Our Dirty Little Secret

In the large mansion with no people, Madeline Russel bravely dialed the number she memorized.

After the second ringing, a low, cold, and husky male voice answered.

"What?"

"Aren't you going home yet?" Madeline Russel gently asked her husband, Alex Hargreaves.

"Do I have to report the time when I got back home to you?" The annoying voice through the phone was enough to make Madeline Russel's body trembled with fear.

"Alex, I understand you didn't mean that." Her heart ached. Madeline Russel tried to keep her voice from shaking and continued to answer.

"I'll wait for you to come home and eat. There's something I want to say..."

Madeline Russel heard the sound of a woman on the other side of the phone. Her hand unconsciously dug into her thigh, as she tried to pacify herself and the aching pain. Even though it's just through a phone call, she recognized the voice of Emily Russel, her sister.

"Madeline Russel! I want a divorce."

"I won't!" The protest was always on the tip of her tongue. Maddie dared to speak out loudly for the first time to Alex Hargreaves.

"For Emily Russel? Do you want a divorce because of her? Emily Russel is married to another person, why can't you forget? You are my husband..."

"Shut up!" Alex Hargreaves shouted, which made her brutally hurt.

"You are just an alternative marriage partner. Now that Emily is back. The kind of filthy person like you wouldn't dare to be compared with her."

Madeline Russel could not help but cry. Her voice croaked as she disagreed with her husband.

"I don't want a divorce. Alex, don't leave me... If I did something wrong, I will correct it. Please..." 

"You have no right to object. You have a night of preparation because I will arrange for someone to pick you up then drive you to the Notary Office at eight o'clock tomorrow morning."

The phone was turned off.  Alex Hargreaves always knew how to order without minding her opinion. 

Madeline Russel didn't have the chance to say the words 'I am pregnant'. She just cried and watched the cold food on the table. The ruthless man failed to catch the three hours she spent when she prepared his favorite dishes. 

Two months ago, due to insane drunkenness, Alex Hargreaves mistook her as Emily- her sister. Although she cried and pleaded, she was still dominantly admitted to his abuse.

The next morning, Madeline Russel woke up with a body full of traces of pleasures. Alex Hargreaves brutally slapped her.

"You are disgusting, knowing that I love Emily but still dared and tried to set a trap just to sneak onto my bed. You lack contentment, right? Okay, I'll satisfy you."

Alex Hargreaves misunderstood Madeline and thought that having sex with him last night was arranged by her. He tied her hands with his tie, like a king then proceeded to tie her body. Madeline Russel carried the unjust memory that made her fainted in pain. The time she woke up was the next day. She had a high fever and was taken care of by a private doctor. But then, her husband Alex never appeared.

The two had an abusive relationship. Alex took her first time, created a new life, and locked her up in an unhappy marriage.

"Baby, I kept thinking that just by announcing this good news, your daddy will spend a corner in his heart for your mother." Every single tear fell in silence as Madeline whispered "Mom is too self-centered."

Alex Hargreaves's marriage to her was reluctant. Her love had never been able to penetrate that cold stone he built in his heart. The day she knew she was pregnant was also when he put an end to their erroneous marriage.