Debt Repayment

Chapter 1: He gives away the game

Emily sits alone on the sofa, her eyes watching the TV screen showing a mindless reality tv show she watches to distract her from the fact that her husband Steve is out somewhere gambling again. Their marriage of 3 years has been plagued by his constant need to gamble, draining their bank account and leaving them struggling to make ends meet. They fight constantly over finances, but deep down Emily still loves him and doesn't know how to walk away from their toxic cycle.

The thought of starting a family often consumes her mind, but she knows deep down that they are not yet ready for such a responsibility. Still, in the darkness of night, she can't help but dream about conceiving. Recently, she stopped taking birth control because she was having a bad reaction to it, but now it has increased her sexual desire and sometimes leads to her waking up in the middle of the night trembling with longing and moaning out loud in their bedroom.

Her husband, Steve, stumbles into the house, clearly intoxicated and upset. She can only assume that he has lost yet another bet to his friend Mark, as he has been on a long streak of bad luck lately. She wonders where he finds the money to keep making these bets. He wanders into the kitchen and grabs a beer from the fridge before retreating to the back porch to sulk for the rest of the night. She continues watching her TV show until she starts feeling drowsy. Just as she's about to doze off, she receives a text message from an unknown number on her phone.

Unknown number: Hello, I'm not sure if you recognize my number, but this is Mark, your husband's friend.

Emily: Hi Mark, how have you been?

Mark: I've been doing well. How about you? Has Steve arrived home yet?

Emily: Yes, he just got back a little while ago.

Mark: Has he mentioned anything to you about tonight?

Emily: No, why? What happened??

Mark: You should probably have a conversation with him at some point. I don't want to bring it up unless he talks to you first.

Emily: What? What's going on???

Mark: you should talk to him first.

Emily's heart raced as she stared at the cryptic message from Mark. The dimly lit living room felt suffocating, and she needed some fresh air to calm her nerves. Slowly standing up, she made her way to the back porch where Steve sat with a bottle of beer in hand, his eyes fixed on the darkness beyond.

"Steve, can we talk?" Emily's voice was gentle yet filled with an underlying sense of urgency.

Steve turned to look at her, his expression a mix of surprise and mild annoyance. "What is it, Em? Can't it wait? I'm not in the mood for another lecture tonight."

Ignoring his dismissive tone, Emily took a deep breath and asked, "Mark texted me. He said we need to talk. Do you know what he's referring to?"

Steve's eyes widened slightly before he quickly masked his reaction with a forced smile. "Oh, that. It's nothing, Em. Just some stupid bet we made tonight. Nothing to worry about."

Emily's eyes narrowed, studying Steve's face for any signs of deception. She could tell he was hiding something, and her gut told her it was more than just a "stupid bet."

"Steve, this is serious! We can't keep avoiding our issues," Emily's voice rose slightly, frustration creeping into her tone.

Steve shifted uncomfortably in his seat, avoiding direct eye contact with Emily. "It was just a small wager, Em. Nothing that will affect us, I promise."

Frustration bubbled up inside Emily as she realized Steve was not being honest with her once again. Taking a step closer to him, she spoke firmly, "I need you to be honest with me, Steve. What bet? How much did you lose tonight?"

Steve's gaze shifted downwards as he let out a deep sigh. "I made a foolish bet and ended up losing a large sum of money tonight. I was convinced I could turn my luck around, but it only got worse. When it came time to settle the debt, I didn't have anything to offer, so I reluctantly agreed to let him have sex with you instead of paying up."

She looked at him with anger as the words left his mouth, her hazel eyes flashing with a mixture of disbelief and fury. "What? How could you possibly agree to something like that, Steve? You would trade me for your debts?" Her voice trembled with a raw emotion that had been boiling beneath the surface for far too long.

Steve flinched under her accusatory gaze, his usual sheepish demeanor replaced by a sense of shame. "I know, Em, I messed up big time. I didn't think he would actually take me up on the offer, but I was desperate. Please, you have to understand..."

Her fists clenched at her sides as she processed the gravity of his words. The betrayal cut deep, slicing through the facade of their crumbling relationship. Years of sacrifices and compromises flashed before her eyes, and she felt a surge of determination rising within her.

"I can't believe you would do this to me, Steve. I've stood by you through everything, but this is where I draw the line." Emily's voice was filled with a steely resolve as she turned away from him, her hands trembling with a mix of anger and hurt. She felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins, propelling her towards a decision she should have made long ago.

Without another word, Emily stormed back into the living room, her mind racing with thoughts and emotions. She needed to get out of there, away from the suffocating atmosphere that had plagued their relationship for far too long. As she grabbed her coat and purse, Steve's voice called out to her from the porch.

"Em, please, let's talk about this. I messed up, but I love you. We can work through this together," Steve's tone was pleading, but Emily was done listening to his empty promises and hollow apologies.

"Get through what? You haven't been able to win at anything, all you do is lose and now you got me involved, and honestly, I have to clean up this problem," Emily's voice dripped with frustration and anger as she glared at Steve. The weight of his actions pressed heavily on her heart, but she knew she couldn't let him off the hook this time.

Steve's expression twisted with a mix of surprise and fear as he realized the gravity of the situation. "Emily, I... I didn't mean for things to escalate this far. Please, let me make things right," he pleaded, desperation lacing his words.

But Emily was done with empty promises and false hopes. She had spent years trying to salvage their sinking relationship, but this was the final straw. With a determined look in her hazel eyes, she shook her head. "No, Steve. I can't do this anymore. I deserve better than someone who would sell me out for their addictions. I want you to stop all your gambling.

Steve took a hesitant step towards her, his hands reaching out as if to touch her. "Please, Emily, give me another chance. I'll stop, this time I'll stop," he pleaded, his eyes pleading for forgiveness.

In a brief moment, Emily's gaze softened as she remembered the love she used to feel for Steve. She could see the raw emotion in his eyes, the fear of losing her etched on his face. But as she looked at him, a renewed sense of determination took over. "Will this make you completely absolved?" Steve questioned Emily if she was truly going to follow through with the bet.

She responded by saying, that if this is what it takes to clear him and make him stop. She will do it.