Chapter 6

• ALEXANDRA
• A knock on the bathroom door pulls me from my thoughts. “Alex!” Jack's voice comes through, laced with irritation. “Are you seriously going to hide in there all night?”
• I swallow down my frustration, forcing my face into a neutral mask before opening the door. He's leaning against the frame, his blue eyes cold with accusation.
• They wanted a meal so I cooked one for them. Even though I was tired and just wanted to rest. I have just jumped out of my dress and into my pajamas when he came pounding on the door. Honestly, I don't even know what he wants from me.
• “I wasn’t hiding,” I respond, not bothering to hide the irritation in my voice,as I brush past him.
• He scoffs. “That meal was cold. Mom’s not happy. Did you do it deliberately?”
• Not wanting to be near him, I walk to the kitchen so I can make a cup of tea. But as I walk past them, Alicia sneers,
• “Maybe if Alex knew her place, she’d have the decency to cook a proper meal. You tolerate her nonsense so much it's getting to her head!”
• Jack doesn’t defend me. He never does. Instead, he folds his arms across his chest while leaning against the door frame and says,
• “I've thought about it too. You're losing your touch, Alex. Was it because you were angry?”
• “Touch?” Alicia jumps in, “Just say it as it is, Jack! This cooking is trash. Maybe she's trying to poison us?”
• “Your hands work very well, Alicia. Why don't you show us your skills instead of being a sitting duck waiting to be served every damn time?” I retort, my voice boiling over in anger.
• I'm tired. Tired of his shit and tired of this fucked up family but where can I go? I only stayed this long because I thought it would get better, Jack would eventually stand up for me but he has become even worse.
• Silence falls over the room for a moment before Alicia let's out an exaggerated scoff. “I don’t have time for that,” she sneers. “Unlike you, I actually have things to do.”
• Marina clucks her tongue in disapproval.
• “You should be grateful we even eat the garbage you serve,” she says, pushing her plate away. “If I had known my son would marry such a useless woman, I would have stopped him.”
• “I knew it from the first time he introduced you that he had picked a wrong one. Look at you, no respect whatsoever.” Alicia grunts.
• “Respect? You mean you want me to watch you walk over me?” My voice shakes from how much anger is boiling inside me.
• I was tired from the event and the cold hadn't completely gone, yet I had to cook, clean just like I did every day for the past three years while I was expected to still support Jack's new start up with procurement since I had connections from when I was in the military.
• I look at them and they both just roll their eyes.
• Jackson just stands there, his indifference cutting deeper than their words. He doesn't even glance my way, as if I'm not worth defending, as if I'm not his supposed wife.
• I clench my fists, my stomach knotting with frustration and exhaustion. I'm about to walk back to my room when the door opens.
• All heads turn as Mia steps in. Looking all fragile and hypocritical as usual.
• Before I can say anything, Marina and Alicia rush to her side, their faces lighting up with the kind of warmth they have never once shown me.
• “Oh, Mia! You must be exhausted, is your broken ankle better now?” Marina gushes, taking her hands in hers. “Come, sit down.”
• “Alex, prepare something warm for Mia. She just woke up and can't eat that trash you served us,”
• “Oh please don't be so hard on her. I can manage to make some soup. I’m already intruding as it is.” Mia speaks, and tries to stand before falling over hitting herself at the table in the process.
• I have to give it to her. She is good!
• I watch as the three rush to her aid and check for anything broken or discomfort.
• My heart shatters in pieces as I watch everyone fuss over Mia the way they never did for me. Jack used me, took every dime I had and never even acknowledged me in public as his wife.
• He had watched his mother and sister torment me and not once has he defended me. Seeing them rush to Mia is a slap in the face and wake up call. I can break my back, bend my bones and give them my soul and that will never be enough.
• Though I wonder if they knew I sponsored Jackson's company if they would then accept me. What is it about me that they've hated since the day they set their eyes on me?
• I've tried. Really I have and now I'm left on the sidelines with nothing. Broke, without a dime or anything.
• “Jack,” I call for him but he ignores me, rushing to grab the first aid kit. But I follow him and block his way,
• “Alex, not now. Come on, can't you see Mia's hurt?”
• “Let's get a divorce.”