Marrying my high school bully

Lorraine

My eyes fluttered open, but I wished they didn’t. Being unconscious made me unaware of the pain, and then I understood why people resorted to drowning themselves in alcohol when they became overwhelmed with their endless problems.

A pair of worried brown eyes peered at me, but I looked away, unable to face him.

I sighed deeply, trying to rein in the emotions that choked me. The room was silent and when I glanced around, I noticed that it was just the both of us in it.

“You’re awake.” He said in relief.

“What’s the point of waking up? I should have gone to meet my parents from there.” I replied with a nonchalant tone.

“Don’t you dare say that, Lorraine. I’ve been waiting for you to wake up because I can’t carry on without you so don’t ever wish for death.” He scolded me, his voice sounding harsh and angry.

I couldn’t apologise. There was no need of apologizing for what couldn’t be solved.

Why was he still interested in a woman that couldn’t bear children? Did he know what he was getting into?

He made it clear that he wanted to have children with me, but presently I couldn’t grant him his wish. And because I loved him, I wouldn’t let him be with me when he could have someone much better out there.

“You aren’t saying anything, Lorraine.” His voice had moved from angry to worried.

His gesture touched me and I almost broke down. “There’s nothing to say. I just want to be alone.” I said curtly, still not sparing a glance at him.

He scoffed and tilted my face towards his direction. “You aren’t going to tell me what to do, Lorraine. I’ve made a promise to myself to be with you always, and that will never change. So you’d better allow yourself to heal so we can go on a vacation. You need to be away from all this mess.”

“We can’t be together, Dexter. I don’t deserve you and you don’t have to tie your life to mine. I’m a woman with a damaged womb, and I can’t even give you children-” I lamented.

“Nonsense!” He thundered, cutting me short. “My love for you can’t be quantified with the number of kids you can bear for me or the perfect state of your body. I love you because my heart chose to, and as long as my heart continues to beat, it will only love you.”

“Oh God.” I muttered with tears streaming down my cheeks.

Then he moved closer to me, wiping my tears with his thumb. I sniffed and allowed him to hold me while I made my decision.

“Everything will be fine, I promise you that.” He kissed my forehead, caressing the scalp of my hair as he usually did to help me relax.

********

About eight days later, I was discharged from the hospital. Dexter barely allowed me to do anything for myself, making it hard for me to distance myself from him.

He’d rush to me if I mistakenly gurgled, or held any part of my body and frowned. He took some days off and he vowed not to return to work until I was back on my feet.

Yeah, it was that intense.

“Tell me what you’d like to have for dinner and I’ll make it for you.” He offered after dropping me on one of the kitchen counters, just beside the middle one that had a sink.

He gave me a piggy ride from our room to the kitchen because he didn’t want me to be stressed.

How sweet of him!

“Chicken broth and fresh bread would be fine.” I stated casually.

He nodded in agreement. “I’ve been craving that too and fortunately, we have everything needed to prepare it.” He said with excitement and headed to the fridge to bring out the ingredients.

My heart sank into my stomach when I thought of how broken he’d be if I left, but I just had to.

I knew he loved me, but how long would it take before he began to resent me?

I shook off the thoughts and watched him move around expertly while garnering the already prepared ingredients. “Like I said before, Dexter, being a full time cook won’t be a bad idea.”

He chuckled, adding the chopped carrots, diced garlic, onions and celery. He stirred the soup fluidly, while I glued my eyes to his sturdy back and arms that flexed with each movement.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

Since this would be the last time I’d be seeing him this close, I decided to create memories with him.

“Now that you are speaking of it, I think I’ll consider it once we get married. By that time, I’d have settled some things in the company which will enable me to be more flexible with my time.” He replied, flashing a bright smile at me.

At that point, my heart tore apart and my palm became clammy with sweat. He kept talking about us getting married, unfortunately, he wouldn’t be getting that.

He deserved the full package, not a poor, damaged woman like me.

“That won’t be bad.” I spurred him on, feigning a smile even though I was dying inside.

A few minutes later, he dished out the chicken broth and sliced the mouthwatering fresh loaf he had baked.

I was so sad that it would be the last meal he’d prepare for me.

It was time to execute the plan I’d been working on for days. I’d almost given up on it, but then I decided to forge ahead as it was for our own good.

If he didn’t see me for some days, he would move on and forget about me. Maybe marry someone else while I pick the remaining pieces of my life.

“Ummm, Dexter. Can you get me my phone upstairs, I think I forgot it.” I lied and he arched his brows in doubt but I kept my face straight.

“Do you really need your phone for anything important?” He probed.

My straight face turned into a frown. “I could have a business call, you know.”

“No modeling jobs until your health is stable.” He said with a tone of finality, leaving no room for more argument.

It wasn’t like I had the strength to argue because I’d lose. This was one of the few times he revealed how bossy he was, and I enjoyed it-or I allowed myself to enjoy it.

He tossed his apron aside, pecked my nose then went for the phone. Quickly, I slid down the counter and added some quantity of sedative to his chicken broth. I added enough so that it would weaken him without delay.

I stirred the soup with my index finger and made sure that the surface looked the same when he left it, then I returned to the counter.

He appeared into the kitchen almost immediately and handed my phone over to me.

“Thank you,” I mouthed and he helped me down the counter.

He pulled out a chair for me to sit, then gave me my own plate of chicken broth. He served himself as well and we began to eat.

“This is delicious.” He winked at me, flashing his cocky smirk at me.

I rolled my eyes, trying not to show how anxious I was. “Yes it’s delicious, but can you stop rubbing it in my face that you cook better than me?” I pouted my lips.

He chuckled, drank his soup and gobbled his bread, while I watched him carefully. My heart thudded faster than usual and it increased when I saw his eyes becoming dizzy.

He reached for the glass cup, but he couldn’t hold it and then it shattered on the table, the liquid spilling over and the shards flying around the table which I quickly gathered.

He flinched and stared at me wide-eyed. “What… is… going on?” He slurred, trying to keep his eyes open.

I got up, my breath coming in quick pants as a tear slid down my face. “I’m sorry, my love, but I have to do this. I’ll be gone before you wake up, but I want you to know that I love you so much and that will never change.” My voice quivered as I spoke but I wasn’t going to change my mind.

He sprawled to his feet but the drug had already taken effect on him causing him to stagger. “Don’t…” His voice sounded like a wheeze as he collapsed on the ground, his eyes shut.

I helped him to the sofa and made sure he was comfortable then I stared at his sleepy face and smiled sadly, caressing his stubble.

I sniffed, planting a final kiss on his lips then I retreated from him after summoning all the courage I had.

It was time to leave for our best interest and I wouldn’t look back.