Chapter 3 — The Invisible Wound

The front door had just closed after Ryan, Vina, and Vania left, but the cold air they had left behind still lingered throughout the room. Elara stood upright in the middle of the living room, her face calm, while her fingers, folded at her sides, were clenched so tightly that her knuckles had turned white.

Mike stood a few steps in front of her. His gaze had turned cold again, as if the man who had gently comforted Vania earlier was not the same person.

He took his black suit jacket from the back of the sofa, then put it on with calm movements.

“If you still want to stay, that’s up to you,” Mike said without looking at her. His voice was flat, almost without emotion. “But don’t expect anything.”

Elara slowly lifted her face.

Mike turned to look at her, his eyes sharp and hard. “No matter how long,” he continued softly yet piercingly, “I will never consider you my wife.”

Those words landed right in Elara’s chest like shards of glass, painfully sharp.

Yet her face remained calm. She did not want Mike to see how cracked her heart was at this moment.

Mike picked up his work bag, preparing to walk toward the door. After only two steps, Elara moved quickly.

Her hand reached out and held Mike’s wrist.

The touch made the man stop in his tracks.

Mike turned around, slightly surprised. “What is it now, Elara?”

For a few seconds, Elara only stared at the face of the man before her. The face that had once been the reason why she had willingly surrendered her entire life. The face that now only left behind wounds.

But her lips still formed a faint smile. “Your tie is crooked,” she said softly.

Mike froze.

Elara stepped closer. The distance between them was now so thin that she could smell Mike’s very familiar cologne. Her delicate hand rose to smooth the fold of Mike’s suit on his shoulder. Her fingers moved slowly, gently patting the chest area, straightening the slightly bent collar.

Her movements looked calm, like a wife taking care of her husband before he left for work.

Meanwhile, inside her chest, something was shattering into pieces.

Mike stared at her without blinking.

In fact, Elara often did this. Every morning she would straighten his suit, adjust his tie, and make sure Mike looked perfect.

But there was something different today. There was a gentleness that was too calm. And that was exactly what made Mike feel strange.

Elara raised her hand a little higher, then began fixing Mike’s tie. Her fingers touched the knot, pulling it slowly until it sat neatly in the middle of the collar. She stood very close. So close that if she lifted her face just a little, their eyes would meet.

And when that happened, Elara felt an unbearable pain. Mike’s gaze no longer held even the slightest trace of warmth. There was only coldness.

Yet she kept smiling. “There…” she whispered softly. “Now it’s neat.”

Her hand rose again, this time brushing aside the front strands of Mike’s hair that had slightly fallen over his forehead. Her fingers touched the strands with a gentle movement.

Mike truly froze.

There was something in Elara’s touch this morning that made his chest feel unfamiliar. As if this woman was touching him for the last time.

“You’re handsome,” Elara said softly.

Mike stared at her for a long moment. The man did not immediately brush away Elara’s touch. Maybe because he was too shocked. Or perhaps because there was something in the woman’s gaze that made him unable to move.

Then, unexpectedly, Elara rose slightly on her tiptoes. Her lips touched Mike’s cheek. A brief kiss that felt warm.

Mike’s body immediately stiffened. The man’s eyes widened slightly. During their two years of marriage, Elara had never done this. She had never lowered herself this much to ask for affection. Yet this morning, the woman did it. And that was exactly what made Mike feel uncomfortable.

Elara leaned closer to his ear, then whispered in a very soft voice, “Forever, you will remain my husband.”

Those words made Mike freeze even longer.

But before he could say anything, Elara had already pulled herself away.

A faint smile was still etched on her lips.

As if everything was perfectly fine.

Even though if Mike had been perceptive enough, he would have seen the pain pooling in the woman’s eyes.

Without waiting for an answer, Elara turned around. Her steps were calm as she walked up the stairs toward the upper floor.

The moment she reached the doorway of the bedroom and the door closed behind her—her tears fell. Elara leaned against the door, one hand covering her mouth so that her sobs would not be heard outside.

Her chest felt tight.

As if someone had just torn her heart apart while she was still alive.

Yet even in the middle of her tears, there was no weakness on that face. There was only sorrow and determination.

She cried, but she was not a weak woman.

Those tears were only tears.

Not defeat.

Meanwhile downstairs, Mike stood still for a moment. His hand unconsciously touched the cheek where Elara had kissed him.

Strange.

That touch could still be felt.

But the next second, he ignored everything.

His face turned cold again.

He picked up his work bag and left without looking back.

The sound of Mike’s car faded away from the yard.

Inside the room, Elara slowly wiped away her tears. Her gaze fell on the large mirror in front of the dressing table. Her reflection looked so unfamiliar.

A woman who had lived for two years only for a love that had turned her into a foolish woman.

She picked up her phone from the bedside table. Her hand paused for a moment over one name—Eric Calthom, her old friend. The man who had always believed in her abilities.

After taking a deep breath, Elara pressed the call button.

The phone connected in only two rings.

A warm voice was immediately heard from the other side. “Elara?”

Instantly, Elara’s eyes grew hot again. It had been so long since she had heard that voice.

“Eric…”

A small laugh was heard from the other end. “It’s been years, why are you only contacting me now?”

The man’s tone was light, but there was a sincere warmth that made Elara’s heart feel a little calmer.

Elara took a breath. “I want to focus on the medical world again.”

“Are you sure?”

Elara looked at herself in the mirror.

The woman who had once been known as a genius cardiologist.

The woman who had left everything behind for Mike.

Now it was time to return.

“I’m sure,” she said firmly. “Can you help me?”

A small laugh full of happiness was heard. “Of course.” Eric’s tone turned enthusiastic. “Welcome back, genius doctor.”

Elara’s lips truly smiled.

A small smile, but real.

After the call ended, she placed her phone on the table. Her gaze returned straight to her reflection. Slowly, her fingers touched her own face, wiping away the remaining tears.

“That’s enough. It’s been far too long that I let love control my life. It’s time for me to reclaim who I truly am.”

Elara smiled again.

“I am no longer just a neglected wife. I am not a substitute either. I am Elara Yoris, I am a genius doctor. A woman who once shone. And this time, I will not let anyone destroy my life again, including Mike and Vania!”