Chapter 1: The Bitter Anniversary
/Annabelle's POV/
I stared at the freshly baked cake in front of me on the dining table, the sweet aroma filling the air. The frosting gleamed in the kitchen lights, and the bold letters made my heart skip a beat. My lips widened into a big smile.
It was my 5th anniversary with the love of my life, Ethan, and I couldn't help but feel so excited about it.
Our marriage hadn't been a fairy tale since it was a result of a one-night stand that had led to an unwanted pregnancy and shotgun wedding orchestrated by his grandfather before he died.
"Ding!" The doorbell rang, bringing me back from my little train of thought.
My brow creased in surprise as I glanced at the clock on the wall. 4:45 pm. Ethan wasn't supposed to be home for another hour, but I hoped it was him since I had sent him a message earlier asking him if it was possible to make it home early. I wiped my hands on my apron and headed to the door.
As a stay-at-home wife, I had grown accustomed to managing our household and caring for Ethan and Betty, my daughter. Ethan had been insistent that I didn't need to work and that he could provide for us comfortably. It had been a contention for us early in our marriage since I loved my marketing job and the sense of independence it brought.
But over time, I'd grown to love the freedom to cherish our family and create a warm, loving home.
"Ding!" The doorbell rang again, more intently this time.
"I'm coming," I shouted, my voice caring through the open-plan living area.
As I opened the door, I saw Ethan standing on the porch. His dark hair was styled perfectly as usual, and his piercing blue eyes looked into mine which made my heart skip a beat. His tailored navy suit accentuated his broad shoulders and lean physique, making him look every inch of the powerful fancier he was.
"Ethan! I'm glad you could make it home early!" I exclaimed surprise etched in my voice.
He stepped inside, his movements economical and precise."I had a meeting cancel,"
I smiled and opened my hands to hug him. But as I wrapped my hands around his waist, he remained still, his hands resting on my shoulders and his body tense.
I tried to ignore the chill that ran down my spine, telling myself that it was his usual reserve. But it still stung, a reminder that our marriage wasn't the warm and loving one I had expected it to be.
It had started right after our wedding when the reality of the situation had sunk in. I'd sensed his resentment, his feeling of being trapped over his grandfather's decision that he marry me to legitimise the pregnancy.
"Oh, okay. So how was work?" I asked, taking his suitcase from him with a smile, glued to my face.
His response was a stiff, perfunctory squeeze before he stepped back, his eyes scanning the room.
"Smells like you are baking," he commented, his voice neutral.
" Yes, I made your favourite cake. Happy 5th anniversary, " I replied with a smile.
"Anniversary?" He repeated.
My heart sank, the familiar ache setting in. He never remembered.
I forced a smile, pushing away the disappointment. "Yeah. It's 5 years today. "
"Ohh, I see," he replied, making to take his seat on the dining table, his face neutral with no form of apology or regret.
I sucked in a deep breath and waved towards the cake. "I'll get you a slice of the cake."
"Maria, could you get Betty from her room, please?" I asked Betty's nanny, who had been helping bake the cake, and she nodded, and then I made to slice the cake for Ethan.
As I handed Ethan the slice, our hands touched, but he didn't react. I sliced a piece for myself and sat beside him, taking a bite from the moist cake, savouring the sweetness as I awaited Maria's return with our daughter.
Just as I took another bite, Ethan's phone buzzed from the table, and from the eager look on his face at the moment, I didn't need to be a magician to know who the message was from. "Penelope Barnes"
"Sorry, but I have to go. Something urgent just came up." He said hastily as he got up on his feet, completely abandoning the cake he had just started eating.
"What?! But you just got here." I protested
"I know, but Penelope needs me," Ethan replied, which made me roll my eyes.
Penelope was Ethan's ex and childhood sweetheart, and even though I tried to deny it, I couldn't shake away the feeling that he still had feelings for her.
Their past was complicated, and I hated thinking about it because it made me feel like I was just a second option since our marriage was a result of the reckless mistake born from Ethan's heartbreak when she abruptly left him when his business was undergoing a crisis.
However, she had come back just recently with the news that she had cancer, and she had left to spare him the burden. Even though Ethan believed her, I couldn't help but see through her pity party.
I felt it was all a ruse to get Ethan's attention.
And I must add she was doing a really good job at it.
"Ohh, please, Ethan, we both know she is not going to die if you don't rush over there right now, " I said, frustration creeping in.
Ethan's expression suddenly darkened. "That's so insensitive, Annabelle. You know she is terminal. She doesn't have much time left."
"I'm just saying, can't it wait? It was our anniversary, and Betty had been hyped up about the fact that we were spending the rest of the day together. " I tried to reason with him.
" I'm sorry. But I'll just have to make it up to Betty, " He answered, heading out in a hurry.
" Help!" I heard Maria exclaim as I was about to continue eating my slice of cake. Her voice was high-pitched and trembling. I spun around, alarm rising within me.
Betty's face was swollen, and her eyes nearly shut down from the puffiness. Her tiny body trembled in Maria's arms, gasping for air. She was having an allergy attack.
"Maria, what happened?" I asked, trying to stay calm. Maria's words spilt out in a rush. "She was playing, and then she started scratching, and then... and then this"
I grabbed the EpiPen from the nearby cabinet and administered it swiftly. Betty's distressed wheezes filled the room.
"We need to go to the hospital now!" I urged, already heading out the door, and grabbed my phone and car keys. I dialled Ethan's number as we rushed out but it just rang and went straight to voicemail.
"Damn it! Ethan, " I muttered. My hand was sweaty, and my heart was beating frantically.
We sped to the hospital, the silence punctuated only by Betty's laboured breathing.
"Hang in there, baby," I whispered, tears streaming down my face.
After what felt like forever, we screeched to a halt outside the emergency room, and nurses rushed to assist us, whisking Betty away to a treatment room.
I stood frozen, watching as they worked to stabilise my daughter's fragile body. Where was Ethan when I needed him?
But my anger was eclipsed by fear, would Betty be okay?
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