The Wind That Knows My Heart

Evelyn stood in the doorway, her eyes brimming with tears that glistened like polished glass. Her lips trembled as she pouted, her voice as soft and saccharine as melted honey. “Harry,” she whimpered, “you promised my brother you'd take care of me. How could you leave me alone on such a scary night?”

I watched from the staircase, my arms crossed, my heart heavy with bitter amusement. The sheer absurdity of it all—it was almost comical. These two, putting on their little act for my benefit, pretending to be innocent while I knew the truth. The fiery passion they shared behind my back had left its scorched fingerprints everywhere. And yet here they were, playing their roles as if nothing had happened.

Harry’s brows furrowed. “Evelyn, it’s late. Go home. Clarissa doesn’t like strangers staying over.”

But Evelyn wasn’t deterred. She turned to me, her voice shifting from pitiful to pleading. “Sister,” she said, clasping her hands together, “can I stay? Just for one night? I’ll be no trouble, I promise.”

Her wide, innocent eyes were a masterstroke in manipulation. I offered her a cold smile, one sharp enough to cut. “Stay,” I said flatly.

Her face lit up like a child unwrapping a gift. “Yay! Clarissa is so kind and generous!” She practically skipped into the house, heading straight to the dining table. Without hesitation, she plopped herself down in my seat.

“Harry,” she cooed, grinning up at him, “your cooking smells amazing. You know, I could get used to this. I want to eat your food for the rest of my life!”

Harry sighed, rubbing his temples. “Evelyn,” he said sharply, “that’s Clarissa’s seat. Everything here tonight is prepared especially for her. There’s no place for you.”

Despite his stern words, the banter between them was sickeningly playful, their familiarity suffocating. My stomach churned as I watched them. I pushed back my chair, my appetite gone.

“Dear,” Harry called after me as I made my way to the stairs. “Why aren’t you eating? Are you feeling unwell?”

I glanced back, forcing a faint smile. “A little tired. I’ll head to bed.”

***

Late that night, a soft chime from my phone broke the silence of the room. It was a message on WhatsApp—from Evelyn.

“Clarissa, come to the checkroom. I have a surprise for you! ”

My stomach dropped. Against my better judgment, I slipped out of bed, my curiosity outweighing the dread pooling in my chest. Quietly, I made my way to the door of the checkroom.

What I heard on the other side froze me in place.

“Harry,” Evelyn’s voice was low, breathy and dripping with seduction, “do you think I look pretty in my sister’s clothes? Isn’t it exciting to… you know, do it here?”

My breath caught in my throat as her words grew more explicit. “Your wife is old and fat now. She can’t compare to me. I’m the one who fits your body perfectly, aren’t I?”

Harry’s response came in a muted growl, his movements audible through the door. “Right. I love to toy with you. I’ll keep going until you can’t even stand.”

Their laughter, their whispers, their gasps—they sliced through me like shards of glass. My heart twisted and a dull ache began to spread from my abdomen. I clutched my stomach, the familiar, tormenting pain from the booster shot surging through me.

I wanted to scream, to throw open the door and confront them. But instead, I turned away, my hands trembling as I covered my swollen belly. My tears blurred my vision as I staggered back to my room.

Before I could close the door, Evelyn’s voice echoed once more, this time light and jubilant.

“Harry, be gentle,” she teased, giggling. “I was in such a rush to see you tonight, I almost forgot to tell you the big news.”

“What news?” Harry asked, his voice suddenly softer.

“I’m pregnant,” she said, her tone airy. “We’re going to have a baby.”

Her words hit me like a thunderclap. My head spun, my mind roaring with disbelief. Pregnant? With his child? My legs buckled and I gripped the doorframe for support.

Inside the checkroom, Harry let out a gasp of delight. “Really? Evelyn, that’s amazing!” His voice was filled with joy as he kissed her repeatedly, showering her with affection.

I bit down on my lip so hard I tasted blood. The pain in my abdomen intensified and when I glanced down, I saw my stomach, swollen and bruised, looking like an overfilled balloon ready to burst. The tears I had been holding back fell freely now.

An hour later, Harry crept back into our bedroom. I closed my eyes, feigning sleep as he slipped into bed beside me. He wrapped his arms around me carefully, as though I were something fragile. His hand found my stomach and he began to rub it gently, murmuring, “Clarissa, I love you.”

I froze at his words, the irony of them crushing me under their weight. How could someone who claimed to love me so deeply hurt me so profoundly?

As his breathing evened out and he fell asleep, I lay there, my mind spinning. The countdown in my head began anew.

Five more days, I told myself. Five more days and I’ll finally be free.

***

The next morning, I woke to an empty bed. Harry had already risen and the faint sound of laughter floated up from the kitchen. I recognized Evelyn’s petulant giggles and his indulgent chuckles.

The sound of them together was like poison, spreading through me. But I swallowed it down, straightened my spine and prepared to face another day of this charade. Only five more days—five agonizing, endless days—until I could disappear from this nightmare.