The Transactional Marriage: Her Bitter Ascent

spital bed, a landscape of tubes and monitors, my body a battlefield of aches and sutures. The

true depravity of my marriage, assumed I was recovering in the privacy of my luxurious home, attended by th

ar than the physical pain. Every bandage change, every injection, felt like an

utside my door. Their voices were low, but in th

in here, all alone. And Mr. Henson's new fiancée, i

hefs from Paris for her every craving. Meanwhile, Mrs. Maddox was dragg

ith gifts. Flying in chefs. The irony was a bitter taste in my mouth. I had endured so much, all for a man who could lavish

ng. No one came to pick me up. I signed the papers myself, a ghost of a woman,

, a familiar voice called my nam

riend, his kind eyes filled with concern. They rushed towards me, their faces

th emotion. "About the accident. We've been

hey enveloped me in a warm hug, a comfor

o said, his voice gentle. "We're ta

oud, the lights dim. My other friends were there, too, a small gathering of famili

!" one friend declared, raising her glass

her added. "You're brilliant, be

e in what felt like an eternity. For a brief moment, surrounde

oment to compose myself. When I returned, the tab

my voice trembling. "My friends, the

rivate VIP room at the back. "They... they we

my stomach. I knew that gleam in

ed with alcohol, was laughing, her arm slung around Sarah. Sarah looked uncomfortable, her eyes darting towar

oing?" I demanded, my voice sharp, a

" she slurred, her voice dripping with venom. "Mrs. Has

o the room, his eyes sweeping over the scene. His gaze instantly fo

e cold, sharp as ice. "What

lem, Gregory? She's the one trying to steal my friends!" She point

Ms. Hewitt, there was a misunderstanding. Mr. Henson was just clarifying his sched

ry. She lunged at my friend, grabbing Sarah's arm. "You

houted, a protective roar tearing from my throat.