Once I got home, I headed back to my bedroom to get changed just as Harry tiptoed out of it. Seeing that I was soaked through, a pained expression flashed across his face, and he grabbed a towel to dry my hair.

“What are you doing to yourself? You’re a grown woman. You shouldn’t act like this just because you’re mad at me.”

I recalled that he had just slept with Joanna and avoided his hands. “Don’t touch me. You disgust me!”

Our eyes met, and I stared at him in silence. Then, I smelled Joanna’s favorite rose fragrance coming from him. Repugnance instantly filled my mind and flipped my stomach. I shoved him out of the way to get to the toilet and puke my guts out.

When I came out, Harry was standing near the doorway with a sneer on his face.

“Do I disgust you that much, Suzie?”

I wiped my mouth and eyed him coldly.

“Yes, you gross me out!”

He grabbed my throat in response and glared at me with a snarl.

“I treated you way too nicely if you think you can control what I do or speak as you please!”

I looked away, refusing him access to me, which only fed his anger. My thin, wet shirt was suddenly tugged at and ripped away, startling me into covering my chest.

Harry was quick to mock my modesty. “We’re about to get married. Drop your prudish act!”

He then slammed my back against the door and, without any preparation, started forcing himself on me.

I trembled in excruciating pain, but Harry refused to stop.

It was plain torture.

Once it was over, I was so weak and spent that I could barely stand. Harry carried me in his arms and put me on the couch when the bedroom door opened. Joanna stepped out wearing my pajamas.

Seeing me naked, anger flickered in her eyes.

“What are you waiting for, Harry? You helped me wash up this evening after we were done. Why don’t you do the same for Suzie too?”

Harry lit a cigarette and looked at the mess he had made of me.

“Alright, Joanna. Help Suzie wash up!”

I shoved Joanna away when she reached out to me. I went to the bathroom by myself, enduring the pain in my body. Harry had been careless and rough with me; I was covered with blotches of green and purple bruises. They looked horrific.

I stared at my pale and gloomy reflection with an aching heart.

By the time I finished showering and came out, the dining table was filled with food that Joanna had prepared. She was wearing a low-cut dress with thin straps, which emphasized her large bosom. There was no hiding the desire from Harry’s eyes.

When Joanna saw me, she kept up the nice act and greeted me warmly.

“Done cleaning up? Come over and dine with us, Suzie. I asked Harry about your tastes and made these shrimps you like!”

I tried to ignore her and headed to my bedroom; however, Harry grabbed my hand so roughly that I could not help wincing in pain.

“What are you doing? Were you not taught any manners? Joanna cooked for you, so you should try and eat it all, even if you’re not hungry.”

He pulled me toward a chair, and I followed in a tired and mechanical motion.

Joanna picked up a ladle and served us some mushroom soup, acting like the lady of the house I owned.

Strangely enough, Harry, who did not like being disturbed while he dined, allowed Joanna to do whatever she wished.

I finished my food quickly and went back to my bedroom.

This time, no one stopped me.

When I stepped into my bedroom, I was overwhelmed by the heavy rose fragrance in the air. A few hours of absence had turned it into a completely different place. A third toothbrush had appeared on the bathroom countertop that used to belong to just me and Harry. Joanna’s stuff also was on my vanity table.

She walked into the room and stood beside me with a smile.

“My tenancy at my previous place was over. Harry said that there was still plenty of room in the house, so he invited me to stay here for now! The housekeeper has yet to clean the guest room, so I moved my things into yours. I didn’t touch any of your belongings. You don’t mind me sleeping in your room for a few days, do you?”

I turned to look at Harry, who seemed unbothered.

He said, “The housekeeper will come over tomorrow afternoon, so she’ll just be in the room for one night!”

I could not contain my laughter, which made Harry glare at me angrily. “What are you laughing about?”

I looked down and shook my head before starting to pack my things. But Harry grabbed me again.

“What are you doing?”

I shook him off. “The bed is too small for three people. I’ll clean the guest room and sleep there.”

Hearing that, Harry smiled and sat on the bed. “That’s right, Suzie. From now on, don’t throw tantrums or get jealous of Joanna.”

Joanna giggled joyfully and went on his lap. “It’s fine. I don’t mind. Suzie just loves you too much.”

I nodded calmly and said, “I won’t do that again.”

It was because I no longer saw a future for me and Harry.

The next morning, I got up and went to the jewelry store. I wanted to return the diamond rings I had ordered and get a refund.

Right outside the store, I heard Joanna’s voice before I even walked through the door.

“This diamond ring suits me well, Harry. I also saw one on Suzie. I want this design!”

Harry said dotingly, “This is the design of my and Suzie’s wedding rings. She is quite petty and spiteful, so if she sees you wearing the same ring as her, she will throw another tantrum!”

Joanna was displeased. “Then I won’t wear it in public! Please, Harry!”

Harry could not say no to her, so he relented and did what she asked.

At the door, I calmly listened to their entire conversation and only entered the store after they had both left. The sales agent happened to know me because she had watched me and Harry pick our wedding rings. She stared at me as she hummed and hawed, seeming to want to tell me something. I stopped her with a smile and let her know that I was aware of everything that had happened earlier on.

The return and refund process went smoothly. I held my twenty thousand dollars and felt rather relieved. It was the money that my mom had left me. She had told me to buy a pair of diamond rings with it when I got married so that, in a way, she could watch me get married despite being gone.

I used to think that Harry was my everything, so I purchased the diamond rings without hesitation.

But things had changed. He was no longer worthy of me.