18 THE AUCTION
“Disgusting.” She muttered under her breath, seeing the marks on his neck.
She had grown accustomed to his irritating nature of running back to Maya after every outing or party, like a dog returning to its vomit, she thought to herself.
Then, at once, a thought dashed through her mind. “Perhaps I’m just unlovable and disgusting”
“Get away from me this instant!” Madison had never been this upset, nor had she had this much energy, because she managed to push Ethan off her violently.
He had gotten back from his ‘important‘ meeting with a blazing hot hickey on his neck and had the nerve to get on her in a bid to satisfy his disgusting sexual desires.
“Why did you do that? Do you dislike me that much? Does my mere presence disgust you that badly?
Whatever this sudden show of love and remorse was, it puzzled Madison and creeped her out.
At the mouthing of a sentence from his lips, she felt like ripping out her skin from the insides and just imploding so she wouldn’t get subjected to this immense torture. She turned around on the bed, rolling her blanket over her head and trying to ignore Ethan’s theatrics.
“I require an answer; you can’t just roll a blanket over your head and ignore my questions. You know I hate that.” He was beginning to get upset, which was visible in his voice. Madison could never really understand his ability to be wrong and still get upset at her; it still surprises her now.
“I don’t know what to say to you. I’m exhausted now. Can we have this discussion later?” Madison didn’t turn to look at him, but the irritation in her voice was obvious, but something else was visual: she was sobbing. Her nose twitched, and she sniffled loudly.
Had he hurt her physically? Ethan felt his chest tighten and made to go over to her, but stopped when he saw her grab the blanket tightly and firmly over her face.
What Ethan did not realize was that his infidelity had hurt Madison very badly; it was something she could not tolerate and hated with every fiber of her being.
Madison had grown up in a single–family household due to infidelity; her father made cheating his habit ever since he got married to her mom, hurting her and squandering all his earnings at pubs, bars, and brothels.
Her mother summoned the courage to ask for a divorce after years of enduring his shitty behavior and contracting STDs from him.
The rumor about Ethan and Maya’s affair was a hot topic in their locality. It was gossip that managed to get to her ears every time, but he had never brought home any evidence of his cheating except the usual lip marks and hickeys, and this irritated her the more she thought about it.
It was a slap to her face, a sign that he could do anything he wanted without repercussion. A full- blown infidel was questioning Madison’s loyalty!
18 THE AUCTION
2/3
The morning rose gently and brought along a ray of hope. Madison stepped downstairs and found out that Ethan had stepped out, but Olivia was still around.
“Did you like my gift, darling? Beautiful morning to you!” She said this, spreading her arms for a hug and smiling heartily.
“Yes, I loved it. Thank you so much, Mom.”
Madison sat quietly and had her breakfast: avocado toast, scrambled eggs, and a cup of warm
chocolate. She said her goodbyes and stepped out gently to head to work.
She had not noticed her phone buzzing hours before, so when she looked at it, there had been dozens of missed calls from the family doctor.
“Hello, good morning, doctor. How are you?”
“I’m doing great; thank you. Umm, can you stop by to discuss your mother’s health today? I have essential information I need you to know.”
“Oh, I see; I will check by soon.” Madison wondered what could be the problem now; everything had seemed fine when Olivia was discharged, so what could be so alarming that would require her to appear before the doctor for an analysis?
She decided to drive down to the hospital before heading to work so as not to delay the doctor. She gave it some thought and decided it was best to inform Ethan as well, so she gave him a call and asked him to meet her at the hospital.
the door
Ethan pushed the door of the waiting room open and headed straight to the doctor’s office, ignoring Madison on his way.
“Good morning, Doctor; what seems to be the problem again?” He queried
“Good morning; well, we ran some tests on Olivia the other day and found out her anxiety wasn’t only triggered by stress but also some underlying heart issues… don’t panic.
We can manage the situation by putting her on some medications and a strict diet; we also need to avoid stressing her out and triggering a panic attack. I think that’s all. Thanks for coming.”
Ethan quickly stepped out of the office and stood on the curb waiting for his driver; it seemed he was
in a hurry.
“Do you need a ride? I can drop you on my way,” she offered, but was met with a somewhat sarcastic
reaction from him.
“You’re offering me a ride in my car.” He said, leaning into her and pointing at the keys; she suddenly realized how short she was compared to him as he towered over her.
“I want us to get the divorce today; I don’t want to waste my time bothering you over this same issue.”
“But mother…”
“She will recognize that you have not been the ideal spouse and may even feel compassion for me.”
18 THE AUCTION
3/3
How am I meant to cope with being with you as a compromise for her health? When we finally divorce, what will she do?” These words fell out uncontrollably in a fit of rage.
She was sick and tired of his constant taunts and wanted to finish it as soon as possible. A part of her yearned to know if he had spoken to Maya the same way.
“You’re so desperate to divorce me despite everything on the ground? Aren’t you ashamed that you care less about Olivia, the same woman who nurtured and cared for you like her own, that you care
less about her health?”
“What does this have to do with anything?”
“It had everything to do with it because you’re being selfish. Do you want to be with Luke that bad?”
“How dare you accuse me of something you’re guilty of? Have you mistaken my silence for foolishness?”
At this moment, they realized how loud they were being as prying eyes were beginning to trail them.
Ethan’s driver pulled in and ushered his boss into the car; as he made to get in, Madison tugged at him slightly and, in her most muscular tone, tried to threaten him into succumbing.
“Sign the papers, or I’ll sue you.”
“I’d love to see you try; you know what? Since you are purely eager for a divorce, hand me the keys to my car, and don’t return to my house!”
19 Moving Out?
