Chapter 4

My stomach clenched at his tone.

My husband.

The man I had loved with all my heart. The father of my unborn child.

And yet, after everything that had happened to me, all he cared about was dinner.

My heart ached at the indifference in his tone. It was always like this. I had spent years making sure his meals were perfect. I secretly enrolled in cooking classes to learn different cuisines because I wanted to ensure that I always served him a variety of dishes. I cooked each meal to his exact preference. I made sure it was hot the moment he stepped inside the mansion. 

But today, I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. The effort felt wasted on a man who barely acknowledged my existence beyond the roles I played for him.

Not after everything that had happened.

Not after he cheated on me. 

"Emma! Where are you?" Once again, Andrew’s sharp voice rang in my ears. I took a deep breath and forced myself to stand up, despite the pain shooting through my injured leg. 

Slowly, I made my way to the dining room. 

“Finally,” Andrew exclaimed as he rolled his eyes. My fingers tightened around the edge of a chair as I steadied myself. Did he not see the cast on my leg? Did he not notice the way I walked? 

Did he forget what I told him earlier about me being in an accident? 

I wanted to tell him everything. But the words died in my throat. 

"I didn’t prepare any dinner tonight.” I tried to steady my voice as my heart bled with his indifference. “My leg is injured. It’s not easy for me to move around." 

Andrew barely looked at me before brushing it off with a dismissive wave. "You’re using your hands in preparing the food, right? So that’s not a big thing.”

My eyes widened. “Not a big thing?”  I wonder if he knows I almost lost my life in the accident.

Andrew scoffed. “Whatever. I will call a bone doctor to check on you in a few days if that’s what you’re nagging about.” 

I let out a breathless laugh. My heart felt hollow and bitter.

Just like before—he thinks sending a doctor my way will make me thank him?

I had an accident, for crying out loud! This happened while I was carrying his child! 

"Do you have any idea how close I was to—" 

I wanted to tell him about the ordeal but I stopped myself before the words came out of my mouth. My throat tightened with too much emotion. As the days gone by, Andrew was treating me worse and worse.

I felt a sting at the back of my eyes. “Aren’t you gonna ask how I injured my legs?” 

"F4ck! Everything is about you, isn’t it?" Andrew snapped. He rubbed his temples like I was nothing but an annoyance to him. "Do you even realize how critical things are for the pack right now? I’m busy expanding our business. I am busy with my alpha duties. All I wanted was to eat a warm meal after a tiring day. Is that hard to understand?”

Understand him? That was all I had ever done. 

I had understood him when he came home late without a word. 

I had understood him even when he had made it clear that I was merely an accessory to his life. 

But this? 

This was my breaking point. I just can’t bring myself to be understanding anymore. I don’t even want to hold on this marriage anymore.

"Okay, got it," I said. My voice was void of emotion. Without another word, I turned and walked toward the study. 

The moment I shut the door, tears pricked my eyes. I had never felt so alone. I had never felt so unwanted. 

The man I once loved has changed. No matter what, I need to get out of this life.

If Andrew no longer sees my worth, then, I won’t force myself to him anymore. 

My gaze drifted to my laptop on the desk. Taking a deep breath, I powered it on and began typing. My fingers were shaking as I pressed the letter keys. I knew that this draft would be my only salvation in this loveless marriage that had been tearing me down. 

Divorce.