Chapter 22

The next day was more painful than last night. I didn't even sleep; all I heard was a bird chirping, and I stood up with so much pain as my body felt numb because I was on the hard floor throughout the cold night. 
I pray the Almighty protects my child, wherever he may be. 
I went to the bathroom and soaked myself in the hot tub. Trying to drown my sorrow.
I'm sure Chad would have already ordered divorce papers; it's not like he liked me in the first place.
I just feel useless right now; I failed in everything in my life. I failed to be a daughter, a sister, a wife, and even a mother. I regret refusing my parents and cutting them off to be with a black-hearted monster.
I'm never going to forgive Chad for ruining my life. I was way too sad to cry. It's as if I'm empty, even literally. 
I left the washroom and went to the closest store to get some fresh clothes. I saw my child's clothes and forced myself not to cry. 
I heard someone knock, and I went to the door, and when I opened the door, I saw Chad. 
"Hi, can I help you, Mr. Stone?" I asked him.
I've decided to stay formal with Chad, so he'll know how serious I am.
"I wanted to get my clothes," he said, and I eyed him.
How pathetic.
"Have you forgotten? You moved into Sophie's room, where all your belongings are over there. Don't come back here to disturb me; I'm busy." I pointed at the far door from mine and shut the door. I'm his face.
I was still extremely angry with him. But I'm too tired for a fight.
I heard another OK knock on the door, and I swear, if that was Chad, I'd murder him and then kill myself.
I ignored the knock, but the person kept on knocking.
When I opened the door and was about to pounce on Chad and rip out his lungs, I stopped to see Claire, and she gave me a sad smile.
"Good morning, ma'am," Claire said with her cleaning utensils. 
I shuttered and hugged her. I don't know why I did that, but I just needed a hug.
Shocked by my sudden action, she dropped her utensils and hesitantly hugged me back. Her hug encouraged me a little, but it was better than nothing.
"Ma'am, I need to get my chores done," she said, and I released myself from her hold.
"Sorry" 
"No problem, ma'am; breakfast is ready; master's coffee hasn't been done." 
I rolled my puffy eyes. "Don't worry, Sophie will make it for him." I was about to leave the room for her.
"Miss Sophie is not available," she called out, but I couldn't care less.
I went downstairs, and my breakfast was served. A little while later, Chad was jogging downstairs and fell from the stairs, but I didn't even spare him a glance as I started eating without him starting the meal.
"Good morning, Tara," he greeted me before sitting down in his chair. 
I ignored his greeting and continued eating. 
"Why's my food cold?" He asked.
"You don't expect me to wait for you until I eat my breakfast," I said without even looking at him. 
This was exactly how he treated me. Either he comes too late before I'm able to eat or he comes way too early and my food gets cold.
"You know I hate cold pancakes," he said, and I rolled my eyes. 
"So why should I care?" I said to him, and his face was worried.
"So you're going to do this to me now?" He said that, and I ignored him. "I was thinking we could go to your favourite restaurant." 
"I'm busy," I said, drank my water, and left the room.
"Tara, I'm off to work, and I need you to come knot my tie." Chad came up behind me as I continuously swung in the garden.
"Go sort yourself out; I'm not in the mood." I used his words back at him, and he was shocked.
He just left the house in anger, and I couldn't care less if he got hit by a car because he was speeding beyond his limits. I'll only drive home so the driver doesn't get hurt.
***
The rest of the day went rather quiet and painful. Claire took care of him, and most of the time I get lost in thought.
That baby is the reason I can now open my eyes to see the true colours of Chad schemes. He hated me so much, but I was too blind to see it. 
I always fight back for my marriage, but what exactly am I fighting for? My husband hates me, and I kept on battling everyone who saw that he wasn't good for me. 
I heard footsteps in the garage, and I thought I was the only one who cared about this place. 
Chad came into display with a lot of bags in his hands. I looked at his hands, then back.
"I went shopping for you, and I bought all the things on your wishlist as well as your favourite ice cream," he said, bringing out banana-flavoured ice cream.
I scoffed, and my favourite ice cream flavour is definitely not banana.
I turned my gaze back to the book in my hands. 
"You bought a gift for me with my money?" I asked, and he looked embarrassed. "You can't help being selfish, can you?" 
"Come on, Tara, you said my money is your money and your money is mine; we both share a joint account," Chad said.
"I don't see you contributing in anyway; just leave me alone, Chad." I turned my gaze. "Also, how long will it take for the divorce papers to get her? I'm running impatient." 
His facial expression was purely annoyed. 
"I've done everything; I even tried being nice to you, and you continue treating me badly," he snaps.
I scoffed.
"Just tell me what I have to do to keep us together, Tara; I don't want our relationship to end." 
I chuckled darkly. 
"It's quite simple, Mr. Stone; bring back my child," I said with all seriousness.
"Tara, you know that's not possible; your baby is dead!" He announced it to me, and I frowned. 
"Then I'm afraid we cannot be together again." I left him in the garden.