MY HEART ONCE BELONGED TO HIM, BUT NOW IT'S JUST A HOLLOW ECHO OF WHAT WE USED TO BE.
ANIKA'S POV
Once upon a time, was a long time ago, and now our marriage is a distant memory, a relic of a love that's lost its way.
As I stood behind a cushion in the sitting room, tapping my fingers on the cushion, waiting patiently for my husband Levi to come home, after days of being away.
My gaze went straight to the clock which ticked every second, indicating that midnight was drawing closer.
"Where are you, Levi?" I murmured, not because I missed him, but because his absence was a reminder of the emptiness that had consumed our marriage.
Few minutes later, he walked in through the entrance door, looking so handsome like a demigod.
It was the first time seeing him in days, and all I felt at that moment was a numbness that seemed to suffocate the last remnants of love I had left for him.
" You're awake," He said, quite surprised that I was waiting for him all through the night.
" Yes, I was waiting for you." I replied.
" You're an early bird, you didn't have to wait for me." He flashed me a short smile as he sat on the cushion.
" I couldn't help it." I felt nothing more than numbness and emptiness inside of me.
"I'm sorry I kept you waiting."
He stood up and kissed my cheeks, a daily routine that now felt like a hollow gesture, a mere habit devoid of the passion and love that once accompanied it.
My husband, Levi Banks, the CEO of Banks Group Of Companies.
He is every lady's dream, well, except for mine, who died two years ago.
We were in love. Deeply in love that we could die for each other, but that spark died one year after our marriage.
I wasn't the cause, he was.
Levi changed from my dream man into a nightmare that I wouldn't want to dream about.
He began to return home late, and sometimes, he won't even return, leaving me all alone in this vast empty mansion.
He became a promiscuous husband who goes after anything under skirt.
He was nothing like this while we were dating.
Levi was the most charming and loving boyfriend while we were in college. We loved each other to the moon and back, then, he wasn't as wealthy as he was now.
He was well to do then, but once we got married, his company rose to the top of the business chain, and he became one of the most wealthy billionaires in Italy.
But for me, he was no longer my husband. The man I cherished and loved with all my heart.
The man who wouldn't sleep except when I sleep, the man who was ready to go extra miles for my well being.
All changed, once he rose to the top. Levi became a playboy, forgetting how we started.
" Where were you?" I couldn't help but ask, as a bile formed in my throat, waiting patiently for his reply.
As expected, he never said anything.
Whenever I asked him where he always went, he never replied, and that made us drift even further from each other.
"I was busy in the office." He shrugged with a smile, but I knew it was all a lie, a facade to cover up the secrets he'd been keeping from me, and the truth that was slowly tearing us apart.
I knew everything. How he'd been going out with ladies and would lie to me.
" But I called your office, and I was told that you left at 4pm." I pushed the matter further.
I deserved an answer, even if he fell out of love for me.
He should at least let me know why he fell out of love for me, instead of lying, each time I asked him, leaving me with only shadows of doubt and a heart that was slowly losing its grip.
" No more questions, Anika." He warned sternly, trying to wave off the topic, but I wasn't done yet.
I wasn't going to stop pestering him until he told me the truth, or probably bring up a more suitable lie, because I was already tired of his constant lies.
He stood up from the cushion, heading towards our bedroom.
" Levi, don't I deserve to know what's going on in your life anymore? I'm your wife for Christ sake!" I followed behind him.
" You've always been a patient and understanding wife, Anika. Can't you continue being just the way you were?"
I let out a bitter laugh, because that was exactly what I have been for the past two and a half years, since he suddenly changed.
" But don't I deserve an answer? I have been a patient wife, trying to understand you because you're the CEO of a company, and also a busy man, but Levi, I'm your wife," I stopped, tears rolling down my eyes.
" I can't remain an understanding wife forever. You're killing me slowly."
" Please Anika, let's continue this conversation some other time, I have a conference call to make in five minutes."
He waved me off like I meant nothing as he gazed at his rolex watch.
I remained quiet, as I watched him disappear from my sight, more tears leaving my eyes.
I wanted to go after him, confront him and ask him in the eyes if I ever wronged him, but I wasn't bold enough.
I couldn't picture a life without Levi with me, because I have grown fond of him, but he was slowly drifting away, yet, I couldn't do anything.
Turning towards the dining room, I looked at the food on the table, a meal for two that now felt pointless because of the emptiness between us.
Tears poured even more, but with a loud sigh, I wiped my tears, walked back to the dining room and took Levi's untouched food, now cold, to throw it away.