Chapter One

The rain poured fiercely outside, putting a dark mist over the luxurious, beautiful estate as Marie peeked through the window once again to see if she could get a glimpse of her husband driving in the building, but there was no sign of him....yet. She pulled herself back to the massive king-sized bed and sat on the edge, staring out the window with her eyes fixed on the rain falling like tears on the glass.

With just one candle blazing on the nightstand and weird shadows cast on the walls, the room was hardly illuminated at all. With her hands clasped tightly in her lap and her fingers tensely intertwined, Marie awaited her husband's arrival via the sound of the door opening.

She couldn't define what she truly felt. It wasn't excitement she was feeling, as for the past three years, her marriage to Max had been nothing but a nightmare. He had treated her as nothing more than trash, but still, she wanted him back home. Wondering why he hadn't returned home at that late hour, she speculated if he was with Lena. They were probably in a room getting intimate. She felt her heart starting to ache and quickly shrugged off the thoughts.

She was about to go to bed when her eyes met a small shiny package on the dressing table that looked like a jewelry box. She grabbed it and opened it out of curiosity. A diamond ring was in the little jewelry box. With astonishment in her eyes, Marie stared at the ring, her pulse pounding with anticipation.

Had Max gotten his for her? Was he finally realizing what was going on and trying to make things up? Without hesitating, she tried the ring on right away, sliding it onto her finger and clicking it gently. The diamond glinted on her skin, illuminating the space in small rainbows. Marie felt like a princess in a fairy tale, and she couldn't help but gasp with ecstasy.

The ring fit perfectly, as if it had been made for her alone. She twirled her finger, watching as the diamond flashed and shimmered, its beauty taking her breath away.

Just then, the door opened. Her heart skipped as she froze.

"What the heck are you doing?!" Max's voice echoed through the room, his piercing green eyes fixed on Marie with a mixture of irritation and anger.

"Honey… you're back," Marie stuttered, trying to shift his attention.

"I just asked you a question," Max ignored, as he dashed towards her in anger.

"I was just... I was just admiring it," Marie stuttered again, her heart racing seriously.

"And who said you could touch it!" Max roared as he dragged the ring and box from her grasp. “I got this ring for Lena; it must be clean and flawless. A dirty woman like you touching it makes me sick!”

Marie's heart sank as she stared back at him with tears gathered in her eyes. She slowly wiped them off with the back of her palm, the pain of the betrayal was a physical ache in her chest. 'A dirty woman like you...' his voice echoed in her mind, the words cutting deep like a knife. That's what she is to him? 'A dirty woman?' She lifted her gaze to meet his. The stare in his eyes were as cold as ice. This wasn't the man she had fallen in love with. No, this isn't Max.. Can’t be.

"But why do you treat me like this, Max? I am your wife. Just what have I done to deserve this ill-treatment from you?"

"Did you just say wife?? How did you get into the position of being my wife? Do you need me to remind you?! I will never forget your face, you poisonous woman!" Max scoffed.

"Max, please, I don't deserve this…"

"Don’t act pitiful in front of me!" Max spat, the words piercing Marie’s heart like daggers. “Your presence alone sickens me.”

He angrily flung the ring onto the bed. “Get this through your head: you mean nothing to me.”

Marie’s eyes widened, the tears threatening to spill. “Max please, listen to me,” she choked out, her voice trembling. “I…”

Not wanting to hear any more of her words, Max dashed angrily towards Marie and dragged her outside the house, pushing her into the rain angrily. “Since you don't understand what I said, you will kneel here and reflect on yourself,” he said without an ounce of emotion.

Marie could feel her heart shattering into a million pieces. What was he talking about? She had explained several times about the incident. She was really innocent.

"Is this about that incident? Max, it wasn't me who did it, I've told you before," she said without pause. “Why don't you believe me? It was Lena, she…”

"Shut up, you disgusting woman!" Max cut in. "Do you even have the right to call Lena’s name?!" He paused, swallowing hard. "You really should feel lucky I'm only letting you kneel here. Even if you died a hundred times, it wouldn't be enough for all the things you've done to Lena over the years."

Marie bristled with anger and pain, feeling the injustice of the accusation scorch her skin. "I haven't done anything to harm her, Max, why don't you believe me?" Marie said with tears, feeling her heart heavy in her chest..it felt so heavy like it was going to burst out.

"Shut up! You witch!" Max roared. "If it wasn't for you, would Lena have had that accident?!... It's been four years, and you still show no remorse!"

"Max…"

"You kneel right there! When I calm down a little, only then can you stand up!" Max said, clenching his jaw as he turned to leave.

"Max, please!" Marie cried as the rain kept pouring on her, the pain all-consuming, leaving no room for anything else.