CHAPTER 2

I dappled my way back to the living room. Tears brewing hot in my eyes as i slumped into the leather sofa.

My life had always been perfect, like a well arranged bouquet of roses in a garden. What seemed to be going wrong?!.

I chuckled. A low self deprecating laugh that reverberated through my body.

It was saddening , but had it always been like this....... for how long?!.

I sat there......... alone. Asking myself questions i never once knew needed answering.

How much was he hiding from me?. How much was already hidden from me?.

My hands gripped the hem of my dress till my knuckles turned a frightening white. Pain seared and simmered in my heart as memories long forgotten came slamming back.

Almost as if they had been there the whole time, lurking around and waiting for the perfect time to reappear. The horror, the torment,the pain and the empty void which i had tried so hard to fill up. I could feel them,breathe them.

I sat there, immobilized for fifteen minutes. Fifteen minutes of being stuck in a never ending, frustrating cycle of doubt and betrayal.

Listening to my husband's footsteps descending the stairs,i quickly dried up the tears that had somehow escaped the hollowness of my eyes.

I didn't need him to know about the spilled beans nor the exposed secrets. Not yet, since it wouldn't be in my best interests. If he was getting rid of evidence, then I was also at a risk of getting killed off too.

This intricate web of lies and deceit, until I could unravel it - it was best to just keep still. And play it by the ear, just to be on a safer side.

Before long,my husband's figure came into full view. With his dashing looks and impressive aura, no wonder he was able to hold on this facade for so long. He had our eight year old son in his arms, his exquisitely handsome face was adorned with a smile that seemed to dazzle like a thousand diamonds exposed to sunlight.

I looked up at him - a man who i had adored and devoted my life to. I had given my all and had given up on my all just for him. And in return what do I get?!.

I smiled - my eyes straying from his tall figure before briefly resting on our son's. If i really want to get out of this maze - i would have to act a fool. Fools see no danger as long as they remain dumb.

And that meant.............

"Honey....... today is our eight year as a couple. I was wondering if you had prepared something special for the day" - I lowered my voice, trying to sound as meek and soft as possible while trying to hold the tip of his shirt.

His smile faltered a bit before returning again in a flash, albeit this time it was forced and stiffened.

If i hadn't had my sights on him all along - i would have judged myself of a poor eyesight.

"Mom, you really are something. Sitting around all day while daydreaming about a wedding anniversary that isn't going to happen. Are you that jobless?!. Father and I have other important appointments to catch up to, unlike you who is a lazy log" Little Edward sneered, his disdain like poison dripping over the tip of a sword.

And it hurt my heart - cutting it to a thousand pieces . To a son that I had painstakingly raised, am I worth less than a outsider and potential murderer.

I watched Jason just 'hmm' in accordance sparing me half a glance while bitterness rose in my heart. With new tears threatening to fall if not put under control - but I kept silent, not sparing a word.

Standing aside with my hands folded - I played the roll of the housewife,dull, generic, unlikeable. With a lacking in sense of self priority. I watched as Jason fumbled with his free hand in his pants pocket, tossing a bank card on the table.

"Take yourself on a shopping date. Consider it as a compensation for not being able to celebrate this year's anniversary with you "- his voice was firm, leaving no room for negotiations.

My eyes solemnly settled on the bank card that sat on the table before slowly reaching out for it with my right hand. Then i felt a sharp pain in arm.

A pinch.

And right when my brain couldn't compute what had just happened,i heard Edward scoff.

"Dad, she's a cheap woman. Not deserving of this bank card. Dad Look at her, always dressed shabbily and so outlandish. In school, I am mostly embarrassed to call her my mother in front of my classmates. She is Such an embarrassment. I rather that she was my grandma instead. " - his little hand hurriedly swiped the card off the table.

I looked at those little hands in disbelief, but I was unable to confront him. Jason always took his side and that made correcting the little devil a really tight pickle.

"Selene, Edward is only eight years old. You as a mother should be more understanding" - I listened to him as he reprimanded. I hadn't even said one word and he was reprimanding me?!.

Jason leaned in, giving me a light peck on the lips. Suddenly overwhelmed by disgust,i felt like I would puke. Such an irony, wallowing in his touch and yearning for his affection and now, I was repulsed by it.

I watched Jason leave with Edward in his arms, leaving no comment about their whereabouts. Nothing other than his receding figure.

Then the house fell silent,the only moment I had. I ran up the stairs into the study room, my objective?!. The safe.

I found it behind some books, Small but heavy enough to use two hands in lifting. If Jason was trying to erase the evidence of that incident, there would be some remnants.

I quickly input the passcode, something i had seen him do severally in front of me. His action was supposed to be quote unquote,a bonding strip. A system of strengthening relationship by being completely open and honest.

I heard the safe door open with a soft click and before me several documents and files.