Chapter 5

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 pass-ion. 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 silly 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.”

******

The next day, I was awakened by a delicious scent. The door of the study was slightly open so the smell of food came into the study. I was so sure that I clicked the door shut before I slept for the night. Now, I wondered who could have possibly checked on me while I was sleeping here. 

The Omegas? Impossible. They knew too well not to step into the study unless it was open. The standard rule in this house was that no one was allowed to disturb whoever was inside this place. Especially Andrew. That’s why this has been my favorite place to hang out whenever I was looking for solace because of the privacy it provides.

The aroma became stronger as I walked out of the study. It pulled my nose closer to the kitchen. The scene my eyes landed on was something I never thought I would see one day. 

Andrew was wearing an apron…cooking something for breakfast.

I didn’t know what to say. I just observed him in silence. And my husband seemed like he didn’t notice me because of how busy he was preparing the food.

After a while, Andrew turned and noticed me. 

“Good morning,” he greeted. I smiled faintly and hid my doubt inside my head. I never saw him hold a spatula during our marriage. Only today. And the greeting? I would not be exaggerating if I tell that Andrew never greeted me nor expressed kind words like “Thank you,” or “I’m sorry.” Those things were strangers in this house. 

So, what was this change about? 

Did he finally realize things and change into a better person?

Was this about the accident and our argument last night?

Maybe, he did realize the error in the way he treated me and decided to make it up to me. 

Danm, it's about time!

I was delighted. Of course, I would. All of my worries flew out of my che-st. The burden that was always holding me back left instantly. The thoughts sent crazy signals to my brain. Maybe, this was the start of things getting much better for us. 

That it was my time to be happy again.

I sat down, almost giggling in my seat. I grabbed a fork and pulled the plate full of fresh banana pancakes he made. 

“This looks delicious,” I uttered excitedly. But before I could even dig my fork in, Andrew dashed towards me and grabbed my arms.

“No, stop!” He sna-tched the fork from my hands. “Those are for the pack house. I cooked them for my men.”

My gaze dropped to the plate of warm banana pancakes. Instantly, my heart sank. I wasn’t even allowed to eat the food he made with his own hands. Not even a single bite. I had hoped that Andrew was finally thinking of me. That he finally cared for me. But that small hope I held onto shattered in an instant.

“So, what can I eat?” I asked bitterly. Andrew went to one of the cabinets and pulled a plastic bag out of it. Then, he threw it on the table.

“You can have this. I had Beta pick up some bread, especially for you,” Andrew said. I took a deep breath before letting out my thoughts.

“Really?…” I answered very softly as I held on to the bread. “After three years together, you still don’t know I’m gluten intolerant?”

“Oh,” he answered shortly. I was expecting him to say sorry or at least offer me different food. However, he with nothing. Like he didn’t hear me at all. He just continued cooking the rest of the pancakes while totally ignoring me.

The banana pancakes didn’t look appealing to me anymore. I looked at Andrew who was putting the last batch of pancakes in the plate. Heaving a sigh, I went to the counter and grabbed some oats and milk.

“Let me guess, those pancakes are actually for Ruby, am I right?” I said after a while. 

Andrew stopped mixing something inside the bowl and frowned.

“Are you just looking for a fight?”

He was clearly angried at what I said. Instead of responding hysterically like a loser, I chose to shrug it off. 

As always.

He was always like this whenever Ruby was involved. 

“Whatever. Think whatever you want,” I answered. Then, I walked towards one of the cabinets and took something out. 

“Oh, and don’t forget to give her this too,” I said as I tossed the black lace br-a I found at Andrew’s face. When his eyes landed on that lace, Andrew’s face changed. The thing startled him, freezing him on the spot while staring at it.

He then threw it back, cleared his throat, and responded quickly to explain.

“That was from a month ago. Ruby had too much to drink at a work event and couldn’t get home, so she stayed over for one night. Are you seriously going to make a big mess out of this?”

I sat down at the table, looking at my oatmeal floating in fresh milk.

“You don’t need to explain. Just tell your secretary to stop being so careless next time.”

Andrew clenched his fists and heaved a sharp sigh.

“Fine, I’ll tell her.” Then he cleared his throat again. “By the way, aren’t you supposed to go to your parents’ house today?”

He suddenly sounded awkward and hesitant. I was at a loss for words for a minute. It caught me off guard. Andrew hasn’t visited my parents in ages. It feels like an eternity since he’s been there, to be honest.

Ever since Ruby became his assistant six months ago, Andrew had been practically glued to her almost all the time.

“Yeah, I am. Do you have time to come with me today?” I asked, hoping he would say yes.

Surprisingly, Andrew nodded.

“Sure. And I…” he cleared his throat before continuing. “I heard Jessica’s back.

I paused for a moment before answering. “Yes. But how did you know that?” 

“Well, I ran into her this morning,” Andrew said.

All of a sudden, my brain took me back to the time of the car incident. I remembered a woman standing beside Andrew before I passed out.

“Could it have been Jessica?” I whispered in my head.

Soon, a bitter smile formed on my face. Of course, he only wants to visit my family because of his first love. It was always about her.  

“So that’s why he’s coming, huh…” I muttered to myself. Well, obviously! How could it not be that reason? Even without me telling him that Jessica was coming back, Andrew found out already. It just says a lot about their close relationship.

How could I ever compete with that?

“Right. Let’s go together, then. I will get ready now. ” 

I put down my spoon and lost my appetite. I walked away from the dining table without uttering another word. 

I was numb to his indifference.

Right now, the most important thing for me now is figuring out how to leave him.