Fifteen years ago,a fire ravaged everything,and to save Caleb Maverick,I rushed into the inferno.I know,it was dumb of me but what could I do back then?I wanted to save the one I loved by doing the unthinkable.

As a result of the excessive Smoke from the fire,my left eye got damaged,rendering it blind.As I gradually got better,Caleb popped the question.

"From now on,I'll be your eyes."His eyes twinkled as he smiled.With my other good eye,I was still appreciative of the man that proposed to me.

He vowed to care for me forever,and I believed him like a fool.But years later,his promise

faded.

——

He wasn't the man I used to know when the going was good.He had changed completely.

Pregnant and alone,I waited at the hospital.

"You're not completely blind,so why do you need me to go with you?You're being dramatic again."He had said."This household's expenses are all covered by me;you're spending my money,so don't cause any trouble.Do you think I'd need to work overtime if it weren't for supporting you?"

He left,annoyed,and I sat alone on the hospital bench,waiting for the checkup results.Instead,all I got was the shock of my life—Caleb's side piece,Ava Jacobs had posted on Social Media that she was on a romantic getaway trip to the underwater aquarium.

The picture showed Caleb and herself surrounded by fishes,embracing and gazing lovingly at each other.The caption read,"The man I love gave me an underwater aquarium.This is the most romantic love!"

I knew about the underwater aquarium.It was an expensive place which he had built just for her.My heart was broken to shreds.It hurt.

The man I loved had moved on.The man I almost died to save had moved on.Why were they always like this?Moving on to the next available woman when the present woman no longer suits their needs.

It was disgusting and I hated Caleb for it.When I was done with the antenatal,I went home alone.My mind was racing with different thoughts of'what-ifs'.

I forced a smile,feeling bitter.It turned out she was his true love.

When I returned home,my phone was flooded with messages from him.

"Where were you?I went to the hospital,and you weren't there."

"You're playing games with me,Elise.You think you're really clever!?"

Each message was filled with anger.My heart ached intensely.A week ago,I reminded him about the prenatal checkup,but he still forgot.He was more concerned about doing whatever pleased that side piece rather than what was good for his family.

As I typed,my fingers trembled.

"Having fun with Ava at the underwater aquarium?"

Just as I expected,the messages stopped coming in.He'd rather not ruin the moment and be with Ava than to come home and care for his pregnant wife.

It annoyed me the more I thought about it.If anyone had told me years ago that Caleb would be like this,I wouldn't have believed them.

It hurt me even more that I believed his lies all those years ago.I should have known better.

After I sent the message,he stopped responding and blocked me,waiting for me to apologize first like I always did.

It was his MO.He loved gaslighting me.Making me beg for him just because I was blinded in one eye.But not this time,this time,I'd had enough.

After a few hours,he returned home,slamming the door.My ears rang because of the noise.This was his way of announcing his arrival.His way of letting me know that he didn't want to be home with me.

His footsteps echoed as he got closer to the room we shared.When he finally badged in,he looked okay,which meant he wasn't drunk.

He tossed two seashells on the table,sizing me up before looking away.

"Ava sent these for you."He muttered,taking off his clothes.The nerves he had on him to still bring takeouts from their so called outing.He wasn't ashamed to admit that there was another woman.

This was him indirectly telling me that I didn't matter to him anymore.

"Excuse me?"The muscles in my jaw ticked with how much I was gnashing my teeth.This idiot obviously didn't have the decency to be respectful to me.

But then again,whatever was happening now,I deserved it.I was a fool for love.I did the unthinkable for love.I accepted to walked on all in the name of love.

And now,a broken heart was all that was left.It was all I got in return for my sacrifices.

"Don't play coy with me,Elise.I'm in no mood to argue with you today.Just take it as a token of her thoughtfulness."

My stomach churned.I felt nauseated.The smell of the ocean was messing me.I was finding it so hard to control myself from puking because of the stupid morning sickness.

As a first time mom,the pregnancy hormones didn't feel so good.I was either spitting a lot or having swollen legs and loss of appetite.I couldn't wait for nine months to be over.

Caleb's face darkened."What the hell is that attitude for?All you do is nag while all Ava does is being considerate of you."

"Caleb…take those shells away from me…"I said in between deep breaths.He didn't take it lightly.Me refusing his side piece gifts to me.Maybe he thought I'd consider it a favor.

He grabbed my neck."You're getting on my last fucking nerves,Elise.Take the fucking shells."

I began to see tiny dots in my vision.I was almost out of breath but he kept ranting about shells.I fainted on the sofa,my breathing labored.

Only then did he notice my distress.He rushed to get water to sprinkle on my face.

He kept muttering,"Aren't you feeling okay?Why didn't you say anything?You're so stubborn that you'd rather make a fuss than think of your health."

"I wouldn't be this way if you had noticed,"I said,weakly.My face had lost all its color.Why was I always at the end of his anger?Did I disgust him that much?

He sighed,scratching his head in frustration.He couldn't really do anything to me in my condition.Caleb was everything else but an abuser–at least not physically.

"Look,there's no need to make a big deal out of nothing.Just post a picture of the shells online,with a simple caption for Ava's sake."His disheveled hair was everywhere."She's worried that you may not like the gift,so just do it."

My anger rose again.Why was he being so stupid?Anyone could see through Ava's facade.She was with him for the money.

"I won't do it."

He sneered."Jealous much?"

"Say all you want,Caleb.I'm not posting any pictures online to please your girlfriend."I seethed.

"Of course,you're jealous.Who wouldn't be jealous of her?You're just a disfigured woman who doesn't hold a candle against her."

His words cut me deep but I refused to act on it.

That night,he ended up posting the picture with my phone himself,whispering words that I could hear because he was in close proximity.

What did he do that for?How did he even get my phone.

"Very lovely."

"What did you do that,Caleb?I told you not to post anything.How did you even get my phone?"

He fumed,veins popping on his forehead."Ava couldn't sleep,so I decided to do it since you were too stubborn to do so."

It was ridiculous.I called him out.

"Why did you do that?Did I beg you for shells?What do you think she'll think of me now?Why are you so hell bent on humiliating me with her?"

He dismissed me like what I was saying didn't make any sense."See what I said?You're overreacting."

Oh,fuck it!That was the final straw.I'd had enough of his narcissistic self.

"I've had enough of this.Let's get a divorce."

He laughed."Who'll want a blind woman?"

The same man who once promised to be my eyes,now taunted me.The fire that once blinded me now illuminated the truth:Caleb was never my savior,but my captor.

Fifteen years ago,the fire had taken my sight.Now,it was my dignity.

But I would be damned if I let him take anything else.

"I want to divorce Caleb,mum.We've grown distant over the years and if I stay with him any further,I might lose my shit."

My mother immediately blew up."You want to divorce Caleb over something so trivial?"

Trivial?Was she being serious right now?

My breathing halted,and my chest felt heavy,as if a lump of resentment had formed.

"Trivial?How is my welfare trivial?"I asked.

"Are you crazy?"She fumed,her face reddened with anger."Do you think you can divorce Caleb?You're blind,and once divorced,you'll be damaged goods.No one will want you,Elise.Can't you use your head?"

I told my parents about Caleb's infidelity.I thought they would support me after hearing about his actions.But her words pierced my heart like a knife.

"Mum,just because I'm blind doesn't mean that I have to be subjected to a life of servitude just to please a man who is now my tormentor."

She scoffed at me,"It doesn't change the fact you're blind in an eye!What do you think marriage is,Elise?Marriage isn't always rosy.It's a bed full of thorns.All you have to do is know how to lay on it."

"And I'll say this again,just because I'm blind doesn't mean I have to settle for less or be trapped in this hellhole called a marriage with Caleb."I sighed,massaging my temple.I was beginning to have a headache."Mom,I want a divorce,and I won't keep this child."

My mother slammed her cup on the time with such strength that it shattered,and began scolding me without caring about the shards of glass on the table.

"Can't you see your situation?Women like you are a dime of a dozen.You're lucky to have married someone as wealthy as Caleb."She softened her tone,grasping my hand."Men stray sometimes,but as his wife,you can't change that."

"And don't let that woman have his child;we can't divide the property between your child and hers if she gives birth.Your brother needs Caleb's help with his wedding,so don't mess it up."

"Mom…"I whined.

"Fine.I'll call Caleb and talk some sense into him."

Watching my mother rush to speak with Caleb,I felt despair.This couldn't be my life right now.I couldn't believe it;I refused to believe it.

I always knew she didn't like me,but I never thought she'd sacrifice my happiness for Caleb's wealth.

I packed my bags to leave,and there he was,standing at the door,his eyes dark.He was probably happy that no one was supporting me.

"No one supports your divorce,so stopped causing a scene.You're embarrassing your family."

I knew it.He was happy.He knew my mother was greedy and wouldn't accept it,that's why he didn't say anything in his difference when I told her about the divorce.

My mother pushed me toward the car.

"Please be patient with Elise,Caleb.She hasn't fully grasp the reality of marriage,okay?"

"Mom,I will."He nodded,a gentle smile on his lips.

Getting into the car,I saw a makeup pad and some potato chip crumbs.

He was mocking me.It was evident that he was or else if he had even the slightest bit of respect for me,he wouldn't have let me see those things.

"Don't be jealous,Elise,it doesn't look good on you.Besides,Ava wouldn't complain like you,"he said,clenching his hands on the steering wheel as he drove out of my family's home.

I found a flimsy bra in the seat crevice.

Caleb's face changed,giving off a shy smile.

"Ava chose it for you.Do you like it?"He asked me,waiting eagerly for my response."You know you've got bad taste when it comes to these sort of things.You should learn from Ava instead of always going against her."

Usually,I'd appease him,but this time,I asked,"Whose taste do you find appealing?Ava's?"

His expression turned cold.

"Can you be more open-minded like Ava?She's only trying to be nice."

This was a hand me down gift.She had already worn it and I could tell because it was a new bra,the tag would still be on it.

This was the highest insult I could take.I had become an object of ridicule for them to the point that she gave me her bras?

How messed up was that?

"Disgusting,"I said,before tossing the bra out of the car."I guess she doesn't have great taste either."

The atmosphere in the car became chilly…way too chilly.He was furious and probably going to do something stupid.

I clutched the handle of the door as he sped up.He was driving at a speed that was dangerous for the baby's health.

"Slow down,Caleb.I'm uncomfortable…You're going to hurt the baby."

He saw my distress,and went even faster."Let's teach you a lesson since you don't know how to respect and appreciate when people help you."

"Stop…"

He sped up even more.I hit my head on the backseat.My head was spinning and I felt like vomiting.

"Oh no,I'm not going to stop.I'm going to teach you a lesson.Tell me,have you had enough?Are you learning your lesson?"He yelled at me,his countenance still the same.

My stomach churned."Stop...I'm pregnant…please…"

He sneered."Are you still pretending?"

When the car came to a stop,I hurriedly got out and vomited.It was relieving to puke my guts out.At least I wouldn't feel like I was about dying.

From where I stopped,I could see him taking out his phone to film me.

I choked as I began wiping the residue of the vomit with the sleeves of my shirt.

"What are you doing?Why are you filming me?"

He smiled sinisterly,his brows arched."Now,who's more disgusting,huh?You or Ava?"

It turned out he was taking revenge for Ava.He was taking it out on me for tossing away the so-called lingerie she gave me.

My vision was almost blurred by the tears as they kept streaming down my cheeks.He was so quick to defend her and then give me crap for speaking against her.

I choked on my sob and I struggled to speak.But Caleb didn't seem to care,he was only interested in taunting me and making my life a living hell.

"Why are you doing this?Why are you hurting me to please her?!"I yelled.

"Does it hurt that much?Ava doesn't mind when I speed..."

"I am pregnant and she's not.Maybe you should take that into consideration the next time you decide to speed to the moon."I jabbed.

He stopped,remembering I was pregnant.He handed me a box of strawberry-flavored milk from the car.

"You're right.Ava said morning sickness is normal during pregnancy,and you should be treated delicately.So drink up."

This milk was her favorite.

One time at the party where I first met Ava,everyone drank except Caleb,who held a carton of strawberry milk.

Someone joked,"Caleb's being thoughtful,bringing milk for his pregnant wife..."

Apparently the joke went over his head,and he couldn't even resist the urge to embarrass me.Without a second thought,he handed the milk over to her.

"Special delivery for you."He smiled at her and she blushed.They were flirting with each other in front of me and our mutual friends.

"Shouldn't this be for your wife?She's pregnant,"she said,trying to sound nice and considerate.

"Just take it.I'm sure Elise wouldn't mind,"he said,dismissively,without looking at me.He was already eating from the palm of her hands.

Ava glanced at me nervously."I really do not want to offend your wife,Caleb."

Caleb sneered."Oh,she knows her place.Do you think she'll fight you for it?"

"I just think it would be rude,Caleb,"she said,hiding a sly smile that disappeared as soon as it appeared.

"I'll fight for you."

That night,I decided to leave early,feeling uncomfortable.He remarked,"You're blind in one eye,can you even see the road in the dark?"

His words exposed my insecurities.Everyone's gaze fell upon me,making me feel like I had a target on my back.

He continued,"Are you trying to make a scene?Do you think the world revolves around you just because you're pregnant?You're really overreacting."

"Caleb…"I muttered.

"You don't need to come to these gatherings anymore.Ava's enough."

That night,Caleb humiliated me.Now,he'd achieved success and treated me like trash.Like I meant little or nothing to him.

From that day on,everyone knew his intentions with Ava.He even kept a stash of strawberry milk in his car just for her.

I stared into his dark,soulless eyes that were targeted towards me.

"You don't need to give that to me.Save it for your sweet little Ava.I'm sure she needs it more than I do."

He crushed the carton and poured milk all over my head.

"See,that's the kind of thing that makes me want to strangle you.You don't want the milk,huh?"

This sticky,disgusting strawberry flavor.It would have been great if it didn't look like Ava was the brand ambassador for the drink.It was always Ava.Ava this.Ava that.I was sick of it.

"No.I'm pretty sure that darling Ava would need that.She seems to live off it.So you wasting it on me doesn't do her much good,does it?"

He sneered."Elise Grey,you're despicable."

"I am despicable because you made me this way,Caleb!!"I screamed,milk residue still dripping over me.

"Ava told me to take care of you,and you're being unreasonable."He chuckled."Can't you just be as sweet as Ava and stop nagging about everything."

"I married you,gave you a child,while she has nothing.I must love her,understood?That way she has something to hold on to."

"It's always Ava.Ava this.Ava that.Why don't you go ahead and marry her!"I couldn't take it anymore.

During my prenatal checkup,he ignored my pleas.Now,because of her words,he obeyed.Eating from the palm of her hands.

Tears mixed with milk streamed down my face.Suddenly,Caleb's phone rang and judging by the way his face softened,I had a pretty good guess about who it was—Dear Ava.

Her tearful voice came through the phone.

"Caleb,I'm so scared...There are thugs here."

"Don't worry,I'll be right there.Just give me a few minutes,"he said,soothingly,trying to calm her down.

He opened the car door.I realized he planned to abandon me.

"Where…where are you going?"I stuttered.

"There are no taxis around."He scowled."And Ava needs my help."

"Why didn't she call the cops,huh?You just want to be the hero in her story and the villain in my story,Caleb."

"Don't be so dramatic,Elise.I'll be back for you."

The deserted area seemed creepy.What was a pregnant woman going to do alone here?

I grasped his hand."You can't leave me here,I'm pregnant."

He snapped."Don't use the pregnancy to guilt trip me into taking you.Ava is in danger;you can handle yourself,but she can't."

He pried open my fingers,and left me all alone.After a while,the rain poured down,and I called him,my voice trembling.On the 99th call,he finally picked up.

"Caleb,my stomach hurts...there's no one here."I whimpered.

But Ava's voice came through the line,"Baby,can we see the underwater aquarium again?"

Caleb laughed."At a time like this,you want to go see the fishes?"

She giggled."I think it will help with the nerves.I've never been faced with thugs before."

Caleb's passionate breath followed."Sure.We'll go there in a bit."

"Is Elise still on the road?Will she be okay?"

He chuckled,his breath heavy with emotion,"You're thinking of others at a time like this?You're so kind."

She giggled,"I'm not in a hurry.Go check on your wife;she's pregnant..."

Caleb's response sent chills down my spine:"She won't die.I'm pretty sure that she can do without me for a while."

"Caleb!"I yelled.

"What,Elise?"

"Help!"

I slipped,rolling down the slope,and watched as Caleb got into the car and drove off.

I winced at the pain coming from my stomach.I touched my stomach but the pain only intensified and out nowhere,I saw blood pooling from beneath me...