2: I don't matter

The first thing I do is head straight to the police station and file a complaint. They hardly take me seriously when I tell them everything that happened to me.

And their excuse to avoid their responsibility?

“You are unharmed. Dressed up perfectly. Except for a little messy hair. Are you sure you weren't just drunk, passed out somewhere and woke up to make up stuff?”

Hearing their words, I nearly cuss them out.

When I insist furiously, they agree to look around the warehouse I was kept in but the way they didn't bother asking much details, I hardly think they're going to look into it.

What stuns me is the fact that no one bothered to look for me. I was gone for the whole night yet no missing complaints were filed for me.

Disappointment is all I feel as I sigh and call my driver to pick me from the station.

..

The car pulls through the driveway of Vorozi Estate, and the guards are all set in their usual spots. No one is waiting outside on the front porch.

The driver opens the door for me. Gulping down the knot in my throat, I step out.

“Louis, did Asher return home last night?” I ask the driver.

“Yes, ma'am. I drove him after the event ended,” He answers politely.

“Did he not say anything about me?”

“No ma'am, but… he seems to be busy talking to Mrs. Viscot after the event”

I mask my disappointment and nod before stepping inside the house.

The house staff are busy doing their jobs and everything is like every other normal day. I quietly walk upstairs to our bedroom.

I hesitate for a fraction of a second before quietly pushing open the door.

Asher is in bed, sound asleep with no care in the world. His clothes from last night are thrown on the couch. His phone is on the nightstand.

My stomach twists in disbelief and a ping of betrayal that rushes through me fills my eyes with tears instantly.

He is sleeping like his wife didn't disappear in the middle of the event. Like I don't matter.

Do I matter?

For a moment, back in that warehouse, I had thought maybe someone was playing dirty mind games with me. I desperately hope it wasn't Asher on the call talking to Ariel but his behavior is forcing me to doubt him.

How did he not care that I was gone?

I walk to his side of the bed, grab his phone to unlock it and open the call logs only to see Ariel's number.

So it is true.

I bite my tongue, gently putting the phone back on the nightstand. Asher stirs, turning around and groaning softly before opening his eyes and locking with mine.

For a split moment, the emotions that swirl in his gaze almost feel like he is relieved and happy to see me but maybe I'm still delusional.

“What are you doing here?” He asks groggily, flicking his gaze from me to the nightstand.

“Did you know where I was?” I ask, staring at him hard.

“Was I supposed to? You left without telling me,” He murmurs, slowly getting up and reaching for his phone.

“And you didn't think to look for me once? Do you have any idea what happened to me or what could have happened?” I exclaim, my voice growing a pitch high from the pain and anger I'm trying to hold.

“You are a grown adult. I don't need to look for you like a lost child. Thought you'd come back when you want and you did, standing here picking an argument with me for no reason,” He says, throwing the blankets away before walking past me.

He gets to the bathroom door when I utter out in exhaustion.

“I was kidnapped, kept in a warehouse, blindfolded and all tied up. I am so shaken up with everything, Asher” My voice cracks at the end, my bravado breaking just at the mention of his name.

He stops at the door, his back still to me. I expect a hug, something he knows I need the most whenever I'm upset.

“Did you tell the cops?” He asks. My lips part in disbelief.

“I did,” I mutter, clenching my fist so tight, my nails dig harshly into my palm.

“Let's leave it to them then. You are fine now so stop thinking about it and rest,” He says before stepping inside and closing the door shut. The sting of being discarded like it was a silly thing haunts me.

Not a single glance my way. Not a word of comfort or ‘Are you hurt?’

When did things become so bad between us?

I sit in front of the dresser, staring at my broken self. My mascara is smudged, my eyes are swollen and red with dark circles evident enough from lack of sleep and comfort from last night.

I reach for my earrings and gently take them off. My eyes flick to the red marks of rope around my wrist.

Whenever I got hurt even the slightest bit, Asher used to be the one to spot it first and take care of me like I was a fragile doll but now, he didn't bother to glance my way or did he ignore these marks like it doesn't matter anymore?

I gulp down the pain, take off the jewelry and open my drawer to pull out another phone of mine. I quickly type a text to my best friend who is also a detective. I can always count on her.

…

The smooth, soft sound coming from the construction truck toy fills up the room. Alex hums along to the repeated lyrics, wiggling his arms as he plays with the toys.

A smile curls on my lips, watching him have the brightest smile on his face. How easily his giggles made me forget all the pain.

“Mommy sing,” He beams, standing up and bringing the toy to me before dropping it at my feet.

“Bob the builder… Can we fix it?” I sing along.

“Bob the builder… yes we can,” He sings enthusiastically, doing his little dance. I laugh at how adorable he looks before pulling him onto my lap and squeezing his chubby face.

He giggles more, snuggling his face into my chest. I gently caress his soft brunette hair.

The door to the playroom opens softly. I turn to look.

Asher, clad in his three-piece suit, walks in and approaches us.

“Dada” Alex beams. Asher smiles, the soft kind that always melts my heart. He leans down, threading his fingers through Alex's hair.

“Dada is going on a small trip. I'll bring a new toy for you,” Asher says and my lips part just a little. He didn't tell me about any trip. And after what I told him this morning, he is still going away without a second thought. How fast is he becoming so heartless?

“When were you going to tell me?” I ask but he ignores my words and places a kiss on Alex's head.

“Dada sing! Bob the Builder, can we fix it?” Alex sings, grabbing onto Asher's two fingers.

“Bob the builder… yes we can,” Asher sings, locking his eyes on me. Something stirs uncomfortably in my stomach.

I open my mouth to say something but he stands up and walks away. Out of the room.