BROKEN VOWS

Chapter One:My life.

Rainbow's POV.

What is life, really? It's a question that creeps into our minds during those moments of existential crisis when the familiar becomes uncertain, and the struggles we face seem insurmountable. We've all been there - watching our lives unravel like a movie script gone wrong. We ask ourselves, "What's the worst that could happen?" only to find out that, indeed, things can always get worse.

In those moments, we're forced to confront the complexities and mysteries of existence. We begin to wonder if life is nothing more than a series of unpredictable twists and turns, or if there's something more profound waiting to be discovered.

Or we catch glimpses of serenity in everyday moments: a mother's laughter intertwines with her child's giggles as they play together on a sun-drenched street. We wonder, is this what life is all about – finding joy in the simplest of moments?

Or we observe the gardener, hands gently nurturing the petals of vibrant flowers, their passion evident in every delicate touch. Their devotion to beauty makes us ponder: is life about cultivating our own unique brand of beauty, and sharing it with the world?

Or that young couple, hands entwined as they stroll down the street, their love radiating like a warm glow. Sighs... Even after they vanish from sight, my imagination lingers, picturing the tender whispers of reassurance the man might be sharing with his loved one, and the unborn life they're nurturing together.

And yet, in the same breath, doubt creeps in. Can we ever truly be certain what life is about? Are these fleeting moments of beauty, love, and connection merely fragments of a larger puzzle, or are they the puzzle itself?

Growing up, I was enveloped in a sense of belonging. My family, though unconventional, was vast and loving. As an orphan in the system, I found solace in the communal atmosphere – everyone was a sibling, and the caregivers were surrogate mothers. In my naive childhood mind, I genuinely believed that this was what life was all about: being surrounded by people who cared and having a support system that felt like a warm, comforting blanket.

But life, as it often does, had other plans, and adulthood brought its own set of challenges. The most significant one is the man I love with every fiber of my being. How did I end up here? Well, that's a story for another time. For now, let's get back to the present.

Oh no, I did it again – got lost in my thoughts. He's going to kill me! Time for introductions, I suppose. Hi, my name is Rainbow Williams. Nice to meet you.

I'm a wife, a cook, a cleaner, and everything in between. Or so it seems. My life appears simple: do as I'm told, and harmony reigns. Easy peasy, right? Wrong.

In this modern age, how does one surrender their autonomy without a fight? Especially when the person calling the shots is your husband – once the love of your life, now a constant reminder of the compromises you've made.

I'm not making sense, am I? Let me try to clarify. As human beings, we're born with inherent rights – the right to life, freedom of speech, and access to necessities like food, electricity, and running water. These are fundamental entitlements that no one should be able to take away from us.

But what happens when it comes to relationships, like marriage? I was taught that marriage is a partnership, a union between two equals, not a master-slave dynamic. So, why do I find myself struggling with the feeling of being owned, of being stripped of my autonomy and agency?