The Bride

Chapter 10

     I didn't know what to think. Part of me wanted to burst in there and start screaming like a madwoman. The other part wanted to break down crying. And one small part was convinced that this had to be one elaborate nightmare, and I would wake up any second. A sign from the other end of the door confirmed that it was real. Ethan... cheated on me. With Seleste. I could feel the tears running down my face. I knew I had to get out of there before they could hear my sobs. But part of me wanted Ethan to find me here. I wanted him to feel my hurt, to hear my pain. I didn't know what to do.

     "Miss! Oh, Arielle, what are you doing here?" Bella finds me at the foot of Ethan's bedroom door. Of our bedroom door. Bella takes one look at me, then one look at the door, and seems to figure it out on her own. "C'mon Arielle, let's get you outta here." She helps me get up, and she escorts me to the room she fixed me up in when I first arrived at the palace. I collapse on the couch in tears.

     "Bella, what's g-going on? W-what's he d-doing with... w-with.. her?!" I manage to choke out. I am so pathetic. It was probably my fault that he was cheating on me. I hadn't given him enough attention. I didn't see him during the day after all. I'm such a terrible wife... this is all my fault.

     "It's not your fault," Bella says, like she could read my thoughts.

     "Yes it is!!" I yell at her. "Why else would he cheat on me?? I m-must be doing s-something wrong! Seleste is p-p... prettier than I am!! She... s-she... she.." I only get that far before I burst into tears again.

     "Arielle, look. At. Me." Bella's serious and scary tone makes me bolt upright. I look at her with what I feel looks like the most pathetic look ever.

     "Arielle, listen. It isn't your fault. Ethan he's well... he's..." she looks at something underneath the couch, and I follow here eyes. I see a piece of rope sticking out from under there. She quickly kicks it back under.

     "Look, Arielle. I think I can be able to help you, but you have to do what I say," she says urgently as she walks over to close to door, and make sure it's locked.

     "W-what...?" I don't even know what she has in mind. I'm just so confused right now, and I already feel very emotionally exhausted. I love him...

     "Arielle, you need to resist him sexually," Bella tells me in the most serious tone that I have ever heard. I almost burst out laughing.

     "What are you talking about?!" I practically yell. She shushes me, then points to the door.

     "How much sleep have you gotten since your wedding?" She inquires.

      "Not very much," I confess.

      "And why is that?"

     "Because Ethan always wants to have sex..." I say, starting to get what Bella's saying. "But... you'll really think that this will get him to stop cheating on me with Seleste?"

     "Just... do what I say. I'll explain all the rest later, I promise." She looks at me in the eyes, and I see a spark of mischief in her eyes.

     "But... w-what if I can't resist him? I can't say no to him... it's next to impossible..."

     "Arielle," Bella crosses over to me and sots on the couch. She takes my hand and squeezes it. "You can do it..."

     "My Queen" she smiles, and I realize that... I am in way farther than I thought I was.