Married To My Bully by Sakshi C (comprehension books txt) 📕

"Madam, have your breakfast," Grace said from the other side of the door, causing her to take a breath of relief. 

She climbed off her bed and pried the door apart. Grace was standing with a tray of food. She eyed me worriedly but I smiled at her and took the tray from her hand. Tears had started to sting the corner of my eyes. I thanked her and shut the door in time before they exposed my inner state. 

I lost my appetite since yesterday. I placed the tray on the table and walked to the window overlooking the vast garden of the mansion. There were lilies, roses, marigolds scattered beautifully all over the place. I smile played over my lips at such a beautiful sight. I love flowers. My curiosity peaked when I spotted another sequestered garden with purple flowers in distance. I had to squint my eyes to figure that they were lavender. A separate garden for lavender.  

Lavender. My favorite flower of all. For one, they are beautiful, and secondly, I love their fragrance. So refreshing. To say I was curious would be an understatement. Why a separate garden for these purple blooms? Does he like lavender just the way I do?

My aching heart tempted to pay a visit to the garden. And that is what I did. I scurried out of the mansion and stalked over to the purple world. My heart bloomed with happiness when the nerve-soothing fragrance of Lavender hit my nostrils. A smile crept up my lips and for a second the scent numbed my pain. I forgot about my husband and the fact that he tried to kill me last night. I ventured into the garden. There was a wooden bench in the center of the garden. The view was surreal. A perfect place for a perfect date. My heart leaped with joy. And just like that, I had found my favorite place in the mansion. 

I settled on the bench and observed the mini garden. My mind drifted. But I couldn't ward off those thoughts for long. My face fell again. A part of mine wanted me to tell everything to my parents but a major part kept stopping me as I didn't want to trouble them again. I remembered what a mess my last breakup had caused. I was trapped. Trapped with him. 

But there was one more way. I had no clue why he married me when he obviously hated me. How can you hate someone from the first? So, I decided to negotiate with him for divorce. My heart broke at the thought. Not because I had feelings for him but because I had avowed to stay by my husband after my marriage no matter what.

It's better to part ways before he kills me. 

I practiced my lines. I didn't want him to go all beast on me again. I was going to keep my distance. He had some serious anger issues. And I wasn't going to be on the receiving of that. Again. 

I was furious at him. I didn't want to share a roof with him, let alone see his face. This man was crazy. But I needed to strap on a pair and talk to him. Mustered whatever courage I had and waited for him to make an appearance. Inly, I didn't want him to come back home.  

The clock struck eight and my heartbeat accelerated. He was going to be home any minute now. I told Grace to leave after she was finished making dinner and returned to my room. I kept pacing back and forth glancing over the clock, repeatedly. 

My heart skipped a beat when I heard his footsteps. He walked past my room and into his. I jumped in my spot when I heard the loud bang indicating he had shut his door. He seemed angry. I was having second thoughts now. My heart was banging violently against my ribcage as my hands started to get cold.  

I gulped and clattered down the stairs towards the kitchen. I was almost done setting the table when I heard his footsteps approaching the table. My heart threatened to jump out of my chest as my eyes begin to shimmer with tears because of fear. I swallowed hard and tried to steel my nerves. My gaze trailed up his grey sweatpants, white t-shirt, and stopped at his eyes. He was watching me. We locked gaze. My lips parted when I saw guilt flicker in his eyes. But it went as quickly as appeared. He put his neutral mask back on. 

The chair scraped against the floor when he pulled it to sit in. I took a long breath and slipped into the chair two seats away from his. He noticed that but didn't say anything. Silence shrouded us. My mind was working miles per minute. I willed my lips to utter the words that I had been practicing since morning. After reciting them once again, I blurt out. 

"I want a divorce," I slapped myself inwardly. This wasn't how it was supposed to come out. I had prepared a proper speech to lay the ground. 

My words had an immediate effect on him. His hand holding spoon stopped mid-air, an inch away from his mouth. He lifted his head and rewarded me with an icy glare, leaving me to shudder. Other than that, his countenance remained inscrutable. 

"What?" he asked

I begin to twiddle my toes, play with my fingers to ease the nervousness. 

"I want a divorce," I repeated without looking him in the eye. My voice came out weak. 

"Why?" he shoved the spoon into his mouth casually. As if this is the most casual conversation.  

"I don't think we are right for each other. So, before this marriage gets any toxic, we should call it quits," I reasoned. My eyes on him but they were filled with apprehension and uncertainty. 

 My fear spiked when I saw him clenching his jaw. He didn't agree with me. He started scraping his spoon against the plate before scooping a bite and put it in his mouth.

"Not happening," he denied outrightly. 

"Listen, I know that you don't like me. I dare say, you hate me. I saw that in your eyes last night (her voice broke a little as a pang hit her heart). I don't know who forced you for it. But you see, there is no point dragging this loveless marriage. We should divorce," I explained. My heart pumping vigorously. 

His eyes scrutinized my face for a good minute.