Michael immediately turned around and hugged her tightly. He promised her a vacation to the Maldives, bought her new jewelry and transferred money into her account. All while I was still on the surgery bed, bleeding.
They acted like I wasn’t even there.
After that, my phone rang.
The sound cut through the cold silence in my heart. I saw the name on the screen and, for a brief second, the pain in my body seemed a little easier to bear.
I answered quickly, just to say I was safe. I didn't want anyone to worry.
But when I looked up, Michael was staring at me with suspicion.
"Who was that?"
"Someone from the Purnell Family."
Michael didn’t look surprised.
"Don’t tell them anything. I mean it."
He didn’t ask anything else after that. In his mind, I had no friends, no one who could help me. After we got married, Michael made me cut off all my social connections. No parties, no work, no friends. My world became smaller and smaller, until only he and his family remained in it.
I didn’t want to stay and watch the two of them flirt anymore. I picked up my phone and tried to leave the room. But as soon as I stood up, I felt dizzy. My vision blurred and before I could fall, Michael caught me from behind.
He looked down at me and for the first time, I saw a flicker of something close to concern.
"When you’re better, come with us to the Maldives. You need to relax."
"No need to," I said quietly.
He frowned, confused.
Some time ago, Michael had also promised me a honeymoon. But when we arrived, I learned Regina had come too. She didn’t like the food there, so I was forced to cook and clean for them. I was treated like a maid.
When I refused, Michael got angry and took away my phone and passport. He left me alone, in a foreign country where I didn’t speak the language. I had no money and no way to get home.
A stranger almost tricked me into going with him. If I hadn’t escaped, I might never have made it back. That trip left a scar in my heart that never healed.
This time, I would not be fooled again.
Michael noticed my cold expression and looked annoyed. He opened his mouth, probably wanting to scold me. But when he saw how pale I was, he held back.
He looked away and said, almost gently, "You should rest, Evelyn. I’ll bring you a gift when I return."
I didn’t reply. Instead, I watched as he walked back to Regina’s side and kissed her forehead. She smiled sweetly, like she had already won.