4: To Make Him Love

Morning sunlight poured through the white curtains but its golden rays didn't touch me as I curled under the thick duvet, burying my face into the sheets.

“Why is it morning already?” I groaned as my entire body felt heavy, my muscles cramping with pains after yesterday’s misunderstanding with Alex.

To worsen my ache, Alex spent the night at his family house, forsaking me in the emptiness of our matrimonial home and I hoped he’d soon find it in his heart to forgive me.

Whenever I closed my eyes for a sort of relief, I hear my father's voice saying: “Amara, one day you'll build something of your own, something bigger than the Hale name, something bigger than me."

I used to dream about establishing my own restaurant, a global franchise known for its inter -continental dishes from diverse cultures worldwide.

The name—AmaDan's World of Taste—etched in bright neon lights across every city skyline, because food always brought people together in my family.

I loved food, from the sourcing of ingredients to the cooking, especially the satisfaction from eating and sharing a hearty meal with my loved ones.

But in my new home, love seemed impossible.

A knock sounded at the door and I lazily sat up, tugging the collar of my robe higher around my neck to hide the sore bruises from last night.

"Yes?" I asked whoever was at the door before one of my maids, Clara, peeked her head in.

“Ma'am, your friend, Miss Sophia Lin, is here to see you."

“What do you mean by friend? I’m her freaking best friend.” I heard Sophia’s voice from down the hall, her dramatic footsteps approaching the door.

I smiled at the mention of my esteemed guest as Sophia was a prefect blend of chaos and professionalism, the ultimate distraction for my heartache.

"Please, let her in," I said to the maid and the door opened wider as my best friend strode in on her platform heels, her entrance an unstoppable force.

Sophia's black hair was cut in a sharp bob as she wore a black tailored blazer and pants, her deep brown eyes assessing me in one swift glance behind her medicated glasses.

"Amara." She rushed forward and grabbed my chin, tilting my face toward the light. "What happened to your face?"

My goodness. . . I had completely forgotten to hide the imprint of Alex’s slap with makeup foundation. I flinched at her touch, pulling back slightly. "It's nothing."

Her eyes narrowed, intense and piercing it could make a grown man pee his pants. "Don't you dare lie to me, that's a bruise from a slap."

Of course, Sophia would immediately know what caused my injury. After all, she was our state's most brilliant attorney.

My throat tightened and the truth tumbled out before I could stop it. "Alex. . .got a bit angry at me."

Her jaw dropped. "Amara, you've got a handprint on your cheek, that's abuse." She reached for her phone in her designer handbag, ready to snap pictures—or evidence—of my bruise.

I shook my head quickly, obstructing her view with my hands. "Please, Sophia, don't say it like that. It was my fault, I angered him."

"Oh really? What did you do uh? Breathe wrong? Blink too slow? He hit you, Amara!"

I pressed my palms together in my lap, staring down at them. "He. . .he always showed signs of aggression. I knew he had a temper. I should have been more careful."

Sophia groaned and paced around the room. "It's barely been a month since you've married. You're his wife, not his punching bag. I swear, if he were here right now—"

"Don't." I whispered, cutting her off. "Please don't, Sophia. You'll only make it worse."

She stopped pacing and turned to face me, her eyes boring into mine as if she were in court. "He should be sued, Amara. Men like him don't deserve to walk away after this."

If only she knew he tried to strangle me too.

Tears burned behind my eyes but I forced a weak smile. "No lawsuits. I will handle it, I don't need you fighting for me. We're not in college anymore."

She stared at me like I'd lost my mind, flaying her arms in exaggerated hand gestures. "How will you handle it? By pretending nothing happened? By covering up your bruises with makeup?"

I looked away, unable to stand her questions anymore. Sophia wasn't married, she couldn't even keep a boyfriend because of her career, so I didn't expect her to understand what sacrifice and forbearance meant.

The silence stretched heavy between us until I whispered, "Tell me about Samuel."

Her expression softened and she sat at the edge of my bed. "Sam is fine, an x-ray confirmed no broken bones just some cuts and a very swollen ego but he will live."

"Thank goodness." I exhaled slowly, a little bit of relief settling in my heart.

"He also decided not to press charges against Alex." Sophia added, her lips curving into a bitter smile. "He said you deserve better."

"Sam shouldn't have spoken to me like that in public. It made Alex upset." I defended my husband, as any good and loyal wife would.

"Amara, are you listening to yourself? Alex almost killed him!" Sophia's voice strained tight like she was trying to open my eyes to the truth but I didn't need her enlightenment.

"It wouldn't have happened if Alex learned to love and truly see me." I spoke my truth bare.

Sophia's shoulders slumped, the fire in her eyes dimming for the first time. "Amara..." She whispered, clasping her hands over mine. "You can't force a man to love you."

A smart idea lit up my head and I smiled at the sweet thought of it. "I know how to make him fall in love with me!"

Her glossed lips downturned into a frown. "How?"

"I will get pregnant. . .if I gave him a child, he will love me and begin to see me as more."

Sophia's eyes widened in horror. "Amara, no."

"Yes." I insisted, clutching her hand. "A baby will bring blessings and change everything."

"Amara, he will trap you forever."

I pulled my hand away from hers and leaned my back against the headboard. "I don't care, as long as it makes him love me."

Sophia covered her face with her hands and sighed deeply. "You're only going to hurt yourself in the end."

I didn't answer, because deep down, I feared she might be right but if my fight for Alexander Sterling’s love would destroy me, then I accept my destruction.

Cause everything is fair in love and war.