Love Brewed Bitter

The next morning, Aidan woke up expecting his usual hangover soup.

When he didn't see it, he sulked, "You're up this early and didn't make anything?"

He treated me like a maid, but a maid got paid $3,000 a month. I'd served him for a decade and got nothing.

In the cloakroom, he yelled for me to dress him. Without me, he didn't know which shirt to wear or which tie to match.

He enjoyed my care and service like a giant baby.

After he left for work, the wedding planner sent me a slideshow.

It was my dream wedding with a hall full of roses. I glided down a spiral staircase in a white gown, Aidan took my hand as everyone cheered.

Some said roses were cheesy, but to me, they meant love. The first rose he gave me was on the day he asked me out.

I texted back, [Looks great, but I haven't set a date yet. Hold off.]

The wedding planner agreed.

I slipped off the engagement ring and stared at our only group photo at the orphanage. I studied the frail boy who once shielded me.

'Why has it come to this?' I sobbed, wondering when our relationship went wrong.

My phone chimed. A text sent me rushing to the hospital.

Sophie Green had started at the bar with me. I had resigned after paying off the debts, but she had stayed.

Now she was lying in the ER, battered.

I grabbed her hand. "What happened?"

She forced a smile, but before she could reply, a man burst in, yanked her up, and slapped her.

I quickly shielded her.

Chaos erupted. Machines crashed. Nurses and doctors rushed over.

The man spewed venom. "You slut, selling yourself to bankroll me! It's filthy! And you have the nerve to call the cops on me?"

His words dropped a bomb, turning the crowd's pity for Sophie into disgust. They even eyed me the same way.

Holding Sophie, I looked up to see Aidan in the crowd. He was cozying up to a young woman and glaring at me with contempt.

Security hauled Sophie's boyfriend away, and the ER calmed.

Aidan helped Isabella lie down, but she clung to his hand, wincing. He leaned in, soothing her like a child. "Don't worry. I'm here with you."

He pulled the curtain, blocking my view.

I couldn't help but move over. Through the curtain, I heard them.

"Is that your wife?" Isabella whispered.

She'd seen me before, knowing I was Aidan's girlfriend. My beauty made people unforgettable but made her jealous.

"Nah," Aidan replied.