How Do I Escape Him?

012

Isabella walked into the living room with Andrea beside her.

“Sit.” Andrea said, with a cold voice.

Isabella did not argue, she lowered herself onto the couch, her back sank into the cushions, her shoulders dropped the moment she sat, she was exhausted.

Andrea stood in front of her for a moment, looking down at her pale face, and dull eyes.

“What would you love to eat?” he asked.

When did he start caring somuch? Isabella thought , she didn't give any response at first, Andrea knew she doesn't want to talk to him but he's not having any of it, he bent forward slowly until his face was close to hers, and their noses were only inches apart.

Isabella turned her face away at once, she crossed her arms tightly over her chest, like she was trying to shield herself from him.

“I don’t want your food,” she said quietly. “I want to go home.”

Oh really? You gotta be kidding me, Andrea thought as he straightened up.

“Don’t be stubborn, Isabella. You heard what the doctor said.” he said.

Isabella suddenly lifted her head.

“If this wasn’t about the baby,” she asked, her eyes searching his face, “would you even care?”

Silence fell between them for a moment , Andrea opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out 

“We’re divorced..” Isabella blurted.  

 “Just on paper,” Andrea cut in sharply before she could finish. “it hasn't been finalized yet, the documents are still on process.” he added.

Isabella let out a bitter laugh, “Still,” she said, her voice breaking slightly, “let me go, I don't want to be here .”

She stood up suddenly, and sway a little before steadying herself.

“I refuse to stay with you Andrea. You can come and check on your baby if you want. Be a father to him.” Her voice shook. “But please… just let me go.”

She stepped closer to him, she needed to do anything to get away from this monster right in front of her, Isabella fingers grabbed the fabric of Andrea's trousers, she held on to it tightly.

“I don’t like it here,” she whispered.

Her tears has never worked for Andrea, but this time, she hopes it works.

Andrea looked down at her hand on his trousers, before he could speak, the sound of footsteps echoed.

One of the maids walked in, she stopped abruptly at the doorway seeing the two couples like that , she didn't want to invade in this private moment between them both, but Andrea saw her.

He immediately shoved Isabella’s hand away as if it burned him, he stepped back, straightened his shirt, and cleared his throat loudly.

“What do you want?” he asked the maid, not even looking at her.

“I… I came to ask if your wife would like to eat something,” the maid said softly.

“Call her Miss,” Andrea said coldly. “She’s not my wife.”

Miss? Andrea won't seize to make her feel worthless, even in the presence of their maid, the maid glanced at Isabella, then back at Andrea.

“Yes, sir,” she murmured, bowing her head.

“Ma’am, what do you—”

“I’m fine,” Isabella cut in quickly. “I don’t need anything.” she said with a flat voice.

The maid nodded slowly and turned away, closing the door behind her.

“Is this really necessary?” Isabella asked, the moment the maid was gone.

“Making it clear to your staff that we’re no longer married,” she continued. “Why are you still keeping me here then?”

Andrea looked at her. “You are carrying my child, and It is my responsibility.”

“Indeed,” Isabella said.

She turned away and took two steps, trying to leave, but Andrea grabbed her wrist suddenly and slammed her back against the wall, Isabella gasp in surprise.

Before she could react, Andrea's lips crashed against hers, Isabella’s eyes widened, she pushed against his chest, trying to stop him from kissing her, but Andrea was way stronger.

“Stop!” she tried to say, but his mouth swallowed her words.

She struggled, but it was futile, she was left with no other option but to bit down hard on his lip.

Andrea hissed in pain and pulled back, before he could say anything, Isabella raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face.

“ What do you think you are again?” She asked.

“A God? You think you can treat people the way you like?” She added, Andrea moved back a little from the effect of the slap and blood was already dripping down his lips due to the bite.

“Don’t you dare treat me like one of your whores again,” Isabella said, her heart beating faster.

“When I say we’re done, we’re done.” she said with a note of finality as her hand trembled in the air.

Suddenly, something shattered on the floor, they both turned to see the maid who was here few minutes ago, she was standing in a frozen state.

 There was a tray of food broken at her feet, plates lay in pieces, and food scattered across the floor, she stared at them, speechless.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Andrea roared.

“I… I came to serve her breakfast,” she stammered.

“Didn’t she say she didn’t want to eat?” Andrea snapped.

“I’m sorry, sir,” she whispered, shaking.

“Get lost!” Andrea barked.

The maid flinched and rushed to leave.

“Stop there!” Andrea commanded and she froze.

“Clean this trash,” he ordered, gave Isabella a long stare and walked away, 

The maid nodded quickly and began picking up the broken plates, when she was done, she scurried away leaving Isabella.

Isabella slid down the wall slowly until she sat on the floor, her back pressing against the cold surface, she covered her face with both hands and sighed deeply.

“How do I escape him?” she wondered.

***

Later that night, Isabella sat on her bed, her legs were drawn close to her body, her attention was glued to her phone which glowed softly in the dark as she read silently.

“Ways to be invisible to an abusive husband” she read outloud, as her eyes moved quickly.

“Fake your own death,” she read, paused, then nodded slowly.

“Fake your own death,” she whispered again, this time, meditating on the sentence.

The idea settled in her mind like a seed, and she didn’t notice when the door opened.

“What are you doing?” Andrea asked , his voice made Isabella jump, she gasped, clutching the phone to her chest.

Is he a wizard? Or a night walker? Why would he barge into my room like that at this ungodly hour of the night?

“None of your concern,” S said, trying to be calm.

“Let me see,” Andrea said, reaching for the phone.

No no no, he can't see this, not now, not ever, she move the phone behind her back instinctively.

“I said it’s none of your concern!” she yelled.

Andrea sighed and stepped back.

“Fine.” He said like someone who had been defeated, looking at her carefully.

Huh? Did he just say fine? No way, Andrea never accepted defeat, he always win in everything, she was expecting him to forcefully take the phone from her like he used to but he didn't, could it be that Andrea is gradually changing?

Offcourse not, the Andrea she knows will never change, he's probably acting cool and all gentlemanly because of his unborn child.

“Get dressed. We’re going out.” Andrea voice cut through her thought.

Before Isabella could say a word, Andrea threw a fancy nylon bag onto the bed, Isabella stared at it, then at him.

“To where?” she asked.

“You’ll know,” he replied and walked out, she hesitated for a while.

“He won’t hurt the baby… right?” She asked no one in particular, as she opened the bag.

“Wow,” she whispered.

It was a beautiful silver gown shimmered under the light, alongside golden jewelry, and matching shoes, Andrea sure had great taste, it's such a pain that he didn't showered that affection towards her while they were married, too late, she can't go back on her words.

Isabella concluded in her mind, she jumped from the bed with the gown and stood in front of the mirror, holding the dress against herself, for the first time since they got married, Andrea had bought her something and it was beautiful.

“Get yourself together, Isabel,” she told her reflection. “He’s doing this for the baby, not you.”

She said convincing herself ,with that, she dressed slowly.

When she was done, she stared at the reflection in the mirror and smiled at how beautiful she looks, she walked downstairs, and stopped on her tracks. Sitting on the couch was Andrea, and Vanessa, sat on his lap, their lips locked together in a passionate kiss.

“What’s this?” Isabella blurted, irritation in her voice. Andrea pulled away quickly.

“Really now, Andrea?” Isabella said, her voice shaking. “You dressed me up just to humiliate me in front of your mistress?”

Andrea opened his mouth to speak but only air came out, he didn't know what exactly to say, he didn't plan on making her feel this way, Vanessa just showed up out of the blue.

Vanessa smiled knowingly.

“Well, too bad, he doesn't find you attractive anymore,” Vanessa said sweetly, her eyes exploring Isabella outfit, she turned to Andrea suddenly.

“Did you buy those for her?” she asked sharply.

“Yes. We’re going out,” Andrea replied.

“What?” Vanessa screamed. “What about me? I lost my baby!”

Isabella smiled sadly. “I heard about the loss of your baby, so sorry about that” she said, but Vanessa only hissed.

“And as for Andrea, he’s only using you,” Isabella said softly, Vanessa got upset and tried to lunge forward, but Andrea pulled her back quickly.

“She’s carrying my child,” Andrea said, and Vanessa immediately burst into tears.

 “I lost mine too!” Vanessa cried.

Andrea held her arms, Isabella only shook her head.

“I’ll be in the car,” she said and walked away.