Love Begins

"Trust me, it's not me. I didn't do this." I pleaded him. But, he ignored my plead and continue to hit me. Tears continue to fell from my eyes. After hours of assaulting and abusing me, he left me. I can hear the sound of car engine fading away. I lie on the bed, looking at the wedding picture. We both had huge, bright smiles on our face. It was most beautiful day of my life. I thought, my life will change after marrying him, it did though. In my case, it turned to be a horrible nightmare. The person I have been married to, devoted my life to him. Turns out, I am nobody to him. 

I am Amy Anthony Brent. My husband, Anthony Brent, is the leading industrialist in the country. We were happy in the marriage for outside world. No one knew the truth of our marriage life. I never existed in his life. Initially, I thought he was busy in his work, maybe its difficult for him to juggle professional and private matter. I thought, giving him time and space is best. Every married couple goes through it. It's not a big deal. 

What I thought has small problem, turned out to be the biggest problem in my life. It ruined my life. On the day of our first anniversary, Anthony brought her along with him to our home. She is Anthony's best friend, Page Morgan. She is the bug that destroyed my relation and my life. At first, I happily helped her with her stuff. But, when things started to go out of control, I told Anthony about it. He instead of taking my side, scolded me for being inconsiderate. He even warned me to be good to her and take care of her as she is weak, fragile than other girls. To please my husband, I did that to. I took care of her. I cooked for her, washed her dresses, did all her chorus. 

But as time pass, she started to treat me as her maid. At first, I ignored, but later on I couldn't handle her behavior towards me. It was because of her, that Anthony slapped me. After that, it became daily routine. She used to bully me, if I told Anthony about it, he started to hit me. I was feed up. I gave my everything to that person but he didn't value my efforts at all. From last one year, I am going through it. I want to break free from this. One day, I told Anthony, I want to divorce. He got so angry, that he hit me and took me by force. After that night, I lost the little respect and love I had for him. I want to break this relation. 

The next day, he didn't came home. It was usual though, after misbehaving with me, he won't come to home. I got up from, took a shower and covered the marks by wearing long sleeves shirts to cover the marks. I came downstairs, the housekeeper has already prepared lunch. I quietly ate the lunch. 

The door bell ring, the housekeeper opens the door. She comes back with Page behind her. Page looks at me and gives me a sinister smile. I ignored her. She comes and sit on the opposite sofa. "Sorry to come unexpectedly." 

I ignored her. I continue to look my phone, ignoring her existence completely, as if it doesn't matter that she is sitting right in front of me.

"Come on, Amy. I am here to talk to you, but you are ignoring me." She says kindly. I hate her guts. She has the manner to show herself in front of me after ruining my married life. "Okay, let's talk. I want you to divorce Anthony." She talks as if she is queen of some big kingdom. "I want you to give up your position of Mrs. Anthony Brent." She says coldly.

I let out a laugh. "If you want to be Mrs. Anthony Brent, be my guest." I say and goes to my room. I am annoyed by her. I hate her to my core. I call my best friend, Darcy, hoping she would console me. Her phone was ringing, but she was not picking up. I was about to disconnect the call, but the call got connected. I could hear some sound, after listening it carefully, it was the sound of two people kissing each other. I was about to disconnect it, when I heard Darcy talking "So, did you got the money?" 

"Yes, babe. I got money from her." I heard a male voice. The voice sound very familiar.

"How naïve of her." Darcy laughs. "She sold her jewelry to get the money for you. What a kind sister she is." 

"She don't know about it. I told her that mom is sick and she need urgent treatment." The male voice says. I recognize the voice. It's my brother's voice. "She is so naïve, that she didn't know that she is our bank to get money. Not just me but mom and dad also. She is our money cow." Aaron says and laugh. Darcy also laughs. "Plus, she didn't know that she is adopted."

Hearing this, I felt the ground beneath my feet has disappeared. I felt betrayed. The people I care about are the one who betrayed me. I can't believe my brother, my family and my best friend can hurt me this badly. What does he mean by 'adopted'? Am I not his sister?

"'Adopted?' Amy is adopted?" Darcy questions.

"Yes, she is adopted. I also came to know about this 2 days ago when I heard my mom talking to my dad, how they raise such her to be filial and how they will use her to get money." He says and kiss her again. The sound of kissing continues to come from the phone.

But I couldn't hear anything, my whole world has been shaken. I can't believe I fell in their trap. From the beginning, I nothing but their pawn. A part of their game. I felt as if my whole life was meaningless. I felt numb. 

"Watch out!" Someone shouted and pulled me. 

At that moment, I got conscious. I don't even realize that I am not in my room. I am outside. I didn't know this place, where am I? I was so numb and unconscious that I came out without wearing my shoes. I don't know this place. Where am I? 

"Hey, are you okay?" The person who pulled me, asks.

"I don't know...." Before I could complete it, I passed out.

My eyes opened to a unfamiliar surrounding. The beeping sound of the machine was heard. The smell of disinfectant is in the air. I get up, no one is in the room. I look here and there. How did I end up here? After few minute, I recalled everything. The phone call conversation between my brother and my best friend. I felt so angry. They have been using me. I felt so useless. How can I be so stupid? I became a fool.

The door of the room opens, a young man comes in. He is tall, looks handsome in that customized suit and his aura is magnificent. "Thank god. You woke up." He says gently.

I stare at the man. "Is there something on my face? Or Am I too handsome?" 

"Ah" I come out of my daze. "I am sorry." I say "Thank you so much for helping me. I didn't realize where I was walking. Thank you." I stop myself, I don't want to embarrass myself in front of a total stranger.

"My pleasure, be careful, next time." He says. "May I know your name?"

"Why do you want to know my name?" I ask.

"Isn't it convenient for me to know the name of the person I helped, despite me being in my office to attend a important meeting?" He says.

"Amy." I say. He is right, he might be busy but then also he is here, helping me, a total stranger. There's still kindness in the word of evil people. After the information I heard, I believed that people use other people for their greed. Trusting people is very difficult. You have no idea, whether the people in front of you is good or evil. But seeing this man, I can feel that kindness and humanity still exist in this world.

"Amy. Nice name." He says.

"Thanks. If you don't mind, may I know your name?"

He thinks for a moment, look at me, a small smile appears on his well sculptured face. "Adam Clark." 

"Thank you so much, Mr. Clark. I will always remember your kindness. Hope, I can repay your kindness, someday." 

"How will you repay?" He asks with curiosity.

"In any way possible." I say with earnestly.

"You will do anything?"

"Anything, that's under my limit."

"Okay."

"Don't tell me you want my kidney." I say jokingly.

"How do you know that? You are smart." He looks at me with a very serious face. I got scared, he wants my kidney. What will he do to my kidney? Is he an human organ dealer? It's illegal, right?

He laughs. "I am sorry. It was a joke. Please, relax" 

I sighed in relief. "You scared me." 

"Don't worry, I won't do anything illegal. I am law-abided citizen." He assures me. 

Doctor and nurse comes in the room, the doctor checks my vitals, "You need to take rest. And also..." Doctor pauses for a second. "You need to file complaint. You have to set yourself free from the toxic relation that you are in. Enduring domestic violence will only make your health worst. Not just physically, but also mentally. If you need our help, we can give you a full body check up, and report." The doctor says kindly.

I look away, I couldn't look in her eyes, the marks on my body are so evident. I feel ashamed. "I don't know......" I couldn't complete the sentence, words were struck.

"Sometimes letting go and moving on from a relationship is the best way to live your life." Adam quotes.

"He is right. Sometime letting go and freeing yourself from that unwanted relation is the right choice to make. It's not selfish to think about your own happiness. Everyone deserve to be happy. We have the choice to be happy or sad." Doctor says, pats my shoulder and leaves us in the room.

I can't look at Adam. I keep my head down, staring my lap, which is covered by the blanket. Do they think I don't want to? I really want to free myself from him? Every time I bring up the divorce topic, he would hit me, abuse me.

"It's nothing to be ashamed of." Adam says softly. "You should not feel guilty, you are victim here. But, somewhere it's also your fault, you gave him power to do it. If you had taken action when he hit you for the first time, you wouldn't be in this state now. Let me tell you, you still have time in your hand, You know, if you don't do anything now, then your gonna regret it your whole life." He says, softly. "If you want to repay me. Repay me by letting yourself free. Be happy."

Listening to him, I got confidence and courage. They are right, I should let go of this relationship. I should free myself from this bond. "I will." I say with confidence.

"If you need my help, here" He hands me his business card.

"Thank you so much. I mean it. Thank you. Again."