Love Like Roses, Hurt Like Thorns

Criminally open minded husband left me at the ObGyn to meet up with his childhood best friend, Zara Lenning. He didn't even wait until the pregnancy tests came back.

Turned out, I was pregnant for a month and a half.

My name is Astrid Jenner, now I'm called Astrid Longhan after marrying Kellan Longhan, the CEO of HanK Group.

He was 26 and I was 24 when we got married. I suffered from a congenital disease and needed a liver transplant. Kellan, who was doting on me silently for so long volunteered. But he took advantage of the situation and upper handed me into marrying him.

He was no lesser than a gift from God, however. He took care of every single one of my needs.

I had a traumatic childhood. My surgeon father was having a delirious episode and stabbed my nurse mother to death with a scalpel. I was orphaned and had no one to take care of me until Kellan's family took pity.

Three years ago, Kellan's parents died in a fatal car crash. My husband was a mess. I stayed by his side, even if I had to get over the trauma of my first miscarriage myself.

And then, his God sent best friend showed up. Not once did he speak about her in five years. But when the news of her arrival reached his ears three weeks ago, he couldn't stop talking about Zara Lenning.

Born a billionaire as well, she was sent from London to Kellan so she could learn business from the top businessman.

I stared at the wall, feeling empty inside.

Kellan hasn't come back home in three days. What was he doing out there?

Out of nowhere, my phone started blaring with a specific ringtone. Set specifically for Kellan, it didn't ring for nearly months before that.

"Hello?"

"Baby...I love youuuu!" He slurred his words. It was obvious he was drunk. Tears welled in my eyes as I pleaded.

"Kellan...please come home. I'm all alone." I pleaded. He cut the call immediately.

Right after that, photos of Kellan and Zara hanging out were spread across the internet.

THE INFAMOUS KELLAN LONGHAN AND MODEL ZARA LENNING ARE BEST FRIENDS!?

The post descriptions read aloud. I scoffed. They didn't know the full story.

Zara and Kellan have been more than best friends. They were in a promiscuous relationship before me.

I remembered briefly about Kellan asking for an open relationship. He never claimed to be polygamous. I shot him down quickly, three years ago.

However, more posts from Zara followed. It was her official account with millions of followers.

Day spent in pride and prunes! Olives in martinis are the WORST. Fight me if you dare! Kellan will protect me! XoXo

Her post caption read.

I stared at the images. Kellan was incredibly close to her face. Almost kissing her luscious lips. I felt a wave of disgust wash over me.

I cried myself to sleep, and for what?

The next day, Zara's half sober messages felt like multiple slaps on my face,

Kellan is such a good bed partner!

He cuddles so cute too!

I can bear his loud snoring if that means I can taste him every nightttt

My whole body was shaking by the end of it. How dare she text me such things even though she was drunk?

And how dare they do this to me?

They've forced me to underestimated myself.

But I chose not to.

Instead, I wiped my tears harshly and made way to a few destinations. I was tired by the end of the day.

The print out shop owner gazed at me up and down. The titles on papers were questionable for him to give me an indifferent gaze.

'Divorce agreement, House Property/Sale details, Pregnancy tests'

All of them combined, I made way to the mansion. My mansion.

I had to give up everything, even my title as Dr Astrid Jenner after marriage because I did my PhD from Harvard. And the gift I got from Kellan for marrying him?

This billion dollar mansion under my name with no beneficiaries attached. I was the sole owner of the richest mansion in the country.

I briefly remembered Kellan's promise when my parents died I consider my imprisoned father dead too.

'I will never hurt you, Astrid. Never. I will protect you from the world.'

He was barely ten and I was eight years old. People tend to forget promises made that young. Kellan forgot his too. That's why he hurt me in the most unimaginable way.

When I walked inside the mansion, Kellan greeted me with a big smile, but smelling obnoxiously of strawberry chapstick and bubblegum around his mouth.

I felt like throwing up then and there.

Kellan reached down and grabbed my shoes, replacing them delicately with house slippers.

“I got you a gift, sweetheart. A piece of the moon! You own half of the moon's surface now!” He cheered but I couldn't smile. The image of him on top of Zara's perfect body flashed and ruined my otherwise happy moment. My smile lasted for a millisecond before walking in.

As I entered the mansion, I checked the messages from the woman briefly,

Do you think he'll stay loyal to you longer than five years? Watch this.

And the video of their intimacy played silently in my phone. I was crying internally as well, but my face absolutely refused to show emotions.

Every item has a selling point.

Every human has a selling point.

And my husband was sold. With adventure from another woman.

Kellan dusted the house clean and made a five course meal by the time I was home for lunch. The scent of bubblegum and strawberries overwhelmed me again.

"And you didn't even take the driver with you. How many times should I tell you not to be such a strong woman?" His voice was of mockery.

"Is this your way of downgrading me to a useless piece of nothing?" As the words left my mouth, both of us were in shock.

"What...?" He didn't hear me quite well. I sat on the chair and shook my head, said, "Nothing."

He served me food like a housemaid. I enjoyed the royalties while it lasted.

"Baby. Guess what I did to ease your mind?" He prompted as I raised an eyebrow.

"I bought a plot close to the costliest area, around an acre of it." He was jittery again as he spoke. Normally I would have jumped and hugged him. But instead, I replied with, "Okay."

His smile faltered at my indifference before he composed again.

Kellan's company handles construction and development. In our area and even abroad, his sister companies generated a skyrocketing income. I must be the lucky wife who sat happily at home and bore his babies, right? Wrong.

"This is the 78th piece of land dedicated to me." I said and gave him a soft smile.

"Along with the parts of the moon? Yes. Because I love you, Astrid. Can you show me your accounts now?" He boasted his love for me.

This was our supper ritual. After or before eating, Kellan would go through my transaction history.

"That's sweet." He commented but didn't notice the transactions to the mailing service or other things because I secretly maintained my savings account after the marriage. I did an MBA from Harvard. I had a premonition of bad things happening and I had to keep myself safe.

"I know you love surprises." He stated. My eyes were saddened. I wanted to tell him these materialistic things never give me happiness. Time spent with him did. But I was too late.

"Since you're such a good husband, I prepared a bunch of surprises for you too." His eyes lit up when I said. As loving as he appears, he's just as shallow as he claims not to be.

"We spent five years together, we have fifty years more of love to give gifts." Kellan whispered and reached to kiss me again, but I swerved for the umpteenth time. I didn't want to puke on him.

"I'm going to give you an even bigger, memorable gift than what you'd give me!" He cheered like a boy, but I smirked in my head. I'm 1000% sure he wouldn't come close to how awesome my gift would be.

"Baby, I have to go. Take care and clean up if you'd like." He said. I raised an eyebrow.

"But I'm preg—" I tried to reason but Kellan cut me off.

"I love you!" He swung his coat over the shoulder and dashed out of the house. This has been a problem for years. He didn't believe in letting other people clean our dirty dishes. The kitchen is a storm whenever he cooks. I dreaded the overflowing sink but I knew I had to get things done.

In the evening, Kellan showed up in a different outfit than he had while leaving. He excitedly showed me the papers that would fill my stack and kissed my forehead.

"I love seeing my wife smile. Makes me so much more of a man." To his flattering words, I gave a crooked smile.

"You're only a man if you gift things to me?" I mumbled. This time, Kellan didn't hold back and said,

"You know how much I hate mumbling. What did you say?" I stared at him with a blank expression.

"Nothing." I replied flatly.

However, after a really long time, Kellan brought his work laptop and gestured me he'd be stuck in his office. I nodded.

I went back to my room to sleep at 8 pm. I was too tired, having puked out all the lunch he made lovingly in the afternoon.

There was a notification, from Zara Lennings. She showed a hand holding her as they strolled youthfully in the streets of California. She held Boba drink, bubblegum flavored with raspberry puree.

And the hand she was holding belonged to a married man. The plain platinum band on his ring finger wasn't even taken off.

I couldn't sleep, so I stirred up some cold noodles and came to Kellan's office. When I opened the door, I caught Kellan biting his lower lip and staring intently on the screen, with a creepy smile. He quickly shut the laptop and turned to me.

"I smell something yummy." He sang. I passed the bowl to him and sat on the couch beside.

We both got a notification at the same time when I checked Zara Lenning's post. I raised an eyebrow.

"I can explain." He spoke before I even opened my mouth.

Before I retired to be a housewife, I was the face of the company. Brand Ambassador. Now the title is held by his new PA.

"No need for an explanation. She's prettier. I got uglier." I said flatly. Kellan glided down to sit in front of my knees.

"That's not true, Astrid. You're still as beautiful as you were. If not, the glow is shining even better now." He tried to coax me. But I nodded my head and left. I knew he was speaking out of obligation.

I had a genetic condition, the only gift given by my deadbeat father: Beta Thalassemia.

Despite my chronic episodes of fatigue, I accepted to be the brand ambassador and rose to fame with Kellan's influence. Now that the title has been changed, social media has exploded with many different comments.

SOMEONE NEW COULD NEVER REPLACE THE BEAUTY QUEEN ASTRID.

WHAT IS SHE EVEN DOING HERE? NO MASS!

ARE WE TRUSTING PLASTICS TO SELL OUR LANDS AND BUY THEM NOW? I'M QUITTING THIS JOB MAN.

The last comment had a lot of likes. I secretly chuckled at them. Some supported her while some weren't kind about the change. While the rest remained quiet and opinionless.

However, there was a set of personal dramas going on in the chatroom for the company fan club.

QueenDS: What is your problem? You think she slept with the boss to get it?

FingerLi: That's right! Finally got it in your head!

QueenDS: You're a twisted little cuck

FingerLi: You'll regret what you said one day knowing I'm right.

Then a third person entered the chat...

Greengoo: What if I say...boss Kellan likes change?

The third person singlehandedly silenced the chaotic group chat. I kept staring at the message however.

Is that true? Did Kellan just crave some much needed change and tossed me to the side for that?

Then I looked into the company group chat as I was still admin.

KimD: Boss the change is bad.

HanaJ: I don't know what to say

MillerMay: The situation is well out of hands. There's more negative than encouragement boss

I smirked at the messages. There was a mile long messages more with Kellan and Zara arguing with the media and everyone else.

When I walked out of the room to get some water, I heard Kellan speaking to someone. Not on the phone.

I stopped myself there. The other voice was Zara's. How did she walk in without ringing the doorbell?

"I told you I didn't want to do this! You never listen! Now my sweet wife is being dragged into your mess too." I raised an eyebrow at Kellan's raised voice. People didn't speak bad about me just yet. What are they talking about?

"I know. I'm sorry, okay!? I can't revert and I want what i want! You needed that change! She's grown stale!" It was Zara who spoke. My head was boggled. Were they talking about the relationship or being ambassador?

Anyway, I felt too dizzy to stand up and rushed back to my room. I needed a health shot which I injected on my arm and went to sleep.

The next morning, Kellan was busy on a phone call, barking.

"I told you deliberately not to put it out in the front suddenly. It's all your fault! Didn't you care to make a better headline?" He shouted and I jumped my eyebrows. Kellan is just displacing his anger on others.

Suddenly, I felt dizzy and tried to heave out Kellan's name. Before I could, I fell to the ground and couldn't even utter a word.

"Astrid!" Knowing how high risk of a pregnancy I had, Kellan immediately rushed me to the hospital, barefoot.

We were photographed by paparazzi in front of the hospital. Our news turned big quickly.

HanK GROUP'S LEADER'S WIFE COLLAPSED AND BROUGHT TO CITY CENTRAL HOSPITAL? DID THE NEWS HIT THE PAST BRAND AMBASSADOR THAT HARD? ANOTHER REASON FOR NOT ACCEPTING CHANGE, FOLKS.

I turned to Kellan as the news channel flashed. I woke up three hours later.

"I don't care what they say." Kellan said and looked at his lap, he smiled. I knew I couldn't change his mind. He never listened.

Immediately after I woke up, someone barged in and collected Kellan away from me. It was Zara Lenning.

It was evident where they were going. I had to follow them. Discharging myself moments after they left, I found them walking to a cheap motel, faces hidden.

My stomach churned uncomfortably.

The look in their eyes spoke everything I needed to know.

I saw it all happen through the window. All his distress was evaporated when he kissed her fervently. A shudder ran down my spine at the way they were so intimate at the count of nothing.

Kellan wouldn't do that with me. I was the boring wife who didn't explore much. While she explored all things in the bedroom with Kellan. The only difference was...Kellan never asked me.

I officially discharged myself and drove back home.

Kellan came back home two days later. He was shocked to see me at home, reading a book.

"You should've been at the hospital." He pointed.

"Discharged myself early." My voice was flat as i replied. Panicked sweat trickled down his neck but he kept his calm and walked past. I smelled the obnoxious smell yet again. I was pissed.

"Baby…" He tried to speak. I sighed which made him stop. He came back after a shower and tried to make it up with me.

"You don't even read my messages. I told you I needed you." As he said next to me, I worded out.

"It was your fault for discharging yourself before time, Astrid. What did I do?" His eyebrows were knit close as he argued.

"So you're going to conveniently forget the detail about where you were for two days?" His face went pale when I said that.

"It's not about that. Well, we have some official work to do. Come with me to the office." I raised an eyebrow. Why was he diverting the topic?

"It's Sunday, genius." I pointed out the obvious.

"I know, my love. Get dressed." Saying, Kellan assisted me to the bathroom and groomed me to perfection. He paid special attention to my nails and face and picked a rather formal suit to wear. His favourite burgundy velvet suit he bought for me five months ago.

"Baby please. Talk to me. I can't stand your silence." He spoke out of nowhere while driving.

"I'm not angry." I replied, staring at the people walking down the roads.

When we reached the company, a mile long of employees welcomed me, acting as a red carpet line. We were led to the photoshoot area. I turned to Kellan, confused.

"You have to be the face of our company again, Astrid. The people love you. But you and Zara have to collaborate. So here she is." As he ended his sentence, Zara Lenning leaned over my husband and shot me a cunning glance. She was chewing bubblegum very loudly.

Her nose was perfect, her skin flawless. Her legs are long and skinny, perfect for a runway model. But the company never needed a runway model. They want a modest face without much caking up.

The photoshoot began, I was a seasoned model for four years continuously. The cameraman had trouble with Zara Lenning as she was making everything seem erotic. Sticking her chest and bottom out, smile bigger than wanted and eyes holding that cunning gaze that drove off customers. No wonder she faced such backlash.

"It's taking longer than usual." I complained to Kellan. He brought me cups and cups of warm water to keep me warm and comfortable. He fed me little snacks by hand during breaks. It was almost evening.

"Look at Boss Kellan doting over his wife. I want someone like him to be my husband!" The woman was being way too obvious as she said. She was a colleague.

"Are you as successful and beautiful as Ms Astrid? Then we'll talk. You didn't even get a degree!" Another colleague retorted and I chuckled at that. Getting a degree doesn't define being a good wife. They hardly knew our story too.

"Boss?" The cameraman offered beer cheerfully to Kellan. But Kellan glared nastily at the male.

"Can't you see I'm with my lovely wife? I don't drink in front of her. Beer is cheap." He grumbled and made the poor guy sweat. He trembled and stumbled away.

Kellan smiled at me. I was left wondering. He loves me too much to let me go. That's why he had an addition.

The assistant gave me a new pair of shoes for next round. Her mistake? They were heels.

"What the hell are these!?" Kellan shouted out of nowhere and threw them at her feet.

"Can't you see she's pregnant? It's bad for her health. Use the thing you carry over your neck. You're fired." After he barked, the poor woman walked away in tears. A new assistant came up and gave me comfortable shoes.

"Here," Kellan took my feet, taking a while longer to admire before slipping the shoes on my feet.

"Comfy?" He asked and I nodded gently.

He got a text message and suddenly,

"The photoshoot is cancelled. Go home. We will continue tomorrow." He announced. I raised an eyebrow. Almost immediately, Kellan flew out of the room to the green room.

When I followed him after to return the shoes, I caught Kellan and Zara kissing deeply. What's more disturbing? They did it in front of all employees.

I pretended like they didn't exist and walked back home, even though there was a driver.

The next day, the photoshoot continued without me. I heard Kellan saying gleefully,

"The barking dogs have been silenced. Zara will always be my top model and face of the company."

I rolled my eyes. But their conversation continued.

"I like her chest area. It's attractive." An older pervert who is also our Company's advisor commented.

"Even if they're fake." He added. Kellan let out a jittery laugh as his eyes darted all over her, "You should see the scars that I've seen for implants then. She bears her scars well too. Unlike someone!"

My eye twitched.

"But your wife's a killer too. Marriage and pregnancy changed her. It's almost your fault." I took pride in what advisor said. But Kellan didn't. He rudely dismissed the senior member and halted the shoot.

My eyes widened when the advisor turned around and caught me snooping. I glared at him and he nodded. I was still in power and could fire from his decades old job.

When I saw Kellan kissing Zara intently again, I lost it. I turned around and left without anyone dropping me off.

I missed a route. It was lost for more than a few hours until it turned dusky. When I recognised the area a little, I walked into the convenience store to buy few cleaning supplies and instant food.

A woman bumped into me at the meat section,

"Oh! I'm so sorry!" The shrieked but juice was spilt all over the floor. I should've taken the trolley.

"Great." I mumbled and flailed my hands but the woman called my name.

"BOSS ASTRID!" She split my ear drums with her noise.

"It was such a lovely surprise to be working with you! I'm honored, tremendously! I've grabbed the one in a billion chance! I'd love to have your number. Here you go." She wasn't even asking. I punched random digits on her keypad and returned the phone.

"Mrs Kellan." I said and walked away to get more juices since she spilt mine.

Minutes later, Zara texts me with,

GOTCHA! You think I'd miss out on this, boss? You're my inspiration. Of course I'd have taken your number from previous company records!

I groaned sitting on the park bench. She just had to display her exceptional stalking skills now.

Ah, the numbers must've been my other phones'

I texted back and she bought the lie so easily.

I know right! You're a busy, successful woman!

She replied but I left her on read. she messaged me just a minute later.

Mr Kellan and you are so lucky to have each other. Turns out, I prayed too hard and got the same luck!

The audacity...

Good that she had no idea I knew about their dirty little secret.

The next morning, I woke up to a ton of voice messages from Zara. She was drunk, clearly.

She bragged about her 'boyfriend' buying new cars, new gifts and accidentally revealed about being gifted pieces of moon as well. I rolled my eyes at how obvious it was, who she was talking about.

I turned to look at Kellan who walked in reeking of alcohol. My head turned to the phone again.

I will send you allll the flowers my boyfriend sent me because you deserve them!

Funny how she thought I'd find happiness in used goods. I'm not like her. I don't use used goods or men.

"Baby...what is this? Don't tell me this was your dinner!?" He spoke worriedly, looking at chip packages and canned juices. I rubbed my nose, nodding.

Kellan sobered up at the speed of light and stirred up a nutritious meal, three course.

I walked into the kitchen and asked, "Why didn't you even give me flowers?"

He froze in place. How would I know about Kellan gifting Zara 3000 flowers right? He thought he blew his cover.

"Because you deserve more than flowers, Astrid. You're a flower yourself. The most beautiful one in my garden." He flirted.

"I must be a rose then. I grew thorns late." My response puzzled him. I walked away.

Half an hour later as we were eating, the delivery service showed up. I was puzzled and waited for Kellan to come back with...

"Juliet Roses. For the most beautiful, priceless woman on the planet." Kellan spoke grandly. My eyebrows threatened to jump in surprise. One rose must cost nearly 20,000$. He bought 777 of these.

"Thank you." I took the bouquet and smashed it to the ground, leaving Kellan speechless.

He slowly gazed up, disbelief and hurt covering his eyes with tears.

"Why trample over something I gave with such passion?" He voiced, breaking gravely.

"Because you'd do the same with mine. Except, it was with my heart." I said begrudgingly and walked away, leaving the lunch to get cold.

No matter how much he kneeled and begged in front of me, followed me around the house pleading, I didn't tell him.

What was the point?

He wouldn't understand no matter how loudly I screamed.

I clutched my belly and heard his cries from other side of the door.

I knew what I had to do next.

I waited two more days for Kellan to leave. It aligned with my plan well.

He went straight to the wench's house. How did I know?

"He's such a cool boss..." The audio played, from a recording from Zara as she was hospitalized for malnutrition. He'll stay there and help her. It was funny how easily he got distracted from sorrow.

Meanwhile, I got ready and met up with a tailored and seasoned real estate agent. He was more than pleased to hear that I was selling the billion dollar house of Kellan, CEO of HanK Group.

"Pleasure doing business with you, Mrs Astrid." The real estate agent Abu Istefah smirked.

"Miss Astrid." I corrected the old man who smirked harder and lit a blunt between his charcoal lips. This was just the beginning of thorn stabs over Kellan.

I was feeling too weak and slept in afternoon. Until evening, when a distraught Kellan shook me awake.

"Baby. Babe! Wake up. What are all these?" He yelled and shoved the phone in my face. I tried to read with blurry vision.

"Cancellation messages." I said calmly, groggily.

"Yes, but what are these for?" He asked, panicking.

"Netflix, Gmail, Amazon Prime, Hulu and other subscription cancellations. You want a damn list?" I acted irritated and that let him be.

"Oh, I'm sorry baby. Let me make it up to you." He cooed but I rolled my eyes and went back to sleep. Around 8 pm, Kellan woke me up with dinner at my bedside with luscious steak and curry. The smell woke me up instantly.

"But I shouldn't eat steak during pregnancy." I stated the obvious.

"Oh. I'm sorry." Kellan immediately threw the food in the dustbin and walked to me.

"Blueberry pancakes?" He asked softly but I shook my head and replied, "Sleep."

Kellan insisted that we cuddled. It was pretty cold so I agreed and let him slip in beside me.

"I love you, Astrid. You know that." He stated, unprompted.

"I didn't say anything." I replied.

"I just wanted to say it." He whispered, then kissed the crown of my head.

"And about Zara Lenning...you're okay with her being the ambassador right?" His wavering voice asked.

"You're the CEO. Not me." My response made him hum softly.

"Zara Lenning is a good woman. She's understanding, supportive and patient. Just like you." His words were growing pissant at that point. Kellan went on and on about her while comparing her traits with mine.

Then I realized...

He would've loved me more if I became HER. And not the other way around. I thought he liked Zara because she was like...me.

In the middle of the night, after I managed to shut down and sleep, Kellan was nowhere to be seen. I turned around to find a note,

Something came up at work. I love you

His constant reminders of how falsely he loved me made me sick.

I didn't pay attention to it and slept back right away. It was a big day next day.

Well, the next morning, I wrote a note with a smile. This would be my last piece of communication with my husband.

While I was writing, Zara's message popped up,

Hey Sissy! Would your husband like premium scotch or white coconut rum? I don't know him as much as you do. Help out a precious princess in distress!

I made a face of disgust and blocked her contact once and for all.

The words I wrote liberated me out of five years of misery:

THIS IS WHAT YOU DO WITH CHEATERS.

And I was out.

My two bags and important papers were my only luggage. I sold away the mansion, my pieces on moon and on the surface of earth as well.

When I was boarding the plane, Kellan's SOS call made an eyebrow quirk up.

"Yes?" I acted normal and answered.

"You sold my maternal house!? What's going on, my love? Are you still upset? I'll make it up to you, give me a chance!" He mentioned ‘my maternal house’ not ‘ours’. I smirked at that.

"No need for another chance, Kellan. Thick papers from mail await you. Don't forget to receive them for me. Bye!" I cheered at the end, happiness filling me.

"Astrid—!" Before he could convince me to stay on call to track me down, I pulled the SIM out and folded it in half, shoving it deep into the seat crevice.