SABRINA ULTRA

ing was creating an unsettling knot in her stomach. That kind of laughter made her skin crawl, an unsettling mix of joy and something darker. She c

er husband, lay sprawled across the sofa, surrounded by two beautiful women who laughed and leaned into him, their faces flushed from what Sabrina co

ing her voice even, though it shivered u

at. Look, the lovely maid is here to pay her respects, no doubt. I thought I'

lessly flung over Jenny's shoulder. "Benedict, please, let me help you g

want you to meet my maid, Sabrina," he repeated, his voice mocking

humiliation well up, deep and all-consuming. "Serve them drinks? They're your gues

ng. "Oh, please. The last thing I need is you acting like you're the lady of the ho

Bened

made her wince. "Just because you're with me doesn't mean

loved with such ferocity, who she thought would protect and honor her, was now acting as if she was

l it that? This is a joke. I didn't marry up to this kind of deal--

gged desperately."Can't we

veted to the scene before their eyes, with bright gazes and mischievous grins. "And all this

unding at her fragile spirit. "I'm trying to be a good wife," sh

lly believe you can win me over with breakfast in bed and cleaning up after me? Newsflash, Sabrin

eyes as she stood there. She felt small, so insignificant. As if he had taken her heart and stom

u, after all. Now I'm killing hours playing nice with you instead of sowing wild oats.

t person was a complete stranger, as if he enjoyed her pain and twisted her love into a weapon against her. "You really don't

nge? What, so you can become an even bigger burden? Tough luck, Sabrina. I really don'

er voice cracking. "You consented

his is reality, and in reality, you are just my last resort. I married you because ther

vy with incredulity. "You think that's it

y for being my wife? Sorry but this isn't a game, and you've clearly

illed with contempt, jealousy, and unbearable loneliness. She walked to the kitchen, heart heavy with despair, to prepare drin

m his drinks in a shuddering hand. "There you go," she said

" He glanced toward the girls, who were already giggling and whispering, not no

voice. "What I think is that let's have some fu

ld leave," she said, her voice firmer t

k of utter disbelief. "

"This is not a party, and I am not going to sit idly

isrespect? Oh darling, you're disrespecting this marriage thinking you'll play me for a chump. This is my h

d you, Benedict," she said. "I am asking for respect. You are always treating me like I am a ghost that

smile was cold, a glint in his eye that made her shiver. "You think you deserve better? Look around

he stands there in all her misery. "What's the point anyway? You've made your sent

"I love you, Benedict! I just want you to see me, t

ove? Ha! You think love conquers all? Look where that led

life she had envisioned. She wanted a partnership, friendship

sted with the thought that she had lost the man she loved. She got herself a glass o

fine her. She would find a way to rise from the ashes of this broken marriage, to reclaim t

the journey was going to pain her, with laughter sounds and ea