Chapter 6
Before heading out with Frederick, Kirsten couldn't resist throwing a challenging glance at Caroline.
Little did she know that Caroline was already numb to all of it.
In the back seat, Frederick spoke up, guilt in his voice.
"Kirsten, sorry you've had to put up with all this these past few days," he said.
Kirsten gently took his hand. "Frederick, as long as I'm with you, it doesn't bother me at all."
Then, suddenly remembering something, she pulled a contract out of her handbag.
"Frederick, I've got a project I need your help with," she said.
Frederick saw the word "Contract" on the cover and was just about to flip it open for a closer look.
But Kirsten beat him to it, turning straight to the last page. "Frederick, don't you trust me?"
Frederick ruffled her hair with a smile. "Everything I have is yours."
"Honestly, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have achieved anything I have today. How could I ever not trust you?" Frederick said, his voice full of sincerity.
Without another word, he scribbled his signature on the contract, not even pausing to think twice.
Kirsten ducked her head, feeling a little guilty, and started fidgeting with his hand, tracing gentle circles in his palm.
"Frederick, no matter what happens, will you always stay with me?" she whispered, her heart pounding.
"Absolutely, I promise," Frederick replied.
After Caroline finally got Chloe to sleep, she picked up her phone.
There were a bunch of messages and photos from Kirsten waiting for her.
Kirsten messaged: [Frederick threw this party just for me, to celebrate my return.]
Caroline and Frederick had been married for ten years, and he'd never once celebrated her birthday.
But for Kirsten, he threw a huge party just to welcome her back.
Kirsten texted: [This is the diamond ring Frederick had specially designed for me. He told me he's mine and mine alone.]
Caroline's gaze fell on her ring finger. The silver band was tarnished now, not the sparkling piece it once was.
That silver ring was the one they'd bought from a little stall for just 50 dollars when they got married.
Frederick had once promised her that when they finally made it, he'd have a diamond ring made for her, one that no one else in the world would ever have.
To chase that dream, Caroline hustled every day with Frederick's company project files, pitching to every potential client she could find.
In the end, she managed to land a pretty big investment for Frederick's company.
Frederick really made it. His company kept getting bigger and bigger. But that diamond ring he'd promised her? She never got it.
Now, he finally kept his word. Just not for her.
Thinking about it, Caroline slipped off her ring and dropped it into the trash without a second thought.
She sent Kirsten a message with just one word: [Congrats.]
She lay down on the bed, exhaustion washing over her. Her eyelids grew heavy.
When she woke up again, it was Frederick moving around that woke her.
He reeked of alcohol as he pulled her into his arms, pressing tender kisses along her neck.
Every warm breath he let out against her skin made her heart flutter.
Startled, she tried to push him away, but he only tightened his hold around her.
Ever since Chloe was born, Frederick would only show her any affection when he was drunk.
But she didn't want that kind of intimacy, the kind that only came with alcohol.
"Frederick... you..." Caroline started, her voice trembling.
But before she could finish, Frederick silenced her with a kiss, his rough hands wandering over her without restraint.
Two seconds later, he jerked away like he'd been shocked, disgust flashing in his eyes.
He'd just felt the C-section scar on Caroline's belly.
The flush on Frederick's face faded, and he went back to being cold and distant.
"Make two bowls of pasta and bring them to the study," he ordered.
With that, he shot Caroline a look, his brow furrowed, and walked out.
Caroline bit her lip, fighting back the bitterness that look left behind.
The next second, Frederick's voice rang out again.
"Kirsten, are you asleep?" he called out.
Caroline sat alone in the room, hearing them whispering to each other, her vision growing hazy.
Tears fell onto the sheets, leaving ripples across the fabric.
It wasn't until the door clicked shut that she hastily wiped her tears away and got up to head to the kitchen.
The water in the pot was steaming, and the sound of their talking and laughter drifted from the study.
She couldn't even remember the last time Frederick had smiled at her.
She still remembered the first time she and Frederick slept together after Chloe was born, two months later.
The vibe was just right. Everything felt romantic and a little steamy.
But the second things started, the look in his eyes went cold. He just got up and headed straight for the shower.
When he came out, water was still dripping off him.
He lit a cigarette, shot her a cold, dismissive look, and said, "If I'd known, I wouldn't have bothered with you at all."
That feeling of being rejected and despised left Caroline in a daze, her mind drifting and her eyes unfocused.
She stayed numb until the water in the pot boiled away and thick smoke filled the kitchen, stinging her eyes so badly that she couldn't even open them. Only then did she snap back to reality.
The smoke alarm blared instantly. Frederick grabbed Kirsten and bolted out the door, not even glancing in Caroline's direction.
Caroline was choking on the smoke, her vision swimming and her head growing heavy.
She struggled to drag herself toward the door, but then it hit her. Chloe was still inside.