Five Years, Without Meaning

I woke up with my head a little heavy. For a moment, I reached out to the side of the bed, but all I found was a cold mattress. Damien wasn't there.

A strange feeling tickled my chest, but I tried to ignore it. I got up, walked to the bathroom to wash my face, and then, stepped out of the room.

Once downstairs, the smell of cooking filled the air. I pause for a moment. Normally, Damien rarely cooked for himself, except for me. But today...?

My steps stopped in the doorway of the dining room.

Damien is standing in the kitchen, stirring something on a pan and then, pouring juice into a glass. Meanwhile, at the dining table, Selene sat relaxed with a spoiled smile on her face. She's wearing Damien's white shirt, the one I often wear as a nightgown.

I clenched my fist.

Damien turned his head when he noticed me. "Are you awake?" he asked.

I nodded without answering. My gaze was still on Selene, who was now playing with the ends of her sleeves while smiling at Damien.

"I forgot to make breakfast for you because Selene is very hungry," Damien said as he placed a plate in front of Selene.

I fell silent.

In the five years I'd been with him, Damien had never done that for me, I'd always served and he'd just enjoyed the food.

But today? He could do that because Selene was hungry.

"Althea, aren't you eating with us?" Selene's voice sounded soft, but I could feel the satisfaction hidden behind it.

I shifted my gaze to her. "No."

Selene lowered her head slightly. "I didn't know that you wanted breakfast made too. I just told Damien that I was very hungry, and he made his move. I didn't mean to-"

"That's enough," I cut in, giving her a sharp look.

Damien frowned. "Althea, there's no need to yell at him like that. Don't get me wrong, Selene just recovered, so I'm just helping her. You can make your breakfast, right?" he said so casually.

I chuckled softly. So, now I have to cook by myself because Selene needs his attention more?

I looked at Damien for a long time, searching for the slightest hint of guilt, or realization in his eyes. However, all I found was his flat expression, as if I was just a shadow in this room.

I took a deep breath and then, exhaled slowly.

"I don't need breakfast with you guys," I said before turning around and walking away.

Damien doesn't hold me back. Didn't ask if I was okay. Didn't try to explain. As if I wasn't important to him.

***

I stood by the pool, letting the wind hit my face. It took me a while to calm down after what happened earlier. But apparently, calmness wasn't something I could get today.

Light steps were heard approaching then a familiar voice followed.

"Althea, you're really lucky to have survived five years with Damien," Selene said in a disgustingly sweet tone.

I turned my head with both hands clasped in front of my chest.

"I didn't expect her to last that long."

I didn't react, still in my original position. I knew exactly where this was going.

Selene came closer and then stopped beside me.

"In the past, Damien always picked me up after work. Does he do that for you too?" she asked with a mocking look on her face.

I let go of my hands that were in front of my chest and let them clench at my sides.

"Does he also stroke your hair whenever you fall asleep in his car?" he continued in a tone full of false nostalgia.

"And, does he also hold you close when it rains, as if you're the only person who matters to him?" he said with an unusual smile.

I averted my eyes, trying to ignore the pain that was starting to gnaw at my chest. It wasn't that I didn't want to fight, it was just that I was too lazy to fight with a woman like Selene.

Selene chuckled softly. "Ah, I forgot. That was back then when I was the only woman in his heart. Before I left and gave you the chance to replace me temporarily."

My eyes narrowed, but remained calm. "Temporarily?"

Selene smiled with satisfaction. "Yes. I left, and you took my place. But now I'm back, and see for myself who he prefers."

I bit my lip, holding back the anger that was about to explode. I didn't want to give her the satisfaction of seeing me angry. But, she didn't stop provoking my emotions.

Selene moved her face forward. "Do you think Damien loves you? No, Althea. You're just my replacement," she whispered in a sharp tone, right in my ear.

"Someone he kept around because I didn't exist. And now I'm here. Then, what does he still need you for?" he said with a laugh.

She shook her hair. It didn't look like she was sick.

My heart sank. I shouldn't let his words mess with my mind, but part of me knew that there was truth in them. Damien has indeed changed since Selene came back. He was no longer the man who always made sure I was okay. And I hated that fact.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down, but Selene only became more aggressive towards me, her voice sounding full of satisfaction.

"You know what? Damien used to say that I was his home. His place to come back to. But after I left, he must have felt lost. And you... you're just a temporary stopover until he finds me again." she said with a competitive look.

I suddenly wanted to laugh. How ridiculous this woman was.

"So you think, Damien is just using me?" I asked finally trying to serve her words, looking at her with a flat expression.

Selene gave a small smile as she shrugged. "I didn't say that. But see for yourself. He brought me to his house without caring about your feelings. He would rather take care of me than spend time with you. This morning, he didn't even remember to make you breakfast."

The woman laughed with satisfaction.

My fist grew stronger. I felt like grabbing them. "And, that's a reason for you to continue being around him as a troublemaker?" I asked as I raised one eyebrow and smiled slightly.

Selene chuckled. "Althea, I'm just taking back what should have been mine in the first place."

I gave her a sharp look, but before I could reply, her facial expression suddenly changed. Her lips curled slyly, and before I could realize what was happening, she stepped back and then, suddenly threw herself into the pool.

"A-Althea!" Selene cried out, her voice trembling. "I... I'm sorry,"

I widened my eyes, my body stiffening instantly.

Shit!

Footsteps could be heard running over. I turned my head and saw that Damien was already there. His eyes widened when he saw Selene who was flailing in the water.

Without thinking, he jumped into the pool.

I could only stand still, my jaw clenched tightly as Damien pulled Selene to the edge of the pool.

Selene's body was soaking wet, her shoulders shaking as if she had just experienced something horrible. Damien helped her sit up, while his hands anxiously wiped her face.

"Selene, are you okay?" asked Damien frantically.

Selene coughed a little while nodding slowly. "I-I didn't expect Althea to push me," she said.

My eyes widened even bigger. "What?!"

Damien immediately turned to me, his eyes sharp and full of anger. "Althea! What are you doing?"

I stepped forward, unable to believe what I had just heard. "I didn't touch her! He pushed his own body," I said defensively.

"But I saw you guys talking before this happened!" Damien exclaimed. "Do you hate Selene that much to do this?" Damien said, not believing me.

I laughed sarcastically, not believing the accusation. "So now you trust her more than me?" I asked with an annoyed face.

Selene shook her head weakly. "Damien, I can leave here. I don't want to keep causing trouble between you guys. If I stay here, maybe Althea will continue to hurt me," she said with a trembling voice as if she wanted to cry.

My chest rose and fell with anger. I knew what she was doing. And damn it, Damien just believed it.

"If Selene leaves this house, then I'll leave too!" Damien snarled sharply.

I froze, feeling something inside me shatter into a million pieces.

Selene looked down, pretending to wipe away tears, while Damien helped her up and then, led her into the house.

I remained standing there, letting the cold wind hit my face, while the water in the pond still sounded a little noisy, a silent witness to the lie that had just happened.

I could only laugh. This was too much. I was fed up with all this.