Chapter 4: Staying Married

I woke up to find a note written in my husband's unmistakable but ugly handwriting. It said, "Duty calls. Be back at 8. Love ya."

I felt a mix of pride and worry in my heart, you know? Like, I was proud of him for being a dedicated doctor, but at the same time, it made me worry 'cause work kept him away for the better part of the day.

Yawning, I shook off the whole Baby Corrigan thing and began contemplating the day ahead and what it had in store for me. Being a supermodel comes with its perks, like having my face on magazine covers. But work has been strangely chill lately, leaving me with loads of free time on my hands. Not sure how to kill those long hours, I thought, "Why not give our house a makeover and turn it into a total Zen zone?"

I took the chance to bring some order and harmony to our beloved crib. I dusted, polished, and rearranged everything with care, adding my own personal touch.

Our crib, smack in the middle of a happening neighborhood, oozed elegance and sophistication. The outside boasted a perfectly manicured lawn with vibrant flowers basking in the sunlight. I had this little garden chillin' on the edges of my pad, too. Inside, our home blended modern and traditional styles with tall windows framed by dark wooden shutters.

When the afternoon sun poured through the windows, I cozied up in the reading nook, diving into a beloved novel.

Finishing the 85,000-word thriller, the real thrill begins.

So, I'm scrolling through YouTube, right? And then I come across this video titled "The Art of Enduring Love: Navigating the Mysteries of Marriage." Well, damn, that got me intrigued, so I click on it, eager to see what it's all about. Turns out it's a 25-minute talk by this charismatic woman with a strong French accent named Élise Beaumont.

Trust me, Élise is the epitome of glamour and sophistication. Her lips are all decked out in this thick, luscious red lipstick, exuding major boldness and confidence. Yeah, she's had her fair share of plastic surgeries, but her striking features still manage to grab your attention. And don't even get me started on the layers of makeup she's got going on, enhancing her natural beauty.

In this talk, Élise dives deep into the world of marriage, sharing all her insights and experiences. She's passionate about it. She talks about the ups and downs, the challenges, and the rewards of maintaining a long-lasting, loving marriage. Her words carry some real wisdom and practical advice on communication, compromise, and all the complicated stuff that comes with being in a relationship.

After watching the video, I'm left deep in thought, contemplating all this marriage stuff. I check out the YouTube channel name, "Staying Married," and that piques my curiosity even more. I mean, they gotta have some serious knowledge on the topic, right? I put on my detective hat and dig a little deeper.

Naturally, I turn to good ol' Google for more info on Élise Beaumont. I wanna know if she's actually married or not. But here's the kicker: the first response hits me hard with a flat-out "no."

Ugh, seriously? Like, who the heck are these people that never been married, yet act like they know it all about marriage? It's annoying as hell!

Evening approached, and it was time for my final act of devotion to our home. The kitchen became my sanctuary again as I cooked up a mouthwatering meal for the night. Pots clinked, and the air was filled with fragrant spices, turning our crib into a culinary haven, radiating warmth and the delicious smell of the evening meal I was whipping up.

As the clock ticked closer to 8, I couldn't help but feel excited. Despite still being a little mad about our recent argument, I longed for my husband to come back, eager to share the peace and beauty I had created all day. Our house was a symbol of our dreams and love, a place where we built our sanctuary amidst the crazy world around us.

The meal on the dining table was practically begging to be dug in and savored: juicy roasted chicken with a tangy lemon glaze, alongside creamy garlic and chive mashed potatoes. Some crispy green beans added a burst of color to the spread. The tantalizing aroma of the culinary masterpiece filled every nook and cranny of the house.

When the clock struck eight, Baby Corrigan, my exhausted doctor, made his entrance. He held a bunch of vibrant wildflowers in one hand, their riot of colors dancing in the light. In the other hand, he carried a neatly wrapped gift, its contents a mystery waiting to be revealed.

You could see his weariness, but strangely enough, it only added to his appeal and made him captivating in a melancholic sort of way. But our recent argument really messed with me, so my reception was cold. Baby checked me out, eyeing me from my short shorts all the way up to my boobs that were kinda showing through my sheer top. His intense stare only made me more frustrated.

"Hey." He flashed a smile and tried to lighten the mood, but damn, all I could think about was that intense argument we had yesterday. His attempt at small talk only pissed me off even more. Without saying a word, I stormed past him, my footsteps full of determination, and headed straight for the grand staircase leading to the upper floor where our bedroom awaited.

The silence in the air was thick with tension, like a ticking time bomb ready to explode. I could feel Baby's eyes on my back.

"I'm sorry, okay," he called after me, his voice desperate. "You can't stay mad at me forever."

But I wasn't about to let his apologies sway me, not so soon. The pain from our fight still lingered in my mind.

I slammed the bedroom door behind me, shutting out the world for a moment. This room used to be my sanctuary, but now it felt like a battleground, emotions waging a war within me. Leaning against the door, my body shook with conflicting feelings.

A knock interrupted the silence, prompting me to spin around and fling the door open.

Of course, it was Baby Corrigan, holding the flowers and looking like a total lovesick puppy. "I'm sorry!"

His words pulled at my heartstrings, but I couldn't just give in that easily. I needed time to process, to heal from the wounds inflicted. So, I kept my mouth shut, using my silence as a shield against his desperate pleas.

The room felt both comforting and suffocating, memories of happier times mixing with the pain of our recent argument. I yearned for the laughter and connection we once had, but doubt crept in, questioning if we could really overcome this hurdle.

Sighing, I grabbed the flowers from his hands and let him know, "Your food's down there, waiting for you, Baby."

It was such a frustrating and conflicting situation when we were arguing, and I couldn't figure out how to address my husband, Baby Corrigan. The name 'Baby', the same name that I wanted to use to express my frustration was also a term of endearment. It left me torn, unsure of how to express my anger.

I tried to keep a straight face, but a little smile sneaked out anyway. He responded with a bigger grin and gave me a nod.

His eyes were all squinty, like he was pondering deep stuff, and then he pops the question, "You didn't sneak a frog into the food this time, did you?"

I shot him a look that could kill, but he just laughed his ass off, the sound reverberating through the entire house as he bolted out of the bedroom and effortlessly glided down the stairs.

Our words might not have been much, but they signaled a positive shift in our vibe, and it made my heart feel all warm and fuzzy.