Chapter 2
But I didn't stop. I kept scooping up water, splashing it over my face again and again until it went numb with cold.
I wanted to snap myself out of this ridiculous relationship.
All that tenderness was fake, all those promises were fake. Maybe he never loved me at all.
Maybe heartbreak happened in an instant.
I turned off the faucet and wiped my face with my sleeve.
Back in the bedroom, I pulled out a bankbook from the hidden compartment at the bottom of the nightstand drawer.
The small projects Connor took on these past two years had paid off, and he never held back on my allowance. Since I wasn't much of a spender, I'd managed to save most of it.
I counted it carefully. It was about 200 thousand dollars.
That was enough for me to go overseas and have my baby there, maybe even raise my child far away from all this.
I put the bankbook back and picked up my phone, scrolling through my contacts until I found the number I needed.
"Hey, Maryanne? About that passport service you mentioned last time, is it still available?" I asked.
"Yeah, make it urgent. I'll need it soon." I added.
After hanging up, I gently stroked my belly, feeling the little life growing inside me.
"Baby, Mommy can get us out of here, right?" I whispered.
Even if all these years were just a lie, so what?
I wouldn't let anyone fool me again this time.
Not long after, Connor showed up with my sister, Queenie Hayes.
"Tess, Queen's going to stay with us for a few days. Jude got called away on a business trip, and he doesn't want her to be home alone," Connor said.
"Okay." I nodded, but inside, I knew the real reason.
"Go ahead and bring the food out. The soup in the kitchen is ready. Jude said Queen hasn't been eating well lately, so she should have something warm to settle her stomach," Connor said, without even looking up at me.
Then, with practiced ease, he helped Queenie with her coat and hung it up on the rack.
Queenie's mouth curled into a faint smile as she glanced at me, almost casually.
"Connor, you're so thoughtful. But with Tess right here, isn't it a bit much?" she said.
I stood up and gave them a smile.
"Don't worry, we're all family. I'm not the jealous type," I said.
Once all the dishes were on the table, I deliberately placed the soup at the far end, away from myself, then passed out the bowls and utensils.
"Tess, I can do it myself," Queenie said.
Queenie reached for the bowl, but Connor held her back.
"Let Tess handle it. Just sit down."
"Alright... But Tess, you're really such a good wife. I wish I could be as capable as you someday," Queenie said with a sweet smile.
"Hey, why aren't you having any fish? Didn't you use to love it?"
"Not anymore," I replied, forcing a smile.
"Come on, just have a bite. You spent all day in the kitchen—at least taste your own cooking," she coaxed.
She picked up the ladle, scooped up a big piece of fish along with some soup, and tried to put it in my bowl.
I moved my bowl aside, leaving her hand suspended in midair.
Connor frowned, then slammed his spoon down on the table, making the plates shake.
He stood up, irritation in his voice. "Tess, Queen's just trying to look out for you. What's with the attitude? You're pregnant—eating more protein is good for you!"
"I'm not eating it. I really can't stand fish," I replied.
Queenie let out a soft "ah," her face turning awkward.
"Oh, I forgot... It was Connor who said he likes fish. I must've mixed it up... Sorry..."
Without a word, Connor picked up his fork and put the piece of fish in my bowl.
"She's just looking out for you. Eat it," he said.
I pushed my bowl away and stood up, looking at him with a bitter, mocking smile.
"Connor, what's that supposed to mean?
"I told you, I hate fish."
With that, I turned to walk away.
He moved fast, grabbing my wrist and pushing me back into the chair.
"Connor! What are you doing?"
He ignored me, picked up the piece of fish with his other hand, and pressed it right up to my lips.
"Stop fussing. Just eat it—it's good for the baby."
I turned my head away, jaw clenched tight.
The stench of fish rushed up my nose, and I nearly gagged.
"I don't want to..." I tried to protest.
But before I could finish, he stuffed the fish into my mouth.
The taste of fish burst in my mouth, and I instinctively tried to spit it out, but he held my mouth shut.
"Swallow it."
He pressed his hand so hard I could barely breathe.
I squeezed my eyes shut and forced myself to swallow, the sourness in my stomach rising up my throat, but I pushed it back down.
At last, he released me.
I slumped over the table, gasping for air, not even noticing when the tears started falling.