Chapter 2 Unfaithful

Natalie's POV: "That's my home!" I screamed silently, my voice trapped inside me. I desperately signed the words with my hands—"That's my home!" But Mike just stared, confused, shaking his head. He didn't understand. My gestures slowed, losing their force. And then my arms dropped limply to my sides. A crushing wave of pain swept over me, pulling me under like I was sinking into the depths, unable to breathe. By the laws of this state, if I were declared dead, everything I owned would legally go to my husband. That meant Mike had full control—he could do whatever he wanted. But ... that was my home ... And Mike—he was my husband ... The tears came suddenly, completely out of my control. "I'm sorry ... Mike said softly, still unwilling to give in. Even with tears running down my face, he didn't waver. Three years in that nightmare had taught me one thing—how to endure, how to fight, how to hold on to the tiniest thread of hope just to stay alive. My fingers shook as I picked up the pen again, the words coming out shaky and uneven on the paper. "I won't stay ... but I want to go back. I need to get some of my things." "Alright ... " As the car moved forward, familiar streets flickered by outside the window. In the back seat sat something that didn't belong to my world—a child's car seat, unfamiliar and out of place. City lights slid across my face, one after another, while I stared at the reflection in the window—of the man I used to love, now a stranger beside me. The same man who once stood before a priest and promised to love me forever ... had already given his heart to someone else by the second year I was gone. I had only been missing for three years. Just three years. Why did it feel like the whole world had turned its back on me? I couldn't hold it in any longer—I picked up the pen and scribbled on the paper, "Did my parents not want me anymore?" We were on a business trip back then, a full medical team. That's when the pirates captured us. Among us were my mentor and a few coworkers. After we were saved, my mentor was immediately taken home by her children. One of my colleagues used to say her marriage was falling apart, no one would be there for her. But the moment we landed, her husband was already standing outside the airport, waiting for her. Everyone else was taken—everyone but me. I couldn't get in touch with my parents. I couldn't reach Mike. Why? My parents used to love me so much ... "Natalie ... about your parents—can we talk tomorrow?" Mike said carefully as he pulled into the parking space, his eyes filled with unease. What did that even mean? My heart tightened. I sat up straighter, alarm spreading through me. A terrible feeling began to rise in my chest. My parents ... what happened to them? I tried hard to push the awful thoughts away. No ... it couldn't be true. It just couldn't. I had already escaped the nightmare. I was free now. "Let's head up ... my wife made dinner," Mike said, avoiding my eyes as he stepped out and opened the door for me. Some habits, it seemed, hadn't changed. As I got out of the car, he instinctively covered the top of my head with his hand, still afraid I might hit it. Would he protect her like that too—his new wife? The elevator stopped on the 32nd floor—the top of the building. This was the place with a breathtaking view of the entire city. Despite how expensive it was, Mike bought it because I loved it. Back then, he didn't even have a third of the money needed. I put in everything I had saved, and my parents helped with the rest. That's how we managed to make this home ours. This was the home we bought together—and based on what we each contributed, two-thirds of it was mine. Now, it all legally belonged to Mike. And he had brought another woman to live here. Click. The door unlocked with his fingerprint and slowly swung open. "Daddy!" A little girl ran out and leaped into Mike's arms, laughing with joy. Mike shot me a nervous glance, then turned to the woman standing in the doorway, his voice tinged with frustration. "Didn't I ask you to take her to your parents' place?" I couldn't take my eyes off the little girl. She was tall enough to be nearly 40 inches—full of energy, running around like any healthy child. Mike said he remarried in the second year after I vanished. But this child ... she didn't look like she was one. She looked more like ... three. He'd been unfaithful. He was already with her before I disappeared.