Chapter 1

It had been a perfect night. I watched my husband, Crimson Phoenix, dance with the birthday celebrant—my friend Celestine—while enjoying a glass of champagne. His arm was wrapped around her waist, and they moved effortlessly to the rhythm of the music. I was enjoying the moment until an unsettling feeling settled in my chest as I realized they were dancing a little too close.

“Are you okay?” a voice interrupted my thoughts. I turned and saw Mia, another close friend.

I forced a smile, nodding, but inside, I felt a bit troubled.

“You sure?” She tilted her head and crossed her arms underneath her breasts. “You’ve been a bit quiet.”

I reasoned I was a bit tipsy from drinking Champagne. She bought the alibi and left to mingle with the guests. Once I'm alone, I sat down on the table and refilled my glass. A short while later, my husband joined me. "I think it's time we talked." He began.

I set the glass down, preparing myself for what was coming.

"I've thought about this for a while. I think we should get a divorce.”

My eyes widened. I couldn't say a word. We were happy. How could a beautiful night turn into a nightmare all of a sudden?

My fingers tightened on the glass as though it could give me the strength I needed. "I — I don't understand, Crimson. W — what are you talking about? A divorce?"

"You heard it correctly, I want a divorce." The lack of emotion in his voice was more painful than if he had shouted at me.

Hurt and confusion etched into my countenance as I blink back the tears. "W-why so sudden? We love each other!"

"We don't… Love is envisioning yourself being with someone for the rest of your life — I don't feel that when I think of you, Elizabeth."

My chest ached as if a sledgehammer had struck me. "I-I know you're going through a lot right now. Losing your grandfather was unexpected, and I can't even imagine how hard that must be… I know you're just confused….”

"I assure you I am not… I realize we don't really love each other.”

I reached out to touch him but he pulled away and walked towards the balcony. I hastily got up from my chair and followed him. "I gave up everything for you, Crimson! Gave up my only chance to attend Harvey University! Gave up my dream job abroad. I even choose you over my grandfather — my only family which made him disowned me! I made sacrifices for you and if that ain't love I don't know what that is!"

"Then you shouldn't have chosen me if you're going to throw the blame at me” Crimson snapped. It was the first time he raised his voice at me. "Because to be honest, choosing you over my inheritance was a mistake. A mistake I have come to regret deeply."

"A mistake?" I shot him an incredulous look. "Tell me, Is your grandmother pressuring you to divorce me? Is she threatening you with your inheritance?”

Crimson's face flushed a deep red. "Please don't drag my grandmother into this!"

"Then why?" I clutched my chest, trying to contain the overwhelming pain. “Why are you asking for divorce?”

"I can't picture my life with you. We have no future together. That's the truth! I'm sorry, Elizabeth. You can plead. Even beg on your knees. But I've made up my mind, I'm leaving you."

I searched his face for any sign of emotion, any indication that he felt the same pain I did. But there was nothing there - no sympathy, no regret, no remorse. It was as if he had already moved on, while I was still struggling to come to terms with what was happening.

"Have you even genuinely loved me?"

He laughed. "Look at yourself in the mirror, Elizabeth. You're fat and ugly. Do you think I would genuinely fall for you?”

The weight of his words crushed me, and I knew in my heart as I watched him walk away he's not coming back.

—

Crimson had left in his car by the time I regained my composure. I made my way out and hailed a cab before anyone could spot me leaving the party.

I didn't even get the chance to say goodbye to the birthday celebrant because I'm in a hurry.

Home was the last place I wanted to go. No one was waiting for me there so I asked the driver to drive me to a bar.

Ten minutes later we arrived at Velvet Lounge.

The cool evening air brushed against my cheek as I made my way to the upscale entrance where a bouncer stood. I walked past him.

The sound of clinking glasses and muffled chatter filled my ears. I strode to the bar counter and the bartender, a man around my age, asked, "What can I getcha?"

"I'll have a tequila." I replied, eager to soothe the dryness in my throat with a drink.

He poured me a glass, sliding it across the counter.

The liquid burns its way down my throat after taking a sip. I closed my eyes and let out a deep sigh of satisfaction. Once I had emptied my glass, I requested another.

I tried my best to avoid thinking about my husband but my thoughts kept drifting back to him, torturing me.

Crimson had found me when my whole life was falling apart. I was grappling with two jobs to pay the house mortgage, pay family debts, all the while struggling to cope up with the loss of my family in a sudden airplane crash.

It's ironic that my husband found me during a time when everything in my life was falling apart and helped me rebuild it. Yet now, he dismantled it so severely that it seems nearly impossible to build it back up again.

An hour later, I tossed some cash on the counter, adding a little extra for the bartender's tip before making my way towards the back exit.

I was walking down the dimly lit sidewalk when a wave of nausea washed over me. The edges of my vision began to darken but before I could think of anything I slumped on the pavement, reality fading into a blur.

—

The room glowed behind my closed eyelids, forcing me to open my eyes.

The Silky white sheets felt cold against my skin, a perfect contrast to the warm body laying next to me on the king size bed.

My eyes shot open like I had been drenched in freezing water, jolting me awake and clearing the last traces of slumber. I wriggled out of the man's grasp, my heart racing with shock and disgust at myself.

The man remained sound asleep, oblivious to the world around him as I got out of bed. I couldn't remember what happened last night. The intense pounding in my head wasn't helping either.

I struggled to slip on my shirt, the fabric clinging to my skin and resisting my every move. Frustration mounting, I finally gave up and left the top three buttons undone.

I grasped my heels tightly then swung the door open, hoping to leave behind the nightmare that had consumed me. However, what awaited outside was far more sinister than anything I could have imagined.

A crowd had gathered in the hall. I tried to count them with my fingers, but there were too many to keep track of.

Cameras clicked incessantly.

The sudden brightness made me squint and I had to shield my eyes with my arm.

I knew then that I hadn't escaped my nightmare after all; it was only just beginning.