Contract And Marriage

Maximus

I was startled by Sarina’s sudden scream and quickly jumped out of bed. When I looked at her, she was crying in her sleep. I tried to wake her because of the fear so evident on her face.

“My wife…” I called to her softly while gently tapping her to wake up, but she didn’t respond.

“Noooo… Maximusss…” she cried long and loud before her eyes opened, and she sat up. When she saw me, she quickly embraced me, and I did the same. I didn’t stop comforting her until her breathing became even.

“My wife,” I called her, but she didn’t respond. “My wife,” I repeated, but there was still no reply. I looked at her and saw that she had fallen asleep again. I took a deep breath before gently laying her back on the bed. With my fingers, I wiped away the remaining tears still trailing down her cheeks.

I couldn’t sleep after that and just watched her. She was so happy before we went to bed last night, and now this? Was it just a dream? Or was it something related to what happened between her and Ralph? Is the trauma from that incident really that deep?

Based on the pictures from Mariano’s investigation, I know she went through a lot, but I saw how happy she was now. Is there something I’m still not aware of? I gently pulled her closer to me and hugged her tight. Even in her sleep, I wanted her to feel my love and the security I could provide.

The next morning, I noticed that she seemed distant, lost in deep thought. “My wife,” I called, and she flinched, which made me frown. She was sitting on the bed, waiting for me to leave the bathroom. That’s how she always is, and I’ve gotten used to seeing her smiling face after I shower in the morning. But today was different because of her nightmare last night.

“Are you saying something?” she asked. I smiled at her so she wouldn’t notice my concern. I know she doesn’t like it when I’m worried.

“Are you thinking about something? Is there something wrong?” She just stared at me as if she was deciding whether or not to tell me. I approached her and sat beside her. She followed my movements with her eyes, and I gave her a light kiss on her lips. “You can tell me anything, my wife. If something is bothering you, it’s better if you tell me so we can solve it together.”

“Maximus…”

“Go on, my wife.” I needed to encourage her so she wouldn’t hesitate anymore.

“I want to remember everything. All that happened to me. But I’m scared because of the dream I had last night. It felt so real that it wasn’t just a dream because my fear was overwhelming.”

“Alright, we’ll consult a doctor. I’ll ask Dr. Jerold if he knows a specialist who can help us.”

“What if it wasn’t just a dream, my husband? What if it was something that actually happened in my life? That man raped me, over and over again…” she began to cry again and clung to me. “I don’t want to remember because I feel disgusted with myself. Because I let another man-”

“Shh… You didn’t let it happen, my wife. They forced you; you were helpless against whoever that was,” I told her. “Besides, that animal Ralph is already behind bars. He can’t hurt you anymore.”

“No, you don’t understand. The man in my dream last night wasn’t Ralph. He was different; he called me Sarina and said I was his and that he’d never return me to you.” I was stunned by what she said.

“What did he look like?” I asked.

“I can’t remember, he had no face. I don’t know why he had no face. But I know it wasn’t Ralph because he never called me Sarina…”

“Alright, we will go and see a doctor.” Confusion was evident on her face, and as much as I hated to think about it, it was possible that besides Ralph, there was someone else who hurt and abused my wife. I wanted to get angry, to rage and scream because of what I thought she had gone through at the hands of that man. But I needed to be strong and control myself, especially with Sarina. I can’t show her my anger if I don’t want her to feel more burdened by what she’s been through.

As much as I don’t want her to remember because of the traumatic experience, I know it’s the only way to catch whoever that man was who violated her. And more than ever, she needs me now. Now that I know the weight of her burden.

“Grandma,” I said when she answered my call. “I’m going to leave Chase with you for now, if that’s okay.”

“That’s fine with me, but why? So you and your wife can have some alone time?” Her tone wasn’t angry, but I could sense some hostility.

“I know you know what Midori did, but I also know you have no idea what my wife went through when she was missing, so I understand if you’re still like that towards her. But please, don’t say anything bad about her, especially if I’m around or if you’re talking to me.”All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

“If you have nothing else to say, I’ll take care of my grandchild for now.”

“His nanny and bodyguard are still there. Thank you, Grandma.” Then she ended the call. I nodded and prayed to God that she would fully accept my wife.

After our conversation, I called Mariano. I needed his help. “I don’t think Ralph is the one who took Sarina from the airport.”

“What? How can you say that?” he asked, curious, so I told him about my wife’s nightmare. “What do you want me to do?”

“Can you investigate again? The one who took her might be relaxed by now, thinking he already had a scapegoat through Ralph.”

“Yeah, you may be right,” he replied. “And I’m sorry to hear that again about your wife.”

“Thank you for helping me, and I’m sorry if I had to trouble you with this again.”

“Anytime, you’re my little brother, don’t forget that.” Our conversation ended, and I believe he will do everything to find out who really took my wife.

And now, I need to face Sarina’s condition. I’m afraid her mental health might be affected by the return of her memories, but I still believe that she is strong and resilient, and she can get through all of this. Besides, I’m always here by her side to be with her through any hardship. I’ll always support and care for her, and above all, I’ll always show and make her feel my love.