Chapter five

Dahlia awoke to some loud noise from downstairs and knew something must be going on. Standing up from the bed, she quietly walked to the door and peeked outside only to come up empty. She went to the stairs with tentative steps while her heart pounded.

For some odd reasons, she feels like something is going on and it has everything to do with her just that she doesn’t know what that is. It is terrible though, she could feel it chilling her bones while she walked.

There is no doubt one of the voices belonged to Alice and the other Ethan’s younger sister, Maxine. She’s been terrorizing her for the entire year but only once or twice a month. She was there just few days ago so what is she doing in the house again?

Dahlia is not at all curious knowing all the wrathful stuff going downstairs is going to be dumped on her head. A sigh escaped her but she continued to trudge down the stairs, blood rushing to her ears as her heart banged beneath her chest. She won’t like this at all.

Bracing herself for the worst, she reached the last step on the staircase and decided to stay hidden while observing the commotion in front of her.

Her husband stood by the wall, his arms crossed but a paper dangled from one of his hands while he stared ahead. His usual expressionless face morphed into something more ugly that made her guts clench. This is a bad sign coming from Ethan and she is one to tell.

Right in front of him stood both Maxine and Alice trying to instigate something in his head but it feels like he could barely hear them above their high pitched voices. That also wasn’t a good sign in the least.

“I already told you she was a whore right from the beginning but you didn’t believe me. Weren’t you starting to tolerate her just recently? Now look at what she’s done!” Maxine gestured at the paper in his hand while glaring at Ethan.

Alice didn’t see that coming so she fumed beside her. Dahlia on the other hand is trying to come to terms with what they are talking about then is dawned on her what they were talking about. Of course!

Her hand went to her mouth so she could conceal the gasp but she was loud enough for them to hear her. Maxine and Alice sharply turn their attention to her making her grimace. This is going to either end up bloody or with her begging again as always.

But today she doesn’t want to beg anyone. Today, she wants to stand up for her baby against these evil and cruel people that want to nothing but her life at their feet. She won’t have that. No more. She is done listening to them bringing her down like she was worthless.

Before they could come for her, she stepped down and faced them with her head held up. She saw the way their faces faltered at her daring stance but they decided to do what they know how to do best. Bully her.

“We were just talking about the whore living in this house and here she is. Hello.” Maxine waved a hand in front of her trying to mock her.

Dahlia didn’t shift her eyes from the Maxine’s in a show of power. She is done with them for good. Besides she’s leaving in two weeks, there is nothing wrong in leaving earlier than planned right? Mr. Caine will definitely understand where she’s coming from.

“I don’t know this whore you’re talking about. My name is Dahlia Caine.” She answered to her face, crossing her arms beneath her already sensitive breasts.

Maxine’s mouth fell open at her answer and she took a step back like she’s striked her. Dahlia felt power surge through her and from her peripheral vision she could see Alice and Ethan staring at them Alice also flabbergasted but Ethan still emotionless.

“Are you talking to me like that?” Maxine asked in a livid tone, her face flushing rapidly.

“Yeah. Who else?” Dahlia raised a brow, her hazel eyes ever so challenging. Ready to take any hit with a straight face.

“Wow!” Alice said from behind, eyes still wide as though Dahlia has grown a second head out of nowhere.

Maxine turned to look at Ethan then said to him. “Can you see that, Ethan? Can you see the audacity of this whore? She’s grown so used to the luxury you’re offering her that she is talking back at me.”

Dahlia made her face look bored at the entire thing then made her way to Ethan and collected the paper from him which he refuse to let her pluck out from him tight grip. Her eyes fell into his deep blue ones that appear darker now. Is he angry? Why?

He took a step forward breaching her personal space but she refused to take a step back. Not this time. Not today.

“Whose baby is this?” He asked in an eerily calm manner that made something shift within her. God, she loves this man.

Swallowing, she closed her eyes for a few seconds trying to make a decision once and for all. She cannot exactly tell him this baby is his because he had no idea what happened that night. Only Maria knew about this apart from her so she took the right step.

“From a one night stand I had.” She answered with a straight face, her eyes wide open for him to see.

“One night stand?” He asked in disbelief but she gave a nod. “And you acted like a fucking doting little wife around me? One that wouldn’t look at another man? What is with the fucking innocence?”

“All an act. I told you I know about women like her. She’s a low class bitch and she’s told you herself now.” Alice inserted, coming to stand beside Ethan with a big smile on her lips.

“Let’s get this straight, Ethan. Our marriage is one of convenience and I never stopped you from having your flings around–” she threw a nasty look at Alice, “and I am a woman with urges so I went out to get them satisfied. How is that wrong? You clearly think I am below your standards and never for once looked at me like you wanted me. I get it. I really do.”

He opened his mouth to answer her when she stopped him by pressing her index finger against his full lips. The lips she’s kissed and tasted whiskey from. The lips that took her to heights she’s never been to.

They are so plump and soft. She’s gotten lost kissing them throughout the night and the pain that she won’t be able to taste them again sent angry frissons down her spine. She wanted to continue living with him forever.

“I’m not finished yet.” She smiled at him, eyes filled with painful tears.

She swallowed a thick gob down her throat. “You know the mistake I made when I agreed to marry you? Letting my heart fall in love with your heartless soul. I was naive, hoping that things would change but they never did. And do you know what is worst? That I still love you.”

Dahlia marveled at how her confession affected him but knew nothing could be done now. He’s sealed their fate by being a douche right from the beginning of their marriage. He doesn’t want her. She is not his type like he’s told her many times and she’s accepted that.

There is no future for her in his life. He is probably going to marry Alice as soon as she leaves his life for good.

And then there is their baby’s life she needs to look after. This environment is not the one for her baby. They all want her to leave and Dahlia is not going to waste another second waiting for him here to love her. To notice her.

“Goodbye, Ethan Caine.” With that, she plucked the paper from his hand and ran upstairs where she fell on the bed and read the paper. She is exactly two months pregnant.

Dahlia packed her clothes and every other thing memorable to her. Even the one shirt she’s stolen from Ethan’s room the night they slept together. She hid it inside her suitcase and called Andrew Caine to tell him about the situation.

She didn’t tell him about the baby she is carrying being Ethan’s. Only that she’s leaving for good and she doesn’t want the last payment. She will be alright on her own.