For a split second, his expression froze and I saw a flicker of guilt cross his face. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by his usual arrogance.
“Anniversary? So what?” he muttered, yanking off his tie and tossing it aside carelessly. “We’ve been married for years, Jane. You really think missing one stupid anniversary is a big deal? We’ll celebrate another time.”
Before I could respond, he moved closer, his hands roughly grabbing at my shirt. His eyes were glazed over, his touch cold and indifferent, like I was nothing more than an object to him now.
“Mark... stop,” I whispered, feeling the bile rise in my throat. His breath was a sickening mix of tobacco and another woman’s perfume. Kath’s perfume.
His grip tightened as he buried his face into my neck, the stench of him making me gag. The room began to spin and without warning, I shoved him off me and ran to the trash can, vomiting violently.
Behind me, Mark cursed, his voice incredulous. “Are you kidding me? You’re actually disgusted by me now?”
I wiped my mouth, my body shaking with nausea and anger. He was furious—furious that I wasn’t playing along with his charade. Furious that I wasn’t willing to be his wife in name only while he lived a double life.
“You’re gonna regret this, Jane,” he spat, his voice venomous. He grabbed at my clothes again, more forcefully this time, his hands pawing at me with no concern for my feelings.
My body tensed and for a brief, agonizing moment, I felt a sharp pain in my abdomen. My stomach clenched and I gasped. The baby. It was as if even this tiny life inside me sensed the danger, the threat.
“Stop!” I screamed, shoving him away with all the strength I had left. “Get away from me!”
He froze, stunned by my sudden outburst. I straightened my crumpled shirt, my eyes blazing with fury. Then, without thinking, I slapped him hard across the face. The sound of my palm connecting with his cheek was deafening in the silence that followed.
Mark stared at me in disbelief, his eyes wide with shock and betrayal. He had never seen me like this before. He had never seen me so broken, so done.
“Jane...” he whispered, his voice low, dangerous. “You’re really something.”
I said nothing. I just stood there, my chest heaving, waiting for him to leave. And he did. With one last furious glance, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him so hard that the walls shook.