5

COURTNEY

I woke up with a throbbing headache and I had fallen asleep outside his room. I saw him open the door and walk past me as if I was not even present. It hurts me so much that my husband is treating me like a ghost. Whenever I try to talk to him he ignores me like I don't even live here. He never eats anything I make and doesn't even bother to look at my face. Since I'm trapped in this hell I decided to go explore the backyard. The backyard of this mansion is beautiful. There are different types of flowers that are been grown and so many different types of fruits that are being cultivated. I look over to the far left and I see a beautiful Rose garden. I decide to walk up to the rose garden and explore it. It was beautiful and only filled with roses. White roses are my favorite flowers. Why was there a separate garden for roses? Does he also like roses? After further exploration, I found out that there are separate gardens for almost everything. There was a Bench and shade near the rose garden. I decided to go and sit there and spend some time. I stayed there a long time almost like an hour or so and I slept there because it was so peaceful and beautiful and then I decided to go in. This was officially my favorite place in the house. I went to my bedroom and I saw there were two missed calls by Lily. Lily is Jason's mother. I took my phone and returned the call.

"Hi, mom."

"Oh, hello dear."

"mom I saw your missed calls so I'm returning your call. Why did you call me?"

"Dear, it's been a week since you and Jason have been married and we haven't had a family dinner yet. When I asked him about a reception he said he was too busy for one and I didn't argue with him and now you two don't even have time for your family?"

"Mom I promise it's nothing like that. Jason has actually been busy for the past few days."

"Dear I don't want to hear any of your excuses! You guys are joining us for a family dinner tonight." I was shocked. Will the beast who lives in this house even hear what I say or perhaps he will kill me?

"Mom I don't think Jason is free tonigh.." I was cut before I could complete my sentence.

"I'm not hearing to any of your excuses! How many times do I have to tell you? Be here by 7:00 PM." And saying that she cut the call.

I was left wondering how to convey this to Jason. But not worrying about the consequences I decided to call him.

"Hello who's this?"he replied from the other side of the phone. I was instantly pissed that he hasn't saved my number but then I realized that this was the least of my concern right now. I only wanted him to listen to me right now.

"It's Courtney. Mom has invited us to dinner tonight. We should be there by 7:00 PM."

"Okay."

Okay? That's it!? I was shocked at how he ended the call after just saying okay! But atleast he agreed to go to dinner.

~ A FEW HOURS LATER~

COURTNEY

I look up at the clock and it read 6:00 PM. I decided to get up and get dressed. I look in the closet where all of my dresses are hanging and run my hands through them. I look at all of them and wonder which one to wear. All of my dresses were either too plain or too grand. I wanted something in between, something that was elegant yet grand and something that said was appropriate for dinner at your in-laws. I stand there thinking about what to wear and suddenly something comes to my mind. When I was looking around the mansion, Jason's bedroom had been decorated for the newlywed couple but he forbid me from sleeping there but I had seen his room and it was messy. He had ripped apart everything thing that was decorated and there was a white box that had a Chanel logo on it and was lying on the floor. I was curious and opened the box to see it and saw a beautiful blue dress but I did not dare to open it from the box and coved it back again. I wondered if I can get that dress and since he is not home I will go and get it. I quickly snuck into his room and searched for the box. I went into his closet and it was big. Massive. I searched everywhere and just when I thought I was not going to find it I saw a box sticking out near his coat rack and I quickly went near it and pulled it out and to my satisfaction, it was the same box. I quickly carried it to my room and changed into the dress.

JASON

I got a call from Courtney saying that we are having dinner with my parents. I didn't argue with her because she is not worth it. I just decided to go with her because I couldn't see my mom upset. I try to wrap up my work as soon as possible so we can head out to my parents. I told Tom to drive me home. And I reached home around 6:15 PM. After parking the car in the garage, Tom took his car and went home. I went in and unlock the door and let myself in. As soon as I entered I see Courtney sitting on the couch and waiting for me. But what got to me, even more, was that she was wearing that dress. That blue dress! She stood up immediately as I walked in and smiled. For a second I wanted to smile back, but then I realized that she is not worth my time let alone my smile. I walked past her towards the stairs she looked at me in disbelief. I went to my room and quickly head to the bathroom. I went in and undressed and got under the shower and turned the shower handle. Coldwater pours down in one swift movement. I run my hands through my hair and close my eyes and I remember the pain that Courtney has given me. Every scar that she has imprinted on my heart. I married her to return those scars with interest and now I will do it. I got out of the shower and walked into my closet. I wore a navy blue suit and combed my hair. I sprayed my perfume and went downstairs. She was sitting on the sofa and she immediately got up and greeted me with a smile. Fucking fake bitch.

"I was wondering if we could take some flowers and a bottle of wine for the dinner?"

My anger flared up. She had the audacity to talk to me? Me? I walked towards her in a swift movement.

COURTNEY

He walked towards me and I was standing near the couch. He quickly came and pulled my left arm and threw me on the floor. He came towards me and crouched down toward my height and pushed my head into the floor.

"You bitch! How dare you enter my room?"he took a fist full of my hair and pulled my head up. I was facing the floor. Tears started rolling down my cheeks. I tried to pull his hands away from my hair with the help of my hand but he started pulling my head more up.

"Ouch! Please leave me!" I stated while crying.

"who the fuck do you think you are huh? I'll tell you who you are, you are a whore who fucks anybody she finds for money."

"Am I right darling? You see, I know you married me for money and I know you will try your best to be that true loving wife but guess what darling, I will not let that happen!" He growled at me while pulling me up with my hair and then immediately smashing my face to the ground. He pulled my head up again and this time he slapped me very hard on my cheeks. I felt blood in my mouth. He pulled my hair up again and unable to bear the pain I wince. Blood starts oozing out from the corner of my lips. He smashes my head on the ground one last time before leaving my hair and letting me go. I lay there frozen on the ground on my stomach. I started seeing black spots and before I could get up Jason bought a jug of water and poured it down on my face. I was soaking wet.

"Get your ass up and go put some makeup on,"he said. I got up and slowly went upstairs and washed my face and my tears and put some make-up on to cover the handprint on my cheek and the wound on my forehead. I wore red lipstick to cover my blood. I went down and he told me to follow him to the car. I had tears in my eyes the whole ride to my in-law's house. I couldn't control it but I was sitting right next to him in the car and didn't want to ruin my make-up because I didn't want to show my mother-in-law that his son had been abusive towards me.

After 25mins we reached his parent's mansion. It was a beautiful mansion. A butler opened the car door for me and I got out. I walked inside by his side and tried to maintain my distance as much as possible.

"there is my newlywed couple!" I heard.

Lily walked up towards us with Mr.Roberts and Jason's sister Maya.