Counterbalance

It was afternoon but dark clouds had blotted out the sun. The cold wind whipped the curtains into a frenzy. A storm was approaching.

In the dimly-lit bedroom, Megan Lin suddenly opened her eyes and saw a figure she hadn't seen for days.

Lucian Lu had come back home.

It was their second wedding anniversary today.

Tears of joy welled up in Megan Lin's eyes as she gazed at his handsome face.

"Lucian, the gift on the table is for you."

As he approached her, Megan Lin's heart beat faster and a smile of expectation appeared on her lips.

However, Lucian Lu turned a deaf ear to her, walked to the bed, grabbed her collar, and mercilessly threw her down on the carpet.

"Pack my clothes! I'm only here for my belongings," he yelled.

After that, he picked up his suitcase and threw it at her feet.

Trembling all over, Megan Lin stood up to face Lucian Lu, who towered over her. The smile on her face froze.

Packing up? Hearing this, Megan Lin was scared. Her lips shivering, she asked sadly, "Lucian, where are you going?"

Lucian Lu turned her face with his slender fingers. "I'm moving out. If you don't want to divorce me, you can die here alone," he snarled.

Then he shoved Megan Lin away abruptly. She fell and hit her head on the corner of the cabinet. Blood trickled down from her forehead.

Lucian Lu irritably took out a handkerchief and threw it at her in disgust. With a sneer, he said, "Wipe it yourself!"

Megan Lin shakily picked up the handkerchief and dabbed at the blood on her face. Overcome by grief, she scrambled over to Lucian Lu's feet, sobbing hard.

"Lucian, don't go. You haven't been home for a month. Today is our wedding anniversary. Please stay with me just for one night, okay?"

Suddenly the lightning outside the window pierced the gloomy sky, and the bedroom was flooded with light.

Lucian Lu's face looked sinister in the light. With a nasty smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, he asked, "For one night?"

He grabbed Megan Lin's frail body and threw her on the bed. Then he drew down her silk pajamas and pressed himself on her.

"Isn't this what you want?" he asked crassly.

"No! No! I just want to talk to you... Ah!" she screamed in pain.

There was no tenderness or affection in his actions at all.

A lump formed in her throat. She endured his punishment and disappointment repeatedly in despair.

"All you can think about is our wedding anniversary. Do you even remember what had happened on this same date a year ago?"

Megan Lin clutched the sheet tightly. She gritted her teeth through her suffering. Silent tears flowed as she didn't want to say anything anymore.