Chapter 5 The Vows

I stood before the altar, my heart racing with anticipation. I gazed into Alexander Valtor's eyes, searching for a glimmer of love, of warmth. But his piercing gaze was cold, detached, like a winter's night without a flame to warm the soul.

The priest's words echoed through the silence, a solemn cadence that bound us together in matrimony.

"Alexander Valtor, take Roslyn Carson's right hand, and declare your consent before God and his Church."

Alexander's voice was flat, devoid of emotion, as he recited his vows. "I, Alexander Valtor, take you, Roslyn Carson, to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life."

I, Roslyn Carson, spoke from the heart, my words trembling with sincerity. "I, Roslyn Carson, take you, Alexander Valtor, to be my husband. I promise to be faithful to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honor you all the days of my life."

The priest's questions followed, his voice a gentle prompt. "Alexander Valtor, do you take this woman to be your wife? Do you promise to be faithful to her in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love her and to honor her all the days of your life?"

Alexander's response was curt, his voice devoid of emotion. "I do."

The priest turned to me, his eyes warm with encouragement. "Roslyn Carson, do you take Alexander Valtor to be your husband? Do you promise to be faithful to him in good times and in bad, through sickness and in health, to love him and to honor him all the days of your life?"

My voice was barely above a whisper, but my heart spoke volumes. "I do."

The priest's final words hung in the air like a challenge. "You may now kiss the bride."

I turned to Alexander, my heart pounding in my chest, my lips parted in anticipation. But he merely touched my cheek, his palm cold, his eyes distant. He kissed me lightly, a mere whisper of his lips near mine, as if he feared contamination.

I felt a pang of disappointment, of sadness. This was not the kiss I had dreamed of-the kiss that would seal our love forever. It was a kiss of obligation, of duty, not passion.

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I will never forget the first night of our marriage when his words cut my heart into pieces.

Alexander's words cut through the silence like a knife, slicing through my heart, leaving me bleeding and vulnerable. "Look, you gold digger, I know your intentions. Stay away from me. We're husband and wife only in name, only on paper. You'll never have a place in my heart, because you don't deserve it."

I sat on the floor, tears streaming down my face, wondering what I had done wrong. Was it my fault that he didn't love me? Was I not worthy of his affection? The questions swirled in my mind like a maelstrom, pulling me under and drowning me in a sea of despair.

I sat on the floor; my tears fell like rain, soaking the expensive silk of my wedding gown. I felt like a fool, a pawn in Alexander's game of power and control. I had thought that marrying him would bring me love, security, and happiness, but now I realize that I had made a terrible mistake.

Alexander's words echoed in my mind, a cruel mantra that I couldn't shake. "Gold digger...stay away from me. You'll never have a place in my heart." I felt like I'd been punched in the gut; my breath knocked out of me.

I thought of my grandfather, who had raised me after my parents' deaths. He had always been my rock, my confidant. I wondered what he would say if he knew how I was feeling now. Would he tell me to leave Alexander to find someone who truly loved me? Or would he encourage me to stay, to make the best of a bad situation?

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Unwillingly, the tears fell from my eyes once again, courtesy of the man who had become a constant source of pain in my life. My gaze drifted towards my phone, which was ringing incessantly, the screen illuminating the dimly lit room. My heart skipped a beat as I saw the name flashing on the screen-Alexander Valtor, my husband. No, I corrected myself, not my husband, not anymore.

I felt a surge of determination course through my veins. I was done crying over him, done shedding tears for a man who didn't deserve them. I was done being a victim of his cruelty and indifference. I knew exactly what I had to do.

With a newfound sense of purpose, I silenced the phone and made my way to the drawer where I kept the divorce papers. I had been hesitant to take this step, but now I knew it was the only way to free myself from the toxic marriage.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. I would go to him, but not as his submissive wife. I would go to him as a strong, independent woman, armed with the divorce papers and a fierce determination to take back control of my life.

No more tears, no more pain. It was time for me to rise from the ashes and reclaim my happiness.

I held the divorce papers in my hand. I felt a sense of liberation wash over me. I was finally taking control of my life, finally standing up for myself. I thought of all the times Alexander had belittled me, all the times he had made me feel small and insignificant. But now I was the one calling the shots.

I straightened my shoulders, a newfound confidence coursing through my veins. I would go to him, and I would tell him that it was over. That I deserved better than a loveless marriage, better than a man who didn't cherish me.

I took a deep breath, the papers clutched tightly in my hand. It was time to face Alexander, to show him that I was no longer the timid, vulnerable woman he thought I was. I was a force to be reckoned with, and I would not be silenced.

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