The metal door opened slowly. The morning air hit my face-it felt foreign after five years of confinement behind gray walls. Not because I killed or stole. But because I loved my husband, Samuel, too much.

He was convicted of embezzling company funds. Evidence and witnesses pointed to him. But by then, his life was already ruined by stage three cancer.

While in prison, I clung to hope: Samuel would wait for me. I even brought his favorite sunflowers and a small chocolate cake like he always asked for on his birthday.

No one picked me up at the gate, but I wasn't disappointed. Maybe he was preparing a surprise. Instead, I saw a big tent on the lawn, a red carpet, and a crowd of laughing people. Above the gate, a white banner unfurled:

*“Happy Marriage, Samuel & Livia.”*

My steps stopped. Flowers fell from my grasp. Cake rolled onto the sidewalk. The world seemed to collapse. Livia, my little friend, stood next to Samuel in her wedding dress.

I walked into the center of the party. The music stopped. All eyes were on me. My breath caught in my throat as I said, “You didn't pick me up today... because you were busy getting married?”

Thank you for the direction! You're right that this scene could have been made more intense and fast-paced so that the reader's emotions are hit immediately, without lingering on a long-winded narrative. Here's a sped-up version, sharper, and without the pregnancy plot:

Samuel fell silent. His eyes widened, his mouth opened but no sound came out. Livia hurriedly disentangled herself from his embrace, while the guests began to whisper. I stepped forward.

I slapped Samuel and Livia hard.

“This is payback for me going to jail for you!” I said sharply.

Samuel rubbed his cheek. His gaze was cold with disgust. “You think I'd wait for an ex-convict?” he said softly, but piercingly.

Samuel's mother approached with a face full of hatred. "You don't belong here. Prison should be your forever home."

I almost laughed. "I went to prison for your son. But you're all cowards."

My steps faltered. My head throbbed violently. The world was spinning. My body collapsed in the middle of the party.

When I woke up, I was already in the hospital. The sound of monitors ticking quietly around me. A doctor stood at the bedside, opening a folder of medical records.

“Severe stress and high blood pressure,” he said. "You're lucky to be conscious. And be careful... this could be the beginning of nerve damage."

I didn't react immediately. It took a few seconds for my breathing to return to normal.

"What... does that mean nerve damage? You mean... I could be paralyzed?" my voice sounded as foreign as someone else's. Broken. Cracked.

The doctor sighed, his voice calm but distant. "Not necessarily. But this symptom must be treated quickly. Otherwise, it could spread. Motor system, even memory."

“So after five years of sacrificing my life, now... this is the payback?” I whispered softly, to no one in particular. “I lost my husband, my best friend, my pride... and now my body too?”

Then Livia walked into my room. Not with a guilty expression.

"I've heard everything about your illness. Don't you think it will bring Samuel back? Don't expect it!"

I didn't answer. But my chest ached. She leaned closer, then whispered softly:

"We will continue this marriage."

"I'm still his legal wife," I finally replied.

Livia smiled sarcastically. "The law? Samuel doesn't care about that."

"He only cares about who can make him happy now. And that's me."

Not long after, Samuel arrived.

I looked at him, hoping he would explain. But his expression was blank.

"Samuel... why are you doing this?"

"I went to prison because of you. I sacrificed everything."

"Because I love Livia," he said softly, then more firmly.

"I loved her when you went to prison. My days were lonely, I needed entertainment. I needed someone, and Livia came into my life!"

They went back to the party. I didn't chase after them. I just sat there in the hospital bed, empty stomach, full head.

Today I was allowed to go home. But to be honest, I still wish Samuel would come to pick me up. Bringing warm food or little flowers, like he used to. But there was no news, even though I called many times.

"Miss Agnes, you shouldn't go home alone at this time of night. No one to pick you up?" the doctor asked with concern.

I shook my head, smiling bitterly. "My husband is probably busy."

Even though I knew... he wasn't coming on purpose.

The sky was already dark when I left the hospital. The night air was piercingly cold. I tried to order a taxi online, but none were available.

"Dizzy," I muttered. Stomach nauseous, head heavy. Probably the effect of the medicine.

Two men approached. Tall, well-built, their gazes suspicious.

"Hello, beautiful. Alone? Want a ride?" said one with an annoying smile.

"Sorry, I already ordered a taxi," I replied quietly as I backed away.

"It's late. It's safer to come with us," said the other as he stared at my body. Disgusted.

"Don't touch me!" I shouted. But they started pulling my arms.

I tried to escape, but they were too strong. They dragged me to the edge of a dark, deserted forest.

"Why here?" I asked trembling. There was no answer.

I fought, screamed, begged. But only the sounds of the night answered. They didn't just destroy my body. They destroyed my dignity.

I don't know how I got home. My body was scarred, my clothes torn. But what hurt the most was not that but the crushing feeling inside my chest.

As I approached the house, I heard laughter from inside.

“Everything went well, didn't it?” Samuel's mother's voice.

"Easier than I thought," Samuel replied. Lightly, as if talking about a normal job.

"He believes you love him," Livia said with a laugh. "He signed the power of attorney so easily."

"She's just a tool. In fact, I poisoned her father's coffee," Samuel said calmly.

I put my hand over my mouth. I wanted to vomit, I wanted to scream. But I just kept quiet. For now, I'll just have to pretend I don't know

When I walked in, Samuel looked surprised. "Agnes? Are you home?"

I nodded. "Sorry to interrupt." My voice was flat, trembling.

"You didn't hear anything earlier, did you?" he asked quickly.

I looked at him. Then shook my head. "No, I didn't. I'm too tired."

"Good," he said, relieved.

Livia came closer. "Why do you look like you just rolled in the mud?"

I looked down. "I fell down."

"Torn clothes, red neck... not like you fell." her eyes narrowed sarcastically, "you look like you just got out of another man's arms."

She leaned closer, her face almost pressed against mine. "Who are you sleeping with, Agnes? Don't tell me you're selling yourself on the streets for the attention you don't get from your husband?"

"What do you mean? I just fell!" I replied softly.

"No! I smell another man," she whispered sarcastically. “Just out of the hospital, looking for entertainment?”

My hands clenched into fists. With all the strength I had left, I slapped Livia's cheek.

“Agnes, you're crazy!” Samuel pushed me to the ground.

“He's the one accusing me of all sorts of things!” I shouted, trying to stand up.

Without warning, Samuel's hand slammed into my cheek. It was a hard slap. I fell, my body hitting the cold floor.

“Livia's my wife!” he shouted, his eyes red. "She's everything to me! Who do you think you are to touch her like that?! You're just a shadow wife. The moment I got tired of you, I threw you away!"

I looked down at him. My lips were bleeding. But I remained silent. Does it hurt? Yes, it does. But it's much more painful to know who the person I used to call husband really is.

I froze. My body froze. But before I could speak, Livia spoke first, her voice trembling, full of tears.

"Never mind, Samuel. It's my fault. I made Agnes angry. Maybe... I shouldn't have married you. Anyone would hate me in her shoes."

I fell silent. Livia burst into tears. Samuel immediately hugged her, not me, his wife, but her.

"I'm sorry, Samuel. I didn't mean to provoke a fight. I can accept that Agnes slapped me."

Her tears fell, but the corners of her lips turned up in a sly smile.

"Never mind, dear. You're not at fault, she is! She's a useless wife. A stupid wife!" Samuel said, rubbing Livia's cheek.

I clenched my fist. That woman had taken Samuel's heart.

"She's lying, Samuel!" I exclaimed. "I wouldn't have started if she hadn't accused me first!"

"Shut up, Agnes! You talk too much!" snapped Samuel.

His shout hurt more than any slap.

"Answer me!" she cried. "You don't like Livia being my second wife, do you?"

I looked at Livia, who was now smiling contentedly. I nodded slowly.

"She's my best friend. She stabbed me in the back. And you, my husband... she took you away from me. How can I not be angry?"

"Shut your mouth!" she snapped. "It's not entirely Livia's fault. I'm the one who loves her! She's more perfect than you."

I looked down. It was useless. Samuel would never defend me.

"He's just... too emotional. I know he didn't mean to hurt me," Livia said, her voice soft as an angel's. But I knew she was a demon.

"Get some cold water to compress the bruises," Samuel ordered me.

Funny. I was the one who got hurt by the broken glass when I fell, but I was the one told to serve him.

Samuel lifted Livia into his arms. Before leaving, he deliberately pushed me. It's a good thing I fell on the sofa, not the floor.

Livia kissed Samuel on the cheek and waved goodbye to me. As if I'm just a maid in this house.

I bit my lip until it bled, then went to get some cold water anyway.

When I entered the room, they were already sitting on the bed. Laughing. Hand in hand.

Samuel turned his head sharply.

"Agnes! Don't know etiquette? Knock first!"

I looked at him. Then said softly, "This is my room, Samuel." he didn't care. Instead, he handed me a medicine box.

"Treat the wound."

"I can do it myself. I don't want to bother Agnes," Livia said.

"It's not about the hassle. I want her to learn responsibility," Samuel said.

I sat down and started applying compresses to Livia's face. She immediately screamed. "Ouch, that hurts!"

Then a slap landed on my cheek. It was hot.

"Slow down! Take good care of her!" Samuel snapped again.

“Sorry...” I whispered.

I held back tears. I wouldn't give Livia that satisfaction.

"Take care of her. I'm going out for a while. Don't hurt her again. She's the wife I love the most!"

After Samuel left, Livia smiled coldly.

“See who he's defending now?”

I gave her a sharp look. "That's enough, Livia. I know you're pretending."

“Remember your wedding anniversary party last year?”

I didn't answer.

“This bed...” she said, patting the mattress, "this is where Samuel and I made love while you were in prison. He says this blanket always reminds him of me."

My hands clenched into fists.

"The ring on your finger? It's fake. The real one is on my ring finger." My tears fall.

"That jewelry from your wedding gift? I have it too. Samuel bought two. He said it suits me."

I was devastated. But beneath the devastation, there was an ember that began to burn. And this time... I won't be silent anymore.