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.

"What did you say!?" Blake's anger truly begins to blaze.

"I want a divorce," I said calmly, trying to keep from losing my temper.

"Blake raised his voice as if that justified all the hurt and pain he had caused me. "You will get what I give you. Do you understand! And that's not going to be a divorce anytime soon. A woman like you needs to learn how to treat a man like me, after all I've done for you."

"Exactly, what have you done for me lately? Tell me what you have done for me. Almost killed me with all your lying and cheating! Stressing me out to the point of causing me to lose my baby! That's all you've done for me, Blake Crenshaw."

Jake, Blake's twin brother, and their father were up working late in the family library. When they were suddenly disturbed by the shouting and doors slamming that came from our upstairs bedroom, that's when Jake realized Treasure had made it home from the hospital. But he kept his cool, even though he was excited and relieved that she was okay, but very displeased that Blake was being unthoughtful of the delicate matter she had just experienced. It made Jake instantly angry with his brother. But he had to stay calm.

Mr. Crenshaw let out a deep sigh, showing his frustration. "What's going on with your brother? Why can't he be responsible like you? I told him he'd better be careful with his relationships at that office. But did he listen? No. That boy never listens. Maybe I should have let you marry that girl."

"I told you I was the one better fit for a family. But you got me tied down to this business, when it's Blake who loves dealing with these scumbags."

"Jake, I need your brains in this operation. Blake needs to settle down and start valuing family life, and besides, he's the oldest. I don't think that boy would have ever gotten married if I hadn't forced him. It's been seven years, and he still hasn't had one child. How am I supposed to keep the Crenshaw family name going if he can't get that girl pregnant? I thought maybe if he had his own family, that might help him some."

"Forcing Blake to marry isn't going to make him love the lifestyle of a family man. I'm the one who wants all those things, but your decision has only made all of us suffer, especially that sweet, innocent girl. Dad, did you really want her to be tortured? I'm telling you, Blake's method of getting paid for debt is inhumane and it's dangerous.

"My, aren't you a bit emotional over your brother's wife? Another man's woman. Be careful, my boy. You know how your brother can be about his toys."

"I'm not being emotional, and that's just it; she's not his toy. I'm just stating facts. Plus, she deserves a far better man than Blake, Dad; she's a good woman."

"I thought Blake getting married might change him a bit. Boy, was I wrong. But that girl isn't clueless. I've watched her around this house, and all the transformations she's made over the years. She doesn't come from good stock, but she's resilient and I like that about her, and she's pretty smart too."

"I know all those good things about Treasure, the only person who doesn't appreciate her is Blake. I warned him not to hurt her. And that's exactly what he's done by playing around with other women. I'm so upset right now. I don't know what I might do."

"You stay out of their marriage, I'm warning you, Jake, that could be dangerous. I don't want to see you two fighting over some gambler's daughter. Now go tell him, "I want to see him when he gets back from his trip."

"Dad, we are not little boys anymore. I know the real reason you are sending me up to his room. I'm getting tired of always having to clean up Blake's messes. How long have I been doing this? Since we were kids. He might be the older twin, but I'm the mature one, and you know it. We look alike and that's it. I have absolutely nothing in common with my brother, and I'm fed up with how he's handling things lately, and even more so how he's been treating Treasure."

"I know, but I can't let his careless attitude mess up what we've worked so hard to accomplish."

"When am I going to be set free, from all of this, Dad?"

Jake stepped out of the library feeling frustrated. He headed up the stairs with the intention of confronting his brother, hoping to restore some peace at home. He was tired of always being the peacemaker and coming up with excuses for his brother's terrible behavior. His irritation grew as he overheard Blake disrespecting Treasure. With determination, he knocked firmly on the bedroom door.

Although Jake and Blake looked very much alike, he often found himself wishing they didn't. They shared the same strong features and athletic build. But there were enough differences to set them apart-Blake had dark hair while Jake sported platinum blonde, and one twin had a distinct dimple in his jawline. Jake kept his hair blonde because he didn't want anyone to confuse him with Blake or mistakenly take a bullet for him. Blake was his brother, but he didn't care about boundaries, he flirted with married women all the time.

"I'm coming in," Jake declared confidently before opening the door. He stopped at the doorsill, instantly aware of the thick tension in the room. The atmosphere felt heavy, sensing the weight of what was taking place.

"What's going on?" he asked, concern flickering in his eyes.

"Nothing, Jake. It's none of your business."

"Blake, you've made it everyone's business in this house as loud as the two of you are shouting. I heard you way downstairs. Why is Treasure crying? What have you done to her?"

"I haven't done anything to her. And since when did I have to start answering you about my wife?" Blake's voice dripped with irritation, yet Jake's gaze remained steady on Treasure, a hint of worry etched on his face.

"Then you need to start acting like a man and treat her like a wife. Treasure, are you okay?" Jake's eyes glanced at her, his tone softening, genuinely concerned.

"I'll be fine," she replied, her voice barely a whisper, locking eyes with Jake, the desperation pooling in her gaze. His presence felt like a lifeline thrown into turbulent waters. Jake turned, looking at Blake with venom, revealing his so-called business trip with his secretary in front of Treasure. Jake felt she deserved to know every sneaky thing his brother was doing.

"Dad says when you get back from Hawaii with Clara, he wants to have a meeting with us."

"Yeah, now leave my room, and mind your business. So, I can deal with my wife." Blake said sharply, his eyes narrowing. Jake mirrored his brother's expression, both locked in a silent stare-off before Jake looked at Treasure as she nodded at him, she was okay. Then and only then did Jake decide to retreat from the room. But Jake stood guard outside the door listening, just in case Treasure needed him to defend her from his brother.

"Blake, you don't get to shut me out. I can't believe this. Are you really going to take that tramp to Hawaii with you?"