Hi Mrs Blackwood, your overall health is good, the doctor said calmly as he flipped through the file in his hands.
I felt my chest tighten as I waited for what would come next. My fingers were clenched together on my lap, my heart pounding louder than the ticking clock on the wall.
But you do have chronic gastroenteritis, the doctor continued.
I blinked.
That's okay, I will prescribe some medications to help you with that, he added casually, already writing.
Thank you, doctor, I said softly.
You're welcome, he replied with a polite smile.
I stood up slowly, my emotions tangled in ways I couldn't explain. I should have felt relieved, yet disappointment settled heavily in my chest. I didn't even know what I was expecting. Something I feared, yet something I strangely wanted. Something that would explain everything. Something that would make sense of that night.
As I walked out of the office, my thoughts spiraled. How would I even explain it if it was really what I wanted? Would Adrian believe me? Would his family accept it? Would I even accept myself?
Stop.
Before I could react, a hand pulled me backward.
My heart leapt violently as my foot hovered mid-air. I gasped when I realized I was about to step on broken glass scattered across the floor.
Sorry, are you alright? a male voice asked urgently.
I looked up, still shaken, and froze.
It was him.
Josh.
The stranger I had met before.
I guess there are people cleaning today and they left a big mess. There should definitely be a caution sign here, he said, frowning as he looked around.
Are you okay? he asked again, concern written all over his face.
Yeah… thanks for saving me again, Lina said, her voice barely steady.
Oh no, I was just glad that I could be there here, he replied quickly, as if embarrassed.
That could have been bad, he added, pointing to the broken glass.
Sorry once again, he said sincerely.
So what are you doing here? Lina asked, trying to steady her breathing.
Oh, I'm a board member at the hospital. I came for inspection, he explained.
Again, I am super sorry about this. This should not have happened, he said firmly.
Well, you saved me, so maybe as a thank you I can take you to lunch sometime, Lina said without thinking.
Sure, and hey, if anyone should be taking anyone out, it should be me, he said with a light smile.
Alright, this incident was totally on the hospital, he added jokingly.
I smiled.
Has anyone ever told you you have a beautiful smile? he asked suddenly.
I smiled again, feeling my cheeks warm.
You should show it off more, he said softly.
I turned back to leave, suddenly aware of how intimate the moment felt.
Hey, let me give you a ride as an apology, he requested.
I chuckled nervously.
Come on, I feel bad, he insisted.
So I followed him.
When I reached home and entered the house, the air felt wrong instantly. Adrian and Rose were sitting together. Adrian was holding some pictures in his hand, his jaw clenched tightly.
What's going on? Lina asked cautiously.
How dare you come back here? Adrian snapped angrily.
Before I could react, he smashed the pictures against my chest.
I looked down.
My heart shattered.
They were pictures of me and Josh.
These photos are not what they look like, Lina said desperately.
Sure it isn't. Explain that to Adrian, Rose said with a cold smile.
How did you get these? Did you follow me? I asked Adrian, my voice shaking.
Follow you? Look, why don't you just do your duty as my wife, he said, pulling my jaw up painfully.
Until then, stay away from other men, Adrian said, throwing my jaw away from his hand.
This is not what it looks like. It's out of context, Lina pleaded.
I went to the hospital to see, before I could finish, Rose interrupted.
Oh please, sister, stop making excuses, Rose said mockingly.
Even if those photos are out of context, then why did you arrive back with Josh? There must be something going on, Rose accused.
Yeah, Josh gave me a ride. He's a nice person, Lina said firmly.
Yes sure, quite a coincidence, Rose replied sarcastically.
What are you implying? I asked, facing Rose directly.
Enough, Adrian shouted.
Have you betrayed me or do you regret marrying me? Adrian asked, his eyes dark and unreadable.
You two are having an affair right in front of my eyes and I can't even get a ride home, Lina said bitterly.
You have no right to judge me, Lina continued, her voice breaking.
You are my wife, and as my wife you belong to me body and soul, Adrian said coldly.
The words echoed in the room.
Lina felt her knees weaken.
And somewhere behind Rose's calm expression, something dangerous flickered.
Adrian's eyes darken as the last words leave Lina's mouth. The room feels suddenly smaller, tighter, like the air itself is holding its breath. He turns sharply to Rose.
Go back to your room Adrian says coldly.
Rose blinks, clearly stunned. Adrian I was just trying to explain she starts, stepping closer to him, her hand lifting slightly as if to touch his arm.
He does not even look at her.
I said go back to your room Adrian repeats, his voice harder now.
Rose freezes. For a second she thinks he might turn to her, might soften, might give her even the smallest glance of reassurance. Instead his attention remains fixed on Lina. Rose clenches her fists, her lips trembling as she lowers her hand. Without another word she turns and walks away, her footsteps sharp against the floor, her presence fading but her bitterness lingering like poison in the air.
Lina exhales shakily, her heart pounding.
Let me be Lina says quietly.
Adrian turns to her slowly.
What did you say he asks.
Let me be Lina repeats, taking a step back. I have done nothing wrong.
He does not respond. Instead he reaches for her wrist.
Don't Adrian Lina says, trying to pull away.
Too late.
He grips her firmly and starts dragging her toward the stairs. Lina stumbles, struggling to keep her balance.
Let go of me Lina snaps, fear and anger mixing in her chest. Adrian this is not right.
You don't get to decide that Adrian says without turning back.
Behind them, Rose peeks from the hallway, her eyes burning with jealousy as she watches.
Adrian ignore her completely. She takes a step forward but stops when Adrian does not even spare her a glance.
In the bedroom Adrian shuts the door with force, the sound echoing like a final warning. Lina yanks her hand free and turns away, but he is already in front of her.
I told you this is not what it looks like Lina says, her voice shaking. You won't even listen.
Listen Adrian repeats bitterly. You expect me to listen after what I saw.
Before she can respond, he pushes her back. Lina falls onto the bed, the mattress dipping beneath her weight. Her breath catches as she stares up at him, her heart racing wildly.
Get away from me Lina says, trying to sit up.
Adrian does not move. He stands there, towering over her, his expression unreadable, his jaw tight.
You belong to me Adrian says quietly, dangerously calm.
Lina's eyes widen.
No she whispers. You don't get to say that.
The tension between them thickens, heavy and suffocating, as Adrian takes a slow step closer and Lina presses herself further into the bed, unsure of what he will do next.
The door remains shut.
And outside the room, unseen but listening, Rose smiles faintly, already planning her next move.