Chapter 4

Emma

My stomach clenched at his tone.

My husband.

The man I had loved with all my heart.

My alpha. 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 the heck 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. 

Why? Because I knew Andrew wouldn’t care. 

He never did, anyway. 

"Sorry, but 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 deal.”

My eyes widened. “Not a big deal?” 

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. How could he say such things to me? 

How could he be so heartless? 

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?” 

"Fuck! 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 when he ignored me at social gatherings. 

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

I had understood him whenever he was making some time to be with Ruby but not with me.

But this? 

This was my breaking point.

"Okay, got it," I said. My voice was void of emotion. Without another word, I turned and walked toward the study where I spent most of my time crying for him. 

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

I had never felt so low about myself. 

But I had enough. 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.

The word sent a shiver down my spine. When I married Andrew, I promised myself to protect this sacred vow. But now, this vow I held on to had been nothing but empty promises. I wanted more than this life of silent suffering. 

I wanted freedom. 

I deserved freedom.

But then, reality sank in. If I left Andrew, I would have to leave the pack. I had no savings and no home of my own. I had no friends or family to ask for help from. Going home to Blood Moon Pack wasn’t an option for I knew Andrew would look for me there first. 

I had a child to think about now and I needed to plan my departure carefully.

My mind raced as I considered my options. Then, I remembered something. My old passion. The one thing I had once been proud of before it had been buried under years of duty and expectations as Andrew’s wife. 

Healing. 

No one knew that I had studied medicine and became an apprentice to a renowned healer in Blood Moon Pack. No one had cared to ask, anyway. After returning to this pack, I had been discouraged from working, and after marriage, I had become a full-time slave to my husband. Because of this stupid love, I was forced to set aside my talent and dedicate my life to serving and loving Andrew.

But I won’t commit the same mistake again. It was time to reclaim my life back and embrace my calling.

Determined, I began browsing online. It didn’t take long before something caught my eye. Medcare Pharmaceuticals was hiring a pharmaceutical consultant. And the best part? The company once belonged to my fellow apprentice in Blood Moon. 

I filled out the application with trembling hands. My heart was racing. I just hoped that my CV was good enough to be accepted. Because if not, I had nothing else to support myself.

That night, I curled up in the study. Andrew wouldn’t care whether I slept in another room anyway. 

I felt a spark of hope for the first time in years thinking about my application. My hands fell on my tummy and whispered. 

“Don’t worry, Mommy is here for you. Soon, we’ll start a new life and everything will be okay."