Glimmer of Hope

Chapter 15

Two weeks had passed and not a word from Mark, which made Sarah very thankful. As she sat at her desk in her office working busily she received a phone call.

"Sarah you have a call on line two." Darlene her secretary reported.

"Thank you Darlene, she said as she hesitated to click to line two. "Hello, Sinclair Industries, this is Sarah, how may I help you?" She answered trying to keep her voice steady.

"Well hello there pretty lady."

Sarah smiled and breathed a sigh of relief at the voice on the other end. "Well hello yourself. How are you Steve? I was beginning to think you had disappeared."

"Not a chance! Listen, I was wondering if you wanted to go to that new nightclub that just opened. I hear they have killer dinners, and a fantastic dance floor."

Sarah thought about it for a moment. She could not stop herself from thinking about the commitments she had once made to Mark on the day they decided to start their life together and all the plans they had made.  How had she gotten to this place in her life? How could she even think about moving forward already? She knew one thing for sure, she needed to stop dwelling on the past.

"Sarah, you there?"

"Oh yes of course, sorry Steve. Yes, I think that would be wonderful." she answered.

"Ok, great then! I'll pick you, oh say sixish?"

"Sounds good to me, see you then."

"Ok till then. Steve confirmed. "Now don't work too hard."

"Ok bye bye Steve, thanks for the call."

"No problem at all my dear, see you soon." Sarah hung up the phone and had to let out a long sigh. She must be crazy for getting herself into this. She was brought back by a knock on the door. She cleared her throat, "Come in." she called. There before her stood Mark. She quickly jumped up as he shut the door and turned the lock. "Sarah, you look wonderful."

"What are you doing here Mark?"

"I just came by to see how my lovely wife was doing."

"Well as you can see, I am fine, now if you would please escort yourself out the door, I have some work to do." Sarah was petrified, but she could not let Mark see that.

Mark slowly walked to her and grab her arms and pushed her against the wall. "Did you miss me sweetheart?" He pressed into her harder. "I have certainly missed you. You know it would just be better if you would come home with me. I will change Sarah, I will be a better person, I love you sweetheart, don't you know that." Sarah struggled and managed to pull away from him.

"Mark," she reasoned out of breath, "I don't know if you have noticed, but we are through and we have been for over a week now. It is over and we need to move on." Sarah's voice was faltering which was a clue for Mark to move in once again. This time he grabbed her harder and placed a hand over her mouth. Sarah struggled but to no avail. 

"A word of advice for you darling." Mark sneered into her face. "Don't even think about filing for a divorce, you won't get it, you will never win. I am always going to be a part of your life. I will always be here. Lingering, waiting. You should know you can't get rid of me. I am watching you Sarah, I know everything you do. And one day I will catch you by surprise, and you will be back in our home once again. You'll never be free Sarah. You love me, and I love you, we were meant to be." Sarah struggled harder and finally she raised a leg and sent Mark hurling in pain.

"Now you listen to me, and listen well..." Sarah had no idea where these words were coming from. She knew she really wanted to back up into the wall and just cry. "We are through Mark, and I will file for divorce from you. You make me sick to my stomach. I loathe even
seeing your face. It was you Mark, you are the one that threw our marriage away, not me. Now get out of my office, and do not ever come back here!" She finished with her false confidence.

Just then there was a pounding on the door and it flew open and a security guard plowed in. "Ms. Hascom everything ok in here?" He asked, clearly out of breath.

"Yes Lenny." Sara answered with relief. "Please show Mr. Hascom out of the building."
Mark finally stood up tall and said, "I will be waiting for you Sarah, I love you sweetheart, never forget that."

"Come on Mr. Hascom out you go" Lenny said as he grabbed ahold of Mark's arm, steering him towards the door.

"Let go of me!" He shook Lenny off of him. "I can find the door myself." Lenny followed Mark out the door and closed it behind him. Sarah broke down and slid herself down the wall and sobbed. It had been a week since she had seen him. And once again he made her feel worthless and alone.