"What happened?" Daniel asked, as soon as he stops the car in front of the mansion.

"Nothing." Giving him a tight smile, I kissed the cheeks of the old man who has been treating me like his daughter for the past 16 years.

Our first meeting wasn't pleasant. I was the scared girl in the wedding dress who was staring at the door of the mansion for the return of her husband.

Currently, The people in my life are different from the past. Everyone in the mansion including Norma and Daniel assumed low about me but soon, they warm up with me. Actually, the opposite. I feel, They pity on me now. Their eyes mock me whenever I see them with their family.

"I don't like her... Your psychiatrist." Daniel confessed. He never does this. He is just like my father, bad at expressing. But today is different.

"I know the reason now." My voice wobbled. The role of naive is too hard to play. Why can't I be strong and beautiful like Dr Anastasia Harrington? She is the woman of every man's dream.

"I think, you should rest... Jamie is with us, tonight." Forcing a smile, "We will handle the brave boy." he assured me.

*****

Stabbing the spaghetti with a fork, I stare at the door. I know James Carter will never walk into this building, but I have been praying for his return for 2 years. In fact, 16 years. But he refuses to breathe the air which has my presence.

I called him.

He rejected my calls.

I texted him.

He never replied.

I left a message for him to his secretaries.

But no progress.

Now, I know his previous number is changed. I don't have his private number.

Our marriage of 16 years... And we are still strangers to each other.

I wiped my face and cried in the shower... I couldn't help but cry. I hate Amy for leaving us. For abandoning us. She never came back. She lied. That message was empty. She abandoned me... ruined my life.

The way Mrs Carter taunted me about the deal, was the starting of my devastation. It still haunts me.

"You never mentioned your other daughter." Mrs Carter looked cheered. "Offer still stands.......,

Mother was trying to hide her joy. There is a chance. They are ready to negotiate. "But we have nothing to........."

"Your other daughter can fulfil the condition." Mrs Carter rolled her eyes.

Mother was red with..... anger. "She's 17......."

"Is she fertile?"

"She's a kid......"

"Is she Virgin?"

"We are a religious family." My mother raised her voice. "She will not be the part of this absurd agreement."

"But you were ready to negotiate your elder daughter in this agreement."

"I agreed to an honourable wedding. My daughters deserve to be respected."

This marriage is not ideal. This is a shame. My married is Not something, I dreamt of. I never imagined my wedding. I was a bookworm. I liked reading... No, I loved reading. My favourite subject was botany. And I also loved painting. But after marriage, I was imprisoned in the estate for years.

*****

I looked at the phone and found no calls.

There are no calls from the clinic neither any new number. It means they didn't realize my presence or absence.

Does it make any changes?

Last night, I didn't waste any time after learning the oblivious truth and rushed out of the cabin.

How would they?

Of course, they were busy with each other. The cabin is soundproof, and they were on the balcony.

I called Daniel and asked him to take me home... The home where I have waited for my husband from past 16 years.

Is this even a home?

Nothing is of my choice.

Jamie is still with the Brown couple, and it was still dark. Just like the mansion.

I didn't think and switched on the news. Surprisingly, I was hearing the news today. I have always concentrated on how to win my husband's heart, but today, I am preferring little change. I switched to a news channel.

Seeing my man who promised me loyalty was kissing my psychiatrist, broke my heart. They are not aware of the cameras, and they look so much in... LOVE.

I switched off the TV and called James. I am aware that the number of James Carter that I have, maybe switched off. Maybe he would reject my attempt at communication. But, it's marriage and two kids are involved. He can't throw away our potential happiness without even trying. He never gave me chance to be his wife.

No.

No.

Marriage is a sacred institution.

"He will love you once he has a family with you."

I remember Mother's words. She was confident about a better future. But it was an empty promise. Just like an empty heart of my husband. I was naive, I believed her. I still believe her. My heart still believes I am not seeing something. There is more to my story... My journey.

My endeavour was nothing but a failure. But I couldn't give up. Jamie and Cherish need their father.

I called Norma and asked if she could entertain my little boy till night. She agreed, and I left for my duty... As wife, mother, as Mrs Carter.

When I reached the office building with a bouquet of peonies that resembles happiness wealth, I was assaulted by agonies. The day I stepped into this engineering marvel was the same day when I witnessed his worst face. I was hoping to win the heart of the man I married, and I didn't look at the other side. We married because we were forced to.

"How can I help you?" The receptionist asked. She looks confident, ambitious... All these quality makes her attractive. I envy her now. I want to her like her... Confident, ambitious.

"I am here to meet James Carter," I said, with a low voice avoiding her professional eyes at me... She is trying to study me. I don't like when people stare at me.

"Do you have an appointment?" She chirped.

I shook my head in response. I don't have an appointment. Why do I need an appointment to meet with my husband?

"OK- do you need an appointment?" She behaved politely. She isn't like the previous one who lacked in the department of behaviour.

"No, I want to meet him now. It's urgent. Tell him my name and he will agree." I was surely sounded desperate.

"Miss... He returned from head office last night. Meeting him without an appointment is next to impossible. It is my job." She was polite. Well-behaved. She was exposed to the ideal environment while growing up.

Now, I am more determined. I want Cherish to become like her. A confident, independent woman who knows the importance of polite behaviour.

"Please at least try." I tried my luck.

Heaving a sigh, she gave up and pick up the phone to call. I heard her talking to the person. The voice was familiar. I kind of knew this is the same woman who was once my husband's mistress. I caught them in his office that noon and later faced the rage.

"I am so sorry, miss... Mr Carter is not available." She informed me.

"Then I need an appointment."

"Your name please!!" She asked.

"I am Anastasia Carter... His wife."