The One

Part 4: RUINED BIRTHDAY

It's been three years since Finnigan and Crystal exchanged marriage vows. Their home, a generous gift from Finnigan's father, symbolizes their union, yet their marriage is far from conventional. Despite living under the same roof, they lead separate lives, even retiring to different bedrooms at night. Brielle appears to have built a fortress around herself, denying Finnigan the opportunity to demonstrate his affection and devotion. She creates emotional distance between them daily, leaving Finnigan feeling unseen and unappreciated. Despite the heartache, he endures in the name of love, but sometimes, the weight of it all becomes too much to bear, and tears are the only outlet for his pain. This emotional struggle may seem weak to some, but even the most muscular men have their breaking point.

On that particular day, it was Brielle's birthday. Finnigan, a hardworking detective, had deliberately taken the day off from his demanding job to devote the entire day to celebrating her birthday. His profession often consumed him with complex cases and relentless hours, so he saw this day as an opportunity to cherish precious moments with Brielle. While Brielle was at work, Finnigan meticulously prepared for a romantic candlelit dinner at their home, envisioning a cosy evening for them. He even acquired a splendid gift for her, a token of his deep affection. Eagerly, he messaged her, inviting her to join him for dinner. Her reply filled him with optimism as she confirmed her presence. Brielle's heart swelled with love as he anticipated the chance to express his deep and enduring affection, which had blossomed since they first crossed paths at the tender age of 13.

After completing all the preparations, Finnigan excused himself to freshen up. He meticulously selected his finest attire to make a good impression on her. He was excited at seeing her surprised expression when she returned home. Despite previous setbacks, Finnigan remained steadfast in capturing Brielle's heart. Since the day they got married, he had solemnly promised to cherish and adore only her. With his hair neatly combed, he could not wipe the smile off his face. Although it was peculiar that Brielle had mentioned coming home for dinner, Finnigan pushed aside any concerns. He settled into the living room, eagerly waiting for her arrival.

Time passed, and the clock showed 10 p.m. Finnigan tried to call her many times, but she didn't pick up. He was worried that something wrong might happen to her or that there might be an emergency at the hospital. He knew being a doctor wasn't easy either. He was pacing around the living room, feeling anxious. Is she okay? Where is she now? He even called his parents-in-law to ask if Brielle might be there, but they told him she wasn't there. Finnigan let out a deep sigh and tried to calm himself down. He suddenly remembered to check her Facebook. She might post something about her whereabouts. He was disappointed when he saw her friends tag her in photos of them celebrating her birthday at a club.

Finnigan didn't know what possessed him that night. He was losing his temper. He scattered everything on the table to the floor. He even ruined the birthday decorations he made by himself. He screamed out loud to release all the pain he felt inside. His hands were bleeding from the broken plates and glasses. He sat down on the sofa, trying to stay calm. He felt suffocated. His breathing was fast. He felt like his chest was going to explode.

Brielle came back home late that night. The clock showed it was 2 in the morning. She was a little bit drunk. She slowly opened the door, not wanting to wake Finnigan up, or he might question her a lot. But she was surprised by the mess all around the house. Seeing the mess, she suddenly remembered telling Finnigan she would be home for dinner. "Oh god. He was making a surprise dinner for me." She spoke in her heart. But she wondered what happened until their house was becoming so messed up. She then jumped in shock when she saw Steve sitting in the dark living room. "Oh god, you shock me." She said while looking at him. She noticed the blood on his hands. "Fin, what happened?" Finnigan was trying very hard to control himself. He stood up and looked at her. He just wanted to go to sleep now. He waited for her to come home to ensure she was safely arriving home.

Finnigan walked past her. Brielle was unsatisfied with Finnigan, who walked past her without answering her question. "Finnigan Lee Byrne! I am talking to you! What happened? What with all the mess?" Finnigan turned around when she called him by his full name. "It's nothing. I will clean this up tomorrow. I am tired." He said, trying not to fight with her. She went near to him. "You called this nothing?!" She grabbed his hands, showing the already-dried blood around them. Finnigan groaned a bit. He snapped his hands away from her. "Please. Just get yourself clean and go to sleep. I am exhausted. We talk tomorrow." He said, still trying not to let his anger overtake him again. "You are not working today. So what makes you so tired that you couldn't tell what happened?" Brielle was testing his patience. "Just shut up! Okay? I don't want to fight with you. I have enough of disappointment tonight." He raised his voice a bit. "I am exhausted because of preparing something special all day for someone who didn't even care to tell me that she was having fun out there with someone else. I am exhausted because I have to keep this pain in my heart without my wife knowing how hurt I am each time she acts like I do not exist in this house." He said while looking at her. Tears fall down his cheeks. He took a deep breath and let it out. "I know I am not the man you choose to be your husband. I know there is someone else out there that you love. I wish he were me, but it is okay, Brielle." He sniffled. His chest was really in pain right now to hold up his anger.

Finnigan clasped his chest and tried to calm down. "I won't stop you from doing what makes you happy because that is what I have vowed to you on our wedding day to make you happy." He continued after some time. Brielle was stunned by what Finnigan was saying to her. She could see he was in pain, trying to hold on to his anger. "Anyway, Happy Birthday. Your present is on the coffee table. If you don't like it, throw it away." He said, walking away from there and into his room. He locked his room, leaned his back against the door, and slowly fell, sitting on the floor crying. Brielle could hear him crying inside the room. She went to the living room and looked at the beautifully wrapped box on the coffee table. He remembered her birthday. She took it and unwrapped the gift. She opened the box and saw a gorgeous silver pendant. She sighed deeply. This time, it was her fault. She should have called him. She took out her phone and saw a lot of missed calls from him.

Brielle went to put her things inside her room and placed the pendant he gave her on the makeup table. She then went out of her room and started to clean the house. Luckily, it was her day off tomorrow. She needed to make it up to him. She felt guilty for what happened tonight. But how did he know she went out with her boyfriend and friends? Is he having someone follow her? She needed to ask him about it tomorrow.