#napter 69 – Boundaries
#Chapter 69 – Boundaries
Stella
I stare at the green dress that lies on my bed. It looks black at first glance but as soon as the fabric is hit with light, a shimmering green color is exposed. Gold jewelry lays beside it, a necklace and rings alongside the wedding ring that Adrian gifted to me so long ago.
Tonight is the night of his company’s shareholder gala. I have to admit that I am very nervous about tonight, unsure how tonight’s events are going to unfold. Something always happens, an event that is sure to drive us further apart from one another after making so much progress in getting better.
After tonight, though, all of my obligations towards him as his wife will be over. I will be free from the nightmare of our contracted marriage and will not need to worry anymore about his life.
A piece of my heartaches by this revelation, though. I am going to miss Lilian so much. His mother has always been so nice and sweet towards me. Her presence is going to be the one I miss the most when I venture off and begin to live the life that I deserve after all of these years.
I grab the dress and feel the silky fabric beneath my fingers, a thin black layer of sheer covering the green silk. I rub it between my fingers, the realization of Adrian and I’s marriage coming to an end finally hitting me.
I want to cry but I also want to yell and scream at him for destroying me. For destroying my body without knowing the consequences of the his actions. I want to rip out his heart like he planned to do with mine, having signed a consent form as my husband for the heart transplant surgery.
I slip the dress over my body and turn to look at myself in the mirror. My mother bought me this dress, the same day that Clara and her mother ruined the day with their embarrassing antics. It’s a reminder of what I am leaving behind and what I am stepping into
I will be leaving my life as the dutiful housewife, a lab rat, a bag of spare parts that her adoptive parents can pick apart and give to their golden child.
I will be entering my new life as soon as the clock strikes midnight. I will no longer be Stella, the woman who they could freely bully and push around. Instead, I am going to transform into a new version of myself, one that will not take anyone’s shit and will take care of herself before anything else.
The gold jewelry matches the dress, complimenting my skin tone. I stare at myself in the mirror, taking in my appearance from all sides. The dress hugs my body just right, my high heels hidden underneath the fabric of the skirt.
I let out a sigh of relief. Anticipation bubbles inside my chest. I am nervous about tonight, yes, but I am also very excited about the beginning of the next stage of my life.
There is a knock at my door. I turn to look at it, taking a quick glance of the time.
Adri to
It is way too early for Adrian to be here. Besides, I told him that I would meet him outside instead of having him come all the way up, so if he’s already here, he’s going to have to wait outside.
My heels click against the floor, my hands fixing the back of one of my earrings. The person on the other side knocks again..
“I’m coming!” I call out, finally reaching for the doorknob, Adrian? Are you here already?” I ask and swing open the door.
“Adrian?” Sebastian asks. He tilts his head to the side, a frown overtaking his face. He shoves his hands into his
pocket.
My eyes widen. I take a step back and release the door from my grip, unable to look away from the man. Sebastian slips inside, closing the door behind him, and leans against the wood.
“Sebastian?” I ask in a breathy tone, “What are you doing here? I wasn’t expecting you.”
“I thought I would surprise you with company tonight but looks like Adrian has beat me to it,” Adrian’s name comes out like venom on Sebastian’s tongue.
“He asked me to go to an event with him,” I shrug, “it’s not a big deal, Seb, no need to get worked up over it.” “Why are you going? Don’t you despise him?” Sebastian asks.
“It’s our final event as husband and wife,” my tone sharpers and I glare at him, “we’re going to go our separate ways after this.“”
“Bullshit.”
“Sebastian!” I slam my hand against the kitchen countertop, wincing from pain. “You know, you’re not much better than Adrian.”
Sebastian scoffs. He takes a step forward and leans down, getting at the same eye level as me. He places his hand on the countertop beside me, caging me in.
“Yeah? And how is that, Stella? Last time I checked, it was me who answered your call and took you to the hospital, not him,” his voice is low and it sends chills down my spine.
“You both hover,” I bite back, “neither of you can seemingly leave me alone. You both hate each other and are always there whenever I’m there to fall.”
I push him away and move to my room. He follows behind me, not leaving me alone. I grab my purse and phone, stuffing it inside the clutch alongside my keys and wallet.
“You both hold high expectations for me, expectations that I never agreed to be a part of. You both think one thing and when you realize that I’m not like that, you get defensive and claim that you’re only human and you can make mistakes. Whenever I make a mistake, though, it’s world war three and I’m a pariah.”
“Don’t be like that, Stella,” Sebastian grabs my wrist, turning me to face him.
He gently pulls me to his chest but I shove him away, placing much needed distance between us.
“No, Sebastian,” I breathe out, angry, “I need space. I am just about to get my life back and I am not going to allow myself to be stuck under another man’s thumb. Especially one that claims that he only does things thinking that it will be best for me when in actuality it isn’t.”
Sebastian lets out a huff of air but he remans silent, listening to me as I speak, I clear my throat and fix my ha tucking the dark brown strands behind my ears.
“I need you to trust me, okay?” I pinch the bridge of my nose, slowly breathing in and out so my lungs don’t give out on me again. “I know what I’m doing. I know Adrian better than you do and I know that he means his word.”
“Stella-”
“Lock the door on the way out,” I brush past him, heading towards the door, “I know you have a spare key.”
I exit and slam the door behind me. I make my way down to the lobby, smiling at the front desk receptionist before exiting the building.
Adrian leans against his sports car. He wears a nice suit, a bowtie hanging around his neck. He smiles at me when
S
I approach, opening up the passenger car door.
“You look beautiful,” he compliments. I smile at him and slowly get inside the car, taking his hand to help. “Are you ready to go?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
