Of all the terrible things Conrad Grayson has done over the years, he wondered if this was the worst. And yet, every so often the urge crept in and he was unable to resist.
Although his wife, Victoria tried to keep her distance from him, he was a smart man. And he knew his wife very well. He knew that she hadn't been sleeping at night. She tried to hide it, but he knew all the signs. Even sleeping across the hall from her, he knew the sound of her balcony door in the silent night. He understood the illumination under her door. He was also well aware of the heart wrenching squeaks that represented his wife crying softly into her pillow. After the David Clarke fiasco, he was all to aware of not only that agonizing sound, but also the fact that he caused it.
Contrary to popular belief, Conrad loved his wife. It was taboo, but he often feared that given two choices, he would save his wife before he'd save his children. He had hurt Victoria countless times over the years but only to keep her to himself. Her brown eyes were so full of life when they first met, and after every stunt he pulled to clip her wings, he saw her eyes fill with pain. He often thought if given the chance, he could bring back the vibrant wife he fell in love with. Maybe that's why he was unable to stop himself from violating her the way he sporadically did.
It took a bit of a bribe from Marta, the Grayson's hired help. It wasn't the first time she'd caved under her employer. With a deep sign and a disapproving shake of her head she snatched the money.
"This is wrong, Mister Grayson."
"She needs this Marta."
That night, Marta took Victoria her nightly tea. But this cup was different. Like so many times before, Marta had crushed sleeping pills into Victoria's tea. She always favored Conrad over Victoria, but she couldn't help but feel pity of the social queen. Always standing up on her balcony, like princesses in fairy tales waiting for a prince to come. Unlike Rapunzel, Conrad would always chop Victoria's hair before he'd allow a prince to come rescue her.
"Thank you, Marta." Victoria said from her balcony, not even bothering to look up.
"Miss Victoria, you need to get some rest tonight. Please."
Marta braced herself for Victoria's wrath. Her boss did not like taking orders from anyone, let alone the help. To her surprise, Victoria gently squeezed Marta's arm.
"Thank you, Marta. I appreciate the concern." Victoria said with a weak smile. Marta didn't often see this side of Victoria. The broken side, silently pleading for anyone to love her enough to glue the pieces back together.