Chapter 11. A stupid question

The next morning at breakfast, the tension was still thick in the air. Before blending back into the background, the staff had set up the customary Sunday breakfast buffet on the sunny patio by the pool. On Sunday mornings, Anthony preferred to avoid distractions so he avoided the staff. He also typically ignored Elizabeth in favor of his Sunday Times, despite the fact that he insisted she eat every meal with him for "appearances' sake. She could almost feel his rage that morning, despite the fact that he had the usual barrier of his newspaper between them. After an agonizing half hour of tension, he finally balled the paper between his fists and tossed it aside before glaring at her from across the glass table.

He was adamant, "Elizabeth, I want to know exactly where you were yesterday."

She asked groggily, "Why even do you care? For the two of us, you have certainly vanished without warning a number of times. "

He clarified, "We're not talking about me here"

"No, but I believe it's time we talk about you, about your scandalous behavior, about the other women, and the blatant disregard for the fact that you're married!".

He said almost defensively, "I don't feel married!".

She responded hastily, "No.". So maybe I'm not the only one who doesn't feel married; perhaps I'm ready to act outrageously. Maybe I'm prepared for extramarital affairs and other men as well!".

"This had better not be your way of telling me you were with another man last night" he said menacingly, his voice strangely calm.

Theresa heedlessly disregarded his voice's caution and continued forward.

Daringly, she said, "So what if that's exactly what I'm telling you? Well surprise, surprise, what are you going to do about it? Make my life miserable. Do your absolute worst; it's already hell"

"What's his name?"He demanded in a lethally calm voice that made her shudder uncontrollably.

She suddenly realized that she had pushed him too far, but even if she backtracked now, it wouldn't calm him down.

"Elizabeth, who the hell is he?"

Elizabeth could not help but feel an instinctive feeling of fear, despite the fact that she knew he would never harm her physically. She was aware that he had a strict leash on his temper, but at this moment it appeared to be at breaking point.

"I-I"

She stumbled, losing all pretense of bravado and sounding incredibly intimidated.

"I was speaking hypothetically," she said.

He bit out in a furious manner, "I don't believe you.".

"I simply needed a break, I wasn't with anyone" she said.

"A break", he repeated with a sneer.

"Yes, a break from you and from this life, I don't want to continue in this marriage. I want to leave.

Please let me leave, I only need a divorce. Please "

He sternly reprimanded, "You'll get your divorce when I get my son.

"That's so horrible," she cried out.

He didn't answer; instead, he gave her strained face an odd, probing little look,

"Why would you even want a child with a woman you despise?" She mumbled

He exhaled in shock and she blinked in confusion, "You honestly don't know, do you?".

She asked hesitantly, "Know what?" as she was preoccupied by the expression on his face. He again remained silent.

"What?"

He sprang to the question, "Why did you marry me?".

"You know why".

She was outraged by the way he was adding salt to the wound and couldn't believe he could be so cruel, even after receiving the same treatment for more than two years.

"Humour me," he prompted and she let out a shaky breath before rising with all the dignity she could muster. She experienced nausea and trembling and found it difficult to continue being in his presence. He leaped to his feet and grabbed her slender arm with one large hand to steady her as she took an erratically swaying step away from the table.

He said, almost trembling, "Elizabeth"

She waved off his hand and said, "I'm fine, I simply stood up too quickly. I have things to do, so excuse me now"

"Wait.", Anthony cried out urgently. "I asked you a question".

She responded, "A stupid question to which you already know the answer"

Elizabeth wanted to punch him because he was acting like a complete jerk

"Maybe I'd like to hear the answer again." This was not the first time in her life that he had been acting like this.

She moaned, "Oh, God, why do you insist on doing this.".

She gave him a haunted look before turning away as he exhaled in astonishment, "You really loved me, didn't you?".

"You can be sure that whatever feelings I had for you years ago are no longer an issue. Nothing you say or do will make me want to stay married to you; I want a divorce. "

He surprised her by nodding in response to her insistence.

"Yes. I'm starting to understand that, he mumbled. She left the room with a high head and her dignity untarnished because there was nothing else to say.