01:

-AURORA WRIGHT-

The cool evening breeze brushed through my skin, followed by the dry grasses that is littered everywhere, making the Cementary feel like a desert.

My hair flew over my face and I pushed it back behind my ears.

Once again, I let my eyes roam the Cementary - the graves in particular and I wonder how many individuals must have died. Probably billions or more.

Is it so easy to just give up the ghost and leave everything behind? people suffer and then, death seem to be the easiest way to escape that torture.

With a soft sigh, I looked down at my father's grave and let out a small smile. I spent the whole day just staring at his grave and thinking back to the good old days with him.

Its been three years since he left me all alone yet, it feels just like yesterday. However, I never fail to carry out a memorial service for him because to me, he's the must precious gift life has ever given me.

I blinked when I felt a drop of water touch my hand and it dawned on me that I've been crying.

My eyes are already so puffy from crying too much. I just miss my father.

I felt another drop and this time, it wasn't my tears. Looks like it will rain soon…I began to pack up, making up my mind to return back to East Villa tonight.

I gave a final glance at my father's grave… Words felt too heavy for me to speak and I just let my heart speak for itself. Then, I left.

I took the next shuttle bus for the night and settled in, fixing my gaze out of the window and letting different thoughts swirl in my head.

There is nothing in particular I want to think about right now because of how exhausted I feel.

Suddenly, I felt a slight tap on my arm and when I looked over, I noticed a little boy of about five years - if I'm correct, staring at me.

“You're beautiful, Ms..” That came from him.

I raised a brow and for a split second, I just stared blankly at him because it hit me differently.

Beautiful - That's such a huge word and I can't recall the last time someone complimented me. And coming from a cute little boy, that feels so refreshing.

“Can I get married to you when I grow up?”

That made me chuckle and I reached out and ruffled his hair playfully.

“I'm sorry little one, but I'm married already. But, I'll keep rooting for you to find someone better than I am when you become an adult..”

He pouted his lips and was about to say something when his mother appeared and took him away but not without him waving back at me until he was out of sight.

A small smile crept on my lips.

Because of my plus size, I always get bullied and body shamed by people sometimes. Being called fat and big and I've really gotten used to it.

But I got a nice compliment from a total stranger, a little boy at that… It's something I haven't heard from my husband all my life.

I am married to Ethan Slade - CEO of one of the biggest construction company in New York.

We were engaged to each other right from when we were kids. More like, it's just an agreement between the two families to have us get married.

I've already had a crush on Ethan and having him as my husband was a dream come true.

But, I don't know what Ethan feels.

The trip to East Villa was kinda fast. I paid the taxi driver off and walked in to find my mother in-law seated on her favorite couch and reading her favorite magazine.

She didn't notice my presence until I was fully in the living room. She raised her head to meet my gaze.

From my observation, I can tell she's startled by my presence because I didn't inform anyone I'll be returning back this night.

“Good evening, Mother” I greeted politely.

“Why are you back? Weren't you supposed to return tomorrow?” She asked, throwing me a disdainful look.

I have never been Mrs Slade favorite. Countless times, she has said it to my face ever since I got married to her son that I'm not fit to be her daughter in-law.

“I couldn't wait until tomorrow and I took the next shuttle bus” I explained.

She placed her magazine down and stood up.

“I'm afraid you have to return back to wherever you are coming from. You can't go upstairs now, leave”

Confusion etched on my forehead.

“Is there something wrong mother? Why can't I go upstairs. Isn't Ethan in?

“How dare you question me?” She snapped. “Just do as you are told and leave. Go to a hotel or somewhere, you are just not welcomed tonight”

I have a bad feeling about this.. Ethan's car is parked right outside which means that he's in, then why am I being prevented from going upstairs?

And because I have always been so quiet and endures whatever mistreatment comes from the Slade family, I didn't bother arguing.

I simply turned and began to walk away having no place in particular but to go find a cheap hotel to stay the night.

I used to be a daughter of a rich man too. But right after my Dad died suddenly three years ago, I had to get married to Ethan Slade since it has always been made so. I thought things would get better but everything was taken away from me by my husband.

I'm left penniless but I let it be because he's my husband after all because he's the only one I have as family now.

I was just about to turn the door knob when a feminine laughter echoed accompanied by Ethan's voice.

I turned, staring upstairs because it actually came from that direction. I suddenly began to hear a lady's voice and constant laughter and I suddenly grew doubts.

What the heck is going on?

“What the hell are you waiting for? Just leave!” My mother-in-law yelled.

“I'm sorry Mother, but I have to check things myself..”

As soon as I said that, I dashed towards the stairs and made my way upstairs before she could stop me.

I could hear her yelling and coming after me but I didn't stop because my anxiety and doubts only grew from each stairs I took.

Not bother knocking, I barged into my room and my legs stopped moving from the scene right before me.