Stuck with my ex

Seated on the sofa in the Roberts mansion's living room, Catherine glanced distractedly at the wristwatch on her wrist, 9:32 PM, and sighed, defeated. Today was her husband Lawerence Roberts birthday, the vice president of NEL Groups, one of the most influential entities in the United States. Lucy had even invited his family to a surprise party, but where was the birthday boy? Catherine pondered internally while mustering a forced smile.

"My son is quite late, I wonder if something's happened?" Susan mused absently.

Earlier in the day, Catherine texted Lawerence , asking him to come home early as she had organized a dinner, the message was seen. and trusting her husband, Catherine had prepared everything she even made the decorations, pastries and sweets herself, which seemed quite pathetic now.

Trying to maintain her decorum, Catherine smiled and shifted the topic.

"Let's toast to this gathering, it's not every day we manage to come together."

"Well, dear, that's because we all work, we don't have the luxury of visiting you all the time," remarked Eliana, Catherine's sister-in-law, who owned a high end clothing store in one of New York's largest shopping centers.

Though the woman gave a smile, Catherine still detected sarcasm. Catherine, coming from a rural background to marry Lawerence, knew that everyone held a twisted view of her origins.

At that moment, all eyes turned to Catherine. She felt like a clown and regretted indulging her father's wishes.

"You could have invited your family too," said Jake, Lawerence's father.

"They live far away; they can't just travel for trivial reasons," Catherine replied absently while fidgeting with her phone. Just then, a friend messaged her, creating a small beep, she seized the opportunity to announce:

"Oh folks, not this time, Lawerence sent a message saying, unfortunately, he's tied up at work. End of the month is when he has to do all the monthly reports, and it's kept him swamped," she said with a smile as she pocketed her phone. Silence followed, so Catherine continued:

"But we can't be disheartened by this, let's eat then, please help yourselves," she said, gesturing to the tables filled with snacks and sweets.

"Truth is I came because I wanted to hug my missing son. I can't indulge in sweets anymore, l'm too old for that," Susan said smilingly, and Jake nodded in agreement with his wife.

"And I don't want to gain weight, let's go home," stated Eliana, getting up and walking towards the front door.

After bidding farewell to her in-laws and sister-in-law, Catherine tried to call her husband, fifteen calls, all rejected.

"He's too busy to attend to you; you'll never win his love," she told herself as tears streamed down her beautiful face.

She sat back on the sofa, her thoughts revolving around her life and trying to make sense of her husband's behavior. Lucy glanced around the room: on the left, a table with a beautiful cake and on the wall, numerous photos of the couple, along with heartfelt phrases written on colorful paper in golden ink. It wasn't just a birthday surprise; it was also a desperate act to be noticed by her love. She had failed.

"Wishing a long life to the one who makes my heart race and who keeps me dreaming awake, I love you so much and wish you only the best, my love."

"Happy birthday my love, may God bless your life."

Those words now seemed a cruel joke. Catherine had complied with her father's wishes and married Lawerence expecting it to be short term, but she had fallen too deep and now struggled with love that burned in her chest - love that Lawerence would never reciprocate.

The beautiful young woman, with long hair, honey-colored eyes, and a sculpted figure, now 28, had come from the countryside to become Mrs. Roberts but realized today it was her biggest mistake.

Tired of waiting for something that never comes, Catherine glanced at the clock and grimaced to see it was nearly midnight.

"Well, Lawerence wasn't always this way, things are getting worse every day," she mused, recalling her father's words.

"Marry him and help me fulfill my promise, be for him what you wish for yourself, give love, and you shall receive all in abundance."

Those words seemed even emptier in recent days. When Catherine married, she stepped back from her profession to take care of her husband, cooking and even cleaning their house despite having several employees how ridiculous, Lawerence didn't even bother to send a message that he would be late.

Already planning to dismantle everything adorning the living room, Catherine rose from the couch and started to pull down the decorative papers, just then the creaking of the door opening sounded it was Lawerence, entering. They stood practically face to face; she smiled at him, but Lawerence walked past Catherine as if she was nothing, just another object in that luxurious room, seemingly drunk, making Catherine sigh in defeat Lawerence was deteriorating by the day.

With a lump in her throat, making it hard to breathe properly, Catherine coughed slightly and then spoke first:

"Where have you been, and why aren't you answering the phone?

Darling, I was worried something had happened," she said as she walked toward him.

"I don't recall owing you explana-tions, but I'll say it anyway, I was working... and was unaware of this thing," he said, looking at the room decor.

She stepped back and stated:

"I invited your family to celebrate this special day with us; I was left looking like a fool because the guest of honor didn't show up. Smile, you managed to hurt me once more," Catherine said, trying to touch Lawerence's heart, but he just gave a slight smile.

Seeing this, Catherine spoke again:

"Lawerence, look at me, tell me what I am to you. I'm your wife, yet we're never together; at home, we're not even friends, and in bed, it's always me looking for you, and you turn me down almost every time just to humiliate me. If it weren't for the love I feel for you, I would have left long ago," she said before slowly ascending the stairs and she went towards her room with a heavy heart.