" you think I'm stupid, Mike? You had sex with that girl in our matrimonial bed!" Emily yelled.
Passersby slowed their pace, staring at the woman who looked to be on the verge of a breakdown. She was a mess, her hair was scattered over her face, and she wore an oversized, stained T-shirt with jogging pants. In her haste, she had even put on two different crocs.
"You've done this before, Mike! I've been there for you from day one. I shielded you from others, I was the brain when you couldn't think, and your comfort when you world was crumbling. And this is how you repay m_"
"Emily, babe, you're being dramatic again. Can this wait?" Mike's deep voice cut her shut.
Emily clutched the phone, her knuckles white, her eyes watery as she recounted his betrayal. On the other end of the line, she heard the faint, constant clinking of ice cubes and the distant beat of heavy bass. This is what he's doing while she's having a breakdown.
"The Dj just started my favorite track. Bye".
The line went dead.
"Mike? Hello? Mike!" Emily's trembling voice filled the quiet street. She collapsed onto the pavement, sobbing like a child abandoned by her mother.
Her mind went back to the stack of unpaid utility notices on the kitchen counter, the final notice stamp glowing red. Then, her phone pinged. It was an Instagram notification, Mike, tagged in a photo at an exclusive rooftop lounge, a bottle of vintage champagne on his table and a model wrapped over his shoulder. He'll spend more more on that single night out than their monthly rent.
Three years ago, after Emily finished culinary school, her parents handed her over to Mike Hardling, the young CEO of the Hardling Enterprise. They had accumulated massive debts to sponsor her education, and most of that money was owned to the Hardlings. Having no other choice, they were forced to give their daughter to Mike.
"It's a good thing you went to culinary school, my dear. You can cook so many delicious cuisine for your husband," her mother told her, sadness glittering in her eyes.
A choice wasn't what Emily had then. She could only accept the situation and marry Mike Hardling, hoping for a better future with him. But it wasn't what she expected. He was an irresponsible, spoiled man who took nothing seriously at all.
Soon, Hardliing Enterprise began to crumble. They lost workers and sponsors until the once-great company amounted to nothing.
Being the good wife she felt she had to be, Emily began taking petty jobs, making delicious meals and selling them from home. As her home-cooking business grew, she was able to take care of Mike and his family. But jealousy eventually overcame Mike. He accused her of trying to make him look incompetent and forced her to stop working, claiming he could fend for his family himself.
But where did that get them? Now, Mike's mother cannot take her medicine three times a day as prescribed because they have to make it last. His sister's have to walk long distances to school, and everyone in the house barely eats three square meals in a full month. Yet, Mike still spends money on clubbing and women.
She can't believe he was the man that made her heart beat fast. She admits, the first time she saw Mike, she fell in love with him completely. He was so tall and broad, handsome that there was nothing hateful to say about his looks. Because of the love she had for him, she continued to endure and tried to make everything work out.
Emily dragged her malnourished body into the two bedroom apartment. She pushed the door open, it's heavy creak sounding like a plea for mercy.
"What took you so long, Emily? Are we supposed to starve to death?" The nagging voice of her mother-in-law, Mrs Erica, drifted from the bedroom.
An old woman walked out slowly, clutching a bent walking stick. Her skin was wrinkled and pale, a sign of the asthma that had plagued her since her original black complexion faded.
Emily stared at her. This was the same woman who used to walk into any room and be recognized instantly, a woman who once hosted hundreds of business feasts. Now, she was barely recognizable.
"Mum, there is nothing to eat," Emily said, wiping her eyes as she walked into the kitchen. The foul stench of dishes left for two weeks hit her immediately. "Mike didn't send any money."
"Well, for your information, Emily." Mrs Erica yelled, moving forward, "providing for this family shouldn't be Mike's job. You're indebted to us! Your family owes us a huge amount of money, and the least you can do is pay them off by providing for us!"
Her eyes turned watery hearing those words from her mother in law. All the time she had being the bread winner of this family was what? She would go around, begging neighbors just to make sure they are okay.
She would wash their clothes, she would clean their houses and do their dishes to make sure there's food on the table, even if it meant for her to starve. But they never see any of that, but bring up her parents debt just to taunt her.
The door creaking noise interrupted the both of them. An advanced man with two teenage girls walked in. They went straight to the kitchen, shoving Emily hard she almost fell.
"Lazy thing!" Joy called out, barely holding back her sneer. "Don't tell me there's no food in this house?"
"Hey!" Mona yelled walking straight to Emily. "Aren't you one ungrateful bitch uh? We let you live with us instead of locking you and that stupid parents of yours for not paying the debts they owe and get you can't cook a freaking meal!"
"Don't talk about my parents that way, Mona!" Emily snapped.
"Or what? What are you going to do?" Mona challenged, looking Emily straight in the eye.
"Enough!"
The cold voice of Sir Lucas Hordling made the room go silent. "What happened, Emily?" He asked.
"There's nothing I can do this time, Dad," Emily whispered, the tears breaking through. "Mike won't pick up. I have no job offers."
"Then move around and look for something to do... you can't leave everyone in starving. Call your parents, your friends, anybody," sir Lucas said then continued to walk into the room. But he halted and turned to Emily. "And please be quick about it" he continued inside.
"Useless! You're so useless! You should be grateful you're not rotting in jail. All you do is call Mike into this while you lazy around, waiting on your servant." Mrs Erica nagged on, walking to her room.
Emily felt her world falling apart. She's being trapped in this hell called marriage because her parents couldn't bear to see their only child a college drop out. But yet, she can't even use what she learned to save herself. She can only stay here to suffer this unbearable pain from the people she called family.
"I'm out of here" joy scoffed, striding out with Mona following behind.