Chapter one.

Renna's POV.

"I'm sorry, Mrs Campbell, but you haven't done anything to make your illness better." My stomach churned in despair as the doctors words resounded in my head.

"I'm afraid the situation has gotten worse, putting you at a high risk of gastric tumor, it can get worse from that too." he finally let the most dreadful words out, sending stabs of pain through my already torn heart, slicing it into a million tiny pieces.

“I’ve been trying, Doctor,” I mumbled, tears welling up in my eyes. “But there’s just... so much going on.”

He drew out a deep sigh. "But you're clearly not doing enough, your body couldn't take it anymore and now we're dealing with complications that could've been easily avoided."

I looked down at my hands, laced tightly in my lap.

"We can prevent further complications if you'll agree to follow a strict bed rest for the next few days, while taking your medications right, we'll see what happens."

I nodded frantically, a tiny glint of hope coursing through me. "Ofcourse."

"Starting immediately." His next words hit me hard across the ear.

"Wh.. what? No, I can't afford that today."

His brow furrowed. “Mrs Campbell...

“It’s my anniversary today,” I cut in sharply. "Our Third. I’ve been planning something for weeks. I just need a few hours, that’s all.”

His eyes softened, but his stance never changed. "I know how important that is to you, but your health has to come first.”

That's easy for him to say when he's not the one trying to keep a marriage from crumbling.

"You have to listen to me Mrs Campbell, your body is telling us it can’t handle any more stress. You’re running a fever, your blood pressure is high, you've also developed a critical illness that isn’t even responding to medication the way we’d hoped. Please help me help you, Mrs Campbell."

I stared at the floor, my heart pounding loud I could almost hear it. I thought of the gift I’d wrapped, and the cake too, both in the car, hoping to drive to his office from here for a warm surprise.

A few hours with my husband won't escalate my illness, will it?

“I won’t be long,” I whispered. “I just need tonight.”

"C'mon, Mrs..."

“No, Doctor. Please.” I stood to my feet, careful not to let the wave of dizziness overwhelm me.

"You’re making a dangerous choice, Mrs Campbell.”

“I promise I’ll come back tomorrow. I’ll do everything you say, bed rest and all. But not today. I can’t let this day pass like any other.”

He opened his mouth, probably to argue again, but I was already turning toward the door.

"Please promise me one thing..." His voice suddenly halted me on my track.

I paused and turned toward him, my hand already on the doorknob. “What?”

“If anything feels off, pain, dizziness, shortness of breath... you call me. Immediately. Don’t wait for tomorrow.”

I nodded. "I will, thank you." I flashed him a grateful smile and walked out, hurrying down the hallway, a certain location ringing in my mind.

Hayes's office.

***

"Surprise!!" I squealed excitedly, pushing the office door open and rushed in.

A beautifully decorated cake in one hand, and a gift box in the other.

I halted on my track, frozen to the teeth, then it all came crashing on the floor the second my gaze landed on him; or them, rather.

The man I had spent the last few weeks working on the best surprise for, on our third marriage anniversary.

My husband, Hayes Campbell.

There he sat on his office seat, Nadia, my elder sister; sitting right on his crotch, grinding effortlessly, their lips locked.

Soon as the cake splattered on the floor, the noise seemed to break through their moment as they quickly pulled away from each other.

Hayes turned to spare me a glance and a deep sigh escaped his lips, the tiniest glint of remorse distant from his eyes.

"What are you doing here, Renna?" His voice was as rigid towards me as always.

Did I have so much to say to him? Yes.

But could I mutter a single word at this moment? No.

Slowly, I turned towards the door, dragging my heavy legs out.

"She wants you to run after her." I heard Nadia chuckle mockingly.

"She's a dreamer." He spat.

Their laughter echoed through my ears as I made my way out of the office, trying so hard to stop tears from clouding my eyes.

Hayes was my husband, but undoubtedly my worst nightmare. The sound of his car driving into the mansion or the sound of his footsteps walking into the house always had my heart beating drastically in terror. And when he stared at me, the fury in his eyes was evident. His gaze on me always held nothing but disgust and scorn.

It has been the duress that came with the marriage that stirred up my stress induced illness, but I didn't mind at all, all I wanted was to please him.

I knew getting married to me was a plot to get what he wanted, but I had held onto the tiniest gleam of hope that he would adjust to it and learn to love me as his lawful wife. But those were mere wishes that never came true.

Hayes and his brother were at constant loggerheads over the heir of the family's multi-million company, Hayes wanted to own it by every means possible, and being the eldest son, he had the upper hand, but his father, Mr Campbell had only one request.

He wanted Hayes to get married and have a family.

And then came the marriage arrangement between my father and Hayes. They were business partners, making it easier to come to an agreement, and me, as the leverage, despite how hard I begged.

If he was going to get entangled with Nadia, why then was the marriage not arranged between them, instead of me?

Ofcourse, father would jump on any opportunity to rub me off happiness.

I grew up to him finding fault in everything I did, it felt like he was always lurking at the corner waiting for me to make the wrong move.

And worse, I didn't have a mother to cry to just like every other child would, she died while giving birth to me. Most times, I wondered if that could be the reason why he hated me so much, or could there be more to his hatred towards me?

I was the prodigal daughter, while Nadia remained his favorite, despite how frequently she strayed.

As I walked dejectedly out of the company building, a strong wave of memories from Hayes ill treatments and hatred towards me over the years flashed through my head, realizing how much I have really endured and kept up with his excesses hoping for a miraculous change.

I literally put my life on the line today to pull a surprise for him.

Suddenly, I felt my legs stop moving and in a swift move, spun me around and began moving me towards Hayes office.

It was as though my entire body was working on it's own accord, I couldn't stop myself from moving, neither could I turn back around now.

But one thing was sure, there was something brewing in my chest that I needed to say to Hayes.

Stopping at the door, I pushed it open and walked in.

It wasn't a surprise to see them still lost in each other's arms.

"What do you want for fuck sake, Renna?" Hayes snapped, rolling his eyes as he turned to face me.

"I think we should get a divorce." The words left my mouth uncensored.