章 7: Betrayal of the worst kind

"This is It," Ramsey says, opening the door for her. Robin hobbles into the man's apartment, her eyes darting in confusion. The homey but elegantly furnished living space is a little too much. She didn't expect Ramsey to have such a lovely apartment.

She doesn't know much about business, but she did know that working at a painting supplies store didn't give you enough money to get a place like this.

Ramsey notices her bewilderment and offers a sheepish smile.

"I know it's not...what you are used to," he says, gesturing around the room. "But you're welcome to stay for as long as you want."

He guides her to an adjourning door, "This is my office. We can talk there," he says pleasantly.

Robin steps into the modest space, her eyes taking in the room uncertainty. The walls are lined with bookshelves, and a large mahogany desk dominates the centre of the room.

Ramsey gestures towards a chair, but Robin hesitates, shifting her weight from one foot to another. "I...I'm not permitted to sit unless given a direct command," she murmurs, eyes downcast.

Ramsey's expression shifts for a brief moment, a flicker of sorrow crossing his features before he turns his face into a more neutral mask. "Well, you are a guest here," he says gently, "There's no need to be nervous."

Robin nods stiffly and perches on the edge of the chair, her back ramrod straight.

She can feel her heart pounding in her chest, unsure of why she's been brought here

The clerk sighs, looking exhausted as he stands in front of her.His eyes can't help but trail over the blue and purple bruises that mar her pale skin.

He swallows, looking away suddenly, " I'll go get the first aid kit, " he murmurs before walking out of the room.

He returns a few minutes later and begins tending to cuts and bruises on her arms and face, working silently.

All the while, Robin watches him warily, unused to such tender care.

"Here, these should help," Ramsey finally says, securing the last bandage on her cheek.

He stands and retrieves a stack of neatly folded clothes that Robin hadn't noticed that he had brought along with him. "There are many guestrooms you can stay in, so be free to make your choice. Why don't you take a warm bath first and change into new clothes? You must be exhausted."

Robin blinks owlishly at him, the bandage around her head making her look even more pitiful. "I...thank you," she murmurs, accepting the clothes. She shuffles towards the bathroom.

Alone in the bathroom, Robin peels off her tattered clothes and steps into the steaming water, wincing as the heat stings her wounds. She sinks, letting the water envelop her.

She can't help but think of her husband as her fingers press against the bruises on her arms.

"I hope...he forgives me. E-everything is m-my fault." She sobs into the silence. Pulling her knees to her chest, she curls into herself, hiccuping weakly into her hands.

"I'm so s-sorry!. I am so sorry for hurting you, Malik. It's all my fault! A-all my fault!"

Three days pass in a haze. Robin spends most of her time in the guest room, wrapped in a soft blanket, lost in her thoughts while feeling miserable and sick. Ramsey checks on her periodically, bringing her meals and ensuring she's comfortable, but he doesn't press her to talk.

That morning, Ramsey finally seems to have enough.

The man had called her into his office and

Robin had quickly sat in the chair, her gaze fixed on Ramsey as he, the man, looked back at her steadily

"Robin," he starts gently, "I have something important to discuss with you," Ramsey begins, his expression serious.

"I've- well, noticed that you've been a bit distracted lately, and I wanted to check in and see if everything is alright."

Robin's brow furrows, and she shifts uncomfortably in her seat. "I...I'm not sure." She pauses, her eyes searching Ramsey's face. "Am I in trouble?"

Ramsey shakes his head frantically, looking a little panicked. "No, you not! I'm just worried." He takes a deep breath. "And if you ever want to talk, I'll be right here, okay?."

Robin nods absentmindedly, not paying attention to what he is saying.

Her mind is in a whirlwind as she tries to make sense of Ramsey's concern about her being "distracted".

The words linger in her thoughts, and a growing unease settles in her stomach.

As she fidgets in the chair, Robin's hand inadvertently brushes against her abdomen. The gentle touch sends a jolt of awareness through her, and suddenly, the pieces begin to fall into place.

The lingering nausea, her delayed cycle, the subtle changes in her body - it all clicks, and Robin's eyes widen with the realisation.

She's pregnant.

For a moment, Robin is frozen, her breath catching in her throat. Pregnant.

The word echoes in her mind, bringing a swirling mix of emotions - fear, confusion, even a glimmer of hope. A child, Malik's child, to love, to raise.

A child that could even bring them back together.

Quietly, Robin rises from the chair, her movements measured and deliberate.

She murmurs a polite excuse to Ramsey, citing a need to use the restroom, and slips out of the office. Once alone in the small adjoining bathroom, she locks the door behind her and sinks to the floor, her back against the wall.

The tears come then, hot and unbidden, as the reality of her situation fully sinks in.

She can't be away from Malik any longer. She needs to make things right, to beg for his forgiveness.

She needs to leave.

She waits till the next day.

As soon as Ramsey leaves for work, Robin immediately sets to work. She changes her sleep clothes and gathers the rest of her things before slipping out of the apartment.

She leaves Ramsey a brief note, feeling guilty about taking up his space for too long.

She hopes he won't get mad at her, too.

She's cautiously hopeful as she leaves, envisioning dreams of Malik forgiving her and taking her into his arms with lovely kisses about how happy he was to see her….. about how he won't hurt her anymore.

With these thoughts, she carefully scales the fence again, walking up the driveway to the porch.

But when Robin gets close enough to the house, her heart sinks.

Through the window, she can see Malik embracing another woman, their bodies intertwined.

The woman is stunningly beautiful, with flowing blonde hair and a figure that seems to defy gravity.

She's wearing a revealing silk robe, her manicured nails trailing down Malik's chest.

Tears sting Robin's eyes, but she steals herself. Maybe it's not what she's thinking. The woman might be a friend or something!

She knocks on the door, but unfortunately, the woman answers, her expression hardening when she sees Robin.

"What are you doing here?" the woman spits, her voice dripping with disdain.

She crosses her arms over her chest, blocking the doorway.

Robin swallows nervously, fingers tugging on the hem of her oversized t-shirt.

"Excuse me, I need to speak with my husband," Robin says, trembling.

The woman scoffs, her ruby-red lips curling into a sneer. " I know who you are, alright. It would be best if you weren't his useless significant other. He has no use for a cheating wife like you. Get lost." She tosses her hair over her shoulder, and her movements are fluid and graceful, contrasting with Robin's dishevelled appearance.

Robin opens her mouth to protest, planting herself firmly in front of the door, "No! I have-"

Just then, Malik appears behind the woman, stopping Robin short, his gaze cold and unforgiving as he stares at her. "What do you want?" he asks, his tone laced with disdain.

Robin's heart shatters, but she forces herself to speak. "Malik, I'm so sorry. Please, I want to make things right. I...I need you." She says earnestly, hopeful tears brimming in her eyes.

But Maliks' following words painfully crush her hopes.

The dark-haired man shakes his head, his lips twisting into a sneer. "You had your chance, and you blew it. I have no use for a disobedient, unfaithful wife. Now leave before I have you removed."