Chapter 1 – Caught In The Act

• TILDA
• The noise from downstairs signaled James’s arrival, and hurriedly, I ran down the staircase to welcome him with the great news. At last, we could have our own child, something we had both always wanted.
• Stepping into the living room, I froze instantly.
• There, sprawled across the couch, was my husband, James—naked and tangled in the arms of my half-sister, Kristie.
• A sharp pain tore through my chest at the gut-wrenching sight, and my vision became blurred. Slowly, hot tears spilled down my cheeks, each one burning with betrayal.
• But they didn’t stop; they acted like I was invisible, giggling and moaning as they carried on with their disgraceful act.
• It can't be James and Kristie, they were the two people closest to me. I trusted them with everything.
• Suddenly the air turned suffocating, and all I wanted was to get away. Surely, my imagination was playing with my head. James cannot betray me; the love we share was too strong.
• Moments later, I was all alone, wandering in the street, and mumbling.
• Why? My heart was bleeding, trembling, cracking and shattering at the same time.
• “Hello, my lady,” a young man approached me from behind.
• My first reaction was to scream, *go away* but helpless, I fell into his strong arms, surrendering. His warmth masculine smell providing the comfort I so much desired.
• “I don’t deserve this,” I sobbed.
• “I know you don’t, Tilda,” he whispered.
• My body stiffened. How did the stranger know my name? However, I was drunk, way too drunk to care.
• “You shouldn’t let go of yourself this way?” he said, worry laced in his tone.
• “Kristie was supposed to be my sister,” I whispered. “I shared everything with her. Why would she do this? Why with James?”
• He sighed. “They are the losers here, Tilda. It is late and you shouldn’t be out here by yourself.”
• I never expected an answer, at least not from him. But his voice felt soothing, reassuring. Something in it that made me trust him. “Please take me, I want to be far from them,” I begged, clutching on to him tightly.
• The next morning, I woke up in an unfamiliar room with an uneasy feeling.
• “What am I doing here?” I glanced around, my memory a haze, my body tense.
• I took the note on the table and stared at the words.
• *Wait for me, Tilda. I will be back soon.*
• My pulse quickened. Who was he? I needed to leave this place, and ignoring the servants who tried to stop me, I rushed home. It was just a bad night, and everything would return to normal as soon as I am with James again.
• But the moment Kristie opened the door, the unease resurfaced.
• “What do you want here, Tilda?” she sneered.
• I frowned. “Kristie, why are you here so early?”
• She scoffed. “You reeked of alcohol, Tilda, return back to where you came from.”
• “Oh, Kristie, I think something is messing with my head,” I confided in her, my eyes probing for James. I was supposed to be the perfect wife, how did I get drunk and find myself on the bed of a stranger? “Where is my husband?”
• “You returned, Tilda.” James appeared at the top of the staircase, dressed in pajamas, a cigarette dangling between his fingers.
• “We thought you will never do.” He sounded indifferent as he made his way down the stairs.
• I felt an instant relief by his presence. “James, I don’t know what happened, nothing seems to be making sense anymore.”
• I rushed towards him, but Kristie stepped forwards, wrapping her arms around his waist.
• “Kristie,” I stuttered, glaring at her. She jokes too much, and so I turned to James. “I can explain everything, James. This morning...”
• James cut in. “It will all make sense soon, Tilda.” He exhaled a puff of smoke.
• “I swear I don’t know, I woke up and... and,” I hesitated.
• As much as I tried, last night remained a hazy blur. My stomach twisted. “This isn’t real. It’s all in my dream. Soon I will wake and it will be alright.”
• “You want to know what’s real,” Kristie chuckled, placing her hand on her stomach. Her eyes gleaming with triumph. “I’m pregnant. James and I are having a baby,” she announced.
• “Kristie,” my voice suddenly became hoarse. “He is... my husband...”
• James scoffed, glaring at me with revulsion. “It has always been your fault, Tilda. All these years you kept me childless. I have Kristie now.”
• I held my head, it was pounding fast. Memories from last night, the ones I had been desperate to escape, came flooding in. I had seen them, James and Kristie, on this couch, making love. I got myself drunk as a result.
• Then the stranger from last night, he too was real. Who was he and how did he know so much about me?
• Tears flowed freely.
• “Yes Tilda, no one wants a barren woman. Real women like me should have the men,” Kristie ridiculed me.
• In my desperation, I reached for James, grabbing his hand. “But I went to the doctor yesterday, James. We can fix this and I will carry your child. I was going to give you the news. The IVF this time is with guaranteed result. You don’t have to wait anymore.”
• “You’ve got your chance, Tilda. Now I don’t want you no more. Leave and never come back,” James pushed me hard, sending me crushing on the floor.
• I recoiled in fear, scared of what he might do next. Nevertheless, as tears blurred my vision, I begged earnestly. “I got nowhere, Please don’t send me away, James.”
• “No one wants you, Tilda,” Kristie spat. “Leave you pathetic fool.”
• I scrambled to my feet. “I did everything for you, James. I can do more. Please don’t do this.”
• He looked away like I wasn’t even there.
• The intensity of my desperation increased. “We can fix this and pretend it never happened. I know you are disappointed in me, but this time will be different.”
• A slow smirk curled on his lips. “We are already divorced, stupid. You signed the papers.”
• James was in charge of everything I owned, and all along, I signed whatever document he brings without a second glance. He tricked me.
• My blood turned cold. “No, I didn’t...” the words caught in my throat.
• Kristie tossed a stack of papers at me. “Here,” she said smugly. “Your divorce papers. You don’t belong here anymore.”
• I trembled as I unfolded them, my eyes darting across the words. It was real, and James had taken everything.
• My world shattered.
• A choked sob escaped my lips as darkness closed in. The last thing I heard before everything faded was Kristie’s victorious laughter.
• And then, I collapsed.