Scars Of Marriage.

Chapter 22 : Being Massively hated Hurts.

I only spent two weeks at home before going back to my husband's home, or Henry's home, to be exact. I really felt like calling Henry a husband would bring shame to all the good husbands in the world.

My brother had long gone back to Huner; Sima was the only one who had stayed at home. Her husband had also gone back; after all, he had to work and provide for his family.

My father warned me to keep up the good behavior while at Henry's home and to listen to him in order for the family to stay stable.

I really wanted to tell him that the Henry he knew was a fake. However, I wondered, would my father care if I told him about Henry's character?

My mother, father, and his other wives, Sima, and some of my younger brothers and sisters saw me off as I headed towards the car.

I silently turned back towards them. Although those people on the internet called my family "hungry hyenas," I didn't take their words to heart.

My family was just like all the other families; we were all trying to get by. I wondered if these people were put in my family's shoes, would they choose differently from my father? If they did choose differently, what would they do to run such a family?

"Madam, please," I heard the driver say.

I waved at him before I climbed into the car; the driver then took me home. When I arrived, I immediately wanted to have some rest. These past days, I had always felt exhausted and drowsy.

"I knew you would like them," I suddenly heard Henry's voice. I was startled because I had been home these past days; I had forgotten about the shadow Henry had over me.

I heard a gentle female voice chuckle. "You have always been attentive. How could you know every flower species I like?" the voice said as they approached my direction.

I wanted to immediately rush upstairs, but I couldn't. If my figure was seen running off, it would be weird.

"You're finally back?" Henry asked as he led Lilly to the nearby sofa.

I nodded towards him in acknowledgment. "That's good then. How is Father-in-law and Mother-in-law?" he asked.

"They are okay," I answered.

"Father-in-law is really succeeding in his area of operation; they plan on promoting him," Henry chuckled as he said.

I now knew that he was monitoring me by whatever means I couldn't figure out. He must have known that I didn't tell my parents anything out of the ordinary. My father's promotion was now just a token thrown in my face for the good performance. I internally sneered as I attempted to go upstairs.

"Shiba? How is the child? That will be like my own child too. Henry and I have always been childhood friends; we promised each other that one's child will also be the other's," Lilly weakly and gently said.

"The child is healthy," I replied as I headed upstairs. I really didn't have time to chat, not because of anything else but because I saw through Lilly's act. Henry had now taught me how to read faces like a professional.

How could I not see Lilly's fake acting? She was an unmarried woman in another woman's house, with a married man. Even if the man was her childhood friend, it wouldn't be appropriate to rush into his matrimonial home and weakly walk into the arms of said friend when the wife was around!

That was only reserved for married women of that man! Lilly wasn't married to Henry, so everything she did was pretty obvious; she wanted to invoke jealousy in me. She didn't even know that I didn't care about Henry one bit! She could have all of him to herself.

I had just changed clothes and was preparing to rest when Henry walked in. He yanked my arm and made me face him.

"What was that just now? You didn't even greet Lilly! Lilly just asked you a simple question, but you had to reply with an attitude! Why are you such a bitch?" Henry shouted.

I was so angry at the derogatory words he called me, and coupled with my hormones, I guess, I suddenly exploded.

"What was she doing walking in the arms of a married man? She is your first love, I understand, but her question wasn't as innocent as it seemed! If you love her, then marry her!" I screamed.

I heard Henry chuckle and laugh. "Are you jealous, huh? You are actually jealous! Hahahah, this is funny. What right do you have to call me husband? I told you that you are just a stand-in; you don't have a right to ask questions, or do I have to teach you a lesson again?" he said.

"I am your wife; that's what the whole world sees, that's what Lilly sees! Even if you call me a stand-in..." I was in the middle of talking when Henry heavily slapped me, causing me to fall on the bed.

"You dare say Lilly's name through that dirty mouth?" Henry asked.

"I will be escorting Lilly now. When I return, I hope that you will have known your place. Think about the child you are carrying." Henry then headed outside and closed the door behind him as he left.

I silently held my aching face as I looked outside the window. I really hated this home. Would it have been different if I had acted willfully and found love just like Tanti? Would it have been different then?

Days passed by, but Henry still hadn't returned. I also didn't care to ask about his whereabouts. I would sew, talk to Tanti, Sima, and my brother on the phone to spend my days.

Pearl came every day and carried out check-ups on my pregnancy, telling me to exercise and move about as it was good for pregnant mothers.

One day, I was casually checking social media when I encountered some news about Henry. I clicked on the post and saw different pictures of Henry and Lilly at an amusement park. In one picture, Lilly was wearing a soft cotton sweater that covered her ears, making her appear cute and gentle. She was holding an ice cream cone as she pointed into the distance with a bright smile, while Henry looked at her tenderly.

In the comment section, different people were urging them to get married already. Others encouraged Henry to divorce the country bumpkin that his parents chose for him and marry his true love.

Some wished for me to just disappear from Muni, while others called me a homewrecker for knowing that Henry had a first love and inserting myself into their love.

How could I have known Henry's first love? I hadn't kept up with what was going on in his life apart from the rumors from passersby. I immediately closed the thread; although I didn't want to admit it, being massively hated hurt.