1 Chapter One

I felt something touch me and I shrugged, I opened my eyes slowly and realized it was already morning. Light filled the room which showed that my husband was already awake, he had raised the curtains up.

"Honey" I called out and sat up on the bed, I yawned and stood up. He was not in the bedroom, I quickly slipped into one of my gowns and walked out of the room. I went to the parlor, the television wasn't switched on and no one was in the parlor.

I smiled when I remembered the game we played last night. James was bored and suggested we play a game named truth and dare, I had dared him to cook a meal this morning and he had agreed jokingly. I walked into the kitchen with a broad smile.

I found him frying potatoes, he looked at me and frowned.

"Baby, this is suffering." He said annoyed.

"Honey, you don't have to do it, I'm here already." I suggested and he chuckled.

"I'm not complaining, women are really trying, I can't imagine myself staying in the kitchen cooking." He said.

I chuckled.

He took a strong spoon from the kitchen shelf and pointed it at me. "Just wait till I'm done, I'll make you pay this night by giving you babies." He jokingly said and I laughed walking out of the kitchen.

I heard a knock on the door and I frowned. I looked at the time, it was already 9am, did I really sleep that long?

"Who's there?" I asked walking towards the door.

"It's me Lily, your best friend." The female voice answered from outside. I recognized the voice at once and opened the door.

"Girlfriend, what's up?" She asked as she walked inside.

"I'm fine, I'm just trying to stay normal in this country, happy new month." I answered locking the door as she looked at me.

"I called your line yesterday but you didn't pick, I wanted to wish you happy new month." I lied.

"Oh you wanted to, you still haven't changed from lying, I'm very sure you didn't even remember me." She said and sat down. Of course, I didn't even remember her, after marrying James, I didn't even come close to all my friends, I was preoccupied with husband duties and work.

I always wondered how he didn't bother about getting an adopted child after I had a miscarriage and lost my first child. Marrying James was one of my biggest achievements and I wanted to give him a child.

"I'm sorry Lily, I was just so busy with things that I forgot about you, I'm sorry once again."

"Babe, you're funny, I'm not angry besides how's your husband?" She asked and I smiled.

"He's in the kitchen cooking breakfast for me." I answered.

She giggled and stood up. "What about the clothes you said you wanted to give me for free?" She asked.

"Ohh, I packed it already, my wedding anniversary is coming up in a week time and I'm going to be celebrating it." I answered.

"So am I invited?" She asked.

"Actually, she's not throwing a party." I heard my husband voice as he walked in. I looked at him, I knew he didn't like Lily. "It's just the both of us, I'm only celebrating it with my wife in Chicken Republic." He added and looked at me.

Venita looked at me before turning to look at him, she seemed uncomfortable seeing him in front of her.

"Ohh, I didn't know, good morning Mr Edwards." She greeted avoiding his gaze. I looked at my husband, his face showed no expression, neither in his body language.

"Isn't it too early to go to someone's house?" He asked and Lily looked at me.

"I just wanted to check on my friend." Lily replied with a frown.

I needed to ease the tension. "Guys, why don't we just have breakfast, Lily, will you join us?" I asked and she beamed with joy.

"Of course Lisa, I'm even hungry, I ate pizza yesterday night before I slept." She said carelessly and walked to the dinning table, without waiting for me, she started packing the fried potatoes onto her plates. I looked at James dumfounded.

He looked at me with anger and took hold of my hand, he dragged me to the bedroom. "What was the meaning of what you just did?" He asked angrily.

"I'm sorry honey, I didn't know she'll eat, I was just catching cruise, I didn't know she would eat, I'm sorry." I pleaded staring at his eyes. I watch him in chuckle in amazement before frowning.

"I don't want to see her here again after today, why does this feel like a plan work, it's like the both of you planned to suffer me." He said angrily.

"She could hear you." I reminded slowly trying to get my voice back. He was beginning to lose his temper and if that happened, I was sure he would beat me to death.

"I'm sorry, I didn't plan anything, it was coincidental."

"You disgust me and that's why you can't give birth to a baby for me." He said as his eyes locked into mine in disappointment.

"James, I'm not the problem." I replied and he raised his hand up as if to beat me, I almost screamed but he just chuckled.

"So who's the problem?" He asked bringing his hand down and looking at me.

"I wouldn't have had a miscarriage if you hadn't pushed me making me fall from the stairs.

"So you're saying this is entirely my fault?" He asked walking to the door, before I could do something, he had bolted the door and picked his strong leather belt from the bed and looked at me with it.

"James, please I'm begging you with the name of God, please don't do this, our anniversary is in a week." I pleaded and he grinned.

"Actually, I didn't train you well, I need to discipline you before it's too late." He replied angrily and descended on me.

The first lash sent me rolling on the floor and I imagined the rest of my body dead.