacular or anything, the room was basic with only the bare essentials and the person that set it up probably wasn't paid enough to care how their work turned out. 

“Thank you,” I said, struggling not to cry. 

Instantly he calmed down, wrapping his hand over my shoulder. 

“You're welcome, Babe, I knew you'd appreciate it…now…” he wiggled his eyebrows giving me a suggestive look as I slowly dissociated.

By the time I partly returned back to reality my back was against the bed sheets. 

I just wanted this moment to be over already. 

Normally I appreciated the intimate moments between me and my husband. 

But now that I think about it, maybe that's the only time he's fully present for me. 

Or rather his pleasure.

He's not distracted, he's not thinking of sharing it with other people. He's just there at the moment. 

But was this really going to be the rest of my life? 

I only signed up for this because I thought that one day he would stop seeing me as a stand-in for my sister but rather as my own person, someone he loved and cherished. 

Was he ever going to look at me and not see a petty revenge plan but rather someone he adored and cherished with no bias? 

Was he finally going to see Charlotte and not Cecilia’s substitute?

 When his whole body began to tremble, he pulled me by my waist going as far as he could before screaming a name that sent chills down my spine.

“Oh Cecilia!”