My husband's betrayal, my second chance

SOLACE

“Trenton,” a smile spread across my face as I opened my eyes, and he was the first one I saw. “You didn’t leave,” my voice hoarse from last night; even my lower back hurt, but I didn’t mind at all. We did it; he’s not disgusted by me.

There’s still hope in our relationship.

Yesterday was our wedding day, I’m finally Mrs. Rivera. It’s been my dream and now, it’s my reality.

“Of course, I waited for you,” he answered and threw some papers on my side. “Sign it before I go to the company; I need it for the board meeting.” It wasn’t a request for a favor; instead, it was an order I had to follow.

“What is this?” I read the words written in it. “Full access to our joint account and assets?”

“Yes, I need you to sign it. We need to share everything in this marriage; after all, we’re tied to each other now.” He said without hesitation.

“You want us to share everything with each other?” I could not help but ask, my eyes felt so hot, so he really did want this arrangement.

I thought I’m the only one who only wanted this. I thought he would still hate our marriage…

Still…

“B-But it’s already a joint account we created before even our engagement, what is the point of me signing an agreement for unilateral control?”

“Sol, don’t think it’s a bad thing. I just want to make the board to see that I can make a comeback, that you had my back in this fight. That the bankruptcy is not true at all,” He caresses my cheeks and smiles. “I want them to see that you’re okay with everything, you understand what I mean, right? After all, once we have our children, all the things we own will be theirs in the end.”

Children?

My head rose to look at his eyes; the intensity of his stare made me tear up. So, even though it’s an arranged marriage, he also thinks about us having children.

“Come on, Solace. Signing this agreement doesn’t need to be overthought much; it’s just normal for married couples to have access to each other's assets and joint bank accounts for the media to talk and to protect the image of our companies. It will help everyone into thinking that our company is out of bankruptcy, you understand me, right?” His voice is too gentle and sweet.

“Okay,” I smiled at him and took the pen from his hand.

“Don’t worry, once the company has recovered and Mr. Forbes agrees to the collaboration project I’m proposing, I will owe all my gratitude to you and your family,” he said, smiling broadly. “I heard he was also at the hotel to attend a meeting, where we celebrated our engagement last night; I didn’t see him, but many people got a glimpse of him. If only I knew, I'd take the chance to invite him to our wedding.”

My hand froze, remembering last night and the mistake I made me feel so guilty. Maybe giving him the authority to handle our assets will atone for my sin, I could not believe I did that mistake behind his back.

“All right, you’re my husband now. You don’t need to explain it, everyone should know I’m giving you all the authority of our family now,” I smile and hug him.

“Thanks, Sol. You have no idea how thankful I am to you and to your family,” he gently caresses my cheeks and even kisses my forehead.

I could feel the heat of my cheeks, I can’t believe I’m able to experience this kind of thing with him. Even though it’s all arranged by our family, he takes care of me.

“I will go now, make sure to rest. Stay here and wait for me, let’s have dinner together,” he said sweetly and fixed his suit.

“Okay, take care,” I waved my hand at him happily, not able to hide how joyful I was about our marriage.

He’s even the one who said we will have dinner tonight, how sweet is that? I should cook for him, I’m sure his company is fine now. Father promised me that he’ll help Trenton’s after our marriage.

All day, I didn’t do anything but prepare our dinner date. I also bought him a congratulatory gift for his comeback, his company was saved from bankruptcy.

I smile as I place the last dish I’d prepare tonight. 

“Finally, done!” I looked at the table full of food and glanced at the time wall clock on the side. It’s already seven and he hasn't arrived yet. Did something happen in the company?

 I suddenly felt a wave of intense anxiety. Surely, Dad wouldn't back out of helping their company, right?

He promised me, I know he won’t break it.

I clasped my hand together as I sat on the chair, anxiously looking at the door. Seconds, minutes, and hours passed but nothing.

Where’s Trenton now…

I was just about to stand up to get my phone and call his company to find out what had happened when the door burst open widely; Trenton appeared with disheveled hair and rumpled clothes, staggering as he walked inside the house.

“Trenton!” I immediately walked towards him and helped him to sit down on the sofa, his smell reeking of alcohol and…unfamiliar strong perfume. “Why did you come home late and dead drunk? You said we will have dinner together, right? I asked with a place of irritation, he promised me yet here he was. He can't stand on his own, even opening his eyes is hard for him now.

“I forgot, okay? The company is fine now, am I not and my employees allowed to have fun?” He shoveled my hand away. “It’s just for dinner, what’s the big deal? We can do it another time,” he waves his hand like he’s done.

He irritatedly took of his necktie and threw it on the floor, but that’s not what took my attention but the red marks on his neck.

“What is that?” I grabbed his collar but he pushed me away, he immediately fixed it to hide the mark from me.

“What?” He asks like he didn’t know. “I’m tired, let me rest, " he said and was about to stand up but I grabbed his collar again.

“No! I want to know who did that!” We only got married, how could he do something like that?

“Ven, it’s not what you think. It's a company party, some employees played some games and this is just a simple punishment, you don’t need to think about it too much,” he explained and heaved a deep sigh. “We just got married, yet you're already thinking the worst of me—how do you expect this relationship to work?”

“That’s not–”

“Enough, Sol… I’m too tired, let’s just talk when you finally get yourself together,” he dismissed my words and stood up.

I thought it’s a simple fight, that we could fix it on the next day. Yet, days and weeks passed by and he became cold and colder.

The more I tried to fix it, the more he moved away from me.

“You just woke up?” Trenton put down the iPad he was holding and looked at me on the stairs.

I froze. It’s the first time he finally talks to me after that night, he’s finally talked to me again!

“It’s been days. I don’t think it’s the right thing for you to keep up that act. Even though you’re a married person, you still need to protect your image for the family,” he said seriously and pointed to the chair on his side.

“Sorry, my body feels so heavy these past few days. But I will make sure to wake up early tomorrow.” I looked at him as I sat on the chair. “By the way, could you take me to the hospital today…” My words were interrupted when his phone suddenly rang; without hesitation, he immediately answered it.

“What happened?” He asked worriedly. “Is everything alright? Good, wait for me.” He ended the call and stood abruptly; he looked so worried.

“Wait,” I held the hem of his suit to stop him from leaving. “You haven’t finished your meal or your coffee; can’t it wait?” I clutch on my fork tightly on the other hand, we rarely eat together even though we live on the same roof. Is he really that busy, can’t he give me at least a few of his minutes?

He didn’t even mind the words I was saying earlier; is that thing really important for him to be like this?

“It’s… It’s the company; there’s a big problem I need to take care of.”

“Can you wait for me for a bit? I’m going to the—”

“Sol,” his jaw tightened and his eyebrows almost tangled as he cut my words, “Can’t you understand that I need to get there immediately, if you need to go somewhere, just call a cab.” He didn’t wait for me to speak; he simply turned his back on me and walked out of the dining area.

I quickly stood up, intending to chase after him and properly explain why I asked him to wait for me, but before I could take a step, my vision blurred again. I felt nauseous once again; for the past few days, it has been happening for an unknown reason.