Chapter 3 A homewrecker

Closing the door of her bedroom, her back reaches the door, her knees getting weaker. Her heart is pounding with a mix of emotional turmoil. How could everything happen after three years of marriage? How could they do it to her? Wasting three years when she was hoping to build her own family?

She was said that Derek will return. That's why she keeps her hopes up. She keeps her heart occupied with love for him. But without a blink, her all struggling and suffering turned into a joke.

Her breath shakes as she hugs her knees, wondering what she is going to do. She doesn't have anyone in the world to rely on. Since she was a middle class family's daughter, she had to attend a normal University. She can't get a suitable job to meet her ends after the marriage.

However, her attention goes to the door when someone knocks on the door and speaks...

"Excuse me! It's Derek!"

Instantly standing up, she steps backwards, not actually imagine that he would be here right now. Immediately fixing her dress, she opens the door and walks towards her bed.

" Please excuse me." He said walking in.

Gwen scoffs finding it funny how he said excuse him. He doesn't even know her name even after Three years of marriage.

" Gwen Stacy, My name!" She snorts apathetically

Derek's eyebrows raise realizing that she has guessed it correct. He doesn't know her name.

" Shall we have a talk?" He speaks coldly but keeps a firm and respectful attitude toward her.

"For what.? Discussing about divorce?" She questions. Her voice echoes the fury which is increasing like volcano.

But why is she sounding so rude with this Man? She didn't want to be like that. She wanted to hug him as soon as he appeared in front of her. She thought she might cry and hug him and complain why he came late, she has been waiting for him for three years. But the cruel fate showed different scene, she is talking with him rudely, she is upset, So much upset with the person she adores.

"Seems like you are aware of this. When we got married, I told Mom that I will marry you for

Dad. I have been loving Maria since high school. So, I finally found her. Our marriage has no value"

He explains like the marriage, the three years was nothing but a part of his being a good son to his father.

"Was it ever?" She scoffs, glancing at Derek who shows zero remorse for his actions.

" What do you mean?"

"The Value you are talking about, Was it ever? To you or your family, I am just a middle class family's wh@re who can be used like a tool anytime. Marrying for your father? Is Marriage a joke to you? You have wasted three years of my life. Can you give me back my three years? I could have found a man who can cherish me. He wouldn't been a filthy rich but at least he would have treated me like a queen instead of a slave."

She speaks calmly yet her enraged voice echoes sharpness and pain of betrayal. "Please send the divorce paper. I don't want to stay here any

longer."

She said grabbing the dress she decided to wear to represent herself in front of Derek, her husband.

But she stops, facing Derek who is frowning. He has no know that he would see someone talking rudely to him. There is no suitable words to form and speaks out.

"I have been paying your Mom for the food she has been offering me to eat, by my daily

works. If you two aren't satisfied, please tell me how much money you spent for me, I will pay it slowly with interest"

Her words spout icily, grabbing Derek's attention. He watches her calculating something in her phone while speaking...

" Ms. Stacy. I don't want to keep things complicated for us. Let's just divorce. I will give you two million dollars and a car to-"

His eyes widen when she pushes him out of the room and gazes at him coldly.

" Fuck you!!!"

Slamming the door right on his face, She storms inside the washroom. Her heart is hurting more and more. His each word stabs her heart. Instead of feeling little bit of guilt, he is offering her money. Like she is some dog who will be happy to see food throwing onto her.

" I will never forgive you all. Never ever. How could do such a cruel thing?"

.....

Next morning...

Gwen's fingers absentmindedly traces the edge of her teacup, but her gaze lingers beyond the window, fixed on the horizon where the morning hues paint the sky. The aroma of freshly prepared breakfast still lingers in the air, a reminder of her routine tasks completed without any flaws. Yet, a heavy solitude envelopes her, distancing her from the once-familiar chatter and camaraderie. Despite her history of camaraderie with the servants, the air now seems tinged with an unspoken tension, their casual conversations now exchange with curt nods.

Sitting upon the swing chair, her silhouette blends into the morning light, but her thoughts seem adrift. Her eyes, focused on the vast expanse above, seem to be searching for answers among the billowing clouds. The heaviness in her heart screams in the distant stare. Her bleeding heart creates rainbow of emotions.

However, her attention goes to Anusha who pushes the door open, the creaking hinges announcing her arrival. Unperturbed by the lack of a polite knock, she enters the room, catching Gwen off-guard as she swiftly brushes away the remnants of tears. Gwen's face, now a portrait of composed neutrality, hides the turmoil within.

"Do you need something?" Gwen questions not liking the fact that Anusha didn't knock before entering.

"No. Can't I just come here?" Anusha's question carries an undertone of defiance, walking towards the chair, disregarding any formalities.

Gwen's fingers tighten around the fabric of her dress, a subtle response to the impending discomfort. However, her gaze remains unyielding, fixed upon Anusha, a silent challenge in her eyes.

"Sit down," Gwen gestures,

"Thank you. How are you?" Anusha speaks resting her back.

Gwen scoffs internally as Anusha's inquiry isn't laced with concern, but a subtle mockery.

"Fine," Gwen's response is clipped, giving away nothing more than the surface.

The room hangs heavy with unsaid words, Uncomfortableness lingers between them, especially Gwen who is unable to sort out of her feelings.

But She looks up as Anusha speaks "Well, when are you two going to get divorced?"

Gwen's grip tightens further, the fabric now creasing beneath her fingers. Despite this, her eyes remain unyielding, staring back at Anusha with a stern resolve, a silent refusal to engage in the conversation on such terms.

"Your lover knows it best. You should ask him," Gwen's retort, though measured, carries a weight of withheld emotions.

Anusha's attempt to shrug off the tension feels flat, "Oh. I thought you might know about it. Don't worry about it. He will marry you even if I don't divorce."

A faint tremor rippled through Gwen's demeanor, a barely perceptible reaction to Maria's words. "Are you upset with me? I swear I didn't know Derek still loves me,"

Gwen's response, curt yet controlled, sought to steer the conversation away from personal matters, "Does it matter? Can you please say what you want to say? If you are done, Please excuse me."

"OK. But don't think of stealing my Derek from me," Her attempt to clarify her intentions seems to fall on deaf ears.

"Ma'am, I am not a homewrecker," Gwen's voice stays steady and unwelded.

" How!!! How dare you! Gwen! You called me a homewrecker!!" She roars, slamming the low table.

" Please leave!"

Gwen's sigh echoes through the room, a lament for the sudden shift in her interactions with those around her. She has never before displayed such sharpness, such guardedness. The weight of hurt and betrayal seems to burden her, holding her emotions hostage.

She glances out at the vast expanse of the sky, seeking solace in its endlessness. The pain she felt, seems tangible, as if the very people who has caused it now stands as barriers upon her heart, casting shadows upon her once-open nature. She finds herself unable to believe the reality, yet, she can't help since the wounds are too fresh, the betrayal is too deep.