Behind Closed Doors

CHAPTER 4

Emily sat with her hands clenched, waiting patiently as Mrs. Waterfield brewed the coffee. Her gaze wandered around the house, taking in the familiar decorations and furniture that stirred memories of her time living in the church. As Mrs. Waterfield returned to the table with two cups of coffee, Emily watched as she placed one in front of her and took a sip, savoring the warmth.

"So, Emily," Mrs. Waterfield began. "What is it you wanted to discuss?" She sipped her coffee, her expression attentive.

Taking a deep breath, Emily prepared to share something that could potentially shatter her husband's image but trusting the woman sitting across from her was a necessity at this point.

"I... I want to report an incident," she started.

Mrs. Waterfield nodded encouragingly. "Please, go on."

Emily steeled herself. She knew she had to say it out loud, even though it was painful. "It's about Mark," she said, her voice trembling slightly. The weight of the words hung in the air, but she continued. "Mark... he forced himself on me two days ago."

A heavy silence followed her revelation, and Emily looked up to meet Mrs. Waterfield's gaze, searching for a reaction. Mrs. Waterfield's response was far from what Emily had anticipated.

"He forced himself on you?" Mrs. Waterfield repeated, her tone sounding nonchalant. Emily nodded, her heart sinking. Then, unexpectedly, Mrs. Waterfield chuckled. "Oh, young couples," she said with a dismissive wave. "What do you mean he forced himself on you?"

Emily's confusion and shock deepened. She struggled to find the words, but she knew she had to be explicit. "He... he raped me," she finally managed, her voice barely above a whisper. She watched Mrs. Waterfield's reaction carefully, hoping for support.

Mrs. Waterfield's laughter continued, unfazed. "My dear Emily," she began, taking another sip of her coffee, "there's no such thing as marital rape. You're married, it's your duty. Husbands and wives are meant to be together," she explained matter-of-factly. Emily's world crumbled with her words.

"Please, don't go around telling others that your husband raped you," Mrs. Waterfield added, still laughing. "It's your role as a wife."

Emily's shock turned to a numb disbelief. She tried to speak but words escaped her. Struggling to find her voice, she managed, "Mrs. Waterfield... Mark hit me that night. He beat me so badly I nearly lost consciousness, and he said terrible things, look at my arms, they're swollen from..."

Mrs. Waterfield's response remained unsympathetic. "He wouldn't hit you without a reason. I know Mark, he wouldn't. He must have had a valid cause. Perhaps you've become rebellious," she asserted. "Mark is a true gentleman, well-mannered and quiet. He's like a perfect son to us. Domestic violence is no laughing matter, Emily. Don't spread baseless rumors. If Mark did hit you, I'm sure you provoked him in some way."

Tears welled in Emily's eyes as the reality of her isolation set in. Mrs. Waterfield's final words struck her heart like a dagger. "You should be grateful you're married to him. You have a real home now. Do not tarnish the church's reputation with false accusations, Emily," Mrs. Waterfield concluded.

What was she even thinking? Emily's head went blank. She should have known better. Mrs Waterfield motto was always for her to endure the marriage even when she ran to her to report some weird behaviors he exhibited. She always told her she was complaining too much  and not grateful. She should have known better.

Feeling crushed and abandoned, Emily swiftly gathered her belongings and left the house. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she walked away, her heart heavy with the weight of her ordeal and the lack of support from the one person she had hoped to confide in.