As soon as Duke popped the question, I noticed that my husband's smile had turned into his customary expression of coldness.

“She’s worth the world to me.”

Duke laughs gleefully, hitting Williams playfully on the chest. “I was expecting that, considering the way you’ve been stealing glances at her like she’s some trophy you are about to lose.”

Once more, I had the sudden urge to throw up and felt my stomach rumble.

“It would be an absolute disaster if I eventually threw up here," I thought, carefully removing myself from the midst of the two engrossed men.

While in the bathroom, I succeeded in emptying my bowels of the sumptuous meal I had eaten that night. I straightened up, feeling a little relieved, when I was suddenly astounded to see a pair of eyes staring intently at me.

“Who is responsible?”

I feigned not to hear him and instead moved closer to the wall mirror to shield myself from the murderous look he shot at me.

He probably didn't get the reason for this and assumed I had moved closer to the mirror for a proper scrutiny of the dress

“There’s no need for that. Duke has left for his home.” 

“Oh! So soon?” disappointment was clearly evident in my voice. 

“Yes! so soon” 

“He left without even bidding me goodbye."  My voice shook as I asked this question. I was not meant to ask about Duke. It could anger him further.

“You can always demand it when you see him next time,” he retorts, dragging me out of the bathroom and into the room.

“You’re hurting me,” I pleaded as his grip on my arm tightened.

“For the last time, who is responsible for your pregnancy? I should have known that you weren’t any different from the other women. I wouldn't expect anything from a woman who throws herself on a man on the first day of meeting him.” He says this rather coldly, as if he wasn’t the one who made advances at me first.

"Come to think of it, why are you suddenly playing the role of a saint when you were clearly the one who started flirting with me first. How dare you accuse me of something that we were both guilty of? Aren’t you also shameless for sleeping with a woman you just met?” I fired back, suddenly regaining my semblance.

I see his anger rise as his Adam’s apple pulsates, as if he’s swallowing hard on the words I just said.  “Don’t you ever speak to me in that manner again” He threatened, “You won’t be so lucky next time”

Oh! really? Maybe, you should also watch the way you speak to me, I am your wife, not your maid"

He raised his hand to hit me and I quickly Shrugged back in fear, suddenly grateful when he retracted his steps and lowered his hand in succession.

I watched him saunter away, and I sighed deeply, the thought of his raised hand landing on my cheek replaying in my mind.

I was used to seeing him angry. It was the part of him I was most used to. 

I was so sure that he was incapable of smiling until I saw him laugh at Duke’s jokes during our impromptu dinner. It was the first time I had seen him smile, and I must admit, his smile warmed my heart

As I lay down to rest, still cladded in the dinner gown, the door flung open, and he strode in again with silky nightwear, which he tossed at me.

“Thank you,"  I muttered, unsure of how to respond to the gift.

He nods slowly, advancing toward my stiff frame on the bed. Suddenly, his phone rings, and he retraces his steps to pick up the call.

I could tell who the caller was; his cold face had simmered into a smile when he answered the call.

“Must be one of his numerous mistresses,” I scoffed, feeling angry at the sudden surge of jealousy.

He could do whatever he wanted, but why was I feeling bad at the thought of another lady?

The night in the hotel was a very cold one, even though the hotel had provided me with one of the thickest duvets.

My mind conjured images of him in the arms of his mistress that night. Something he would have done intentionally to spite me. 

I pushed further thoughts about him away and laid back on the bed, eagerly waiting for the waiter to return with my food.