Sugar and Shadows: Beneath the façade

Natalie's POV

I walked out of the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror, my reflection staring back at me. I felt pity for myself as I saw my battered body and hickeys all over my neck down to my arm; results of Sebastian's rough love making.

My parents forced me to marry Sebastian Sean just for wealth . They knew their financial status would change so they didn't even hesitate or decline when his family came, asking for my hand in marriage. They have me out at once.

Sebastian Sean is the complete description of a violent husband, a monster, and a woman beater. Despite Sebastian's cruel treatment, I loved him deeply, holding unto hope he'd change. Three years had passed but my love remained, despite the bruises and shattered dreams.

He wasn't like this during the early months of our marriage but as soon as I lost my first pregnancy, he changed totally.

Flashback, 3 years ago

Sebastian was the sweetest husband ever and after he found out I was pregnant, his love for me increased and he always took good care of me. He was always there for me and treated me like a fragile egg. I never had a reason to be sad.

"Natalie I will never make you cry, you'd be my love forever." These were Sebastian's words when we went on a picnic, we were alone in the camp tent and the atmosphere was freaky tender.

He kissed my forehead and engulfed me in a hug, I was in his arms throughout the night. I rested my head on his chest, enjoying his warmth. He was my safe haven.

Every morning before I woke up, Sebastian would always prepare breakfast. Sebastian hired servants to do the house chores and I never did a single thing at home. He really pampered me a lot.

He gave me everything I needed and showed me affection. I stupidly believed he cared for me until one morning when I woke up and found myself bleeding. I screamed and Sebastian rushed out of the bathroom when he heard my voice.

"Nat, what's wrong? Blood? What happened?" He asked, his voice full of concern. He took me to the hospital where the doctor confirmed what happened to me.

"Mr Sean, your wife had a miscarriage." He announced and since that day, there was a change in Sebastian's attitude. He would always get angry at minor things, he never cared for me like he always did. My lovely husband became a fierce monster I couldn't even get close to.

We now slept in different rooms, he dismissed all the house workers, he never talked to me and he started to answer mysterious calls. We were torn apart.

My concern grew by day and I decided to speak to him, I needed to have him talk with me and stop giving me silent treatments.

I entered his room and immediately he saw me, his facial expression changed, there was a deep frown on his face. Sebastian who was always happy to see me had now been irritated by my presence.

"Natalie! What do you want?" He asked in a husky voice and suddenly I turned dumb, I couldn't speak and began to stutter. I was afraid he would get angry at me.

He rolled his eyes at me in disgust and was about to exit the room, when I hugged him.

He halted in his steps and gazed at me in annoyance.

"Baby, what have I done wrong? I love you Seb but you don't care for me anymore. I miss those happy days. You don't even give me a good morning kiss anymore." I said and before I knew what was going on, Seb pushed me to the floor and blood started to prickle from the corner of my mouth.

"You shameless rat! You expect a good morning kiss when your incompetence is growing every moment. I regret ever marrying you, Natalie. Never in your life should you disturb me with unnecessary things." He scowled and picked up his briefcase, walking out on me.

Flashback over

Ever since then, Sebastian never failed to mistreat me and make my life miserable. He never stopped abusing me everyday. My eyes welled up with tears as I remembered all the sufferings I've gone through.

"This marriage is hell on earth." I sighed, my voice barely audible.

As I dressed up, my thoughts lingered in my circumstances. Wealth and material things aren't enough; I craved love. Sebastian provided everything but affection.

Downstairs, I prepared breakfast, my daily routine before opening my cake shop. I set the table and after I was done I sat down to eat. A few minutes later Sebastian joined me and I managed to give him a cheerful smile.

"Good morning." I greeted, pretending everything was okay.

"Mmm." He nodded and began eating. I was used to him being nonchalant so I just kept my cool. The reigning silence was short-lived as Sebastian spat the cereal.

I looked up, wondering what was wrong.

"Why would you add spoiled milk!" He yelled, anger blazing in his eyes. I couldn't believe my ears, spoilt milk? I didn't use spoiled milk. I knew this was one of his excuses for torturing me.

"No Sebastian, the... milk i..is just fine, this must be a misunderstanding." I tried to defend myself but he gave me a thunderous slap, and I held my red cheeks in tears.

"You just keep disappointing me Natalie, again! You're just useless and you'd never amount to anything!" He stormed out of the house in anger and I continued to cry.

Sebastian always had a reason to get mad at me, I always tried my best to be a good wife but things just get more complicated.

•Cakey Bakey•

As I entered my shop, I received greetings from my employees. I waved at them and managed to give them a smile. I always find solace in the bustling atmosphere and the cheerful faces of everyone. This cake shop is my happiness.

I made my way to the kitchen as the aroma of freshly baked cake hit my nose and the sweet savor of flavors filled everywhere.

I met Rachael who's my best friend and also the head baker. She greeted me with a smile.

"Hey, girl! Big orders today." Rachael said, handing me an apron. As we worked, my mind wandered to the argument between Sebastian and I.

'You're just useless. You'll never amount to anything!' His words rang in my head and cut deep through my heart like sharp daggers.

Involuntarily, the sugar can in my hands fell to the floor, making a loud noise. Rachael turned to look at me. I quickly bent to pick it up and smiled, pretending everything was fine.

I knew Rachael saw past the whole facade. She moved closer to me.

"Nat baby, what's wrong?" She asked and I shook my head, trying to hide the mark on my face but it was too late, Rachael saw it already.

She gasped, widening her eyebrows. "Christ, what's this!"

"Umm... Rachael, can we just continue baking?" I wanted to change the topic but Rachael wasn't willing to drift away.

"Your husband, right? He did this to you." She said and I slowly nodded.

She sighed and took my hands, "Natalie I've told you to leave this marriage. Do you enjoy being tortured everyday? It's absurd to keep enduring when you know he won't change."

I shook my head. No, Sebastian is a good man. I guess he's just going through some things which I don't know about. His mysterious calls have increased lately and I wonder who calls him late at night. Business calls I guess, maybe he's going through some hard times with his business partners.

"There's no such thing, Rach. This turmoil is just for a while, see..." I placed my hands on her shoulders, flashing a hopeful smile.

".. it's just for a while, for every struggling woman, there is a golden crown." I told her. I know Sebastian would change for good. All these sufferings are just temporary.

"And I guess you wouldn't be able to wear that crown, Natalie."

"Why?"

"Sebastian would have chopped off your head by then and that golden crown would be wasted. It will amount to nothing when the woman who worked so hard to get it is nowhere to be found. You can't continue like this, Natalie. Leave him." Rachael advised.

I frowned, what does she mean? I understand Rachael is showing concern as a good friend and I appreciate that but I'm not going to listen to her on leaving my love, Sebastian.

I'm nothing without him.

"Can we leave this topic already? I'm getting bored." I said, turning back to mix the flour.

Rachael's shoulders dropped in disappointment and she continued her work.

"I'm still here. In case you have a change of heart I would help you." She said,

"Thank you, Rach." I nodded but the determination in my heart never quivered a bit, I would face my problems.

In this toxic marriage of mine, I would make things right.

Natalie's POV

I paced up and down my room looking baffled. I had been dialing Sebastian's number but it keeps going to voicemail. He is always used to keeping late nights and it got me worried.

I checked the wall clock. It was almost midnight and my husband wasn't back!

I furrowed my brows and my concern heightened by every second. What if something had happened to him?

I sighed as my shoulders dropped. I claimed my bed and covered myself with the duvet. I don't understand why I always care about Sebastian, knowing fully well that his arrival spells the continuation of my doom.

I thought about Rachael's words. Maybe leaving Sebastian was the right choice but I just can't, I feel trapped. What would become of me if I walk out of this marriage?

My golden crown; how would I get it if I don't endure. Not every woman is happy in her marriage, so I don't have to make a selfish decision. I would hold on to Sebastian no matter the situation I face.

Suddenly, the door flung open and Sebastian walked in. I came down from the bed and moved closer to him.

"Sebastian, where have you been? I was worried." I said, my voice laced with concern.

But as I saw Sebastian pull off his suit jacket and pants, I moved backwards, my heart pounding in utmost fear. I knew what was about to happen;another merciless sex.

He approached me with a smirk on his face. It sent shivers down my spine, he really looked dangerous with that look. Jesus! I'm done for tonight!

"Natalie, where are you running to? You obviously have no one to rescue you, don't be ridiculous." He whispered into my ears, trailing his fingers down my body.

I cringed as I felt his hand on my bare body. He was about shoving his finger into me when I moved away, making him frown.

"What's wrong?" He asked in his baritone voice.

I answered, "I'm tired Seb..can we do this some other time?"

His expression turned dark as he brought me closer and gripped my throat. I coughed continuously, trying to free myself but it seemed impossible. Sebastian was stronger than I was.

"Are you insane! I need you now, Natalie! Don't make me lose my temper, I have the upper hand here and you should listen to me!" He fired at me. I seriously prayed for the ground to open up and swallow me, Sebastian finally released my throat and the coughing increased.

"Now strip!" He ordered me and I knew better than disobeying him again. I quickly obliged, slowly pulling off my nightwear.

Now I was stark naked and my big boobs shot out, he took them in his hands and engaged me in a hot kiss.

His tongue fought for dominance and I couldn't resist him, I kissed him back. He lifted me up and threw me on the bed, pouncing upon me like a lion who was ready to devour its prey.

Yes I was the prey and Sebastian is the lion, he always made me obey him and do it against my will.

We had sex until the next morning and Sebastian never stopped. I looked to my side but he wasn't there he had left for his room. I hissed loudly when I remembered what happened yesterday, how Seb dealt with me mercilessly.

I couldn't even lift my legs and my thighs hurt badly. My husband is a sex addict and we make love almost everyday, he is never tired and he often leaves my body aching.

I felt the urge to go back to bed but I had to make breakfast for Sebastian before he leaves for work. Getting to the living room, the first person I saw was Abigail Sean, my mother-in-law.

Hah.. gosh this sharp mouthed woman, she was staring at me with her eyes full of contempt, her tongue was at the ready, I knew she couldn't wait to begin to call me names.

I stood rooted to a spot, my eyes fixed to the floor. I greeted the woman who gave me an eye roll.

"Oh will you shut up you piece of worthless trash! I didn't come to receive your meaningless greetings, I have come to ask when you'd give me a grandson. My patience is running thin, I can't wait forever and you know that!" Abigail spat with disgust evident in her voice.

I knew she was here to throw tantrums about desperately wanting a grandson, but it isn't my fault that I've not had a child.

I've been trying my best to get pregnant but it seemed like an impossible task. I've visited many hospitals and the doctors told me I was fine but I wonder why I haven't conceived. What is wrong with me?

"Are you going to stand there and act dumb? You aren't going to say anything?" She paused and chuckled, tapping her stilettos on the floor impatiently. She tsked and folded her arms with a smirk dancing on her lips.

"What could a barren woman possibly say?" She mentioned it in mockery.

Did she just call me barren? I hated to hear that but she just wouldn't stop addressing me by foul names. I'm just on a waiting period, not barren and very soon just very soon, I would have my own children.

"I am not a barren woman, Mrs Sean." I summoned up the courage to say. Abigail laughed out hysterically like a witch in those fantasy movies, she looked really scary.

"You're just a pathetic soul, Natalie. You're giving yourself false hopes. Don't be surprised when I throw out your things the next time I come here." She threatened me.

Coming downstairs, Sebastian witnessed the way his mother insulted and spoke harshly to me but instead of intervening, he supported her.

I wasn't surprised at his actions, he had done this many times. He would always humiliate me in the presence of his mother and also take sides with her.

Abigail was like the captain of his ship and he succumbed to everything he told him.

"Mom, don't stress, I'd replace her soon with someone better." Sebastian told his mom.

My eyes widened in shock, what the heck was Sebastian saying? He is planning on kicking me out?

Those night calls, now I guess he has a mistress somewhere and is planning on bringing her in. Why must he act like this? I do everything to satisfy him and yet he wants to send me out?

Later that day, I visited the hospital again, I really wanted to know what was wrong with me, I knew something was amiss.

But the doctor told me the same thing. "Mrs Sean you're perfectly okay and there's nothing wrong with you." The doctor had told me, I walked out of the hospital in annoyance.

I clutched the test results close to my chest, weeping bitterly. I ran a pregnancy test but it came out negative. I am so disappointed in myself, I should blame myself for my predicament and not point accusing fingers at Sebastian, only.

Out of the five fingers, I deserved one, probably two. Any man in Sebastian's shoes would be disappointed, three years of marriage and not even a child? I'm so pathetic, Mrs Sean was right.

I found a nearby tree and sat under it. I need to cool my head, I have to think about my life.

"I am so unfortunate." I said to myself but an unfamiliar masculine voice replied, "No you aren't. Wipe your tears, your problems won't last forever."

I looked up at the stunning man in front of me. Heavens! Who was this handsome stranger?

Blake's POV

I led two lives, I had two identities. Kaloyan Thompson was my name but outside work, I was addressed as Blake Miles.

As Kaloyan, I am a wealthy billionaire from a very famous rich family, but Blake Miles was just a mere cleaner at a coffee shop living as a commoner.

Tired of gold-diggers and superficial relationships, I created an alternate persona just to find true love.

I was a kind a person that stayed away from the social media, I had no social media account, no pictures of me were online, all my lives I stayed away from the flashing lights of the camera and unnecessary paparazzi and not everyone knows what I looked like.

I kept low but I never stopped searching for true love, I wanted someone who would love me without any attached condition or because of my wealth.

Living as a nobody was quite difficult, ever since I started this way, I have broken up with so many girls; they always initiate the breakup. No-one wanted to date a low life and a mere cleaner at that.

Every lady wanted a rich man not a striving one. So many dates had gone wrong including the one I went for today, immediately she learnt about my job, she instantly ended the relationship.

"Blake, you're a mere cleaner, gosh I can't even show you to my friends, they'd laugh at me. Let's end this relationship I don't want a man like you." The lady had told me. I wasn't surprised to hear that, I have heard it many times.

I left the restaurant feeling so dejected and then I saw this lady under the tree in tears. I had wanted to ignore and keep walking but I couldn't. I felt the urge to console her even though she's just a stranger.

I wonder what had suddenly come upon me but it wasn't in my behaviour to overlook someone in distress; that was my weakness.

Ever since my sister Gabrielle had been kidnapped and killed, four years ago, a spark of concern had ignited in me and I get easily moved by scenes like this; a crying face and a sad countenance.

But I felt something different towards this lady, I couldn't even figure it out. I am extraordinarily bothered by her tears. So disturbed, what could possibly be wrong with her? What had caused her to cry?

I comforted her tears and slowly she looked up, my brows widened in astonishment. I was taken aback, this lady was indeed an epitome of beauty. I couldn't stop staring at her, I felt captivated.

"Thanks." She muttered and I nodded, an involuntary smile dancing on my lips. I asked if I could sit beside her and she nodded.

"You shouldn't let those tears ruin your beautiful face. You deserve better." I said, looking into her emerald eyes.

"My problems.... they're bigger than I am. I feel down..I..."

"Not everyone is fine but trust me, with time everything would fall in place."

I took her soft hands, engraving them in mine, and suddenly I sensed a spark of connection within me, touching her had an effect on me.

A stunning look appeared on her spotless face and I guessed she was starting to feel uncomfortable. I disengaged from her and gave her an apologetic look. I shouldn't be too forward.

"Sorry for the sudden touch. I apologise."

Yet, she didn't stop gazing at me and soon it turned into a frown. I tried to speak, to tell her I meant no harm but her next words left me in shock.

"Who are you?" She asked and I was about speaking when she interrupted me.

"Who are you to make me feel so better, my heart had been soothed by your kind words. Stranger..."

My jaw dropped, I was dumbstruck, I didn't even know what to say. I just kept staring into her eyes and a silent moment reigned for a while before I spoke.

"I don't want to see your tears, a smile is what suits you. Call me Blake." I had to tell her my fake name, I shouldn't reveal my real identity for now, it should be a secret.

"Natalie." She replied and gave me a black card. "Stop by at my shop for some cake."

I read the content written on the card and my eyes caught something, and that was her last name. 'Sean....', I repeated in my mind. That name sounds familiar.

"Blake, what do you say?"

I hid my curiosity and quickly put on a smile. "I will, during my spare time." I answered with a curt nod.

"I'll be expecting you and thanks for today. You really made my day." Natalie mentioned and I grinned.

"My pleasure."

••

I watched her walk away as I stared at her back with a faint smile. Her petite figure was retreating and I couldn't stop admiring her raven-black hair which cascaded down her back like waterfall of night.

She turned back and waved at me while I waved back at her. She flagged down a cab and it drove away after she got in.

I called my driver and in no time, he pulled up in front of me. I got in and ordered him to drive me home since it was evening already.

During the drive, I never stopped thinking about Natalie and her last name too, it sounds so familiar and I wanted to know every bit of detail about her.

There's only someone who could help me and that was Travis, he's a private investigator and also my friend.

I put a call through to him and his voice sounded at the other end.

"Yo bro, how was your date? Trust it went well....."

I sighed, rubbing my forehead. I know Travis too well, he's just trying to get words out of my mouth.

"I don't wanna talk about it. Let's talk about that some other time, but first I need information about this lady. Natalie Sean...."