Trigger Warning:This chapter contains depictions of domestic abuse, sexual assault, drug use, and emotional trauma. Reader discretion is advised.
SLOAN'S POINT OF VIEW
I gave Frederick a forced smile. It was agreed that the wedding would be next week at the best beach resort in Pampanga. The preparations were made easy because the Golveos were rich and had many connections.
"Sloan, dear. Why are you allowing your father to dictate your life? You can say no. Isn't it your dream to get married? What your father is doing to you is no joke, dear," Nanny Basya said with concern.
I smiled bitterly, and tears started to flow down my cheeks. "I can't protest, Nanny. I know daddy. He might hurt me if I go against his will."
"Your daddy's not like that, dear. He wouldn't do that to you. He loves you very much," she said, gently wiping the tears from my cheeks.
I shook my head. "I love him too, but he changed. He's not the father I used to know."
Nanny Basya's eyes were full of pity and worry. She hugged me and gently brushed my hair with her hands.
"Just say the word if you can't take it anymore, okay? Nanny will always be here whenever you need someone. I will never leave you."
I cried again the night before my wedding. Nanny Basya never left me until I fell asleep.
My wedding day was a total snoozefest. I didn't even feel a hint of excitement as I strolled down the red carpet with those cliché white petals scattered all over the place. Frederick was grinning like a Cheshire cat at the end of the carpet, where the priest was standing next to him. His family, on the other hand, were bawling their eyes out like it was the end of the world.
"I, Frederick Golveo, take you, Sloan Beatrice De Falco, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part."
"I, Sloan Beatrice De Falco, take you, Frederick Golveo, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part."
After our wedding, just like my first wedding and reception, we went straight to Frederick's house. He didn't even talk to me and went to sleep right away. I didn't even know where I was supposed to sleep.
Our first week as husband and wife went smoothly. He's kind and carefree, but as the months passed, I noticed that he liked to drink alcohol too much. He was also tired from work and only came home once a week.
One morning, I was surprised to see him still lying in bed even though it was already ten in the morning. Usually, he would be out of the house by seven. I was about to let him sleep when I noticed something strange.
I couldn't feel him breathing...
My heart raced as I hurried toward him, desperately searching for his pulse. Unable to feel anything, panic set in, and I immediately called for an ambulance. Once that was done, I reached out to Frederick's parents.
"I deeply regret to inform you that your son passed away due to a sudden cardiac arrest while he was sleeping, Mrs. Golveo. He was unfortunately dead upon arrival. Condolences," said the doctor.
Auntie Fina shook her head. "Oh my God! No, no, no! This can't be happening! My poor baby… No! How could this happen? He's not gone! You're lying!" she shouted.
I just cried silently. Why is all of this happening?
I approached Auntie to help calm her down, even though Uncle was already trying to soothe her.
"A-Auntie, that's enough," I tried to calm her.
She stopped and looked at me. Her eyes were filled with pain and hatred.
"You…" She pointed at me. "What kind of wife lets her husband die like that, huh?!" she shouted and then forcefully slapped me, causing my eyes to widen in shock. "I entrusted my son to you! I will never forgive you for your negligence! Get out of my sight right now!"
I left the hospital broken. Frederick's own parents kicked me out of his house, and I couldn't do anything. I went home to our mansion. Nanny Basya welcomed me, so I cried to her. I let out all the pain I was feeling to her.
Once again, my hope that my miserable life would end was shattered when I was introduced to my new fiancé by my father for the third time. He is Yosef Moreau, the youngest senator in the Philippines.
Just like in my last two marriages, I couldn't even say 'no' to father. It's like I'm programmed to always give in to him.
Yosef and I tied the knot in a civil wedding, keeping things private and low-key. Honestly, I felt numb from getting married over and over again.
Maybe for others, it's ideal to get married repeatedly, but for me, it's become tiresome. Yes, it's been my dream to get married since I was young, but not like this… this is too much.
Our marriage hadn't even lasted long when Yosef's true colors started to show. He's ruthless and an addict!
I caught him red-handed sniffing illegal drugs right in our room. When he saw me, he threatened to kill me if I reported him to the authorities.
After that night, I became afraid of him. He constantly hurt me, especially when he was high. Sometimes he even brought other senators to the house to do drugs with them.
I want to report them, but fear leads me there. I know how powerful they are, especially my husband.
I woke up one night when I felt someone kissing my neck. I woke up groggily and found Yosef right there, going crazy while kissing my neck.
"Y-Yosef… No!" I began to struggle.
No! I don't want him!
He slapped me, making me curl up in pain for a moment. "Stop acting like a prude! You'll enjoy what I'm going to do to you!" he shouted.
I couldn't help but cry as I continued to struggle. He ripped my clothes, making me feel like my soul had left my body. I tried to cover myself, but Yosef is heartless!
"N-No, please! Don't do this to me!" I begged, but Yosef didn't listen.
He absolutely devoured my body, as if it were the most delicious dish he had ever tasted.
I thought that was the end of me but fortunately, in the middle of his violation, his cellphone rang. It rang continuously, so he answered it angrily.
"What?!" he said to the person on the line.
I covered my almost-naked body with a thick blanket. I silently cried and prayed.
I don't get it. I really don't. I know I'm not a bad person. I try to do the right thing, be kind, and all that jazz. But here I am, suffering like there's no tomorrow. I've been suffering for two years. I just want to rest.
When Yosef ended the call, he looked at me angrily. "We're not done. When I get back, I don't want any drama or you'll really get it from me," he threatened, then left.
When I was by myself, I unleashed all my emotions. I let go of all the pain that was weighing me down. Tears flowed freely until my eyes were drained of moisture.
I almost got raped by my own husband!
The next day, I sighed in relief when I saw that Yosef wasn't home. There was no sign of him coming home last night. I was in the middle of watching television when an emergency flash report popped up on the screen.
"In our breaking news. The identity of the body found in the ambush that occurred at three o'clock this morning has been confirmed. It was the youngest senator, Senator Yosef Moreau. It was discovered that the motive behind the ambush was his alleged involvement in illegal drugs. He was declared dead on arrival…"
I couldn't finish the news because my whole body weakened. I trembled and didn't know what to do next.
Yes. Yosef may have been cruel to me, but I never wished for his death. That thought never crossed my mind, as I held onto hope that our marriage could be saved.
Am I cursed? Why does everyone I marry end up dead?