Behind Closed Doors

CHAPTER 5

Emily and Donna occupied seats across from each other in the staff canteen. Emily observed as Donna eagerly devoured her food. Pausing mid-bite, Donna glanced at Emily, noticing her untouched meal.

"You're gonna have a cold plate if you don't hurry," Donna remarked.

Emily's gaze dropped to her food. "I'm not hungry," she responded softly.

"Huh?" Donna's spoon clinked against the plate. "What do you mean you're not hungry?" She rested her chin on her hand, studying Emily.

"You're looking quite thin. You should eat more to put on some weight," she suggested.

"I just don't have an appetite lately," Emily offered, masking her feelings with a forced smile.

"Are you sure? Is something bothering you?" Donna asked, her gaze growing suspicious. Emily remained silent, fixated on her food. "Huh?"

Lifting her eyes to meet Donna's, Emily replied, "I'm really okay, I promise," mustering another smile.

"Don't hesitate to talk to me if anything's wrong. I might not have resources for lawsuits or hospitals, but I'll do what I can to help," Donna assured. "You can trust me."

"There's honestly nothing wrong, Donna. I'm perfectly fine," Emily insisted. "Just being mindful of my weight, you know."

As if I'd ever open up to anyone again. They'd just turn me into the subject of their jokes. I'd be a fool. Emily's inner thoughts echoed.

"Yeah, Emily, remember my neighbor?" Donna brought up. "The one from my previous street?"

The memory resurfaced for Emily. "Oh, yes, the one you mentioned lost her baby?"

"That's the one," Donna affirmed with a snap of her fingers. "She passed away last week."

Emily sat up, her hands gripping the table, shocked.

"What... How did that happen?" Emily inquired, genuine concern in her voice.

"Domestic violence," Donna stated, her gaze fixed on her soda, a hint of sadness in her expression. "Apparently, her husband would physically abuse her, tossing her around."

A jolt ran through Emily. No. Her breath caught. Domestic violence, abuse.

"I don't understand why she endured such treatment. Abusers should be locked away," Donna expressed with a pained tone. "No one deserves that, being subjected to such brutality, losing her baby, and then her life."

Emily's heart raced. She could hardly process Donna's words, overwhelmed by the implications.

"Did... did she ever... you know... reach out to anyone?" Emily stammered.

"She didn't," Donna confirmed, her sadness lingering. "It's tragic, a beautiful life cut short."

Emily hadn't felt like eating before, but now she couldn't even bear to look at her food. The weight of the news was shattering her from within. Why?

$&@&&&#
Mark lay bare-chested on the bed, a duvet draped over him from the waist down. His gaze remained fixed on Emily as she prepared for work, dressed in her outfit while examining herself in the mirror. He watched her make adjustments to her clothing, her expression devoid of enthusiasm. Following the incident that had led him to confront her about her use of birth control, Emily had spiraled further into her own world of darkness. Within the confines of their home, happiness had deserted her, replaced by an unsettling silence. This had transpired over the past three months. Her countenance held a constant melancholy, something he found strangely pleasing. A person who had lost all hope, who had withdrawn into themselves, became easier to manipulate, he mused. Yet, she rarely interacted with him unless absolutely necessary – meals or greetings. Intimacy had become a distant memory between them, a fact that gnawed at him. This wasn't how a marriage should be. Nonetheless, Emily was meticulous about maintaining a facade, reserving her true feelings for their private quarters. His reputation was paramount, and she understood that. She gathered her belongings and opened the bedroom door to depart when he called out.