Cyrena's pov
I could taste the whiskey on his lips as Easton's lip found mine again, harder this time, his fingers digging into the flesh of my hips, pushing me into the couch.
My body sank into the couch, aching but I didn't care. All I could think about was his touch, the way he made me feel - a mixture of fear and desire coursing through my veins.
"I can't stop thinking about you" he murmured, his voice raw with emotions. "I can't forget"
Who? Marble, his ex? He thought I was marble? My stomach twisted into a knot, I should stop this, push him away but I didn't. I could feel my body responding to his touch, my heart hammering in my chest.
He kissed me again, his tongue seeking mine. His hands roaming over my body. I clutched at him, my nails biting into his back as I felt him pressing into me.
Easton's hands pushed up the thin fabric of my dress, his fingers finding my underwear and sliding beneath them. He groaned into my neck, his touch growing more desperate as he felt my wetness.
"I want you" he said, his voice hoarse.
"Now"
I couldn't speak, could only nod in agreement. He lifted me up, my legs wrapping around his waist as he carried me to his room.
I gasped as he tossed me onto the bed, the softness of the mattress contrasting with the wildness of his eyes. He towered over me, his chest heaving, his muscles taut as he yanked his shirt off.
"Take it off." He growled, his gaze raking over my body.
I obeyed, my hands trembling as I unzipped my dress, letting it fall on the floor. He watched me, his eyes dark and hungry.
I reached for him, but he shook his head.
"Not yet." He said, he crawled onto the bed straddling me, his weight pressing me down into the mattress. I could feel his hardness against my thigh.
He leaned down, his lips brushing against my ears.
"Tell me what you want."
I arched my back, my body aching for him.
"I want you, Easton."
Yes, I wanted him but not like this - drunk. I want him to remember this and what we once had.
He kissed me fiercely, his tongue sliding into my mouth, expressing every inch of me. I moaned into his kiss, wrapping my arms around his shoulders.
He ripped my underwear off and I heard the fabric tear, his lips moving down my body. My breath quickened as he kissed my stomach, my hips - lower and lower.
"Yes" i whispered "please."
Easton explored my body like it was a tour but I couldn't care less, I wanted him so badly even if it's just this last time.
As the sun filtered through the curtains, I stirred, a dull ache settling in my bones. I turned to find Easton sleeping soundly, his hair tousled, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. The remnants of last night event swam through my mind like a dream - a wild, intense, and passionate dream.
I quickly made my way to the bathroom, the cool tiles beneath my feet a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside. Letting the water run down my body, I felt it cascade over my skin like a soothing balm, washing away the remnants of last night. The droplets pounded against my skin, a rhythmic beat that momentarily distracted me from the ache within.
I got dressed, the soft fabric of my clothes a gentle caress against my skin. Still, I found Easton sleeping, his chest rising and falling with each gentle breath.
"Last night must have been heavy on him," I thought, the words feeling hollow in my mind.
I stood beside the bed, watching him sleep. His features were relaxed, his face soft and vulnerable. He looked harmless, yet the memory of his touch still lingered on my skin like a ghostly imprint. He broke the last piece of me, and I could feel the fragments of my heart scattered around me like shards of glass.
I've finally agreed to divorce him, to let him find his happiness. I'll find mine as well. The words echoed in my mind like a mantra, a promise of liberation. I slowly placed the divorce papers on the nightstand, the rustle of the papers a stark sound in the silence. Tears welled up in my eyes, hot and bitter, as I gazed at the man who I thought would be my forever.
I took a deep breath, letting the air fill up my lungs. The scent of his perfume lingered on the pillow, a familiar smell that now felt foreign. I've finally chosen myself, not because of anything, but for the peace I craved. Easton never loved me and was never going to, why still stay in this marriage?
As I turned to him one last time, our eyes almost met, but he remained lost in slumber. I felt a pang in my chest, a mix of sadness and relief. My luggage stood by the door, a tangible reminder of the new chapter unfolding. I took one final look around the room, the memories flooding my mind like a bittersweet montage. We are done.
--------
Few Weeks Later
I stood by the window of my apartment, the soft sunlight casting a warm glow on the room. It wasn't big, but it held a sense of peace, a refuge from the chaos I'd left behind. Nearly a month had passed since I'd left Easton, but the silence was deafening. He never called, nor texted after I left.
"Why do I think he'd call me... I've never mattered to him," I thought, the realization stinging like a slap.
My gaze drifted to my phone, but nothing miraculous ever happens. The screen remained dark, a constant reminder of his indifference. I'd fallen sick over the past few days, and it kept getting worse with each passing day. The fatigue was suffocating, making everyday tasks feel like climbing a mountain. I no longer felt the need to do anything, just lay in bed, lost in a sea of exhaustion.
I had called Verna for assistance, and she arrived just in time. A gentle knock on the door was followed by her familiar wild grin.
"What's up, girl?" she greeted, walking in like she owned the place.
"I'm good." I said as I sluggishly followed her, shutting the door behind her.
She paused, taking a good look at me.
"You don't look good," she said, her voice laced with concern.
I knew I looked horrible – the dark circles under my eyes, the pale skin, the listlessness.
"Probably, I'm still adjusting to my new home," I said, trying to brush it off.
Verna raised an eyebrow.
"You should go see a doctor... you know..." She gave me a playful smirk, and I knew exactly what she was hinting at.
My mind wandered, drifting back to Easton, but I quickly brushed it off. Verna was just being crazy, as always.
We headed to the kitchen, and the aroma of food wafted through my senses, making my stomach growl with hunger. I was starving. I hadn't had the energy to prepare anything since I was feeling nauseous and weak. Maybe Verna was right, maybe I did need to see a doctor.
As I reached out for a glass of water, my body betrayed me. I felt myself swaying, my vision blurring. Verna was right behind me, and she caught me just in time.
"Are you okay, Cyrena?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
"Yeah...yeah" I managed to say, still confused on what just happened.
I tried to maintain my balance, but my legs felt like jelly. With every step towards the living room, my vision began to blur further. I fought hard to see through the haze, but it was no use. I tried holding onto something, anything, but my fingers grasped at air. Verna's voice grew distant, a muffled echo in my head.
And then, everything went black.
As I slowly opened my eyes, the harsh fluorescent lights above my bed pierced through my brain. I winced, raising a hand to shield my face.
The beeping of machines and the antiseptic smell of the hospital hit me like a wave, disorienting me. I tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over me, forcing me back onto the pillow.
A gentle familiar voice spoke behind me.
"Easy, Cyrena"
I turned my head, and Verna's concerned face met mine. She got up from she sat, as she gently pulled me down, her eyes red from lack of sleep.
I tried to speak, but my throat was parched.
"Water," I croaked.
Verna quickly grabbed a cup from the bedside table and helped me take a sip. The cool liquid soothed my throat, and I felt a bit more lucid.
As I looked around, I noticed the hospital room, the sterile white walls, the monitors beeping alongside my bed, and the faint hum of the air conditioning.
"What happened?" I asked Verna, my voice still hoarse.
Verna took a deep breath.
"You passed out, Cyrena and the doctors are yet to confirm what's wrong with you"
I looked blindly at Verna, I tried to process what had happened. The last thing I could remember was feeling dizzy in my apartment, and then ... Nothing.
A doctor entered the room, clipboard in hand.
"Mrs Cyrena Black..."
"Cyrena Benson" I corrected.
She smiled kindly.
"How are you feeling?"
"I feel a lot better" I replied, nodding slightly.
"You passed out, and your friend Verna brought you to the hospital. We've run some tests, and it seems you're..." She paused, glancing at Verna before continuing.
"You're 3 weeks pregnant, Cyrena."
The words hung in the air and my world came crashing down. Pregnant? How could I be pregnant? The thoughts of carrying Easton's child swirled in my head and I felt like I was drowning.
Verna's hand grasped mine, offering comfort, but I couldn't respond. The doctor continued talking, explaining something about prenatal care and follow-up appointments, but I wasn't listening. My mind was reeling with one question... what now?.
I thought I was free from Easton, from a loveless marriage but I never knew I'd have to go back to what once felt like a cage. Verna enveloped me into a hug, drawing me close, patting on my back gently.
The doctor left but my mind wandering as the thought of breaking the news to Easton became my main concern.
"Will he believe me?" I asked myself, hoping for an answer from nobody but myself.
"What are you gonna' do now?" Verna asked sitting right opposite me on the bed.
"I don't know Verna, I just found out" I said running my hands through my hair.
"But first girl, I gotta show you this" she said pulling out her phone from her bed, after scrolling through her phone, she finally handed it to me.
"What's this?" I asked, reaching out for the phone.
The headline caught my attention, it was a circulating rumor but a current one.
I zoomed in on the picture which was being displayed on the screen.
A woman-like figure was caught on camera as she emerged from the airport, I looked more closely and my instinct portrayed who I thought it was.
Marble Vaughn?
"Marble is back?!" I stormed almost at the tips of my voice.
"It haven't been confirmed yet, Cyrena but she was spotted in New York"
The woman on the screen was unmistakable - Marble Vaughn. Her piercing emerald green eyes sparkled with an otherworldly intensity, even in the grainy image. Her raven-black hair cascaded down her back in luscious waves, framing her heart-shaped face and accentuating her sharp cheekbones. Her full lips curled into a subtle smile, exuding confidence and charisma. The camera captured her athletic physique, toned and flawless, and her skin seemed to glow with an inner radiance.
I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as I gazed at her image, knowing that Easton's fascination with her was far from a secret. The way she dominated the screen, her presence commanding attention, made me wonder what kind of power she held over him.
Verna's words echoed in my mind,
"I think she'll definitely come to see Easton."
The thought sent a shiver down my spine. My heart raced and body began to shiver in fear. Fear of what? I couldn't decipher.
"So what are we to do now?...are you gonna tell Easton that you're pregnant?" She asked as her eyes towered over me.
I let out a deep breath, my mind trying to connect the dots. I don't know what to say or do at this point but one thing I know is certain...the baby is to be kept hidden.