"To You, Cole Howards. You are a terrible husband. You treated me like shit." My voice was barely a whisper over the blinker and horn of my car. "This little date you planned was such a burden you had to get rid of me?"
The sound of sirens and paramedics shouting. Police telling people to move along. The sound of machinery in the background as my hearing gradually faded. My eyes glossed over with tears as I stared absentmindedly. I was forever convinced Cole planned this. He was a shit husband never thought he would take me out this way.
It was an hour ago when I got a call to come meet Cole at Amore after he got off work. The restaurant for couples and first dates, stuff like that. I was impressed he would plan this date despite absolutely hating my guts to the core. The hour was approaching fast so I got ready. Shower, perfume, and powder. Cake my face. Curled my hair.
Now, why did I care? Why did I put effort into this man?
I thought he changed.
Yeah, that's right. Changed for the better. He defintely paid someone to cut my breaks because my car did not stop.
Yeah, Audrina. You delusional bitch. It is all I can think of every time he made me sit in the rain to get "stronger," whatever the definition of that was. Made me drink expired milk because I accidentally gave him expired milk because he thought I poisoned him but the kitchen staff should have checked the supply. When his first love Freya came it was a wrap. I can never escape his wrath if anything happened to that girl. All this was his act of "love" right?
No, I was hindering him, I was a thorn in his side. I was an eyesore. I wasn't his "Freya," his wife, to put on a pedestal and spoil to all ends. I was his bitchy wife who only want money and didn't do anything to benefit him or the company. Our marriage was a farce even though his now late-grandmother was our matchmaker.
He hated that woman. Only by extension, will he hate me. Oh boy, he did. He wasted no time insulting me. Thus the show must go on. This circus of a marriage was awful because of his reasoning - "You are just a trophy wife don't think nothing more or less."
I slowly reached for my phone. I had to call him. I need to know if he did this but it was too far. I gave up as my memories flooded in. The embarrassment. Freya stealing my works to impress Cole. Cole threatened to use a therapist and medication to shape my behavior. To know my place. All this because his first love couldn't marry him.
My blood seeped out as my breathing became ragged. The Alder family can fuck off. Audrina Alder was abandoned and became Audrina Howards. Audrina Howards was abandoned as well. I had no one but myself in this world.
My vision faded to black as I heard metal being cut.
"May God have mercy on me for I was wronged all my life," I murmured shakily. As I saw the infamous bright light. I went for it. Peace finally. The peace I wanted for so long.
Yeah. God gave me peace alright. The idea of peace to wake up on my first night with Cole.
What kind of fuckery is this? I woke up in my wedding dress. As I looked around, the room was decorated with our wedding colors. The champagne flutes were left untouched. The feeling of dread filled my throat.
Couldn't God transport me back to my engagement instead?! I can not complain. Thank God for this second chance. I will make Cole pay back everything 10x fold.
I heard giggling. That overly sweet giggling coming from outside our honeymoon suite door.
"Aw, Cole, you know it's your wedding night. Shouldn't you spend your time with Audrina?" that voice was Freya. That first love of his is the "opposite" of me. Demure and grateful. That is a bald-faced lie. She will take this man's black card when he gives her a chance.
I sat in the dark as I waited for him. Their footsteps were directly in front of the door. Most likely kissing her good night. The audacity. As Cole turned on the lights, he barely registered. I wasn't on the bed; I was in the recliner.
"Is this how you treated your new wife? Can't you shed one once of respect and dignity to your wife?" My voice was dangerously soft. He places his wallet and phone on the nightstand. His eyes were glued to mine as he was curious about what happened to the shy and obedient girl he was promised.
"Dignity? Respect?" He sneered as he took off his tailored suit jacket. " You embarrassed me and you want respect?"
There he goes with that piss-poor attitude. I narrowed my eyes and stood up to pour myself a glass of champagne.
"How did I embarrass you? We did everything according to plan. The only embarrassment you received was acting like a pouty child because I'm not Freya. I dance with my two left feet. I can't pose for pictures right." I rolled my eyes as I sat back down, drink in hand, and ready to take ammo from this man.
"Give. Me. a.break. Cry me a river."
His jaw tightened so quickly it wasn't a joke, but I didn't care. This man had ammo for every word that came out of my mouth.
"Respect is earned not given." He said through clenched teeth pausing in his action.
"You failed at aspect on my end," I murmured as I sipped my drink. "I wish I could give you respect, but unfortunately, you have not earned that in my eyes." I shoot back quickly as I close my eyes, enjoying my drink.
Suddenly I felt a heavy presence in front of me as Cole leaned in. His eyes glowed with anger.
"What do you want from me, Audrina? A heartfelt apology? A declaration of love? Because let me be clear, I have none of those to give you." His eyes swirled with anger.
Of course, you don't.
"Get your damn act together, Cole Howards; I am your wife whether you like it or not."
Cole laughed. That haughty laugh. The dry laugh that makes my skin crawl. Not this time though.
"Audrina, you always were a spoiled woman and yet you think I will fold to your demands?" He let go of the arms of my chair and Walter over to the bar in the hotel room. Pouring himself a whiskey instead of sharing a glass of champagne. "I can give you the cold shoulder, or I can give you the choice is yours. This tantrum you are throwing won't last forever."
I walked over to him after finishing my glass fully and I placed the flute down gently. I grabbed his dress shirt collar with a surprising amount of strength.
"Cole Howards, I dare you to give me hell- no, I want you to give me hell."