No Longer His Ugly Wife

Lucy’s POV“Happy anniversary, honey!” Today marked our third wedding anniversary.Three years ago, I was Lucy Whitmore. Slim, radiant, and the rebellious daughter of a powerful family. But I gave up everything, my title and my inheritance just for a man who painted sunsets on cracked canvases and whispered that I was his muse.And this morning, that same man, my husband, Tom, smiled at me as if nothing had changed, walking in with paint still drying on his hands.I wiped the flour from my apron and returned the smile, mirroring the affection that I saw in his gaze.“Happy anniversary.” I replied, trying not to feel self-conscious about the muffin top folding under my shirt.He dug into his old leather bag and pulled out three tickets. “Surprise!” he declared, waving them with exaggerated flair.I blinked. “What’s this?”“Hawaii trip next week.” he grinned. “Beach BBQs, surfing, sunshine… I figured we all needed a break.”My heart swelled. I never liked tropical trips. Swimsuits onl

Lucy’s POV Mom… He just called Blair mom.In an ideal world, this would have just been some nightmare. She had to have been the ‘mom’ that the kids were referring to earlier. I was without words. I was confused, but most of all, I was hurt. A storm of emotions I couldn’t weather.. I got home. My body was still weak from everything I’d witnessed with Noah and Blair. I was so out of it, that I hadn’t even realized I was standing at the threshold of the living room until I heard Tom’s voice.“Hey, you’re home,” he casually said.When I looked up, I found Tom lying on the couch, his hands stained, and eyes on the TV.I wanted to scream, but I held my composure as I asked, “Tom,” my voice low with worry. “Why was Blair…at the school?”“Huh?” he absentmindedly replied.“Blair,” I repeated more aggressively than before. “She was there. At the school. To pick up Noah.His eyes widened, surprised, like he didn’t expect me to find out. “Lucy,” he sighed. “I was really busy today. You know

Lucy’s POVI thought arriving here in Hawaii would reconnect us and help me unwind, but everything that happened only made me more stressed. “Noah, go wash up and change into your pajamas.” I told him. We had just arrived back at our room after shopping and eating dinner outside on the veranda. “Tom, can we talk?” I called out. “Not now, Lucy. I’m exhausted.” he complained. “Please.” I rolled my eyes and sighed.He didn’t say anything and just nodded. We headed to the kitchen. “Tom, why are we paying for Blair’s expenses?” I scoffed. Since we arrived, I noticed she hadn’t paid for anything. It was very hurtful to see, especially since we had a tight budget. Not to brag, but I’d been supporting our family for years with my small salary, since his paintings were hard to sell. “Lucy, can we not talk about this right now?” Tom said, massaging his forehead. “No, Tom. Let’s talk about it now. I already agreed for her to come, and now I’m also covering her expenses. This is unfair.”

Lucy’s POV The subtle sound of beeping machines stirred me awake. My vision came into focus on the white walls surrounding me, the scent of sterility burning my sensitive nose.My body felt heavy. Like something was pressing down on me. My mouth tasted like metal. Something cold and plastic was stuck in my arm. I tried to move, but even lifting my hand made my whole body ache. Everything hurts. I blinked slowly to realize I was still alive. And then it hit me. Flashes of me drowning, and no one even came back for me. I turned my head weakly, and then I saw Tom. Sitting right beside the bed. Slouched forward like he hadn’t slept. His shirt was wrinkled. His eyes looked red and puffy, like maybe he cried. “Lucy… You’re okay.” he breathed, as soon as he saw my eyes open. I didn’t say anything. I wasn’t sure how to feel. I wasn’t even sure if I wanted him here. The door creaked open. I heard them before I saw them. Blair and Noah. They walked in like they were entering a birthday pa

Lucy’s POV I woke up with a weight pressing on my chest. Not from the wave. This was heavier. It sat there like it belonged. My muscles ached. My skin still felt too tight. And my heart? It just…ached. The sheets rustled behind me. Tom was awake. I didn’t move and didn’t look. Just stayed curled on my side, pretending to be asleep because pretending was easier than facing him. Then I heard the sound I knew would come. The soft and quick pattern of Noah’s feet coming into our room. “Mom! Dad! Wake up! It’s breakfast time! Let’s go!” His voice was so bright. So happy. It should have made me feel better. It should have given me hope that things would be better. But it only stung. I mustered up the effort to slowly open my eyes. My lips pulled into a smile. “Okay, baby.” I whispered, wiping at the sleep still stuck to my skin, as if I could wipe the rest of me clean too. Tom sat up behind me, voice far too normal. “Let’s get going before breakfast ends.” As if nothing had happene