Love in the Eye of the Storm

Chapter 7

Silence. Then, I heard Chelsea's voice, that whiny tone cutting through the quiet. "Alex, be gentle..."

My grip on the phone tightened, almost slipping from my hand. Hearing them together was like a dagger to my heart.

The night I saw Chelsea in Alexander's shirt, with our intimate things scattered across my bed, I had a sinking feeling something was off. But now, hearing their soft, passionate whispers confirmed my worst fears, leaving my heart in tatters.

I pressed the record button, the screen dimming as memories flooded back. Years ago, when Alexander was just beginning to find success, women constantly threw themselves at him. I remembered one night, a college girl falling into his arms. He'd quickly pushed her away, swearing his loyalty to me.

"Lately, I would never touch another woman," he'd promised.

"You hugged her!" I'd feigned anger, but deep down, I loved the way he reassured me.

He pulled me close and kissed me deeply. "No one but you. You're my everything."

But now? All those promises felt like nothing but empty words.

As I clutched the phone tighter to my chest, a notification pinged. It was a video from Chelsea.

In it, she was sitting on Alexander's lap, his eyes filled with desire as he kissed her passionately. And there it was, the necklace. The one that symbolized "the one and only."

One week from now, it would've been our seven-year wedding anniversary. I had seen that necklace a month ago and hoped he'd surprise me with it. But now? It was draped around her neck.

The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. I was never his "one and only" after all.

That same night, Chelsea was discharged from the hospital and moved right back into the house I had shared with Alexander. He was away on business, but he made sure the housekeeper took good care of her. Despite everything, Chelsea kept stirring up trouble.

Meanwhile, my condition was deteriorating. Sleepless nights stretched on forever. It felt like every time I finally passed out from exhaustion, it was only moments before dawn. Each day, I was fighting just to stay alive. I had no energy left to argue with Chelsea anymore. In a matter of days, I had lost so much weight that even the housekeepers started to notice. They were concerned, urging me to see a doctor, but I never told them about my diagnosis.

They didn't know I had late-stage pancreatic cancer. I wasn't going to go to the hospital. Even if I did, even if I gave up the baby and started chemo, it would only buy me a few more days of agony. It wasn't worth it.

I still wanted to divorce Alexander. But every time I tried to bring it up on the phone, he'd hang up as soon as I mentioned it. So, I had no choice but to ask my lawyer to draft the papers, hoping that when he returned, he'd sign without making things more difficult than they already were.

At first, I only wanted the house. My brother's grave and Buddy's were buried at the foot of the hill behind the property, and I needed to be close to them. But now? I also wanted some money. I didn't think Alexander would care for the orphanage we supported once I was gone. I wanted to leave it to them.

Today, the sun was shining, and for once, I felt a little stronger. I thought I'd go outside for some fresh air. But just as I was about to step out, the housekeeper, Mrs. Adams, came into my room, her eyes red and swollen.

"Madeline," she whispered, barely able to speak through her tears. "Something terrible has happened... Chelsea... she..."

My heart skipped a beat. I rushed toward her, grabbing her hands tightly. "What did she do this time?"

She could barely hold herself together, but she managed to get the words out. "She had Mr. Daniel's grave dug up... and your dog's too. She said Alexander gave her permission. That he's always indulged her, and we couldn't stop her."