CHAPTER 5: My Husband

DAPHNE'S POV

The remaining people in the bar area were craning their necks to watch us. Lyssander waved a hand furiously. "Go to a room and let's talk."

"You seemed to enjoy kneeling in public earlier," I countered, raising an eyebrow provocatively.

He was wearing a tank top that clung to his muscular frame. His trousers were unbuttoned, left in a messy state. Why didn't he just enjoy himself with Melantha in a room instead of letting her run out like that?

Or perhaps he had other girls on the side, so he didn't even care about her? How disgusting!

"Don't speak as if you’re better than me, Daphne!" Lyssander emphasized as he tightened his hold on Melantha. "You greedy woman. You’re never satisfied. You were just with another man yourself!"

"Oh, but... look at how she’s dressed..." Melantha giggled.

The others laughed along. Clearly, they believed my current attire wasn't attractive enough for any man to pay attention to me.

"True, it would be a miracle if anyone even noticed her," Lyssander sneered with contempt.

My cheeks burned. The laughter made me want to tuck my tail and run. I stood my ground, however, and asked, "What did you use to buy that house for her?"

"With my money, of course." He turned pale. He released Melantha and stepped forward to shield her.

"Your money?" I laughed. "Or was it mine?"

"The money of a foolish woman who gave all decision-making power to her husband."

"You bastard!" I growled and lunged forward.

Lyssander backed away.

"Coward!" the bartender shouted.

"It was you who agreed to it, Daphne. You entrusted me with the freedom to use your assets. You and your foolish, greedy self—and that wild family of yours!" Lyssander roared. "You drive me crazy!"

I punched Lyssander in the face. He staggered backward. Melantha and those around us were visibly shocked. She stood between me and Lyssander and shrieked, "That’s going too far, Daphne!"

"How ridiculous. I’d have to be an idiot to stand by while someone insults my family."

"Get lost, you spoiled brat!" Melantha yelled at me.

"Shut your mouth, you fool!" I snarled. I glanced at the crowd that had been enjoying the hell out of this drama.

They immediately dispersed.

"You won't be able to do anything to him. You’ll lose everything, Daphne. He has many connections that can easily ruin you. So, get on your knees and beg him for forgiveness."

"Threatening me?" I laughed. "Even your whore has the right to threaten me now!"

Melantha helped Lyssander stand up. They looked like a pair of pitiful victims being bullied by me.

"Our relationship isn't even worth as much as a whore's crotch," I said, staring deep into Lyssander’s grey eyes.

For a split second, it seemed he felt some sympathy for me. But as soon as Melantha pressed her face into his shoulder and whispered something, Lyssander’s attitude shifted instantly.

His voice became colder and firmer. "Mel is right, Daphne. I have many connections that could destroy you. No matter... what you think you are."

Yes, he was right. I was a lone werewolf. And he was a man with social standing. He didn't need me; he only needed the girl he deemed precious. I could only endure it, breathing deeply. I would back down and prepare the divorce papers.

And then what? Then he would go back to having fun with her as if nothing had happened.

"Lyssander." I parted my lips, my heart tightening. "Why did you have to do this to me?"

My husband was stunned.

"You know full well I only had you. I trusted you enough to let you know everything about me. Is this what I get in return?" My eyes welled up.

"You..." Lyssander swallowed hard. Melantha’s hand touched his chest.

Her plump lips parted. "She isn't satisfied with you."

"Do you share everything with her?" I wiped the tears from my cheeks.

"Daphne." Lyssander looked pained as he faced me. "...tell me, do you love me? Throughout the time we’ve been together, have you ever... been satisfied?"

"That’s just about sex, Lyssander." And it shouldn't be discussed here. I instinctively shrank back, looking around to see if anyone was listening.

"What’s there to hide? Everything is already out in the open." His lips trembled. He struck his chest. "I thought the reason lay with me. I changed, but you stayed the same. You didn't even try to improve it..."

"Shut up, Lyssander," I stammered, "It’s not..."

"Mel is the one who let me know I’m normal. You’re the abnormal one! Tell me the truth, Daphne. Throughout the time you loved me, were you ever fully devoted to me?"

"Yes," I affirmed, "That is the one thing I am certain of."

"Then you misunderstand yourself." Lyssander tightened his grip on Melantha’s waist. "Go away, Daphne. This is no place for a hole made of dry clay."

I stood frozen at his insult. He was implying that because I didn't show satisfaction in bed, he had the right to betray me, to destroy me...

Lyssander and Melantha left coldly. Without a glance back. Without an apology... even though I had managed to evoke a sense of guilt from him.

My husband didn't bother to empathize with me. Didn't stand by me. He blamed me for everything. Soon, I would go home and divorce him. The assets would be split, and I would lose my woodshop because it was under his name.

I would have nothing left.

And he would gather with his friends. Kissing Melantha’s wet lips. They would forget about Daphne Leandros, whom they had made miserable...

"No. They don't have the right to do this to me," I muttered and started to move toward the quiet hallway.

I could go straight home, hug my mother and cry my eyes out, then prepare for a divorce and sink into a life of self-reproach. I could go straight to Lyssander, snap his neck, and tear into his whore. But that wouldn't accomplish anything.

I wanted to destroy him from the roots up. I wanted him to suffer and look at me differently.

I wanted him to be ashamed that he couldn't conquer me. Ashamed because, when he whined about me not showing satisfaction, another man would do it ten thousand times better than him.

I knocked on the door three times. Theron’s door opened, revealing the muscular man standing before me.

Theron wore a smug smile. "Hello, Daphne."