Following the doctor's stringent orders, I embarked on the arduous journey of eating. Despite the turmoil each meal caused in my stomach, leading to repeated bouts of vomiting, I continued to replenish the essential nutrients.
I have never seen myself as a paragon of strength; this ordeal was replete with challenges. In the silence of the night, I would hide beneath my blankets, gritting my teeth, forcing myself to persist because I knew that survival was my only chance for retaliation.
On one serene night, Graham returned with a bouquet, a simple selection typical of the local flower shops. Noticing the instant noodles before me, he frowned, "Is this how you make do in my absence?"
"The housekeeper had to return to her hometown," I responded indifferently.
After a brief silence, Graham set about preparing dinner, "I'll cook; you wait in the living room." During that time, a faint fragrance permeated the air, unmistakably not my perfume, but the lingering scent on his clothing.
As I sat at the dining table, I called out to him through the kitchen, "My health has been poor lately; we might need to postpone the wedding."
Graham ceased his activity, "The Huntington family does not have a precedent for delaying weddings. If you're feeling unwell, we should consult a doctor."
Observing his bustling figure in the kitchen, my heart was steeped in bitterness. It seemed, staging a perfect love affair was not challenging for him. He was willing to continue this facade with me for Penelope's sake, until the end of his life.
Whenever he returned home, he would bring foods I loved, watch movies with me after dinner, and seek gentle kisses in his inebriated state. His meticulously careful daily routines resembled rehearsals for the perfect husband role, despite his distracted heart.
However, my hatred for him grew like an uncontrollable wildfire. At times, I almost couldn't suppress the urge to end everything, to unveil all the pretense and feigned tenderness.
With the wedding approaching, tearing up the engagement became an imperative mission.
As colleagues at the same school, Graham and I were partners in academia, holding mutual respect in our research fields. Yet, when it came to business management, I was as clueless as a blind person feeling an elephant, helpless. Reclaiming the family business, gradually being eroded by the Huntington family, presented a formidable challenge. Each attempt seemed to drain all my energy.
The people around me could only sigh, believing I lacked any business acumen, as if I were a doomed supporting character in a romance novel.
But I refused to accept such a fate, even at a great cost.
In my interactions with Graham, I maintained a facade of calmness while secretly plotting to reclaim everything taken by the Huntington family. They thought they could easily inherit my grandfather's legacy, using it as a stepping stone for ambitious expansion, aiming for fame in the business world.
Just when I thought I had everything under control, Penelope suddenly stood before me, introducing herself with the air of a victor, "Pleased to meet you, I'm Graham's wife." I had just undergone surgery, exhausted in body and spirit.
I replied coldly, "Unfortunately, I wasn’t aware of your tradition of elevating mistresses to wives."
Penelope's face instantly froze, and she retorted bitterly, "Why delude yourself? Graham and I have a child. Do you think he'd spare you a glance?"
She raised her head arrogantly, "Allowing you to remain in Graham's life is already a grand mercy on my part."
My patience snapped. I suddenly grabbed her hair, pinning her against the car window, and sneered, "What game do you think you're playing? By what right do you negotiate terms with me?"
Frightened, Penelope screamed, "How dare you treat me this way?"
I clutched her firmly, threateningly whispering, "You think you can escape? If I wish, Graham will never see you again in his lifetime."
Penelope turned a terrifying shade of pale, her voice trembling, "Melinda Taylor, what is this attitude..."
I pushed her away and climbed into the car. For the first time, I felt the exhilarating liberation of defiance. This unprecedented sensation provided a moment of clarity amidst the chaos.
How exhilarating!
