In Flames We Love

The pregnancy test struck positive, her excitement grew by the minute. She giggled to herself, placing a hand over her flat tommy. They have been trying for five years, praying for a miracle that never came. Her husband has always been supportive, he stood by her side fiercely. He wasn't a man of many words but his actions always confessed his feelings. He didn't leave her or neglect her, both had down series of tests that always came out positive. There was nothing wrong with either of them, they tried IVF. The failed till they stopped trying. After giving up on having a baby, she was finally pregnant. 

This had to be the best wedding anniversary ever, they got blessed with they baby they so much desired. 

“You are finally here”, Inés whispered to her stomach. A tingling sensation rose in her belly, even though the baby was just weeks old, she still felt it's strong presence in her womb. 

“Oh!”, she gave herself a forehead slap. “What was I thinking, I will prepare his favourite meal today. Honey come home soon.” 

She tied back her wavy, brunette hair, the evening sunset catching her grey eyes. Humming to herself, she went through baskets of flowers, she gathered a few ones and packed it. She packed her stuffs and closed the flower shop. The door bell dinged as she went out. She inhaled the outside air deeply, feeling refreshed. Carrying a new flower bouquet in her right hand, she inhaled it.

“Hmmm, he would be so surprised.” She giggled. Her phone buzzed in her bag, 

LOML displayed on the screen sending a smile to face. Before she could pick the call, it cut off.

She was about to call him again when a text message dropped. 

“We are getting divorced.” 

Her smile vanished. The bouquet dropped to the ground. Her knees almost gave out, she felt her heart skip a beat. A taxi wheezed by, the world seemed to dim to that text. 

“I have signed, the papers are in the house, sign it.”

Another popped up, she blinked rapidly and shook her head as if she might have seen wrong. 

She read the message over and over again.

No. This is wrong. He must have made a mistake. Is this a prank? It should be. Yes it is. It's a prank. 

Inés called his number immediately, it went to voicemail. Later it became unreachable, her hands began to tremble. 

“What's going on...”, she called his number again. Running her hands through her hair, she began to pace up and down the front of the shop. She didn't notice it was already getting dark until the lights at the front turned on. 

She looked around, the road had started to get busy, people were returning home. Yes. She has to go home immediately. What's Miguel talking about? No. This has to be a prank. 

She nodded, convincing herself. It must be a prank otherwise why would her husband divorce her on their wedding anniversary. He has not even heard of their baby yet, she smiled again when she thought of the life inside her. Her hands instinctively went to her flat stomach, she rubbed it. “Thank you for coming to Mom and Dad. We love you so much.” her gray eyes glistened with tears. 

------

A brooding man stood on the terrace, shirtless, a dragon tattoo sprawling from his sculpted abdomen to his left chest. His body glistened in the night, reflecting the lighting in the balcony. Smoke coiled in the air around him. He held a picture in front of him, he gazed at the brunette with a broad smile and striking gray eyes. Her white dress caught in the wind, she sat on a bench in front of a tree. He puffed out the cigarette again..

He put out the cigarette on a ashtray, reaching for the lighter beside it. Miguel drew a sharp breath, he ignited the lighter below the picture, the flames licked the edges of the photograph and slowly ate it up. He watched intently as it burned, inhaling deeply as he closed his eyes. Miguel held on to the burning photograph as if trying to absorb the scalding heat. He dropped the last tiny pieces that the flame soon consumed.

Breathing deeply, he tucked his hands into his pockets. He was deep in his thoughts, unaware of the helicopter now hovering above the house until a shot rang out.

He caught the arrow mid air, just inches away from his forehead. He frowned. 

“I see you've still got it. Little brother!”, Mateo yelled from the helicopter. His laughter echoing as the wind carried it to Miguel. 

Miguel tightened his jaw, his brother is laughing as if he didn't just shoot an arrow at him. He took his crossbow and aimed it at the helicopter. 

“No! No! Turn!”, the man shouted. The helicopter took off immediately. 

Miguel lowered his crossbow, it's gleaming, black skin catching the light. His family upheld strict traditions, being an aristocratic family. They all learnt to shoot and use a crossbow from a young age. Who uses a crossbow in this age? No one but the Valente Family. 

----

By the time Inés got home, it was already dark. She paid the taxi driver and hurried inside. She fumbled with the front door before it opened. Putting off her coat on an hanger nearby. 

She almost ran into the living room, heart racing with excitement, ready to share the news bursting inside her, until her smile faltered. One look at what waited in that room, and every trace of colour drained from her face. The flower bouquet hit the floor with a thud, too loud in the room. 

Inés stumbled back, her legs almost giving out. She could not comprehend what was happening, her mind racing in confusion and disbelief.