His wife is the woman he’s searching for

The Wife He Neglected

Aria checked the time again: eleven o'clock.

The food on the dining table had already gone cold; the candles she had carefully arranged with intentionality were burning lower and lower with every passing minute. Still, she waited.

“Maybe he didn’t see my message, or maybe there was an emergency meeting; probably he was on his way home,” she blinked repeatedly, “trying to stop tears from falling.”

She lowered her eyes and stared at the small anniversary gift beside her plate.

Two years!

Two years of being Mrs Liam, lived under the same roof, had conversations that never lasted for five minutes. And yet, it felt as though she was still a stranger in his life.

The sound of footsteps pulled her out of her thoughts.

Lilly walked into the dining room, all dressed up as though she was going to a party as always. Her eyes immediately landed on Aria and the dishes lying cold on the dining table. A mocking smile appeared on her face.

"You are still waiting?"

Aria pretended not to hear her. Unfortunately, Lilly never needed her responses to continue.

"Do you seriously think my brother is going to leave his work? Because the queen wants to celebrate her marriage anniversary, that means nothing to my brother?

Aria tightened her fingers under the table.

Lilly laughed softly. "I don't even know what he saw in you.”

The familiar ache settled inside Aria's chest. She was not entirely wrong; sometimes Aria asked herself the same question.

The answer was always nothing. Their marriage was out of convenience, a solution to a problem. Aria never saw herself as a woman Dave would ever want or love.

Aria ignored Lilly’s insult. Over the years, silence had become her shield; arguing or defending herself only made things worse and had never changed anyone's opinion.

Lilly crossed her arms. "You should really stop embarrassing yourself."

"Lilly, enough." Everly, Liam's voice interrupted her.

Aria's mother-in-law walked into the room with her usual calm expression.

She looked elegant as always. She did not look at Aria, not even once.

She sat on the sofa nearby and scrolled through her phone as if nothing had happened

‘Lilly smirked and went upstairs.” The conversation ended not because Everly was defending Aria. She just disliked unnecessary arguments, especially when it concerns Aria. Or arguments that could affect the family's image

Aria stood up quietly, packing up the dishes. The maid rushed toward her.

"Ma'am, let me clean it up.

Aria smiled softly."It's okay."

The older woman looked heartbroken on her behalf. She was one of the few people who treated Aria kindly. Perhaps because she had witnessed the humiliations and loneliness Aria had gone through in that house.

Aria carried the dishes back into the kitchen. She tried so hard not to let the tears that were already forming in her eyes drop because crying over the same pain for two years felt exhausting.

When she finally returned to her room, her tears greeted her once again.

She sat on the edge of the bed. Staring at the boxed gift in her hands.

A simple silver tie pin. Just something she thought Dave might like. A bitter smile appeared on her lips. What was she expecting?

Had she forgotten what she meant to him? The answer was obvious. But she hoped something could change, which was her biggest weakness.

Aria walked into the bathtub to drain her thoughts; the heat soothed her aching muscles but failed to quiet her mind.

After some time, she stepped out and changed into comfortable clothes.

She heard familiar footsteps. Her heartbeat raced so fast

“Dave!” She whispered

She knew his footsteps better than anyone. Over the last two years, she had unconsciously memorized everything about him. The sound of his footsteps, the scent of his cologne, how he loosened his tie after work, how he rubbed his forehead when stressed, and what time he went to bed.

The footsteps stopped outside her room. For a second, she could not hear herself breathing.

“Maybe he wanted to apologize.” She wished

The footsteps walked past her door.

“ Aria closed her eyes.” She let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding in.

Morning came so early because she barely slept last night. After getting ready, she walked downstairs.

The dining room was already occupied. Everly, Lilly, and Dave were already eating. For some reason, seeing him made her heart react the same way it always did, like a foolish college girl.

She sat beside him.

"Good morning." No one responded; she was not surprised.

"So you finally decided to come down." Lilly rolled her eyes

Aria picked up her spoon quietly.

"Won't you be going out doing nothing again like every other day?" Lilly continued.

Before Aria could react, a cold voice interrupted.

"Lilly!"

His single word froze the room. Dave looked at his sister; his expression remained calm. But the warning in his eyes was very clear.

Lilly immediately lowered her head.

For a moment, Aria was stunned. Dave rarely involved himself in family matters or his sister’s insults towards her

A few minutes later, Dave stood up. Aria expected him to leave immediately as usual. Instead, he stopped beside her chair. She looked up.

For a brief second, their eyes met. Something unreadable flashed across his face.

"I'm sorry about yesterday." He said.

Aria's heart froze. Before she could process the apology, he was already walking away. She stared at his back.

Did Dave Liam just apologize to me? She beamed.

"Brother!" Lilly's voice echoed through the room.

Dave paused near the entrance.

"Guess what?" Lilly giggled.

He looked over his shoulder.

"Bella is returning tomorrow for the fashion gala event."

Aria was not given the chance to enjoy her husband’s apologies for long, her hand hanging in the air at the sound of that name.

“Bella!” She groaned.

The name hit her harder than she expected. The woman Dave once loved.

who broke his heart, the one person who had occupied a place in his life that Aria never could.

Aria looked toward Dave. His expression did not change. Without saying anything, he continued walking. The room suddenly felt too small and suffocating for Aria.

Aria stood up. "Excuse me." She said, no one noticed the panic hidden beneath her calm expression. She climbed the stairs quickly.

Bella was coming back. For the first time in two years, fear settled inside her chest.

“Will he choose her again for the second time?”