My Ex-wife, My Destination

Flashback Continues

Daisy’s P. O. V.

I wake up early in the morning. Today is Sunday. No office, no work. I love Sundays.

After taking a quick shower, I come to the balcony to get some fresh air and share my thoughts with my diary.

The cool morning breeze brushes against my skin as I sit on the lounger, the diary open in front of me. It’s my habit to pour out my thoughts and feelings onto its pages, a way to deal with my messed-up thoughts.

As I write, I replay last night’s events in my mind. Seeing Luke eating the dinner I prepared filled me with a lot of emotions-joy, disbelief, and hope. It’s a slight gesture, but it means so much to me. It feels surreal. I never thought that I’d witness that scene, yet here it is, etched into my memory like a precious gem.

As I continue to write in my diary, the words flowing freely from my pen and I lose track of time, lost in my thoughts and emotions.

My eyelids grow heavy, and the next thing I know, I’m drifting off to sleep, the diary slipping from my grasp.

I wake up to a sudden jolt, my body hitting the cold water with a splash. Gasping for breath, I thrash around, disoriented and confused. What just happened? Why am I in the pool?

As I emerge from the water, sputtering and coughing, I see him standing by the edge of the pool, his expression twisted with anger and frustration.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing, Daisy?” He yells, his tone laced with anger and frustration. “Do you have any idea how ridiculous you look, sleeping out here like some kind of idiot?”

Still in shock, I try to understand what’s happening. Did Luke just throw me into the pool? And for what reason?

Before I can gather my thoughts and respond, Luke continues to yell at me.

“You think you can just sleep wherever you want, do whatever you please?” He seethes, his blue eyes blazing with fury. “If I call for you, you damn well better come running, no matter what you’re doing-sleeping, eating, bathing. Is that clear?”

I nod mutely, too stunned to speak, my heart sinking with each harsh word that falls from his lips. Despite my best efforts to please him, it seems I can never do anything right in his eyes. It hurts like hell. The happiness of last night vanishes into thin air.

He gives me a withering glare before turning on his heel and storming off, leaving me shivering in the pool.

As I climb out, my teeth chattering from the cold, I wonder what I’ve done to deserve this treatment. Is this what marriage is supposed to be like? Is this the life I signed up for when I said “I do”?

***

“Daisy, stop drinking. You’re already completely wasted,” my friend Sofia says, snatching the glass from me.

We sit at the bar counter of the club I usually visit with Sofia. She has been my only best friend in Florida since school. She runs a small fashion boutique in Miami, and she’s always been there for me, especially during the tough times in my marriage with Luke.

I share almost everything with her, but sometimes, I don’t tell her about Luke’s behaviour because she won’t understand why I’m bearing all this.

I snatch the glass back from her, taking a large gulp of the vodka tonic. “I don’t care, Sofia. Let me drown my sorrows tonight.” I slur, feeling the alcohol coursing through my veins.

Sofia sighs, shaking her head. “Daisy, you know I love you, but this isn’t healthy. You need to confront Luke about what you saw last night.”

I scoff, swirling the drink in my glass. “And what good will that do? He’ll just yell at me and make me feel even more worthless than I already do. I don’t know why he hates me so much.”

“Daisy, you can’t keep living like this,” Sofia insists, her voice tinged with concern. “You deserve better than someone who treats you like garbage.”

I stare into the depths of my drink, feeling angry, sad, and frustrated. She’s right, of course. I do deserve better. But how can I walk away from Luke when all my heart desires is him? My world revolves around him, and I can’t look beyond him. Thinking about living without him sends shivers down my spine. What will I do if I leave him? If I leave him, I’ll lose him forever. The mere thought of him being with another woman after I leave shatters my heart.

No, no. Although I may deserve better, I won’t leave Luke. He’s my husband, and for now, this is my reality. I’ll stay by his side, no matter how hard it gets. Perhaps things will change for the better, and he’ll see how much I love him and how much I’m willing to do for him.

Before I can dwell on it further, my phone, kept on the table, buzzes with a text message. I glance at it and notice Luke’s name flash on the screen.

I open it.

Luke: Where the fuck are you, Daisy? How dare you go somewhere without informing me?

A frown appears on my face, reading his text.

What does he think of himself? Today is Sunday; I can go wherever I want. I enjoy the way he controls me in bed, but I hate it when he controls my life.

I compose myself and reply to him, pushing aside my anger like always.

Me: I’m with Sofia. I’ll come late tonight.

Luke: Just come back right now.

My frown deepens.

“What happened, Daisy?” Sofia enquires, noticing my anger.

“Nothing. I need to go back home.” I shake my head, standing up, not telling her about Luke’s message. Otherwise, she’ll again start explaining to me and urging me to stand up for myself. I understand her concerns, but sometimes I just want to avoid the lecture.

As I stand up, the effects of the alcohol hit me harder than I expected. My head spins, and I stumble, nearly tripping over my own feet. Sofia holds me to steady me, concern etched on her face.

“Daisy, you’re in no condition to drive,” Sofia says, her voice laced with worry. “Let me give you a lift home.”

I nod weakly in response, knowing I can’t drive in this state.

I make my way out of the club and into her car with the help of Sofia before sinking into the passenger seat with a sigh of relief. As she starts the engine and pulls out of the parking lot, I feel glad to have such a caring friend by my side.

My phone buzzes once again in my hand. It’s another message from Luke.

Luke: You better be on your way home, Daisy. I’m not in the mood for your games tonight. If you’re not back within the next half hour, you’ll face the consequences.

“Again, with the consequences. Doesn’t he get tired of punishing me? Idiot!” I mutter under my breath, clutching my phone.

I won’t let you control me, Luke.

Flashback Over

PresentContent (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

The memories of the past bring tears to my eyes. He behaved with so much cruelty towards me, and I was such a fool to think that he cared for me.

I’ll never give my heart to Luke. Never.