The sun peeked through the curtains, casting a warm glow across Shaelyn's room. Suddenly, her phone erupted with a shrill ring, jolting her from a deep sleep. She groaned softly, squinting against the light as she rolled over to grab her phone.
"Ugh, not now," she muttered under her breath, rubbing her eyes.
After a long night filled with tests at the hospital, she had returned home utterly drained. The moment she stepped through the door, exhaustion had taken over and she collapsed into bed without even glancing at her messages or notifications.
Shaelyn finally reached for the gadget and glanced down at the screen, and it was no surprise to see the call had come from Nixon... again.
"Of course," she sighed when she saw Nixon's name flashing back at her. "What does he want this time?"
As she scrolled through the missed calls, it was clear that Nixon had been trying to reach her repeatedly. There were several calls from him and even a couple from his secretary and driver.
Shaelyn knew there was only one of two reasons Nixon would call her so anxiously.
"It is either he is furious at me for not going over to the hospital to see Leyla, or he still intends to request my presence there." Shaelyn guessed.
Shaelyn simply ignored it, now that she had decided to let go, there was no need to comply with his silly charades.
Why should she accept it every time he comes to her, after being busy with Leyla? Why did she have to drop everything to tend to Leyla for him?
After ignoring Nixon's call, Shaelyn drifted back off to sleep.
____________
The sun had barely risen when Nixon found himself standing outside Shaelyn's apartment, the cool morning air chilly against his skin, but he was not fazed by it.
Nixon glanced at his watch—6:00 AM. The world around him was still quiet, with only the distant sound of birds chirping and the occasional rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze.
Nixon raised his hand to ring the doorbell but hesitated, a knot forming in his stomach.
'What if she's still asleep? Or gets provoked that I have come so early?' He thought.
She had not taken any of his calls since they had met yesterday and she had not showed up at the hospital like they had agreed either.
Nixon wondered if something had happened to Shaelyn after he had left.
'Had she fallen ill?' Nixon wondered, recalling Shaelyn had looked quite weary from the short glimpse of her he caught.
Nixon had only just finished sorting out Leyla's situation and had rushed back here without returning home for some rest or a change of clothing.
Nixon didn't want to disturb Shaelyn and push her away any further. He still could not understand why exactly she wished to divorce him and was walking on thin ice, trying to be cautious with his every action.
'He would return later in the evening at a more appropriate time.' Nixon decided.
Just as he was about to turn away, Nixon heard a soft shuffle from inside the apartment, indicating Shaelyn was most likely awake already.
'Or could there be someone else in there?' Nixon could not prevent the worrying thought that crept up in his mind.
Nixon brushed aside his hesitations before pressing the doorbell.
The chime echoed through the hallway, and moments later, he heard footsteps approaching.
The door creaked open slowly, revealing Shaelyn standing there. The first thing that struck Nixon was her sickly pale face; it looked as though she hadn't seen sunlight in days and was so much worse than she had looked the day before.
"Shay?" Nixon said softly, concern etched across his features. "Do you feel unwell?"
Shaelyn's hand froze on the doorknob as she blinked away sleepiness. Her eyes sharpened with clarity but also with an icy edge that made Nixon take a step back instinctively.
"What are you doing here?" she asked sharply, her voice cutting through the morning silence like a knife and sending a chill down Nixon's spine.
"I wanted to check on you," Nixon replied hesitantly, searching her face for any sign of warmth or understanding. "You were unreachable all of last night."
"I can take care of myself," Shaelyn clarified, her tone defensive as she crossed her arms tightly over her chest.
Nixon felt a pang of disappointment but pressed on gently. "I know that, but I just wanted to make sure you're okay. You've been... unlike yourself." Nixon observed.
'Unlike herself?' Shaelyn wondered.
'What exactly was it that Nixon knew about her exactly? They had only been married for two years and in all that time, between the company, his family and Leyla, when had he had time for Shaelyn?' Shaelyn thought.
Shaelyn's gaze was conflicted for just a moment before hardening again. "I don't need anyone checking up on me," she said firmly,
It had just been for a fleeting moment, but that flicker of vulnerability behind her bravado had not gone unnoticed by Nixon.
"You may not need it, but I intend to do so continuously. You are my wife Shay, if I do not check up on you, who will?" Nixon replied without faltering, gazing intently down at Shaelyn.
'His wife... how sweet it sounded coming from his lips. Words that meant nothing to him.' Shaelyn thought.
Shaelyn shifted from one foot to the other, feeling uneasy by the intensity of Nixon's gaze.
The short distance between the two of them, made Shaelyn feel more than a little uncomfortable, so she hastily took a step back.
The distance felt necessary, almost like a protective barrier against whatever was brewing between them.
And Nixon would surely be a fool if he missed this chance to slip in,
Before Shaelyn had realized his intentions, it was already too late for her to stop him, because he was already in, taking off his shoes, and currently walking into the living room like he owned the place.