She Has Returned

Liora held the pregnancy strip, her hands shaking as she looked at the two lines staring back at her.

“Oh my god,” Liora exclaimed, her left hand covering her lips.

She had gone to see the family doctor for a test earlier in the day, but she had left before she could get the result.

Travis is going to be so happy. Liora thought as her lips curled into a satisfied smile.

Living with Travis for the past two years has been nothing but the best part of life for her. She had grown to love the man. Despite being sold off by her father to him, she had grown to love him.

Liora walked into their bedroom, hopping on her toes in joy and placing a hand on her stomach, excited about the life growing inside of her. For a moment, every other trouble faded away.

A gentle knock sounded on her door, and Liora called out, “Yes, come in."

The door opened, and one of the housekeepers walked into the room.

“Mrs. Ashford, lunch is served,” the housekeeper said.

“Oh, thank you, I’ll be downstairs,” Liora beamed, adding, “Are the flowers set on the table?”

"Yes, Mrs. Ashford,” the housekeeper responded.

“Thank you. Now ensure there is no one else in the house. I want everyone in the staff quarters; no one is to come in except if I call for you,” Liora instructed.

"Alright, Mrs. Ashford," the housekeeper nodded before leaving.

As the housekeeper left, Liora wondered, "What should I wear?” as she walked over to her closet.

After selecting a flowered gown that flowed from her hip downward, Liora packed her long brown hair in a ponytail, showing off her neck.

“He should be back by now,” Liora muttered in excitement as she checked the time.

Travis had been on a business trip for the past two weeks, and he was returning today. What a perfect way to welcome him back, Liora thought as she headed out of their room.

As soon as Liora walked into the living room, she put on the TV, and the first thing she saw was her husband's face. The Ashford Group was popular in the state, so they were often on the news.

Liora’s face lighted up at the sight of him, her heart skipping a beat at the thought of seeing his handsome face soon.

Before she could turn from the screen, another person was displayed. Liora froze, her heart skipping not in passion anymore but fear. It was her; she knew that face all too well.

“She is back?” Liora asked herself.

On the screen, Travis was standing too close to her for comfort. All the words of the news anchor were drowned out as Liora kept staring at the screen in shock.

Liora knew that face all too well. Travis had echoed it in his sleep a countless time. Liora had hoped that one day he would see her and he would call out her name, and now she was back!

Before she could process everything, she heard the front door squeak before opening to reveal Travis Ashford walking into the house.

“You’re back. How was your trip?” Liora asked as she quickly switched off the TV.

All I have to do is pretend not to know, Liora thought as she forced a smile at him.

“We need to talk," Travis said.

"Umm, yes, I already have lunch served. I’m sure you must be famished. Why don’t…” Liora started.

“I’ve got no time for your pretense, Liora.” Travis said firmly as he walked over to sit on the couch.

Something is wrong, Liora thought as her heart picked up pace like a drum.

"Travis, are you alright?” Liora asked.

“I want a divorce," Travis stated.

The words fell out of his mouth like a bomb, shattering Liora’s heart.

Liora sat there stunned into silence as she stared at him in shock.

“For Christ's sake, do you have to look so dumb? You knew this was a contract marriage; it was bound to end.” Travis said, shooting out of his seat like a coiled spring as he started to pace.

“I…I…the contract, but we’ve been together for two years,” Liora stuttered.

“And that was because I needed it.” Travis shouted.

“But you…you touched…” Liora could not bring herself to say the words.

Travis looked at her in contempt as he responded, “Oh please, I’m sure you know you were the most convenient option at that time. Don’t attach so much meaning to it.”

Liora felt like the ground had vanished beneath her as she looked at him in shock.

“Here, sign the papers. I have kept my end of the contract; I no longer need you. Once you’re done, pick up your things and leave.” Travis instructed firmly.

A tear trickled down Liora’s face as she looked at the man she had given her heart to. Just when she thought life was beginning to be kind, it was all going away like every other aspect of her life.

“Travis, please, I can't…please…" Liora stuttered, rising to her feet and taking a step towards him.

“Oh please, we both know if I had not needed a wife, I would not even as much as glance at you twice.” Travis stated in contempt.

“Your father…” Liora started.

Travis's brows slammed together, his lips pressed into a hard line as his jaw tightened. Mentioning his father was a wrong idea.

“Be grateful that you got to enjoy this life. I paid a huge amount to get you, Liora; that should be enough for you and your father. Now leave. The next time I come back to my house, you should be gone. Don’t make this harder than it is supposed to be.” Travis stated, his eyes bloodshot, before walking towards the door.

“Is it because she has returned?" Liora shouted, her chest heaving in anger.

Travis froze, his shoulders going rigid with his hands on the doorknob. For a moment, Liora thought she heard him take in a deep breath. She thought she saw his shoulder shiver, but it must have been her imagination.

Without as much as a glance or even a response, Travis opened the door and walked out of her life.

Liora stood there staring at the door for ten minutes, tears streaming down her eyes. Her life had always been filled with difficulty.

After years of staring at the divorce paper, Liora picked it up, walked over to the study at the end of the hall, picked a pen, and signed it.

That was where she was when the housekeeper found her hours later.

“Mrs. Ashford! Mrs. Ashford!” a housekeeper called, rushing into the living room.

At the sound of her name, or the name that was no longer hers, even though she was only called that as long as she was in the four walls of the house. Liora jolted out of her trance as she turned her tear-stricken face to the lady.

“What is it?” Liora asked in irritation.

“We got a call from the hospital; they have been trying to reach you, but they couldn't, so a call was placed to the staff quarters.” the lady replied.

Color drained from Liora’s face as she stared at the lady in shock. There was only one reason the hospital would call the staff quarters.