Blake's reaction was immediate and protective. He reached up and seized hold of my wrist, halting my movement with surprising strength.

"Have you lost your mind! Treasure, I told you to go home. I will talk to you later." He said firmly, his lips bawled up.

"Let me go!" I snatched my wrist from his grip. I knew I was upset as my eyes began to water. I had to restrain myself. I almost forgot that physically, I'm in no condition to be in an altercation and win.

So, with a final glance of disappointment at Blake, I turned and walked toward the exit. The valet signaled me to a taxi.

Upon arriving home, I was engulfed by a sense of feeling overwhelmed. The burdens of the world seemed to weigh even heavier today. I trudged through the doorway, feeling my heart sink deeper with every step I took. As I rounded the corner, I accidentally collided with Jake, my brother-in-law. His friendly smile sharply contrasted with the chaos within me.

"Hey, Treasure! Wow! Look at you! I almost didn't recognize you. You look wonderful tonight, no, beautiful," he remarked, studying me with pure admiration. Although I appreciated his compliment, I felt anything but beautiful. Before I could reply, he inquired about the reason for my new look. Tears welled in my eyes, and I could no longer contain myself. In front of Jake, I broke down in tears, allowing my pain to flow freely.

Jake's expression shifted instantly. Concern etched into his features, he stepped closer, with our faces only inches apart. I pulled my watery eyes away from him to stare at the floor. He hadn't meant to make eye contact at that moment, but I could tell he couldn't help himself as he stared into my face, with wet tear drops hanging from my lashes.

Moved with pity, he wrapped me in his embrace to comfort me. He could see the pain in my eyes that I could not hide, and he wanted to help. Speaking softly, he said, "Please, Treasure, tell me what happened to make you feel this way?" I shook my head, trying to rein in my runaway emotions and tears. "Not now, Jake. I can't talk about it right now."

But I barely had a moment to appreciate his kindness before the reality of who he was had hit me like a slap. I wasn't just hurting; I was vulnerable in front of Blake's brother. Panic set in, and I needed to escape the situation. "I just need a minute," I stammered, making an excuse to move toward my bedroom. "I'm tired. Good night, Jake." I could feel his worried eyes on me as I left, but I had to get away

Once in my room, I thought to myself, "Why did I have to break down in front of Jake of all people? Oh my, why did he hug me that way?" I knew we had a warm relationship, so it was no surprise that he was concerned to see me like this. I felt I had no right to pull him into my sorrow, but I was too far gone. I had been so careful not to let my guard down all these years and to keep our marital problems private, but now I was falling apart. From our previous conversations, I knew Jake saw the fine cracks in our marriage and was upset with his brother for how he treated me, and now I had only added to his anger. I should have done a better job at holding myself together.

That's when I heard a soft knock on my door. When I looked around, I noticed the door was slightly ajar. I was caught in a vulnerable moment as I hastily searched for my robe. I hadn't anticipated him following me to my bedroom, but I saw him standing there as soon as I looked over. I was momentarily stunned, feeling a rush of embarrassment, but I couldn't ignore how my body responded to the curiosity in his gaze.

I quickly wrapped myself in a robe, clearing my throat to mask the chaos within me. Jake's concern filled the space between us when I opened the door. "Are you okay?" he asked softly, a flicker of worry still evident in his eyes. I forced a smile, but it felt like I was lying to both him and myself.

"Yeah, I'm fine, really. Don't worry about me." His gaze lingered, and he knew I was hiding the truth. But at that moment, I wanted to convince myself that I could be fine, even when I clearly wasn't.

That night I sat in my dark bedroom pacing back and forth feeling a heavy sense of tension while waiting for Blake to come home. For months, I had sensed something different about him. And what happened tonight, I know Claire was behind it. She clearly wanted me to find out about their relationship. After all, why would she throw a celebration at the same restaurant where I was supposed to meet Blake? The pain and disappointment were almost too much to handle; my worst fears seemed to be coming true. Despite my efforts to nurture our love, it felt like it was slipping away from me. As I wrapped my arms around my stomach, I wasn't feeling well. I realized that this sense of comfort felt out of reach, especially after witnessing what felt like a betrayal.

I stumbled over to the chair next to our bed taking a seat, is this truly what our marriage has become? I've given up so much for him: my career, my dreams, my precious time. Does Blake genuinely believe I'm too naïve to uncover the truth? And the connection he shares with her is clear. How long has this been going on, and how far have they taken it? Had it gone far beyond kissing? What I was imagining was making me feel dizzy.

Blake finally walked into the bedroom. He looked surprised when he opened the door and saw me sitting there.

"Why are you sitting in the dark?" he said, clicking on the bright lights.

"You've made it impossible for me to sleep in peace anymore. How could you disregard, and humiliate me this way in front of her?"

"I didn't disregard you; I told you we would talk about it at home."

"Blake! You put a work celebration before meeting your wife for dinner!"

"To be honest I forgot about our date. Look, it's no big deal."

I yelled at him, "No big deal! Do you see what is going on? Claire is trying to ruin our marriage!"

Blake burst into laughter. "Now I know you must be joking. What does she have to do with this marriage?"

"Did you tell her you were meeting me for dinner tonight?"

"Yeah, maybe, I don't know. What's that got to do with anything?"

"I'm going out of my mind, trying to figure out what's going on here! Please Blake, put my mind at ease and tell me the truth. Are you sleeping with your assistant Claire?

The atmosphere grew heavy with unspoken words and unresolved feelings, leaving his wife feeling even more anxious. Treasure asked him again, "Are you sleeping, Claire? Just tell me the truth, Blake." Her words had struck a nerve deep within him.

"What? You can't be serious! That's a ridiculous question and it should be the least of your worries. And as far as the truth. Tell me something, Treasure. Can you handle the truth since you tend to live in fantasy land?"

"To be in love and happily married is not a fantasy, Blake. And yes, I can handle the truth over lies. Don't tell me, you think it's a coincidence that her celebration dinner was at the same place I was supposed to meet you? I can tell it was all planned by her. The way you two looked at each other and how you held her in your arms. And Blake, you kissed her! It was disgusting!"

Blake shook his head. "Believe what you want, I'm tired of this out-of-control jealousy and wild imagination. It was a peck on the lips."

I stood up and walked over to him.

"You are tired? I think you got it wrong, Blake. I'm the one exhausted and tired of trying to please you. While you are busy cheating with Claire?"

"Claire is just a coworker. And what place do you have to accuse me?"

I scoffed. "I have every right! I'm your wife. And your whore gave me the evidence I need. You call her your coworker, and I call her a home wrecker!"

"You have a wild imagination."

"You think I'm blind? You think because I've been a stay-at-home wife these past few years, I don't know what I'm talking about, but I know what I saw tonight.

"What you saw is what happens when I close a successful deal. I celebrate!"

"You went to celebrate by cheating with another woman when your marriage is hanging by a thread! That's so smart of you, Blake."

"I can't believe how you are twisting something so innocent around and making it dirty. What do you really want here? To push me away even further?"

"So, you admit it, you don't care what I think, as long as it suits your wants. Typical."

"I forgot I was supposed to be meeting you. Why can't you accept that and leave this alone. I'm warning you. You don't want to mess things up." He looks at me, his expression hardening.

"Maybe it's time for you to face the truth. Blake, it's already messed up! And I'm done pretending everything is fine. What I saw tonight, you've gone too far, and I'm tired of living this way." I said with tears forming in my eyes.

"I've gone too far, and I keep messing up? You want the truth, but I know you can't handle the truth! But if you are ready to burn this marriage down to ashes, then let's go for it! I'm tired of this too! Maybe it's time to let go."

"And what truth is that? That you are cheating. Come on, come clean, Blake."

Blake looked at me with narrow eyes as he fiercely hit the wall with his fist. Making me jump almost out of my skin. "You! I'm trying to spare you. In the beginning, I'm not going to lie, you caught my eye. But my plan was to have fun and mess around with you. So, you see, you should be grateful I married you."

I was taken aback. "Grateful? You think I wanted this life? I had dreams!"

Blake dismissively says. "Dreams don't pay the bills, Treasure. You better be glad you have a roof over your head."

There's heavy silence as I grapple with my emotions, anger morphing into hurt.

I quietly asked, voice trembling. "You don't love me, do you? So, I guess that means you are ready to throw our marriage away?

Blake's voice is cold, his face betrays nothing, as a smirk plays on his lips.

"Love? I married you to settle a debt. Your uncle came to us on his hands and knees at my mother's funeral, offering you up as payment on behalf of all the money he owes us. He figured you could be useful to us around this house. When it's feasible, I make deals like this all the time. Besides, I thought you could be personally useful to me. But I wasn't planning on going as far as to marry you. That was my father's bright idea for me to make you an honest woman by marrying you. So here we are. You wanted the truth, and I hope it sets you free."

I blink, beginning to feel dizzy. His words came crashing like a wave. I stepped back from him. I didn't recognize this man. My heart racing as my stomach began to release thunderous cramps.

My voice is trembling. "What do you mean? That's it? I was just a transaction.

Blake leans forward, his tone icy. "I'm tired of pretending. Treasure, this was anything more than a business arrangement. Your uncle couldn't pay, so here you are-living a comfortable life."

I could feel a wave of nausea washing over me, as the cramps deepened within the core of my stomach.

I whisper. "I thought there was something real between us. I can't believe I was a part of everyone's evil plan."

Blake says with an edge in his voice, "There was nothing real, Treasure. And frankly, I've been eyeing other women for a while. My secretary has been quite a distraction."

The words slice through me like a knife, and I doubled over as if the air had been stolen.

I became breathless, "No... you can't be serious."

Blake shrugs casually, reveling in my despair. The moment hangs heavy with betrayal.

He then smirks, "If the special announcement you wanted to make, has anything to do with you being pregnant. I don't want you or this child-if you're even pregnant."

My breath hitches, my heart racing at the confirmation of my worst fears. My eyes flood with tears.

I'm standing there choking back emotion. "I... I was going to confirm it tonight with you. I thought maybe you'd be happy!"

Blake laughs coldly. "Happy? You're unbelievable. This was never about 'us."

Suddenly, I feel a wave of pain washing over me, pain that's too much to bear. I double over, gripping my stomach, feeling the realization of what this means.

My voice breaks forth with pain. "I can't stay in this place with you. I deserve better!"

Blake's expression darkens as he walks away, brushing past me towards the door.

He snatches his blazer off the bed, exiting the room, leaving me standing alone, drowning in heartbreak. The weight of Blake's words echoes in the stillness around me, a blend of anger, sadness, and despair.

In that moment, I had no choice but to drop to my knees, grabbing my abdomen. The feeling of unbearable pain struck me with force. I had never felt anything like it before.

"Wait, Blake! Help, help me!"

Instead of Blake coming to my aid. I could hear his twin brother Jake yelling, "Blake, get back in here! Treasure needs you!" But Blake ignores him as he slams the front door. Jake rushes up the stairs taking them by twos. He enters the bathroom as I'm now wailing in great pain. He lifted me up off the floor. "Treasure, what's wrong? Oh, my God! You're bleeding! What happened? Treasure, where is Blake going? Did he hurt you? I'm going to kill him!"

The pain was so excruciating that I couldn't answer any of his questions. "Please, call an ambulance. I don't know how much longer I can hold on."

Jake frantically pulled out his phone and called 911.

Here I am lying in the hospital, deep in thought. I was in a state of shock, an inch from being dead. I didn't think Blake would do something like this to me; I didn't think he had the nerve. But here I am, I guess actions speak louder than words. A few minutes later, the doctor came into the room.

"Mrs. Crenshaw, I have good news: you are being discharged today. Now, young lady, take it easy, you are still very fragile, and your body needs time to heal. Losing as much blood as you did is a serious matter. So, please, get plenty of rest and eat well and drink plenty of water and fluids."

"Thank you, Doctor Clayton." The minute he left the room I felt nervous all over my body, I began to tremble, my hands couldn't keep steady. I sat on the bed trying to calm myself.

"He's sending me home. There's Nothing Wrong with Me? Why do I feel this way?" I began to question myself because something felt terribly wrong. I tried to reason with myself. 'I'm sure others have felt this way after a traumatic experience."

The human brain is an outstanding organ. But little did Treasure know that her brain was about to become a runaway train without her even realizing it.

I kept asking myself the same questions while reminding myself that the Doctor said I'm fine. But how do you know when you've crossed the line from sanity to insanity? How can you tell when you are out of touch with reality?

Distracting me from my confused thoughts, my phone rang. "Hello."

"Hi, Treasure, it's Blake. I heard you were getting discharged today."

My heart began to pound, I didn't know if it was from anger or was, I still hoping.

"Yes, after dinner I can come home."

"Good, because we need to sit down and talk about this marriage."

"Yes, I know," I said, rolling my eyes at how reckless his attitude could be when he opened his mouth.

"I'm not going to get into it over the phone. It is a conversation that is best had in person."

"I agree."

"What time do you think you'll be here?"

"Um-hmm, I guess around six thirty."

"Okay, I'll see you soon. Be safe getting home."

"Blake, thank you, and thanks for calling me."

I hoped I didn't have any passion in my voice, but this call did give me hope. Maybe he has changed his heart and is ready to fix our marriage. I can't wait to see what happens. I wonder if he and Claire ended things. Maybe that's why he hasn't come to visit me here at the hospital, because he was breaking up with that home wrecker. Thank goodness, he's come to his senses.

It was around 6:15 when I walked through the door, the house, it was lifeless. I turned on the light in the kitchen and took a seat. I was still angry, but mostly hurt and disappointed. I was hoping to see Jake to thank him for being there for me and even being at the hospital. I'm sure I'll get my chance to tell him I appreciate his support. I headed upstairs. I rolled my suitcases into the master bedroom to see if Blake had made it home yet. He hadn't made it home from work, so I climbed into bed to get some rest while I waited. I had drifted off to sleep, and when I awakened and looked at the clock on the nightstand, it was almost 10 pm.

Blake walked into our bedroom. He looked unconcerned as he opened the door and saw me lying there.

"Blake, why didn't you come home tonight at six?

"I was busy with work."

"Busy with work, or busy with something else?" I said, sitting up in bed, disgruntled.

Blake hesitated; surprise crossed his face for a moment at my remark. "Look, I'm not going to waste your time, nor mine." Then, like bullets, his lethal words came blasting from his mouth.

"Now that you know about my affair with Claire, I feel relieved that the truth is out. Look, are you standing by your decision, or are you willing to compromise? Nothing will change, you will do your duties around here as a wife, and that includes having sex when I want it. I will continue to provide you with a comfortable roof over your head. I think that's fair."

There was no hello, how are you doing? Nothing but hurtful and disrespectful empty words. I remained calm, keeping my health condition in mind, but I was steaming hot on the inside.

Blake sat at the end of the bed, removing his tie, emotionless. I had just lost this man's flesh in blood and nearly died, and he's sitting here acting like it never happened. My blood pressure was rising at each inconsiderate, cruel word he spoke. It only deepened the sense of betrayal I felt. He acted like I owed him something. What about all the back pay he owes me for making me quit my job for nothing? He took my youth, my trust, and love, and even snatched my child from my womb. Here he is treating me like I was fulfilling some debt I owed him. It felt so heavy I could barely speak.

"Compromise? Are you really telling me to accept your affair?"

Blake raised his voice as if that justified all the hurt and pain he had caused me. "I can't believe you, of all people, had the nerve to tell me the other night about all the sacrifices you have made. Like what I've done for you was nothing. I provide for you; I take care of you! I chose to stay. I could have left you long ago, but I didn't. I could have walked away, but I remained married to you."

"I stand by my decision, Blake, we need to end whatever this is between us. Why is this so hard to understand? You are an intelligent man. It's over, I'm finally fully aware as to what is going on here, you don't love me, or want me, and you never did. I have to be wise and accept that, and you should be happy, but instead, you are angry. I don't get it."

"I'm not angry, you used me, and now you want a divorce so you can try and get your hands on my money. I've seen greedy, low-down women like you before. I've dealt with the worst of the worst. You are no match for me, baby! It'll never happen! You will never get your hands on one red penny I possess!"

My asking him for a divorce was like a slap on his face. It instantly shattered Blake's pride. My rejection shook him to the core. Blake Crenshaw wasn't used to anyone denying or rejecting him. In all his cruelty he had done to me, hearing that I didn't want him anymore, that was like a stab to his high and mighty Crenshaw pride.

"Whatever, Blake, you can't hurt me, no more than you already have, and when we go to court and the judge makes you pay my wife support, you'll deserve it, for all you put me through. So, let's get this over as soon as possible. This arrangement you made with my uncle, without consulting me first, is null and void. I reject it."

"Boy, you really are something. I see you lack gratitude; no wonder your uncle was ready to get rid of you."

With his twisted logic, he tried hard to convince himself that marrying me was some major sacrifice, as if that made up for his betrayal and that I should feel guilty. But it was time to take back my strength instead of waiting for him to give it back.

"Your words don't hurt me anymore. I still want a divorce. And you'll be free to sleep around all you want."

Blake's jaw tightened, and I saw a flash of hatred in his dark eyes, he stared at me hard. I said it and I meant it, but I was so unprepared for what would happen next.