"The battered wife"

Serina's perspective:

I woke up because of the sun's rays, jolting upright. What happened last night? It seems real, but maybe it's just a dream. Yes, it must be a dream. Markus, the one I knew, loved me. I'll hold onto that thought, a smile playing on my lips.

I am Serina Gonzales-Feehily, Markus Michael Patrick Verdon Feehily's wife. I hurriedly left our room to find him, only to face the painful truth that he never loved me. I sighed, realizing I couldn't deceive myself. Tears fell, and it hurt so much. I let my tears flow, hoping it would ease the pain.

"Good morning, ma'am Serina. I'm sorry Sir left early; he said you were too tired from the wedding," a servant explained. I wiped my tears, unable to face them, my eyes surely swollen. I had fallen asleep crying last night, hoping he'd comfort me, but I was wrong. I slept alone in his vast, cold room.

A bitter smile crossed my face as I recalled his words, "If you think I married you out of love, you're mistaken. I used you to pay for all your sins. You owe me a life, and you should repay it!"

The pain echoed as I remembered his cruel words.

I closed my eyes as I remembered it again... until now, I still can't believe it.

"U-uh, ma'am? Are you okay?" I opened my eyes and was slightly startled; I forgot that there was someone behind me.

"I-I'm okay... um, what time did your sir leave?" I tried to compose myself, adjusting my speech. I didn't want them to notice I had been crying.

"He left early, ma'am. He just instructed me to prepare breakfast for you before we left," she replied respectfully.

He asked them to prepare breakfast for me? Is that what I heard? I felt a certain happiness, but it quickly faded. What if it's just a show, like what he did when he was still my boyfriend?

But wait, before they leave?

"You're leaving? W-where are you going? W-why are you leaving?" I couldn't help but turn to look at them. They mentioned leaving before.

"Oh, ma'am, Sir transferred all of us to the hacienda. We'll be working there from now on. I thought you knew," it said with a hint of confusion.

"Uh, y-yes, of course... I-I forgot," I made an excuse. I didn't want them to suspect that my husband and I might be having problems, so I just went along.

I temporarily set aside my questions. I'll ask later; maybe he was just overwhelmed by last night's events. I convinced myself.

I headed straight to the dining area, and my attention was stolen by a painting.

It was Markus in the painting – so beautifully done, capturing every detail of his face, from his long, arched eyebrows to his pointed nose, red lips matched with his blue eyes. His Irish heritage was evident.

I smiled sadly. He used to look so gentle in that painting, but last night, he seemed like a monster in his rage.

I shifted my focus to the bottom of the painting, where the artist's name was written: Sapphire.

Who is Sapphire?

"Ma'am, your breakfast is ready," Rita interrupted my thoughts. She always pops up unexpectedly.

"T-thank you," I said, taking my eyes off the painting and sitting down.

Rita handed me a newspaper, and I grabbed a cup of coffee.

I sipped my coffee while flipping through the newspaper, and there, I was shocked by a picture of my husband. He was in a business suit, pretending to sit in a swivel chair. But what caught my attention was the text next to his name:

"THE MURDERER MUST BE PUNISHED."

I shuddered at the words; I didn't know why. I dropped the cup, and the hot coffee burned my leg.

"Ouch!" I winced in pain.

"Ma'am!" Rita exclaimed, concerned, handing me a tissue.

"I-I'm okay," I replied with teary eyes, rushing to my room.

The pain from the spilled coffee on my leg was nothing compared to the pain in my heart. Although there was no name mentioned, I had a strong feeling that I was the one he referred to as the murderer.

I heard three faint knocks from the door, so I turned to its direction. I'm in the master's bedroom, having changed my clothes due to the hot liquid spilled on my leg.

"Y-you may come in," I replied. The door opened, revealing the elderly housekeeper, Rose.

"Rose," I greeted her with a smile. She's like a second mother to me, always taking me to the mansion since my boyfriend Markus and I were dating. Rose raised Markus, so I have immense respect for her.

"I'll be leaving, dear," her voice carried sadness as she held my hands. I felt a deep sense of loss. "Take care of yourself and your husband. I know you'll get used to married life. It might be difficult at first, but once you overcome that stage, your bond will strengthen."

I felt her sincerity, but I couldn't find joy, knowing Markus's true intentions. I'm an orphan with a younger sister, and I'm grateful to have met Rose.

"Child, we're leaving," she said with a heavy heart, holding my hands. I, too, felt profound sadness. "Do you really have to go?" I asked, and she nodded.

"Take care of yourself and your husband. I know you'll get used to married life," she assured. I tried to smile, feeling a bitter sweetness. Is it really special? She played her cards well, making everyone believe Markus truly loves me.

It's already 10 in the evening, and I'm still waiting for my husband. The house is eerily silent, and I'm alone. I'm getting bored, and my stomach grumbles, but I still hope we can eat together.

Starting to get nervous, I dialed his number, but he rejected my calls. Anxiety builds up. Is he coming home?

I heard a car approaching, and relief washed over me. I greeted him with a smile, but his cold expression and silence greeted me instead. I felt a chill; something was off.

"Love, I'm glad you're home!" I said, but his face remained stern. I tried to reach for his bag, but he pulled it away. "Still awake at this hour, huh? What are you expecting?" he asked, coldly.

"We need to talk," I nervously replied. His gaze shifted, and he questioned, "Talk about what?" I couldn't comprehend his sudden change. Tears started to fall, "I don't understand! Why have you changed so suddenly? I don't know what you're accusing me of! I have no idea why you're so angry!"

He accused me of theft and murder, claiming that I manipulated the police. He expressed hatred, saying he lost two precious people because of me. The pain in his voice cut deep. "I wish it was you who died. You should be in their place now," he uttered.

"Markus," I whimpered through tears. "From now on, you must wake up in reality. I didn't love you, and I will NEVER love you," he declared, stabbing my heart once again. I pleaded, "Markus, please!" and hugged him tightly, apologizing endlessly.

He pushed me away, calling me a drama queen. The first day of our marriage turned out like this. I could only cry, wondering what the next days would bring.

Markus angrily removed his tie and threw it to the side. He grabbed a bottle of alcohol and downed it without hesitation. "Damn you, Serina! I'm done pretending!" Earlier, seeing her cry and beg felt like I wanted to choke her. Such drama! She thinks she can manipulate me with her tears!

Tsk... she didn't know everything!? The hell!!

Flashback:

"Mark!!" Shane shouted as he approached with Nicky, Kian, and Brian. His face showed worry.

"What's the matter? Why do you look like that?" Bryan asked.

Instead of answering, he looked my way, furrowing his brow as if something bad happened on my part.

"S- Sapphire!" I tensed the moment I heard her name. Damn, what happened to her!!

"What happened? Where is she!? Tell me!! Why don't you talk, you idiot!!" I started to lose it, tightly gripping the collar of his shirt, but he didn't say a word.

He just stared blankly. The other three tried to intervene, trying to hold me back.

I've been calling Sapphire, but she's not answering. Damn, I'm so worried!

"What happened? Tell us," Nicky asked. He faced Shane.

"She's in the hospital right now... she's in critical condition." Shane knelt down, silently crying.

Sapphire is his cousin, so I know how he feels.

"WHAT!!!" We all exclaimed. No, it can't be!! No!!

I sped up the car, not caring about anything as long as I see Sapphire.

What happened to her!? Damn!!! I aggressively hit the steering wheel due to excessive thinking.

"SAPPHIRE!!! SAPPHIRE!!!" I just entered the private hospital where they brought my fiancée.

I felt like losing my sanity when I saw her mom outside the ER, crying non-stop.

I rushed towards her, frantically looking inside the ER, but my tears fell uncontrollably.

I could clearly see the doctors trying to revive her, numerous machines connected to her body...

The doctor increased the voltage of the machine she was hooked up to and pressed it against Sapphire's chest, but nothing changed.

"Please, hon, fight for me... fight for our baby," I pleaded, even though I knew it was impossible.

But in an instant, it was gone. From the monitor on the side, I saw the sudden flatline, a sign that she was gone.

"SAPPHHHIIIRRREE!!!!!!"

Markus' perspective:

"Hon? Hon? Hon!" I slowly woke up upon hearing that familiar voice. As I opened my eyes, I saw a woman standing next to me. Though her face wasn't clear, I knew it was Sapphire. She used to do this when she was still alive.

Ahhh, my sweet Sapphire.

"Hon, help me! Please save us!!!" she pleaded as she disappeared into the light.

"Sapphire, no!! Don't leave me!"

"No!!!" I jolted awake, sweating even though the air conditioning was on. My heart was pounding abnormally.

Every night, she visited me in my dreams. Each time, I wanted to avenge the woman who took their lives. Even though it might have been an accident, I could forgive her if she agreed to face the consequences in prison. But no!

Later, I discovered the reason the case regarding my fiancée's death wasn't progressing was because she had bribed the cops who were supposed to incriminate her!

I wiped my palms across my face. If only I had known earlier, I would have tripled whatever she paid! But don't worry, Honey, I'll make her pay for all of this. I just need her life, not money.

Serina's perspective:

I jolted awake, feeling a warm liquid on my arm. "Markus?!" I stammered. He stood there, eyebrows furrowed, holding a cup. It seemed he poured hot water on me.

"I'm sorry for cutting your dreams, my wife. But I think you have to get up and cook for me. We don't have maids anymore, so you're obliged to do the household chores," he smirked, playing with me.

I'm skilled in household chores since I practically became a mother and father to Selina, my younger sister. I was ready to serve him, but I couldn't accept the way he treated me.

"Are you deaf or something?! I said, cook for me!!!" My heart leaped in shock! His voice echoed, and even with the air conditioning, I felt a burning sweat. It seemed he's hungry, but his treatment was unbearable.

After about 30 minutes, done with the food, the doorbell rang. Who could that be?

I opened the door, and it was one of Markus' best friends. "Hello, beautiful! Why are you opening? Where are they?" he grinned, unaware of the situation.

"They moved to the hacienda," I replied. He teased about our supposed honeymoon.

"Do they know?" I hesitated, unsure of what to say.

"Ahm, they transferred the maids to the hacienda," I lied.

"Really? So how's the honeymoon?" he joked.

They didn't know yet? What should I tell them?

"Ahm, it's just that they..." I couldn't finish my sentence.

"Oops, don't share it with me. I'm still innocent... Ahahaha!" We laughed together, easing the pain.

Who would believe that Nicholas Bernard James Adam Byrne was innocent when it came to women?

"Hmm, where's Marky?" he asked.

"Probably in the room. Do you have plans?" I questioned, as he hadn't informed me.

"Don't you know? Oh!" He seemed clueless.

I decided to remain silent and led him to the kitchen, assuming he was hungry.

As we entered, he saw Markus seriously staring at a painting.

"The artist is talented, huh? He captured Mark's face perfectly." I smiled slightly, curious about Sapphire.

I had a strong feeling she was special to my husband.

"Do you know? Has he confessed to you?" he asked seriously.

"What do you mean?" I feigned ignorance.

"Please, Serina, tell me!" he pleaded with a concerned expression. "That painting has been hidden for a long time, right after her death. That's why I thought they-"

"If that's the case, you know about her plans, and you might be involved. Am I right?" I interrupted angrily. All these years, everyone I knew was pretending!

"No! Look, I'm so sorry, Serina. We didn't mean to hurt you. In fact, we tried our best to stop him from avenging her death. But when we realized how much he cared for you, we didn't think it would escalate like this. We really thought he had forgotten Sapphire," Nicky explained.

I laughed bitterly. So, it wasn't just me he convinced, even his friends.

"If that's the case, Sapphire was-"

"She was my fiancée and the mother of our supposed child," Markus cut in, facing me.

His face showed no emotion, and it terrified me.

"Dude, you've been here all this time?" Nicky exclaimed. Markus just looked at him, then turned to me.

"Now that you know the woman I loved the most, maybe you'd like to know what caused the deaths of my child and her. In case you don't remember," he said coldly.

"Markus, enough of this!" Nicky shouted, but Markus sneered.

"No, Nicks. Besides, I know you also hold grudges against her." He continued to look at me with a mocking smile.

I clenched my lips. Please, I don't want this! Markus, stop!

"So, what about it? She doesn't seem to want to hear my side... guilt striking my wife, huh?" he said.

I bit my lip. Please! I can't handle this! Markus, stop it!

"Markus, please, at least listen to her side!!" Nicky pleaded.

"Enough!! Will you both stop it?!" I shouted with my eyes closed. It hurts so much! My heartache is enough; don't add shouting to it.

"See? Look at her! She doesn't even want to hear my story. Guilt struck my wife, huh?" Markus said, still looking at me with disdain.

I bit my lip harder. Please, Markus, enough!

"So, what now? If your head got hit that night and caused you to lose your memory, I'll make you realize it every day," he said coldly. "Nicky, I think we should go."

"Serina?" Nicky asked with concern.

"I-I'm fine," I forced a smile, holding back tears. I felt a lump in my throat from suppressing my cries.

I heard their footsteps gradually fading as they left. Alone in the kitchen, I looked up and released the tears I'd been holding back.

Nicky's perspective:

"Dude, wait a minute! Why did you tell that to Serina?" I asked breathlessly as he briskly walked.

"What?" he asked with a smile.

"Markus, seriously! Stop smiling like that! I feel more at ease when I see your scowling face in anger, but when you smile like that, it gives me the creeps! I feel like I'm facing death, and it's smiling at me!" I complained.

This monkey has two types of smiles. At first glance, you won't notice the difference, but if you look into his eyes, you'll know.

One is an angelic smile – when he smiles, even his eyes are smiling. Another is a demonic smile – he's smiling, but his eyes are fierce. It's a killer smile, literally.

"Why? Do I really seem evil when smiling? Dude, you're hurting me," he said, pretending to be offended, but the smile lingered.

I was just gaping. He went straight to my car and sat in the back seat.

"Seriously! What do you think I am, your chauffeur?" I exclaimed.

He sat arrogantly, one hand on his head and one foot casually placed on the other. Just imagine how haughty this guy is, combined with his refined movements. He's not gay; in fact, he's the manliest among us. He just moves with elegance.

"Seriously, dude, don't continue whatever you're planning with Serina. I know you'll regret it someday," I said while driving. I glanced at him in the mirror, but he remained silent, looking thoughtful from a distance.

He maintained his composure, but from afar, it seemed like he had deep thoughts. I sighed. I witnessed his inner struggles, but I couldn't help but worry about Serina. Earlier, while talking to her, I noticed her rubbing her arm, which was red and showed signs of pain.

I didn't bother asking, thinking it might be nothing. I went straight to the kitchen and was shocked to see Markus' painting. Sapphire painted it and gave it to him on their anniversary. After her death, he hid all memories of Sapphire.

Everything clicked in my mind. Maybe this is the beginning of his reckoning. When Markus found out that Serina paid off the police, he was furious. It was a small amount compared to the Feehily family's wealth, and he could easily double it, but he chose not to. According to Markus, escaping the law might be possible, but not from him. Since then, he hired a private investigator to monitor Serina's condition while she remained comatose for two months. We tried to make the cop confess, but when he arrived at our hideout, Markus immediately blew his head off. Markus killed the cop before we could extract the information we needed.

"Why did you do that, Mark?" Kian exclaimed.

But Markus just raised one side of his lips, looking at us.

"Why bother asking him when it's clear that Serina Gonzales is responsible? I made up my mind; I'll make her pay in my own way. Get up and dispose of that person's corpse," he said coldly and left. We were all in shock; we didn't expect him to do that. Now, I'm extremely worried about Serina; I know he's capable of killing her.

Serina's perspective:

I was lost in thought when the doorbell rang. It must be Selina; I called her earlier. I wanted to share all my frustrations; it felt like I would go crazy being alone here.

I headed to the gate, and indeed, it was Selina.

"Come in," I greeted her with a smile.

"Sis, what's the matter? Why were you crying on the phone earlier? Where's Mark?" she asked, concerned.

"What!!! Mark did that to you!!!" she exclaimed. I'm crying now as I recount Markus' changed behavior and the accusations he made against me.

"I-I don't know, Selina! I am so helpless. It hurts so much! I've been hurt again. I thought he was the man who would truly love me, but I was wrong," I replied, sobbing. I saw guilt in her eyes.

Selina's husband is my ex-boyfriend. I knew he loved my sister, and one day I found out that Selina was pregnant with Travis' child. He was drunk, and my sister was beside him.

My world shattered when I learned about it! I was so angry at both of them. But when I saw Selina kneel in front of Travis to take responsibility, I realized that blood is thicker than water. Despite what they did, she's still my sister, and I felt sorry for her situation.

She was four months pregnant when we found out she had ovarian cancer. We had no choice but to remove the baby along with her ovaries. She was devastated, and I was the only one she had left.

Travis wanted to get back with me, but I declined. My sister lost her child, and I knew she couldn't handle losing her husband too.

I sacrificed my own happiness for her. Every day, she asks for forgiveness.

"I'm so sorry, sis," tears welled up in her eyes.

"It's okay. I'm fine. I just want someone to talk to. It's driving me crazy being alone," I replied, wiping away my tears.