The pounding of Anna Gray's heart as she stood motionless in the doorway drowned out the sound of rain pattering on the windows. She was having a waking nightmare. Her best friend, Leona, was lounging in their bed with blankets wrapped around her like a twisted victory flag, while her husband, Soren, stood bare-chested with a towel hurriedly tied around his waist.
"Anna's voice trembled as tears welled up in her eyes, "Soren, how could you do this to me? Why are you with her? "You said you had a business meeting tonight."
Soren did not recoil. His eyes were emotionless and icy, and his face was free of guilt. With a distant tone, he said, "Anna, you weren't supposed to see this."
Anna's eyes strayed to Leona, who grinned as though this betrayal were merely a game. "You deceived me, Leona," Anna muttered, her voice cracking. My best friend was you. How could you accomplish this?
With a casual shrug, Leona's lips formed a ruthless smile. "Oh, Anna, hurry up. Don't be that shocked. You couldn't keep your man happy, and that's not my responsibility. She pointed at Soren as though he were a trophy she had won. "You ought to thank me if nothing else. At least you are aware of the reality now.
As Anna strained to comprehend what they had said, her legs swayed and she clutched the doorframe for stability. Tell me this isn't real, please, Soren. Her voice was rough with desperation as she pleaded, "Tell me it's a misunderstanding."
Soren's jaw tensed as he folded his arms across his chest. What do you want me to say, Anna? I have been dissatisfied for a while. I married a different woman than you.
The words knocked the breath out of her lungs like a physical blow. Her voice was scarcely heard as she muttered, "Not the same?" "Soren, I've given it my all. When no one else was willing to support you, I did. You were loved by me."
His laughter lacked humor and was harsh. "Love?" That is insufficient now. Take a look at yourself, Anna. You have given yourself up. You can't keep me happy, and you're weak and dull.
Unconsciously, Anna's fingers moved to her stomach, where a secret she hadn't yet told him developed. She intended to share the happiness of the life they had built together with him tonight. Now, however, the words became stuck in her throat, and a choking feeling of betrayal took their place.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Leona's derisive scoff. Anna, you have to face reality. I am far superior to you. I am the kind of person who knows how to make Soren happy, and he deserves that.
Tears clouded Anna's vision as rage boiled to the surface. With shaking fists, she yelled, "You two have ruined everything!" and sprang for Leona.
Before she could get close to her, Soren cut her off. His eyes were menacing and dark, and he held her arm tightly. He continued, "Don't even think about it," in a spooky, low voice. "You touch her, and you'll regret it."
Anna looked at him in bewilderment, her body quivering with wrath and anguish. "You'd protect her over me?" she said softly, her voice breaking. "I am your wife, Soren. "How could you do this?"
Soren's lips twisted into a sneer as he looked back at Leona. "Not anymore," he replied coldly. "You are nothing but a liability. Anna, it's time to confront the truth: you're not enough for me.
Leona leaned closer, her eyes gleaming with hate. "And don't think of coming back," she said smugly. "Soren and I have plans, and you don't fit into them."
With the weight of their comments pressing down on her, Anna staggered back. She turned and stumbled out of the home, tears streaming down her cheeks. She heard their laughter behind her, a frightful echo that followed her into the night.
Outside, the storm raged, with heavy rain falling as Anna fled blindly through the black streets. The chilly drops soaked her garments and mixed with the heated tears that marred her cheeks. Her thoughts repeated Soren's brutal remarks and Leona's mocking laughter, each one stabbing deeper into her soul.
She held her tummy, where there was yet hope, and walked quickly and unevenly. The life developing inside of her was the only thing that kept her rooted and reminded her that there was something worthwhile to fight for.
The constant rain clouded her vision and drowned out the sounds of the outside world. Before they were right in front of her, the headlights hardly registered, piercing the night like a warning that was too late to ignore.
She paused, her eyes wide with fright, startled out of her trance by the sound of a car horn. The car slipped on the icy road, making it difficult to stop due to the loud tire squeal.
She fell with a horrible thud after a tremendous impact that sent her body flying into the air. A sharp, overwhelming pain swept over her. Her world was spinning wildly as she lay sprawled on the wet tarmac, the cold rain beating down on her skin.
The car rushed toward her, and she heard voices, far away and desperate. However, the storm and her heartbeat overpowered their remarks.
Weakly, her fingers reached to her stomach in a last-ditch effort to protect the life within. "I have to survive," she thought, holding on to what little hope she had left. "I need to survive." "This is for my child."
The blood seeping from the cut on her forehead was washed away by the rain that kept coming down. She felt her consciousness slipping away as darkness began to creep in from the corners of her eyes.
As the world faded around her, one thought remained, reverberating in the silence: Soren deceived me, but he won't break me.