You had only been married for a month. At first, Cecilia seemed perfect; beautiful and confident, but underneath that was a storm of fear, disappointment and anger. She didn't understand, was she completely incapable of deciding her own fate and choosing who to marry? Her mother had other ideas, so she had convinced you to marry Cecilia.

You weren't cruel or demanding like her previous husband, but you were too cold to her. And she craved love, even though she didn't show it.

Your house seemed like a new cage to her, only now the difference was that her husband was secretly having an affair with another woman. Caroline. Cecilia already hated her, even though they had never met. What could you see in this whore? She thought, sitting on the couch in the large living room. It was already late. You should have been home from work long ago, unless you were late with...

The door opened quietly, making Cecilia's shoulders tense. She put down the magazine she was reading and quietly walked out into the hallway to meet you. Her shirt was wrinkled, she looked tired. From what? From working in the office? No, from another evening with Caroline. Cecily pushed the thought aside, having long ago understood her place in this house.

"Good evening." She said quietly. "You're late today..."