Chained: A Second Chance At Marriage

I was at the bus station, about to leave for a faraway province where I knew Hades wouldn't be able to find me. "Please. I really need to leave," I pleaded with the driver, begging him to let me board the already full bus. I reasoned that I could just stand, lean against the window, anything, but he refused. He said my condition was too fragile and that I should come back early in the morning instead. My stomach was still bleeding slightly from the operation, but I didn't care. I was hell-bent on leaving before anyone noticed my absence. Though deep down, I knew no one truly would. "Miss, we really can't let you in," the conductor said firmly. "The bus is full, and we'll get punished if we allow an injured woman to ride for six hours." "I really just need to leave. Please, I won't make a fuss, I swear." I said, but the conductor was already getting agitated. "Sorry Miss." He said, and I could see from the window, people looking at me with pitiful looks. I know they want to help but I guess they also have families waiting for them at home. I sighed defeatedly and stepped back, nodding. "I understand. Sorry for the trouble." I said, turning around and walking back to the shed, walking limply. I looked around and the whole bus station was deserted. It was only me and one guard that was roaming around. I was starting to get anxious, afraid that someone might just pop out of nowhere and drag me back. As much as I would love for that to happen. To think that Hades would come looking for me, but the thought of going back... I just can't. I will spare this little amount of pride I have left. I won't show my face to him anymore. As promised. I realized that no matter how much effort, how much patience, and how much sacrifice I give that he'll never love me back. So for the sake of his happiness, I'll let him go. I'll leave and let him and Klare have a peaceful life together. I fetched my phone in my pockets and dialled the only person I know who could help me right now. "Cassy?" Dianne's voice came in through the end of the call and I smiled, tears piling up my eyes. "Dianne?" My voice shivered, hope clinging to me. She was the only friend I had in this city, the daughter of my nanny. Though our lives went in different directions after she went to college, we stayed in touch. Not until she knew of what I did. She was mad at me for marrying Hades. I also didn't contact her, until now... "Oh my God! It's really you! How are you?" She asked excitedly. "I...I left him." I said, and the call went silent for a moment. I closed my eyes and tilted my head toward the night sky, wiping away the tears that wouldn't stop falling. All I heard was her heavy breathing at the end of the line. "What the actual fuck?!" she shouted. I pulled the phone away from my ear, startled. "Did that man hurt you? What did he do?!" "No, no," I said quickly, shaking my head even though she couldn't see me. "He didn't hurt me. I left on my own." "What? But you're pregnant. Wait...where are you right now?" She asked hurriedly, I could hear the panic in her voice. My face scrunched hearing the word "pregnant". So the news hasn't reached her yet? "I'm at the south bus terminal. Can you please come get me." I said, and I heard a door open and close, and keys clinking. "What the hell Cassy. The weather's bad and you're out all alone? Are you out of your mind?" She scolded me, but I know that she's just concerned about me. "Wait there, I'm coming." She said and quickly hung up the phone. I looked down at my feet and sighed deeply. A few minutes later, a red car screeched to a stop in front of me. Dianne jumped out with jacket in hand, and rushed over. When she got close,her expression worsened as she looked at me from head to toe. "Oh God, Cassy, what happened to you?" She asked, her lips trembling as if she was also about to cry. I smiled weakly and rubbed my flat stomach. Unable to contain the tears anymore. "Please...get me out of here." I spoke. I couldn't even recognize my own voice anymore. Perhaps this is the effect of always crying? Dianne looked at me intently and I could see from her eyes the pity as she lowered her gaze, then as if something clicked, her eyes widened. "What the...aren't you supposed to be four months pregnant why is your..." "My baby died." I murmured, my voice tight as I tried to mask the pain, casting my head down as tears trickled to the ground uncontrollably. "It's all my fault. My baby died because of me. It's all my fault." She quickly sat beside me and pulled me to her, rubbing soft soothing circles on my back. "Shhh, don't say that. None of what happened is your fault." I shook my head, burying my face on her shoulders. "If only I hadn't forced him. Only if I didn't let my love for him consume me. None of this would've happened." She was quiet for a moment before lifting my chin. "Love is really scary, huh?" she said softly, tears slipping from her own eyes. "But it's never too late to change. We all make mistakes. And the fact that you owned up to yours shows how much you've grown." "I'm sorry," I sobbed. "I made everyone miserable." She gave a sad chuckle and flicked my forehead lightly. "Yeah. You kinda did." Then she asked gently, "So... what's your plan now?" I couldn't answer her. I don't really have a plan yet. With the little amount of money I have with me. It would be a miracle if I can last a week even in the province. I didn't want to use my credit cards since I know I can be tracked. "If you want..." She started, then paused, as if contemplating whether she should say it or not. "I have an aunt who lives on the outskirts of the city. She's all alone, and I'm sure she'd be more than happy to let you live with her." She said, and I was filled with hope once again. "Are you sure? I don't want to be a burden." "You'll never be a burden to my family. And if my mom were still here, she'd never let you go through this alone." "Let's go first thing in the morning. For now, let's go to my place for the night to rest." She suggested and I nodded. She helped me into her car and we drove back to her place. Immediately the day after she drove me to her aunt's place which was further than I expected. It took us almost half a day to get there. However, the scenery left me stunned seeing the beautiful beaches and mountains and the endless sky that stretched ahead. It really was a peaceful community here. Everyone looked kind, and they seemed to be dealing with their own lives. We stopped in front of a wooden gate and I looked at Dianne. She rubbed my hand and signalled a nod as we stepped out. "Aunt Lianna?!" Dianne called out, and just as quickly a dog suddenly appeared out of nowhere, barking loudly right in front of us. "Chuck, behave!" A woman came out, making the dog quickly shrink back on the fence. She has hazel hair, probably in her early thirties. She was stunning. Her kind eyes were what attracted me the most. It looked pure and untainted, as if a kind soul that could see through every fibe rof my being. "Sorry about that. Chuck can be quite territorial." She chuckled. I smiled politely at her. "Good morning, Ma'am." I said. "Oh pshh! Just call me Anna." She grinned. "You're really beautiful dear," she said, and my cheeks heated up. "Umm...thank you. So are you." I said, and she smiled even more. She then turned to Dianna and instantly scowled. "Tsk! I wish I could say the same thing to you." "Dont worry, the feeling is mutual." Dianna shot back, leaving me shocked. "Wow look at this kid. This is the first time I see you after all these years and you still run that mouth of yours!?" Dianna just rolled her eyes at her, "That just runs in our blood." Anna glared at her, clicking her tongue, she turned to me and smiled gently. "Let's head inside. It's quite scorching out here." She gestured then side glanced Dianne with an irritated look. Dianne then leaned and bumped me as we followed her, "Sorry about that, she's a bit of a cuckoo you know." She whispered, grinning. "Hey! I heard that!" Anna snapped her head to us, glaring at Dianne. Dianne just shrugged at her teasingly. "See? Cuckoo." She laughed and I couldn't help but smile at their interaction. For the first time in months, I smiled with ease without my heart and mind running wild. Weeks passed. Then months. Life slowly became peaceful for me. Maybe... moving here really was the right choice after all.