Bianca's POV
The doorbell rang.
"Mummy, mummy. Is it the pizza man?" My twin sons asked as they jumped around me.
I smiled at them. "We're having chicken today, not pizza."
They pouted their lips and left with faces full of disappointment. Ted and Fred were my bundles of joy. They were five years old, but now I questioned myself if they really brought joy to me because ever since I had them, he changed. Steve changed.
"Sign here ma'am." The delivery man said as he stretched a clipboard to me. I did as he said, then tipped a fifty dollar note, afterward, he left.
I lived as a housewife in my husband's luxurious mansion. It was almost time for Steve to be back from work. I hurried to our bedroom and opened the box. Its contents revealed red lingerie.
I took a shower, scenting myself with the best body scrubs. When I put on the lingerie, it clung to all parts of my body, pushing up my breasts to expose my cleavage, and my butt cheeks were also visible.
I curled my hair and let it fall on my shoulders in waves, then sprayed the perfume on my body. After double checking myself in the mirror, I convinced myself that Steve will love this.
I watched his car park inside the house and readied myself. I had already lit candles and arranged flower petals on the bed to give it a romantic atmosphere.
I laid on my side, allowing my hips to arch in a seductive position. Then, I heard his footsteps climbing up the steps.
The door opened and he looked at me.
"Baby, I'm all yours." I rasped in a sexy tone.
Steve took off his jacket and I saw a flash of irritation in his face. He scanned the entire room as if I had emptied a can of dog food on the floor.
"What's all this nonsense?"
"Don't you like what you see?" I tried to press further, even though his expression warned me not to.
"Bianca, get out of bed, I want to sleep." He switched on the light and got into bed, pushing the petals off, leaving it scattered on the floor.
My eyes welled up with tears, but I wasn't giving up yet. He lay with his back to me, without even taking off his socks, shirt and office pants.
"Steve, I'm sorry about the previous week. It won't…"
"Just shut it! I'm having a fucking migraine. Get out of here. You have your own room now, go sleep there!"
"Steve, I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have suspected you." I hesitated before placing my hand on his shoulders. A flicker of hope settled in my chest as he didn't brush my hand away.
"I'm really sorry," I muttered again, my fingers tracing imaginary lines along his back. Last week, I saw a lipstick stain on his shirt while doing the laundry. Although our relationship was strained, I confronted him about it, and he warned me not to accuse him of infidelity.
If apologizing to him would make him hold me affectionately and make love to me, then I'd do it. For years, I had been a single married woman—no love, no intimacy, no affection.
He remained quiet as I continued tracing my fingers on his back. I smiled, then leaned closer and kissed him on the cheek. He turned towards me and grabbed my cheek. His eyes burned with anger. He held me so hard that I whimpered as his nails dug into my flesh.
"I'm sorry," I struggled to say as I began to taste blood in my mouth. He then grabbed my hand and threw me off the bed.
"Listen to instructions you foolish woman. When I say leave, you hurry out before I blink my eyes."
I collapsed to the ground, nursing my bruised cheek with my palm. I coughed and struggled to get to my feet.
"You should focus on taking care of the kids rather than disturbing my peace." He threw a heavy duvet at me. "Cover up that clownish attire and get out of my room. My eyes hurt from looking at it already."
My eyes got glassy with tears, and I allowed them to flow freely.
"What have I done to you over the years that you hate me so much? This isn't how we were." My voice broke down as I spoke. I searched his face for any remorse, hoping that he'd tell me this is a prank and pull me into his arms for a hug, but none of that came.
He took off his shirt and pants and climbed into bed in only his boxer briefs. "Switch off the lights on your way out." He said coldly.
I staggered towards the door. There was no use staying here. I did as he ordered and headed to my own room. At one time, we had shared a room together, but now, we were living separate lives.
I stared at myself in the mirror. After giving birth, he still made love to me, although it declined compared to when we were childfree.
I hadn't put on a lot of weight since pregnancy. My friends even envied my fit shape, saying they wish they could be that fit after pregnancy.
"What did I do wrong over the years?" I lamented as I climbed into bed.
My throat felt dry and I cried out my eyes until they were red. I wanted Steve's love not this hate.
My phone beeped and Natalie's message appeared. I sniffed and raised my teary face to read it. "Did it work?"
More tears poured out of my eyes as I read her message. She was the only friend I had confided my plight with, and it was her advice that I seduce him.
I abandoned the text, what happened could not be explained with a mere phone. Outside, we looked like a perfect couple and no one knew the suffering I endured.
While I ignored Natalie's text, another came in from a different person. "Hi, baby girl."