Anastasia
Certainly, I've seen people trapped in loveless marriages, but I'm not one of them. As a young woman, presumed daughter of the affluent Wellington family, I defied convention and married the man of my choice, rather than settling for a life of servitude like many of my peers. And I've never looked back with regret.
As I busied myself in the kitchen, whipping up a special breakfast for my husband and me on our third anniversary, one of the maids approached me hesitantly. "Ma'am, are you certain we can't assist you?"
I smiled, pouring the fluffy pancakes onto a plate with precision. "No, thank you, I've got this. Today is a special day, and I want to do everything myself to make it perfect for him."
The maid nodded and retreated, leaving me to my culinary endeavors. I savored the moment, relishing the joy of doing something special for the man I loved, and the life we had built together.
I smiled to myself, drizzling honey over the fluffy pancakes, lost in the warmth of the moment. But my tranquility was short-lived, as a maid whispered urgently, "Ma'am, Sir Kelvin is leaving."
I hastened to the living room, my brow furrowed in concern. The grand wall clock caught my eye, its hands ticking away at just past 8 am. "Leaving for the office so early?" I asked, a hint of surprise in my voice. "And on our anniversary, no less."
Kelvin paused, his expression unyielding. "I have pressing matters to attend to. No time for breakfast, Anastasia."
I tried again, my tone gentle. "At least take some with you, then. I've made your favorite."
But Kelvin's response was curt, his eyes already distant. "See you later, Anastasia."
And with that, he was gone, striding out of the house and into his car, leaving me standing alone, the sweet aroma of pancakes now tinged with disappointment. The significance of our third anniversary, it seemed, was lost on him.
I've grown accustomed to his aloofness, but it still stings. No marriage is perfect, but I strive to make ours an exception. The maid approached me, her eyes sympathetic, but I knew what she was about to say. "Discard the breakfast, ma'am?" I nodded, my voice barely above a whisper. "Throw it away."
As I ascended the stairs to my bedroom – yes, mine alone – I couldn't help but think of the fragile state of our union. It was understandable when Kelvin suggested separate bedrooms to avoid the temptation of starting a family in our first year of marriage. But now, in our third year, the distance between us felt more like a chasm.
I entered my bedroom, a sanctuary where I could escape the chill of Kelvin's indifference.
The maid's gentle voice echoed in my mind, a reminder of the breakfast I had lovingly prepared, now discarded like a rejected dream. The ache in my heart whispered a haunting question: Was our marriage worth fighting for?
"Yes, Anastasia, our marriage is worth fighting for, unless you're willing to face the ridicule of our social circle and the disappointment of our family."
I thought to myself. As the favorite child and the one everyone expected to be the epitome of marital bliss, I couldn't bear the thought of being pitied or seen as a failure.
The weight of others' expectations had always been a heavy burden to carry, and I couldn't shake off the feeling that giving up on my marriage would be seen as a defeat, a confirmation that I wasn't as desirable as everyone thought.
The pressure to maintain the illusion of a perfect union was suffocating, but I felt trapped in this gilded cage of my own making.
A plan began to form in my mind, a way to salvage our anniversary and perhaps even reignite the spark in our relationship. "Nora, please fetch the car keys," I instructed the maid, adjusting my luxurious yet modest gown. The fabric hugged my curves in all the right places, exuding a classic sophistication that made me feel confident and alluring.
"Are you heading out, ma'am?" Nora asked, handing over the keys with a curious expression.
"Yes, I think it's high time I paid my husband a visit at work," I replied with a sly smile, my eyes sparkling with determination.
Nora's eyes widened in surprise, a delighted gasp escaping her lips. "Oh, ma'am, that's a brilliant idea!"
I chuckled, pleased with myself, as I slid into the driver's seat. "Thanks, Nora. Wish me luck!"
As I started the engine, a sudden realization hit me – it had been ages since I'd driven myself anywhere. The independence felt exhilarating, and I couldn't help but wonder what other surprises this day might hold.
I thought to myself, why not surprise Kelvin at the office? A little pampering and romance might just be the thing to soften his mood and rekindle the spark between us. Office romance, after all, can be a lovely thing!
I finally arrived at the office, I parked my car in a convenient spot and stepped out, smoothing my dress. As I entered the office, I could sense the surprise and curiosity of the staff.
"It's the boss's wife!" someone whispered, and I smiled, waving at the familiar faces. It had been a while since my wedding day, and I was happy to see some friendly faces again.
"Good day, ma'am Anastasia!" a secretary greeted me warmly, her face lighting up with a smile. "You're my husband's secretary, right?" I asked, and she nodded eagerly.
"I'm here to see your boss, but please, don't announce my arrival. It's a surprise," I whispered, and she grinned, playfully zipping her lips shut. "Mouth zipped!"
With that, I made my way to the elevator, feeling a thrill of excitement and anticipation. What would Kelvin's reaction be when he saw me standing in his office, ready to sweep him off his feet? I couldn't wait to find out!
I took a deep breath, steeling myself as I approached Kelvin's office door. A flutter of nerves danced in my chest, but I was determined to see this through. I was sure he would appreciate the surprise.
Just as I reached for the door handle, a strange sound caught my attention. It was a low, husky moan, followed by another, and another.
My brows furrowed in confusion, my mind racing to explain the noises. But curiosity got the better of me, and I pushed the door open, revealing a scene that made my heart sink.
The sight before me was like a punch to the gut, leaving me breathless and reeling. It was a moment that would forever be etched in my memory, a moment that would change everything.