The Price of a Secret

8 | ADRIFT

Driving back home, Elizabeth got lost in her thoughts once again.

"Congratulations, it's a girl".

It would be every woman's dream to have a little girl to care for like a doll. But for her, it was a nightmare.

How would she tell Mason that she couldn't give him a baby boy? And what if he wanted to harm the baby girl? No, she knew he wouldn't do that. Or would he?

She decided to wait until the birth. If he didn't know now, she could still survive until then. Only three months left. She needed to carry on until her daughter was born.

Daughter. It sounded so good. A girl to be her companion. To help her navigate this difficult journey of life. She would be willing to do anything to keep her safe.

Upon arriving home, she noticed that Mason hadn't returned yet. The routine repeated itself. He would leave early and come back late at night. She would have secret dinners, but ate little, fearing he might show up and she would have to dine with him again. The familiar smells of cigarette, alcohol, and cheap perfume now intensified. She didn't know how to make it stop.

When Mason's car parked, she was already preparing to go to bed. She hurriedly got up and went to the living room to greet him. It wouldn't be good if he saw her already lying down.

"Hi, dear", he said, slurring his speech. A sign of his old and habitual drunkenness.

"Where have you been again, Mason?" As she approached, she noticed lipstick marks on his shirt. A slip-up. He had never shown signs of having a lover before.

"Oh, come on, Elizabeth".

"Mason, could you at least try to hide that you're cheating on me? And why are you doing this?" She became agitated.

"Why? Is that really what you're asking me? Look at yourself, Elizabeth. You look terrible with that huge belly. You've ruined your body with this pregnancy. There's no man in the world who would be attracted to a woman like that, and I need to satisfy myself. From now on, you only leave this house to go to college. I don't want you embarrassing me with that huge belly".

She knew the belly didn't make her sexy, but she didn't imagine it would make her repulsive. It was already hard to look at herself in the mirror knowing she had gained weight. Now it would be impossible. She was being rejected by her own repugnant husband, who preferred to be with loose women rather than lie with her. Not that she wanted that. His distance had been a salvation for her sanity. Being able to sleep alone without his nighttime abuses felt like living in paradise. But she knew he had needs and worried about where he would satisfy them.

"Why, Mason? Why don't you divorce me if you feel such disgust? Just end it already".

"End it? My dear, I always get what I want. And I want you, by my side or not".

What did he mean by that? Was he willing to keep her trapped in this prison no matter what? Alive or dead? Worse than fear was the anger now dominating her. Mason was like an executioner who imprisoned and hurt her only for his pleasure. How could someone be like that? And with a look of disdain in her eyes, she said:

"I hope you don't catch a disease from those sluts you're going around with".

Did she really have the courage to say that? How could she be so reckless, she thought. Her thoughts only alerted her to the foolishness she had just said when Mason grabbed her by the arms and pushed her.

"You think you're so clever, don't you, Elizabeth?"

And he came closer. She backed away, almost falling backward.