- Drunk

THE coldness of the night added dread to the sleepless Hannah.

She glances at her bedside table where the documents are neatly arranged inside a brown envelope waiting for her signature.

It's haunting and taunting at the same time. She thought they were doing great. He works hard and does everything that pleases him. He could stay out all night and go home drunk and she would still welcome him with open arms. Even when he called her Denise the name of his ex while thrusting her he didn't hear her complain.

Hannah on the other hand, is a full-time housewife, even with a lot of servants in the mansion she's the one who personally tends to Xander and his family. She cooks and serves them. She's not even allowed to eat in the dining area with them.

The only time she does is when there are visitors as the Millers don't want any rumors circulating that they are abusing her.

She might not be the one who washed his clothes but she made sure his clothes were arranged properly in his walk-in closet according to his liking. He specifically demanded that all his clothes be arranged according to color from light to dark. All of his socks should be folded in a specific way and his coffee should be made in a specific measurement of coffee, cream, sugar, and temperature one mistake and he'll demand a new brew. With all the servants in the mansion, only Hannah can satisfy his delicate needs.

That's the reason why all the servants likes her and whenever their young master forgets any special day like Hannah's birthday and their anniversary. They make sure to buy flowers and boxes of chocolates for her and address it to Xander as it sender.

For Hannah, it was clear as day what she is for him but she thinks he will come around if she shows him love and care. Hoping that one day she could warm his cold heart.

From the first day she set foot on the Miller mansion she never slept in his room.

He made it clear from the very beginning that their marriage was only on paper but once the news of their unplanned wedding dies down they'll get a divorce immediately, but things change when he develops an urge towards her. Their separate rooms are useless when he is drunk and high in libido.

He will bang on her door and will not stop till she opens it and as his wife, it's her marital duty to satisfy his desires while taking care of his well-being. Soon those nightly trips he does in her room got her pregnant.

Not even once does he convey happiness in knowing he'll have a child. He didn't accompany her to any of her monthly checkups. Despite his lack of concern he never asks her to abort the baby and never mentions the word divorce again.

Not until tonight.

She frowns, "What change? Did I do something wrong?" She asks herself as she slowly opens the door and discreetly walks outside. Planning to knock on his door and wish he was in the mood to speak.

She walks in the long corridor on the other end of the mansion. She knocked three times and he did not answer. Feeling defeated she started to walk back to her room when she suddenly felt her phone buzz.

She checked who it was and to her surprise it was him, she answered the call immediately, "Xander, where are you?" She asks politely.

The music coming from the other line was so loud that she needed to move the phone away from her ear.

"Hello?" She added in confusion. She was about to disconnect the call thinking he accidentally dialed her number but before she could do that she heard a voice, "Hey, wait Hannah!" The voice on the other line yelled.

"Toby? Is that you?" She asks.

"Yes! Can you pick up Xander? He is too drunk to drive home." Toby explained.

"Sure." She replied immediately.

"Thanks. We are at a bar called The HideOut." He exclaimed.

Shortly, the call ended and Hannah hurriedly changed her clothes. She woke up one of the maids to accompany Bridget and then drove to the bar.

When she got in there she was ushered by a waiter to the VIP room where there was a private strip club filled with rich men and beautiful women. On one of the booths, she saw her husband Xander together with two gorgeous women beside him.

She ignored the ladies near him, she knew that Xander was not the type to cheat, especially with these types of women. She marched to him directly, "Can you walk?" She asks softly.

Xander sneered, "Why are you here?" He yelled then glanced at Toby who was sitting on the opposite side of him, "Did you call her?"

Toby nods. "I'm too tired to drive you home." He remarks while chugging his beer.

"Now I know why the ambiance is off. Your stalking wife is here, Xander," Ashton says mockingly as he sits on the other vacant seat in the booth.

Toby and Ashton are Xander's closest friends. If Toby is friendly, nice, and soft-spoken. Ashton is the opposite he's hot-tempered, bad-mouthed, impulsive, and most of all he doesn't like Hannah. He sees her as a cunning, gold digger that took something that doesn't belong to her.

It is known to Hannah that Ashton and Denise, Xander's ex-girlfriend were pretty close. She knew too well that even after the scandal Denise got herself into, Xander's wedding to her and having their daughter. Ashton still thinks that Denise should be Mrs. Miller.

Hannah ignored Ashton's remarks and continued to talk Xander into coming home with her, "If you can't walk I can guide you to the car." She says coaxingly while lightly tugging his arm.

Xander grunted and closed his eyes.

Ashton took it as a sign of disrespect. "Hey!" He yelled at her. "Don't you ever ignore me!" He added as he took a glass of water and poured it on Hannah's head.

She was dumbfounded as the cold water drenched her. Xander didn't even bat an eye to what Ashton did and the girls beside him started laughing at her. In their minds, Hannah is one of those low-end prostitutes who want to get in a rich person's pants.

Hannah stared at Xander pitifully as if begging him to defend her or at least act like he cared but he did not he glanced away from her as if she was not his wife or the mother of his child.

She heaved deeply and was about to burst into rage, but before she could Toby stood up for her.

"Ashton! What the fuck? Why did you do that?" He exclaimed while handing Hannah his handkerchief. He soon stared at the laughing women in the booth. "Leave... Now!" He yelled his voice so loud that it frightened them and they hurriedly left.

"Hey!" Ashton growled in dismay at what Toby did. "Why did you shoo my girls away." He exclaimed.

Toby smirked, "Why do you need to be so rude to Hannah? She's our friend's wife. Treat her with respect." He stated.

Ashton scoffed, "I'll respect her if she is someone worth respecting. Have you forgotten what she did? and what kind of person she is?" He clamored while glaring at Hannah.

She glances at Toby with a thankful gaze. Then to Ashton, she's about to defend herself against his claims when suddenly Xander stands up and speaks, "Next time when Toby asks you to pick me up don't go." He says to her. "You're not needed here or anywhere." He added as he stared at her like dirt.

She frowns instantly. She could hear Ashton's taunting sneer, she felt embarrassed and out of place. She lowered her head and walked away with tears in her eyes.

"I shouldn’t have come here." She yelled internally as she wiped her tears with the hanky Toby lent to her.

As she walked to her car she saw a figure puffing a cigarette in the parking lot but brushed it off and continued walking. Soon she heard the man calling her.

"Hannah?"

She stared at the man's location, narrowed her gaze then her eyes beamed, "Zane?" she cried out.

Zane walks to her and starts having a conversation. She was happy to see him, she felt safe seeing a familiar face. Zane is one of her oldest friends and he is also her best friend's boyfriend.

"Are you here with Clarise?" She asks.

He shook his head, "I'm with Leon. He is in the restroom puking his guts out." He remarks.

She giggled, "It seems like he hasn't changed." She uttered.

Unknown to them someone witnessed their closeness and the way she laughed at his words.

He nods and continued smoking. "You on the other hand changed a lot. Clarise, Leon, and I. We missed you." He mumbles.

~I miss you all too...~ That's what she wants to say but her words came to an abrupt end, "I miss you a..."

"Hannah!" Xander screamed while staring at her in displeasure.

She turned around only to see the burning gaze of her husband, "Xander," she mumbled softly. She was about to introduce him to Zane but before she could he carried her like a sack of potatoes and hurriedly walked to his car and threw her at the passenger seat.

Zane was dumbfounded and couldn't fathom what happened he was about to follow them and save Hannah but Leon arrived looking like a corpse when he glanced back at the car it was gone.

"Did I miss something?" Leon asks weakly as he holds his stomach.

- Jealousy

"YOU miss him!?" Xander yells as he drives fast.

Hannah's hand trembled and could only cling to her seat firmly as Xander drove 100 km/h on a 50 km/h road. He is clearly upset about the scene he saw and the words he heard.

He sneered, "You must be celebrating when I told you I'm filing for divorce. I didn't know you were already dating someone. Did you really even go there for me? Have you forgotten you are still my wife?" He added as his hold on the steering wheel tightened.

She shook her head, her heart was pounding. She knows when Xander is angry he doesn't listen to reason, but it will anger him more if she can't provide an answer. He might not love her, but he values his name and dignity. His main concern is if someone saw her with another man while still married to him, "He... is Zane... A friend from high school. I'm just telling him I miss them too. Him, his girlfriend Clarise, and another friend of ours. It's a coincidence that I saw him there. After I moved to the Miller mansion I grew apart from them," she said stammeringly, her voice raspy and her eyes teary.

He sighed, the way she spoke sounded believable to him, "Don't you ever do that again. At least wait for divorce." He replied, his eyes devoid of emotion.

Soon he drove slower.

The car ride turned silent, but Hannah could feel his burning gaze as if he wanted to poke a hole in her.

She could smell the alcohol as he breathed, she wanted to tell him to park the car, and she'd drive. It was much safer for them.

But she could vividly remember how he slapped her, and it still frightened her that she didn't want to make unnecessary movements that would anger him.

Soon they reach the Miller mansion and she heaves a sigh of relief.

After he parked the car, she waited for him to leave, but it seemed like he had no plans to go out.

She clears her throat, slowly unlocks her side of the door, and gets out.

Soon he followed her. None of them spoke, but she could feel his dark aura surrounding her.

She brushed it off and walked to the east side of the mansion before she could take her first step. He held her wrist and dragged her to the west side where his room was.

"Xander," she cried out as she tried to free herself.

He scoffed, "What? Are you refusing me now? You think too highly of yourself, Hannah." He clamored.

Her eyes reddened in exasperation. He has no right to treat her that way. She's his wife, the mother of his child, and most of all, she's the person who saved him from the scandal 3 years ago.

"Why are you treating me like that? Am I not a good wife to you? I always keep my mouth shut, even if your family humiliates me. You, as my husband, should defend my name and honor. You know the truth, Xander." She exclaimed.

He grunted, "What are you even blabbering about? Should I thank you for throwing yourself at me?" He cried out his voice so loud that it started to wake people in the mansion.

She wants to retort his accusation as that's not what happened.

"What's the meaning of this?" Lani screamed while looking at Hannah in disdain. "It's in the middle of the night and I hear shouting."

Hannah glanced away and took advantage of the situation to escape Xander's grasp.

Xander stared at his mother, "Why don't you go back to your room? This is between me and Hannah." He said as he gestured for her to go away.

Lani sneered, "Are you drunk?" She mumbles, moves to Xander, then glares at Hannah. "Did you get my son drunk so you could charm him to have another child with you!" Her accusations are so absurd that Hannah can't help but chuckle.

Lani's face contorted in rage, "Are you laughing at me?" she exclaimed, then suddenly pulled Hannah's hair, but Hannah did not fight back and only raised her hands in defense.

"You gold-digging."

"Money-sucking.

"Vile woman."

At every harsh word, Lani yells, a piece of Hannah's dignity leaves her body.

"Enough!" Xander screamed dominantly. "Go back to your room, mother!"

His words were so authoritative that Lani felt her heart skip a bit. She glowered at Hannah one last time and then marched back to her room.

Hannah's eyes were red in shame, in anger, in frustration. Her dry black hair made her look deranged. She took care of Xander so much that she let herself go.

When she saw Lani walk away, she thought of leaving as well.

"Did I permit you to leave?" Xander questions in a deep husky voice. She stopped dead in her tracks and stared at his dark brown eyes that matched his clean-cut hair.

"What do you need from me?" She inquired in a low voice. Like a scared bunny in front of a dangerous predator.

He breathes out, "Fulfill your marital duty." He declares, then holds her arm and walks her to his room.

Inside the room.

He stripped her down, pushed her belly flat on the bed, and penetrated her from behind. No kisses. No foreplay. Straight down to business. As if she's a prostitute.

After he relieved his desires, he would throw her out of the room like a dirty peasant, but tonight is different. He let her stay and hugged her till they fell asleep.

THE NEXT DAY.

Hannah was awakened by a ringing phone. She checked hers but it was not it. She searched for the source of the sound and found it was coming from his pants which were now on the floor.

Still naked she gently got out of bed and slowly fished his phone from his pants. She looked at the caller ID and it was an unsaved number. Not thinking anything about it she's about to answer the call.

But Xander suddenly woke up. "What are you doing?" He asks in a cold tone.

"Unsave number calling. I don't want to wake you up so--"

"You decided you'll answer the phone? What if it's something important, what will you do then?" He intervenes.

"I'll pretend to be your assistant and take the message." She explains.

He scoffed, stood up, and took the phone away from her. Sight still blurry, "Wear some clothes would you and make some coffee." He demanded. His face clearly shows displeasure.

She was still picking up her clothes when his phone rang again. She saw that it was the same number. She witnessed how he answered the call and the expression on his face changed from annoyed to calm. She even saw him smile.

Her eyes dilated in disbelief, "Who is he talking to?" She asks herself, as she tries to listen to their conversation.

When he saw her staring at him, he moved away from her and went to the balcony while gesturing to her to leave the room, shooing her like a dog.

Her heart sank as she walked away. She could feel that a storm was coming her way.

- Daddy's Little Girl

AFTER the weird phone call Xander received, he went down to the dining area in a seemingly good mood. Hannah could only steal glances at her husband as she served the food on the table.

Soon Lani and Katarina join Xander in the dining area. When Hannah saw them she immediately walked to the kitchen as they didn't like seeing her when they were eating.

While the Millers enjoy the warm food she cooks, she's in the kitchen eating with her daughter and Mrs. Copperfield.

"Momma," she mumbles as she points at the pieces of bananas beside the pancakes. Hannah gave her a small piece that she devoured in seconds.

Hannah and Mrs. Copperfield laugh at how adorable Bridget is.

LATER THAT DAY, at the Miller Group.

It's bring your child to work day at the company.

Xander stared at the kids seated beside their parents staring at the type of work they were doing. He doesn't detest children he is not just fond of crying, vomiting, pooing, and peeing. That's the reason why he never got close to his daughter.

In fact, the child is afraid of him. He once heard her say, "Momma, there's... Monster..." While pointing at him.

He could vividly remember the horror on Hannah's face. She immediately hid Bridget behind her and apologized to him.

Remembering it now left a sour taste in his mouth.

"Maybe I am a monster," he mumbles to himself as he watches the kids playing with their parents.

When Xander got home. He purposely went to the east wing of the mansion to check on Hannah and Bridget.

When he knocks on the door only Mrs. Copperfield and Bridget are inside the room.

The old woman doing her best to play with the energetic child but as she is in her 50's it is a bit hard for her.

"Where's Hannah?" He inquired his voice so deep that it frightened Bridget and hid behind Mrs. Copperfield.

"She is preparing dinner as we speak." She replied politely as she breathed rapidly.

He could sense that she was tired and needed a break. He stared at the child behind her and gestured for her to come near him.

Mrs. Copperfield coaxed the child and assured her that it was safe.

Hesitantly, Bridget walked to him when he held Bridget's hand he was surprised at how small her hand was.

"How old are you now?" He asks casually.

"Two!" She mumbles softly as she gestures her age with her fingers.

"Two, I wonder how small she is as a newborn," he thought as a smile escaped his lips.

"How about you come with me and we let Mrs. Copperfield rest she seems tired." He says as he kneels in front of her.

Bridget nods.

Mrs. Copperfield's eyes well up. The scene in front of her is something only in dreams could happen. She discreetly pinches herself and winces in pain. Despite that, she smiled gleefully and watched how Xander carried Bridget over his shoulder and he smiled in joy.

When Hannah finished cooking and setting up the dining area, she asked the maids to call Lani and Katarina to eat while she checked if Xander was in his room.

As she walks to the west wing of the mansion she can't help but hear laughter.

She was weirded out as the west wing should always be silent because it is where the Millers stay. Lani and Katarina are on the third floor and Xander is on the second floor.

She hurriedly walks to the origin of the sound as the giggle and soft footsteps are familiar, "Bridget," she mumbles as her hands shiver in fear. Thinking Bridget got away from Mrs. Copperfield and got lost in the west wing. She's afraid that Bridget might break a vase or an ornament.

Like the last time. When she was cooking Bridget sneaked away and accidentally broke an angel figurine owned by Katarina. She witnessed how Katarina almost hit her daughter, if she hadn't arrived soon she wondered what could have happened.

She fought against her sister-in-law but as it always been Lani came and berated her and her daughter.

Called her names. All she could do was cover Bridget's ear as she listened to their mockery of her.

When Xander arrived he didn't even bat an eye and hurriedly went to his room.

She soon arrived at her destination. Her heart was pounding and slowly she opened the door. Only to see Xander playing with Bridget.

They made a makeshift port using the sofa cushion and Bridget hid while Xander was counting.

Hannah's eyes well up. The day she always hoped finally came. Xander is starting to act like a father to their daughter.

"Momma!" Bridget yelled as she ran to Hannah.

She carried her daughter in her arms like she always does.

Bridget smiles. "Poppa, carry...me .. higher..." She says while pointing at her mother's shoulder.

Hannah understood what she meant, "Well, I'm not that tall and not that strong to carry you on my shoulder." She explains softly.

Bridget puckered her lips and then crossed her arms. Then glances at Xander with a pleading look.

She wants her father to carry her again.

Xander understood her and marched towards them and took her from her mother's hand. As he does he can't help but stare at his wife's light brown eyes.

"Has her eyes always been that brown?" He asks himself.

The situation felt surreal for her and her face turned red. Being that close to her he notices it immediately.

"Are you sick?" He asks as he holds Bridget then touches Hannah's forehead with his other hand.

"I'm fine," she smiles.

Still standing close to her. Xander felt things move slowly as if he was seeing her for the first time. Unknowingly he starts caressing her face and then kisses her on the lips as it happens both of them are dumbfounded and taken aback.

Hannah lowered her head, "The food is ready." She mumbles awkwardly trying her best to change the weird ambiance.

"Food!" Bridget yelled in glee.

Soon they went downstairs, Xander still carrying his daughter while Hannah followed them behind.

At that time Katarina and Lani are already in the dining area.

When they saw them.

Lani can't help but sneer, "Are you trying to win my son using your daughter?"

Katarina then added fuel to Lani's accusations, "What do you expect from a gold-digging bitch and her bastard daughter."

Hannah can't take it anymore. "Say what you want about me but never call my daughter a bastard. We were legally married when Bridget was conceived. The only bastard I'm seeing here is you." She exclaimed while looking at Lani.

It is not a secret in the Miller household that Lani Miller is not a legitimate child from a wealthy family she's a product of the infidelity of Xander's grandfather with a hooker. Despite that, she acts high and mighty.

Lani and Katarina's faces contorted in anger.

"Xander, look at the woman you brought home. How insolent?" Lani yelled at the top of her lungs.

Xander eyes enlarge upon hearing the words that came out of Hannah. "Why must you say that?" He stated.

She shook her head then took Bridget from him and went straight to the kitchen when suddenly Katarina stood up and grabbed Hannah's hair.

"How dare you use such words on my mother?" She yelled.

Bridget started crying, "Bad! Bad! Trina!" She yelled then clenched her small hands into a fist to hit her aunt.

Xander was dumbstruck by the chaos in front of him. "Enough!" He yelled dominantly.

"Katarina go back to your seat!" He exclaimed.

She obeyed Xander's words but didn't stop glaring at Hannah.

He then moved to Hannah and took Bridget from her. "What are you doing? Give her back to me!" She roared at him.

He held her hand while carrying Bridget in his other hand. Hannah did not fight anymore as he might accidentally let go of their daughter.

The child starts wailing and it annoys Katarina. "Put a lid on that child." She commented.

As soon as the words left her Xander stared at her with a darkened gaze. She cowered in fear and could only lower her head.

He handed the inconsolable Bridget to Mrs. Copperfield and then dragged Hannah to his room.

The people in the dining area could only stare at them.

INSIDE Xander's room.

He pushed Hannah face down into his bed and pinned her using his knee. "Why are you so feisty all of a sudden?" He yelled.

She sneered, "If I don't what do you think will happen to me and my daughter in this house? You saw how your mother and sister speak to me... Heck, even your friend and what did you do? NOTHING!" She screamed. She let out all her frustrations that she had been bottling up since the first day she set foot in the Miller mansion.

"You want a divorce!?" She shouted. She could feel his knee pressing her harder against the bed. "I'll sign the papers now, but I want sole custody of my daughter." She declared with certainty.