The sun was finally out, but Blair couldn't see a difference; her world remained dark, if not darker than the previous day. Her thoughts went viral, but she held herself determined to survive. All she wanted was to have her baby, the little one growing within her, who was her only source of hope and comfort.
Looking around the crabby motel she paid for the night, her stomach churned with disgust. Despite not growing in wealth and affluence, she had been reduced to such misery. She quickly rushed to the bathroom, a sudden urge to puke taking over, and she emptied the little her stomach carried. She raised her head, staring at the patched mirror on the wall, she noticed the blood oozing out from her nostrils. Blair smiled tightly, trying hard to stop the bleeding.
This was sickening; she felt weak and nauseous, and the environment did not help her situation. Having a quick bath, she walked out, paying with the last cash on her, before heading to the ATM to withdraw. The street was busy with people going about their day as Blair stood before the machine, her mind unresponsive. It's been an hour, but she still couldn't believe the words before her.
"Sorry, the card number is nonexistent," the machine announced for the hundredth time. The evidence was right before her, but she couldn't convince herself to believe it. She was now a divorced woman with nothing—no money, no house, no food—a high-risk pregnancy and failing health. "How could he do this to me?" she murmured, walking out, leaving the card still stuck to the machine.
It was useless; her accounts were frozen, and she knew better than to call Ethan, but deep down she couldn't hold back. She quickly took out her phone, dialing his number. Blair had to insist and wait before the call was finally answered.
"What?" an arrogant voice came from the other end. It wasn't that of Ethan but that of his mistress. "Where is Ethan?" Blair asked, but she could hear the loud scoff from the other end. "'Why do you want to talk to him? Beg for money?" Sofia taunte. Blair's fingers dug deep into her skin, but she refused to give up.
"He is my ex-husband; we have some unfinished business," she announced, but she could hear the mocking laugh from the other end, but it got her the audience she wanted.
"Didn't I tell you... you would come crawling?" Ethan sneered. These words were taunting but a reminder to Blair. Never would she swallow her pride; indeed, he had said she would come crawling, but she wouldn't.
"You've frozen my accounts, taken all that is left of me, and that's okay. I will never come back crawling, not to you," she hung up the call before he could say more. She quickly dialed another number, hoping in her heart as the caller picked up. "Hey Blair, where have you been?" a concerned voice answered. Blair opened her mouth, but no words came out; she was overwhelmed by pain and sorrow.
"I did call home, but Ethan said you had left. Blair, how could you leave your marriage over trivial issues such as him taking another woman? Aren't you aware men are polygamous? Blair felt as though the air got kicked out of her lungs.
"What?" she asked, unable to say more. "You should go beg your husband and stop playing around. So what if he has another woman? Youre his wife, and that changes nothing." Blair quickly hung up the call before she heard something that would prompt her to commit murder. This was her best friend; Leslie had to be the support and comfort she needed, but no. She was just like them, turning a blind eye to her husband's deeds for favors.
The heavens release their bowels. "You can't be serious," she questioned the weather, but only the hammering raindrops wet her even more. The world was angry at her, and so was the weather. She felt alone, discarded, and unwanted, but her zeal to live never departed as she made her way through the heavy rain. Blair hastened her steps, wanting to reach early to secure a space she could lay her head for the night, but her steps soon slowed.
The rain blocked her view, but her legs felt heavier with every step, her hands trembled at the side, and soon liquid flowed from her nostrils. Her defense broke as hot tears streamed down her face, but it was masked by the pouring, which wouldn't stop despite her pleas. Blair felt herself sway, her vision weakening and objects becoming less visible. She thought of the worst, but there was no way to hold it. Her body was weak; coupled with the pregnancy, her body was exhausted.
Her body fell but never reached the ground as she had anticipated. It was like a dream, a flicker of hope, and her eyes caught sight of a little light, but they were tired, demanding rest, and her body gave in. Looking down at the woman in his arms, all drenched, the stranger quickly carried her to his car. "To the hospital," he ordered the driver.
The sun beamed through the curtains, peeking into the room. Blair yawns on the bed, her body feeling more relaxed and energetic. She opened her eyes, staring at the ceiling of the unfamiliar house. Instantly her heart dropped; she stood up, but her body swayed to the side, making her sit back down before gently standing up. The last she remembered was the raining streets and her body giving out, but here she was, not in a hospital but a dashing penthouse.
"Awake," a hoarse voice said from the side, and instantly she turned, meeting the cold eyes of a man. His presence alone was dangerous and commanding. His eyes carried a sense of power. Blair took a step back. "What? Scared of me when you've been with me all this while?" he chuckled, making her even more puzzled.
"How long has it been?" she asked, "'Seven days," the reply seized air from her lungs.
"And my baby?" hands caress her stomach and the man smug. "All good… You shouldn't be out in the rain in such conditions, Miss Blair." She did not need to be reminded. She was aware. He stood up, walking towards her with calm and steadiness. The air in the room was suddenly too crowded, yet there were just two. His eyes lingered more on her than they should, making her step backwards, doubling his every step.
"I can help," he whispered, barely above a whisper sending waves of shiver down her spine. "I can make him pay, but my offer comes with conditions." Blair did not like the look in his eyes, but she was desperate, and her child's future was uncertain.
"Who are you, and why are you interested in a woman discarded by the world?" The corner of his lips moved slightly upwards. "Youre useful, Blair," he chuckled like a maniac. "Don't you want to make Ethan pay.. I can make you destroy him," he said again, but she dared not shake hands with such a man.
"No… no," she grabbed her phone and bolted out the door.