The Invisible Wounds

Ann stood at the kitchen sink, her hands soaked in warm, soapy water. One plate. Another plate. Another cup. She washed them one after the other, as her mind drifted miles away.

She could hear the laughter from the dining room echoing through her ears. Daniel and Olivia were talking as though they had known each other yesterday instead of years ago. Every now and then, Daniel would laugh, a sound Ann hadn't heard from him in what felt like forever.

She paused, gripping the edge of the sink. "What happened to us?" she whispered to herself, lamely.

The question disappeared into the empty kitchen. No one answered. Cause there was barely anyone to answer the rhetorical question of hers.

She dried her hands with a towel before carrying the last stack of dishes to the cupboard. Just as she closed the cabinet, a sharp pain shot through her lower abdomen.

She winced. Instinctively, her hand rested on her baby bump. "It's okay," she murmured softly. "I'm okay."

She wasn't sure whether she was comforting the baby or herself but she was sure one of them needed the console.

A knock on the kitchen door interrupted her thoughts. It was her mother-in-law.

"You've finished already?"

"Yes, Mama."

She looked around the spotless kitchen before nodding.

"You've always been hardworking."

For a brief second, Ann thought she was about to hear words of encouragement.

Instead, her mother-in-law continued.

"Don't let whatever is happening between you and Daniel affect your responsibilities."

Ann's smile faded as she curved a struggling smile to her face. "I won't."

"You know men don't like women who argue too much." Her mother-in-law chipped.

Ann lowered her eyes respectfully. "I understand."

Her mother-in-law turned around in no moment and walked away, leaving Ann standing alone once again.

She wanted to say something. She wanted to explain that she hadn't been arguing because she enjoyed it. She wanted someone, just one person to ask how she was coping. But the words remained trapped inside her. She had grown used to swallowing them.

—-

Upstairs, Daniel adjusted his tie while searching for a file while Olivia leaned casually against the bedroom door.

"You were harder on her than I expected."

Daniel didn't look up as he responded. "She needs to understand there are consequences."

Olivia folded her arms."Do you really think this will change her?"

"It has to," he countered as he finally found the file and slipped it into his briefcase. "For months she's answered everything with an attitude."

Olivia watched him carefully. "And you've never wondered why?"

Daniel frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I'm just asking."

He sighed impatiently."I've worked too hard to build this family and this company. The least I expect is respect when I come home."

"And what if she's exhausted?"

Daniel remained silent. He couldn't find the right word to use, knowing fully well that exhaustion could probably be a reason but that doesn't mean she should always react in ways like he never cared at all.

Olivia quickly smiled, noticing his countenance. "I'm only saying what anyone would ask."

He picked up his car keys, ignoring her words. "It doesn't matter. She'll learn."

As he walked out of the room, Olivia's smile slowly disappeared.

"So stubborn," she whispered and added, "But stubborn men are easy to manipulate."

—-

Ann had just finished helping the children get ready for school when she glanced at the clock. She was already running late.

She hurried upstairs to change into her office clothes but as she reached for the wardrobe, she noticed something unusual.

One side of the wardrobe door was open. Inside, several of Daniel's shirts had been moved.

She frowned. She distinctly remembered arranging them the previous evening.

Before she could think further, Olivia walked into the room without knocking.

"Oh!" She covered her mouth dramatically. "I'm sorry. I thought this was the guest bathroom."

Ann stepped aside politely. "It's fine."

Olivia glanced around the room before her gaze settled on the framed wedding photograph on the bedside table. "You both looked so happy." She taunted.

Ann smiled faintly. "We were."

"Were?"

The question lingered.

Ann simply adjusted the strap of her handbag. "I should head to work."

Olivia moved closer. "You know, Daniel talks about you a lot."

Ann's heartbeat quickened. "He does?"

Olivia nodded slowly. "He says you've changed. The words landed like tiny stones at Olivia but she uttered no words. "But people change," Olivia continued. "Sometimes for the better... sometimes not."

Ann met her eyes calmly. "I believe marriage changes both people."

Olivia tilted her head. "Maybe."

Ann walked toward the door.

Just before she reached it, Olivia spoke again.

"If I were you..."

Ann stopped to listen.

"...I'd fight harder for my husband."

Ann turned around. A gentle smile rested on her lips.

"I have fought for my marriage."

Olivia's smile wavered. "I just don't believe every battle has to be fought by shouting."

Without waiting for a response, Ann walked away.

For the first time since arriving at the house, Olivia found herself speechless.

—-

The drive to the company was unusually quiet. Daniel sat behind the wheel while Ann looked out of the passenger window.

Normally, she would ask about his day or remind him of meetings. Today, neither of them spoke. The silence felt heavier than any argument. It was like they never existed for each other.

Finally, after a long drive, they arrived at the company as employees lined around to greet them warmly.

"Good morning, sir."

"Good morning, ma'am."

They chorused.

Ann greeted everyone with her usual kindness before making her way to her office. As she passed the accounting department, one of the junior staff hurried after her.

"Ma'am Ann?"

She turned. "Yes?"

"I wanted to thank you."

"For what?"

"The report you stayed late to help me finish last week…” she paused, smiled and continued, “Because of your corrections, the client approved it."

Ann smiled back. "I'm glad it worked out."

"You always help everyone." His words caught her off guard.

She thanked him and continued walking.

Inside her office, she closed the door and leaned against it. For the first time in days, someone had seen something good in her.

Not her mistakes. Not her exhaustion. Not her supposed disrespect. Just... her.

A knock came moments later. "Come in."

Her assistant entered with a folder. "The managing director wants this presentation prepared before noon."

Ann accepted it and let out a heavy sigh. "I'll start immediately."

As the office slowly came alive outside her window, she opened her laptop and took a deep breath. No matter how broken her heart felt, she refused to let that define the woman she was becoming.

Somewhere inside her, beneath the hurt and disappointment, hope still lived. She didn't know when life would change. She didn't know if Daniel would ever understand her pain.

But she silently made herself a promise.

From this day forward, she would no longer disappear while trying to make everyone else comfortable. She would carry out her responsibilities with grace. She would protect her peace.

And little by little...

She would find the woman she used to be.