EmiliaThe sunlight crept in lazily through the sheer cream curtains, stretching across the thick, velvet-upholstered walls like golden ribbons. I blinked a few times, letting my eyes adjust. The high ceilings and crystal chandelier above looked more regal than usual, but I wasn’t in the mood to be impressed by luxury this morning.I rolled over slowly, my hand instinctively reaching across the bed.Cold.Empty.Figures.I glanced over at the clock on the nightstand. 7:36 a.m. It was Saturday. Not that it mattered anymore. Richard had left, again. No note. No text. No gentle kiss on my forehead like he used to.Just silence.I lay there for a moment, sinking deeper into the cloud-like mattress, covered in soft beige linen that still smelled faintly of lavender and Richard’s cologne. But not enough to matter. I sighed and pulled the covers up to my chest.Usually, I’d force myself to get up. Face the day. Be productive. But not today.Today, I grabbed my laptop from the nightstand, fli
EmiliaThree hours.That’s how long I’ve been lying here. In this room. In this silence that feels louder than any shouting match.Three full hours since I stood up from that dinner table, heart racing, skin burning with confusion and shame. And not once did Richard come up. Not once did he check on me.The clock ticked slowly on the wall across from me. Every second echoed in the quiet space like a cruel reminder of how alone I felt. The silk sheets beneath me were cool against my legs, but my skin felt hot, burning from everything I’d swallowed down tonight.My chest rose and fell, each breath shaky. I hadn’t meant to cry again, but the tears kept coming, slipping out of the corners of my eyes no matter how many times I wiped them away with the back of my hand.And the worst part?I could still hear them.From downstairs, through the thick walls of this mansion, there was laughter. Light chatter. Clinking glasses.Serena’s voice.And his.Richard's deep tone drifted up every so ofte
Emilia“What?” The word slipped out before I could even think about it.I didn’t mean to say it so loud, but it came out clear as day. Sharp. Like glass hitting tile.My eyes bounced from Emelda’s carefully composed face to Serena’s relaxed expression like I was trying to piece together a puzzle that didn’t fit. The dining room suddenly felt warmer. My pulse throbbed somewhere in my ears.What the hell was going on?First, Richard had been gone the entire day without a single call or message. Nothing. I hadn’t even known he was hosting dinner until I found everyone already here.And now this?Not only had he sprung guests on me, fine, I could deal with that, even if it was inconsiderate, but I was just now finding out that Serena wasn’t just visiting.She was… staying?The silence that followed my outburst clung to the air like thick fog. Forks paused halfway to mouths. Glasses hung in the air, untouched. Even the faint music from the hallway seemed to vanish.Mia looked at me, wide-e
EmiliaThe table had gone oddly quiet again. Not in a tense way, just the kind of silence that falls over a group when everyone’s too focused on their food and wine to keep up small talk. Forks clicked against plates, and glassware clinked softly every now and then.Mia broke the silence. Her voice was light and warm, casual in tone, but her words still caught the attention of everyone around.“So… Emilia,” she said, turning her head toward me, “how far along are you now?”All eyes shifted. My fork paused mid-air.“Three months,” I replied, offering her a small smile. “Just getting into the second trimester.”Mia’s face lit up. “You’re glowing, honestly. I swear, pregnant women always have that light around them. It’s real.”I chuckled. “Maybe. Or maybe it’s just the lighting in this overly fancy dining room.”A few laughs circled the table. But then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught Richard leaning slightly toward Serena, cupping his hand to whisper something in her ear. Whateve
EmiliaI took it slow, one careful step at a time, clutching the polished wooden railing like it was the only thing steady in this whole room. My dress rustled softly with each movement, and though I held my head high, my stomach was twisted into a tight, uncomfortable knot.Emelda spotted me first. Her eyes met mine for a second, sharp, unreadable. She didn’t say a word. Her perfectly manicured fingers clutched the stem of her wine glass as if I wasn’t even worth acknowledging. That suited me just fine.Before I could decide if I should walk around them or head straight to the dining area, I heard someone clear their throat softly.Raymond.He stepped forward with that warm, easy smile of his and extended his hand toward me like a gentleman from some classic movie. “Emilia,” he said, his tone smooth and kind, “let me help you down the last few steps.”I didn’t hesitate. I placed my hand in his, grateful for the familiar touch, even if just for a second.“Thanks, Raymond,” I murmured.
EmiliaI turned slowly from the door to look at Richard. He wasn’t even trying to pretend. His eyes darted away the moment our gazes met.“You’re kidding me,” I said quietly, but my voice shook with disbelief.Richard shifted his weight to the other foot and shoved his hands into his pockets. “What?”I stared at him like he’d lost his mind. “You didn’t think to mention that your mother was coming over?”His jaw tensed. “I didn’t think it would be a big deal.”“A big deal?” I repeated, my voice rising. “Richard, you know exactly how I feel about your mother, and how she feels about me.”He raised a brow like I was being dramatic. “She’s still my mum, Emilia.”“And I’m your wife, Richard. For crying out loud!” I took a step closer, not caring that I was raising my voice now. “I live here. This is my home too. You don't get to bring people in, her of all people, without telling me first!”He exhaled sharply, eyes narrowing. “You’re overreacting.”“I’m, what?” I laughed bitterly. “No, you