Emily's POV
The city blurred past me, every streetlight remembered fleetingly one life of the existence I thought I was supposed to be having. I was going home, but it was more of a prison now than anything else.
The moment I unlocked the front door of our home, the whole weight of the world crumbled. I dropped my keys on the counter and suddenly collapsed to the floor to let my tears flow freely.
Memories washed my brain, over the years trying to mud myself as the perfect wife for a man who could not love me the way I deserved. I had changed my wardrobe, changed habits, and everything about me that he thought was unworthy.
I used to wear vibrant, flirty dresses that made me feel alive, but he said they were drawing too much attention. I usually wear them to try and please him, now I wear shabby outfits that again feel like a second skin, suffocating me.
Rachel, the one he seems to find irresistible now, wearing the same clothes I had thrown away. It is as though I threw away my identity for a man whom I am now being betrayed by with my sister, The point hit me directly to the heart.
I thought having a baby would finally complete our family, I was going to tell him tonight but after what I saw, I guess not.
I have made a decision, I picked up my phone and called my best friend, I could hardly even get words out through my sobs, but she would always understand me, my lifeline in these troubled waters.
"I have tried so hard in this marriage," I choked out, "but he is having an affair with my sister."
Her silence was deafening. I could sense, though I couldn't tell if it was a reaction to what she heard or the fact that my sister was also involved in the affair.
"For how long?" she asked finally, and I could only shake my head; it felt like everything was crumbling beneath my feet. "It's been ever since we got married," I sobbed, every word tearing at my throat like glass. I was done with this. "I want a divorce."
It almost felt like a relief having the words out, quickly overshadowed by its meaning. "But he won't allow me to go, because he is going to lose the most, His father offered to give him a 30 percent share of the company as long as he stays with me"
"You need to leave without him knowing," she suggested with a glimpse of hope in me.
"Is that even possible?"
"Yes, I can arrange it for you," she assured me, and just like that gratitude flooded me. I thanked her as my heart raced under the thoughts of freedom.
It was morning with a headache and waves of nausea. Think of breathing, of clarity. I stuffed a small bag with barely enough to escape without raising suspicions and headed to the kitchen to make lunch.
I heard the door crack open and automatically knew he was the one. The moment he entered, he stopped in his tracks. The table looked astonishingly well laid out, a royal feast spread on it. I had to do my best in acting, even while my heart cried out.
He expected fury, I was all apology. "I shouldn't have slapped Rachel," I said, amazing myself at my calmness.
Nathan's eyes opened wide, and I could see the play of confusion on his face. "I know but You have to apologize to Rachel, and everyone else,"
Nathan said, and I answered him, "No problem." I watched as Nathan relaxed, perhaps thinking I was finally going to obey his perfect wife image.
Breakfast was nearly enjoyable, especially when I presented Nathan with his birthday present. "I'll check it later," he said casually. Marking time presently on his way to the shower. His aroma wafted in the air, mixing with a faint trace of Rachel's perfume.
The moment he left my cell phone buzzed. It was from my best friend, Jane "Everything is settled. Just get ready for your flight." My heart fluttered as I even thought about leaving this life behind. I listened closely as she explained the entire detail, and nodded along.
