Ch.3~Jodie

Jodie

I left Evelyn's office with the test result and divorce papers in my bag, how ridiculous it sounds. But I rather with my head high than feeling like a melted marshmallow.

I should get this over with quickly, my ticket is booked and my bags are ready. Walking to the door of Enid's ward again, my body shivers. My grip on my bag strap tightens.

“Why won’t you answer me?” I hear Enid whine as I get close to the door. But Calden doesn’t say a word back. I pause right at the door.

What unreasonable request is she making this time? But it doesn’t matter. He’ll give her whatever it is she wants.

“No. I’m married,” Calden finally responds, and my breath hitches. Did I hear that right? Calden actually said no? To Enid?

I’ve never heard my husband acknowledge this marriage for any reason, but he’s saying those words right now to the one person he’ll never want to hurt?

A small, ridiculous hope flickers in my chest. I clutch my shirt. Could it be he is reconsidering the divorce? If so, then maybe we can raise our child together. I cling to that foolish hope even though I should know better. Calden said it was me who wanted the divorce, and maybe he’s right in a way.

But the truth is, for the past few months...no, from the very beginning—our marriage has been as good as dead. I bite my lower lip, even thinking about it makes my chest throb.

A few weeks ago, Enid’s gene surgery was successful. I knew instantly that marked the time for the marriage to fall apart. Enid would recover gradually, and I… I didn’t want to be under the same roof with my husband and the woman he loved. I can’t even call her a third person because, in reality, I feel like the third one. So I decided to step away.

But why hasn’t he told her about the divorce yet? Enid would be thrilled to hear it. Could it be that he actually doesn’t want to go through with the divorce?

Before I can think further, her soft sobs reach my ears. “It’s all my fault,” Enid cries. “Because of me, you had to marry her. You’ve sacrificed so much for me.”

“Everything I did was worth it. I won’t let anything happen to you.” Right, that response did it.

I close my eyes, the tiny spark of hope snuffed out completely. That’s the truth then. There’s no misunderstanding. He did it because of his love for her, not me. After all, he agreed to marry me only because of my blood.

This is my role in this marriage. Nothing more than a blood bag. Enid’s recovery depends on my blood.

But that’s just him being way too eager. Whether he married me or not, I still would have donated blood to Enid. My parents and my brother would have forced me to, regardless of my choice.

Through the small crack of the door, I see her crying into his chest. Then she lifts her face and kisses him gently. Calden doesn’t pull away. All I feel is a hollow ache in my chest as if the world had gone cold around me.

My sister and my husband kissing in front of my parents, yet mother just stands there fixing Enid's bags and father is on his phone, both pretending not to see what's in front of them.

So, he didn't respond to my message and ended my call all for this? He was busy talking with Enid?

I feel the prick in my anger, such an irritating sight…Lila my wolf growls in my head.

I should really let him be. This marriage has always been too crowded for three. I slip my phone out of my bag and quickly type. I knew he saw my messages earlier and just ignored me, maybe since this one is about what he so desperately wants, he would respond.

*I’m at the hospital. Meet me in the lounge. Let's finalize the divorce.*

I walk away, trying not to think about what’s happening behind that door.

The lounge is nearly empty. I sit down, open my purse, and pull out a cigarette. The lighter clicks. The flame dances for a moment before I realize what I am doing. I can’t be smoking anymore, not with a baby inside me.

My wolf stirs faintly inside before her voice comes in weakly. *You’re really bad at this mother thing already.*

I laugh softly, almost embarrassed. “Yeah, I know, Lila. I didn’t think it was possible anymore.”

She doesn’t answer. Lila’s been quiet for months. All the blood I’ve given Enid left her drained and fragile, like the strength that used to fill my bones just… leaked away. My wolf feels smaller now.

I whisper, “I’m sorry,” and mean it. Sorry for dragging her through this. This divorce will not only separate me from my mate, but Lila will lose her mate too, and that is going to be unbearable for her.

When the door is suddenly pushed open, I look up and see Calden, his eyes landing on me. “You’re smoking again?” he growls and his stormy gray eyes softening. Why is he giving me that look?

Like he cares.

“I wasn’t,” I say quickly, hiding the crushed cigarette under a tissue. “I forgot for a second.”

He sighs, shaking his head, his dark brown hair that's always naturally messy in a way that somehow suits him falls a bit to the front, covering part of his left brow, and somehow even that small motion makes my chest ache. I shouldn't feel this way, but I can't help it. Seeing him here makes all the hurt scatter for a second.

The look in his eyes right now is the same look he gave me the day he saved me 10years ago. I never learn my lesson—still fluttering like a lovesick teenager. I don’t need Lila to judge me; I’m already condemning myself for the hopeless love.

Still… if Calden were to say just one word...if he looked at me, and asked me to stay—I would. I know I would.

But if he doesn’t… I won’t keep degrading my own dignity.

I pull the divorce papers from my bag and slide them halfway across the table. He reaches for them, but I pull them back before he can touch them. But then, if Calden really doesn't want this marriage to continue, why did he tell Enid he was married?

“I…I heard what you said in there,” I blurt out, my voice shaking a bit. “What did you mean when you told Enid you’re married?”

For a moment his face freezes, but it disappears quickly. “Because I am. Until the papers are signed.”

It shouldn’t surprise me anymore, but it still stings.

“You didn’t tell her about the divorce,” I say quietly, hoping I’m not just setting myself up for humiliation. “Why?”

He doesn’t answer right away, just looks down at his hands. “I don’t want to hurt her. Enid has a soft heart for you… she’ll blame herself for our divorce.”

I almost snort. Is he color-blind? Because how come he can’t see the dark bitch in front of him?

“You should at least let—” but he cuts me off with a glare.

“It has nothing to do with you.” Calden says, his eyes shifting to the document under my hand. “You asked for the divorce, Jodie,”

The words land heavier than I expect. I stare at him for a moment before sighing. There's no need to push this any further. I slide the papers toward him. “Here. Please, give them to Evelyn when the process is done.”

Calden’s gaze hardens, irritation flickering in his eyes as he lets out a short breath. “Do it yourself, Jodie. Evelyn’s my pack doctor, not your assistant.” His tone is clipped, “Stop making it harder." He clicks his tongue.

“And, If you’re sure about this, don’t forget to make sure to pack every single thing that belongs to you—”

“I know,” I cut in, my voice sharper than I meant. “I’ve already packed my things. I’ll leave today.”

That gets his attention, his head snaps back to me, his stormy gray eyes widening a bit. It’s as if he’s seeing the reality of the divorce for the first time.

His brows draw together, and his tone, unlike his usual calm, asks, “Where will you go?”

The face I love so much shows the expression I hate the most again — cold, irritated. But His sudden concern twists something deep inside me. Calden never bothers to ask where I go.

"Are you worried about me?" I say softly. I shouldn't get carried away.

Calden studies me, that unreadable expression back again. “I just wanted to make sure you’re not pulling another childish stunt,” he says, each word sharp enough to cut. “I won’t always tolerate your little dramas.”

To him, everything I’ve done was just a desperate bid for attention.

I force a bitter smile. "It's fine. We're done now."

I stand and take a deep breath, gathering my bag. The ache in my chest spreads, sharp and suffocating.

I turn before he can see the tears I’ve been holding back pour out.

It’s okay, Jodie. You’re free now. You finally escaped this twisted marriage. I’ll take the pup as the only gift I ever got from a bond that brought me nothing but pain.

Calden’s gaze lingers on me before turning to leave, I look at him one last time, searching his face for any trace of emotion and reaction at all, but there’s nothing.

The lounge feels strangely too cold all of a sudden. I should follow after him since I need to say goodbye to my mother one last time, but my legs are not moving. 

After a while, I push up from the chair, walking down the hallway…my mother is the only one who ever showed me a bit of care, even though they only ever come after donating blood to her and Enid. My mother is also sick, and a few times I’ve had to give her my blood, that's the only moment she manages to mutter an appreciation.

Now I can hear the muffled voices coming from Enid's ward.

I push the door open, the sound of it startling my mother… my father finally looking up. I wait to see any guilty reaction from Calden but I get nothing. Not even a flinch, my brows creases as Enid gives me a knowing grin.

“Jodie dear,” My mother calls out softly, dropping the bag and walking towards me. 

Right then, Calden gets up and turns to Enid. “I should go handle the discharge papers, I'll be right back.” He says, not bothering to look at me.

“Oh, let me go with you then,” My mother says but Calden shakes his head, letting her know it's fine if he goes alone. He brushes past me like I was never in the room.

“Cal—” I try to call him back. But my father cuts me off.