1. Broken

"Did you know Penelope Eva had an illegitimate child with someone?"

"Really?"

"Yes and apparently they were planning to elope from the country".

"The man apparently owns that small diner on Second Street, everyone's talking about it. It's all over celebrity deets."

"Can you believe it? she wanted to risk her career for a man like that? Not like she had any real talent anyway, the only reason why she made it this far is due to her old celebrity mother. Ugh, Nepo babies and their misplaced privileges".

"I always knew Penelope was a slut, she wanted to trend so badly. I guess this is her big break. Her career is finally over." She laughs.

The others join in. The room is filled with their incessant laughing.

I listen while they slander various individuals. The room was stuffy and filled with different scents of intoxicating perfumes. I'm currently seated with my mother-in-law and her friends at this family get-together but in reality, it was just another chance to get together and gossip about people, most of the people in attendance weren't even family.

Everyone here was filthy rich. I mean these people saw money as nothing. They were all dazzled up and had no care in the world. They found it easy to look down on people of lesser status.

They might be rich but they all had one thing in common, they all had a shitty character.

"So Emily, right?" I look across at one of the women seated opposite me. Her jet-black hair was tied back into a sleek ponytail and if not for the tons of makeup on her face, she would have been attractive. She had on an expensive black designer gown. She looked like if she'd smiled wider her face would crack.

I nod.

"How long have you been married to Zachary?"

"Three years," I say.

"Three years? and no children?" She gasps.

I smile awkwardly.

"W-well, we're w-working on it—"

"Three years and nothing to show for it, she eats my son's food, spends his money, sleeps in his bed, and she has nothing to give back to him, pathetic." Zachary's mother, Jacqueline, my mother-in-law from hell sneers at me.

She was a formidable woman, tall like her son. She always had a coldish expression that made her look very unapproachable. When I first met her she sized me up and decided that she didn't like me.

The sharp remark hit me and I feel a pang of hurt. I had been trying to get pregnant but it wasn't happening and every time I went to a doctor, they told me nothing was wrong with me. I look down at the floor to avoid her glare.

"She could be cheating on him who knows." One of the other women remarks.

I look up in astonishment.

"She's obviously infertile." Another woman pitches in. They continued to talk like I wasn't right in front of them.

"She must be. I know there's nothing wrong with my son, the problem is from her." Jacqueline concludes.

The room becomes hotter. I can't take this, not today.

I stand up "Please excuse me, I need to use the restroom."

Before they could say anything I made my way out of their vicinity.

They all believed I married Zachary for his money. I didn't care though. I love him and he loves me. That's all that really matters.

I was Zachary Lockwood's wife and that was enough for me.

Where was Zachary anyway?

However, as I scanned the room, I couldn't find him anywhere.

Feeling a little disappointed, I decided to take a break and headed towards the kitchen to grab a glass of wine. As I entered, I noticed a group of ladies huddled together, deep in conversation. They give me a glance and then continued their conversation, but I couldn't help but notice the look of disgust on their faces.

One of them whispered something to her friends, and they all sneered at me. I couldn't understand why they were giving me such looks. Was it because I was alone? Or was it because I didn't fit in with their group? Whatever the reason, I decided to ignore them and focus on my mission.

I pour myself a glass of wine and take a sip, trying to calm my nerves. I quickly exit the kitchen. The room was getting hotter. Zachary had left me with his mother to play games with his friends in the games room. I make my way to the games room but find no one.

Just as I exit the games room I spot Zachary rounding the corner.

"Zach—"

"Ah ah Emily, how are you? this is quite a party."

I'm interrupted by one of the guests who engages me in conversation.

I watch as Zachary disappears down the hall and go upstairs. I smile at the guest politely as the elderly man asks me about my well-being. From the weather, to food, to fashion he chatters aimlessly and after ten minutes, I was finally able to excuse myself.

Excitedly, I go up the stairs carefully trying not to fall, Zachary wanted me to wear these heels today, although pretty they were so uncomfortable. My feet were definitely going to be sore after today.

As I reach the top I stop in my tracks when I hear a strange sound, it sounded like someone was in pain, it sounded intense. Then a strange mix of muffled sounds. I strain my ears then I hear it again.

I walk slowly trying to pinpoint where the sound was coming from. I make my way to one of the rooms, where the sound was coming from. I hear Zachary's voice.

What?

I fling open the door and the sight before me makes me let out a cry.

I couldn't believe my eyes as I tried to make sense of the situation.

Zachary was in bed with a woman I had never seen before. They were both locked in an embrace as she was on top of him, she looked at me like she had seen a ghost, she quickly got off him and pulled the covers up to her chest but I'm more shocked at Zachary who gives me a bored, blank look. I stand there, frozen in shock and disbelief.

My throat felt dry, the room began to spin. I leave the room and hurriedly made my way downstairs.