Memories

Nora opens her mouth but words won't just come out, Greg sensing her unease cuts in, "You don't have to say anything if you don't want". Greg could see the instantaneous relief on your face.

Sensing the energy shift, Greg asked to be excused and Nora obliged. The rest of the party went smoothly with no drama. At about seven in the evening Graycen was already yawning it was obvious she had thoroughly enjoyed herself. After all the guests had gone, Nora and her parents presented their gifts to Graycen. She squealed with excitement at every gift she unwrapped. When Nora presented her gift to her daughter, the little girl unwrapped it with so much expectancy and excitement, when she unwrapped it to unveil the Princess Belle doll, Graycen screamed. She jumped up and hugged Nora so tight, she in turn hugged her grandparents. Nora's heart was merry at the sight of her daughter's joy, it was a sight to behold. Nora wished she could thank Mr Greg again, he was solely responsible for Graycen getting her favourite doll from her favourite cartoon.

After bathing Graycen, she could barely keep her eyes open. After tugging her in she didn't even finish a paragraph of her bedtime stories when she dozed off.

Nora knew she needed to seize the opportunity to indulge in some self-care.

Nora entered her small but charming lilac-themed bathroom, ready to indulge in a moment of relaxation and self-care after a long day of celebration. The soft hues of lilac enveloped the space, creating an atmosphere of tranquillity and serenity.

The walls, painted in a delicate shade of lilac, provided a soothing backdrop, reflecting a sense of calmness. The subtle pastel colour was complemented by crisp white accents, adding a touch of elegance to the space.

The bathroom boasted a cosy bathtub adorned with lilac-scented candles, casting a warm glow that danced upon the water's surface. The flickering candlelight created a serene ambience, encouraging a sense of relaxation and rejuvenation.

A fluffy lilac-coloured bath mat cushioned the floor, inviting Nora to step into a plush oasis. The mat felt soft beneath her feet, offering a comforting embrace as she made her way towards the bathtub.

The porcelain bathtub, with its graceful curves and gleaming white surface, beckoned Nora to immerse herself in its depths. It was the perfect sanctuary for her to unwind and let go of the day's tensions. A few drops of lavender-scented bath oil floated atop the water, releasing a subtle fragrance that calmed her senses and enveloped her in a cocoon of tranquillity.

Nora reached for a fluffy lilac-coloured towel, neatly folded and placed within easy reach. Its velvety texture promised to embrace her skin in a comforting embrace as she emerged from the soothing warmth of the bath.

Nora took off her pink bathrobe and sunk into the warm water. Her mind drifted to Graycen's sexy teacher and Nora could feel herself blushing and smiling. Her mind drifted to the one person that spoilt the perfect day, Alexander.

Greg's question had caught her off guard, her mind wandered through the memories that had been stirred up by Greg's question. Her thoughts drifted back to a day that had left a scar, not just on her wrist, but on her heart as well.

The memory of that afternoon replayed vividly in her mind. Alexander had insisted that she accompany him to a fundraising event organized by his friend for his charity organization. Despite not feeling well, Nora had pleaded to stay back, not wanting to be a burden or draw attention to herself. She had believed that her absence wouldn't be noticed amidst the crowd.

However, Alexander had insisted that she attend by his side. His image and reputation meant everything to him, and he wanted her there as a symbol of his success and status. It was a difficult decision for Nora, but she reluctantly obliged, hoping that the event would pass without incident.

Yet, as the evening unfolded, it became clear that she was merely a shadow in Alexander's world. He ignored her completely, seeking the company and attention of others. As a wealthy hotelier and real estate magnate, Alexander was surrounded by a swarm of people eager to bask in his aura and be captured in his company by the paparazzi.

Nora felt invisible in the midst of the glittering crowd. The emptiness and isolation she experienced that night had etched a deep wound within her, a wound that had taken time to heal. It was a stark reminder of the fractured dynamics of their relationship and the pain she had endured.

The memories lingered, a mixture of hurt and disappointment intermingled with the warmth and hope that Greg's presence had brought into her life. She couldn't help but compare the stark contrast between the neglect and disregard she had experienced with Alexander, and the genuine care and concern that Greg had shown. Nora had only been married to Alexander for only a year but it was first like an eternity. Immediately they got home from the event, he changed into another outfit and walked out. As he got to the door he turned and looked at her and uttered his favourite line, "I won't be coming home tonight, don't wait up".

Nora knew he would be lodging at home one of his hotels tonight and she knew he won't be sleeping alone. He had a long queue of girls of all colours, heights and shapes. All Alexander needed to do was bait an eye and they would come running.

She decided that he wouldn't come back in the morning to meet her. Nora had walked into the kitchen ignoring the chef that was busy making dinner, she took out a knife from the knife stand and walked back to her room. She had taken great care to prepare herself. She donned her silk long lilac nightgown, she brushed her hair, which Alexander had insisted she cut into a bob. She had picked a piece of classical music that she found soothing. She prepared the bath and made sure it was warm enough. Nora climbed into the tub, picked up the knife and slit her wrist. She sat there as she bled slowly, as time passed she found herself getting weaker. Her eyes were getting heavier until she found herself engulfed by darkness.

She came to sometime later in a hospital. The chef had finished and called to inform her food was ready. When she didn't respond, he sensed something was wrong, since he had earlier seen her take one of the knives. He had alerted the gardener and when they had called with no response they had to break into the room. The doctor told her the following morning after she was stable that she was pregnant. That was what changed everything for Nora.

The bath became cold and Nora had to end her bath. She dried herself and applied her moisturiser. She came into the room to see her daughter sleeping so soundly. Nora beamed with pride, gratitude and Joy. Her phone rang notifying her of an incoming call, Nora rushed to get the phone to prevent Graycen from waking up.

"Hello", Nora said into the phone, and the caller responded, there was no mistake, it was Alexander.