Cracks Within

Chapter 14

Tuesday 9th October 2040.

Walking away from my husband is the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I get in the car and drive. I don't know where's I'm driving too. Rain pours down, hitting my car with heavy thuds. My phone is ringing non-stop but I ignore it. I'm so hurt and angry, I can't even cry. Driving down the deserted roads, I decide what to do and park up on a residential road. Without thinking, I dial Marshalls number. Voicemail.

"Marshall, it's Anna. Please call me when you can. Some stuff happened and I really need you right now. Bye"

I hang up and drive home, dreading walking through the door of the home I shared with the love of my life. I turn the corner and see Sam's car on the drive. I take a deep breath and park next to it. Sam bursts through the front door as soon as I turn the engine off, tears streaming down his face. He waits on our porch like he always does when he hears the engine of my car. I look at him indifferently through the car window. He stumbles on the wet patio. I close my eyes, take a deep breath and get out my car.

"Anna." Sam pleaded, talking through tears. "Please, let's talk. I love you so much." He tries to hold my hand but I pull it away.

I snort. "Sure." I push past him and try to make my way to the front door. I feel a hand clasp around my arm and pulls me back. I fall onto the hood of my car and Sam is on top of me, his tears falling on my face. I struggle to move, his weight pinning me to the hood.

"Anna. I won't hurt you, I promise." he says through tears.

"Like you already haven't?!" I shout. "You been having an affair with your ex-wife during our whole marriage! How am I ever supposed to forgive you or even love you after this?!"

Sam re-arranges his body weight, still not letting me go. "It wasn't a full affair. Over the past fourteen years, you have made me the happiest man on Earth and I can't tell you how much I love you because there aren't any words- "

"JUST. STOP." I stamp my foot on his and he yelps, releasing me a little; just enough for me to flip his arm and get behind him, pushing him on the hood. "You decided to destroy any love I had for you by fucking your ex-wife during our marriage. We are over. I want nothing to do with you, and I want you to leave my house." As I let go, something metal and hard hits me square in the back. I scream in pain and fall to the floor. My vision is blurry from the tears running thick and fast down my face. I look behind me and Nina is smiling a toothy grin.

I look at Sam. "Why is she at my house?" I whisper. I grab the pipe. He looks scared as I crawl towards him, the metal pipe secured in my hand.

"She came back with me, she wouldn't take no for an answer."

"Of course, she wouldn't." I turn to face the woman who my husband loved more. "Do you wanna move the fuck out of my way, or shall I make you?" I smile sweetly at her. She moves to the side silently, making no effort to help me get up off the wet and dirty ground. As I stand up, I glare at her and walk past her, my hand hovering over the door handle. I turn around to get one last look at my husband. Shooting pains run through my heart as I realise that I'll never live with him again. Love him again. I'll never spend long, summer nights gazing up at the sky or cold, winter days snuggled up on the sofa. I'll never see the way he smiles when he thinks he's funny. I'll never see the dimples in his lower back again. I'll never see him twitch in his sleep again. I take a deep breath as he walks towards me. He falls on his hands and knees.

"Anna Mason, I love you more than words could say. You are the love of my life and I want to be with you until the end of time. I've made a huge mistake." he says, crying. He turns his head slightly towards Nina who looks at him with an expression mixed with hurt and anger. He turns back to me. "I've made many mistakes. I need you, Anna. I love you so much, please don't leave."