Chapter 1: Divorce

Emerald's Point of View 

The small wound I got while preparing the basket for my husband was nothing compared to the pain that struck in my heart. I walked towards his hospital room, and as expected, a couple of his men were scattered around and guarding his door. 

One of his security personnel looked at me from head to toe. “You're not a nurse or a doctor. Visitors are not allowed.” 

I bit my lower lip. I am not just a simple visitor but Jude's husband! Those are the lines I wanted to slap on them, but I couldn't. Our marriage is confidential; it should be kept a secret; otherwise, I'll be doomed if someone finds out! 

“I am representing Campbell Daily and an employee under Campbells. They asked me to personally deliver this fruit basket for him. How can I not fulfill the task assigned to me by my bosses? Will you cover up for me instead if my boss vents out their anger?” I responded sternly. The guard I was speaking to slowly glanced to his right side.

One of them nodded his head and opened the door for me.

A dead silence crept inside the room. Jude was sitting on the bed, facing the other side of the room, buttoning up his white long sleeves. He picked up the coat that was hanging beside him, spun around, and faced me.

His cold, stoic face narrowed on my location. I nibbled my lower lip as I gripped my coat tightly. 

“What are you doing here?” A cold, raspy voice filled the entire hospital room.

Unhurriedly, Jude's eyes fell down on my hand. Jude noticed the freshly cut, bandaged fingers on my hand. Feeling nervous, I hid my hand behind my back. 

I directed my gaze toward the cut on his face. It's fresh and red. A day hasn't passed, and yet he's ready to go out. He's not listening to the doctor again!

"The doctor advised you to take at least two weeks off to rest, so-" I wasn't able to continue because he interrupted.

“Leave.” 

I didn't listen to what Jude was whining about. Instead, I placed the fruit basket on the side table and engaged in conversation.

“How can I just leave you here? I may have ulterior motives for coming here, but I am still your wife, Jude.” 

Jude stood up, holding on to the hospital bed as soon as he had enough strength to sit on his wheelchair. I held his hand, helping him to settle himself, but he simply brushed off my hands in a harsh manner.

For the second time around, I was hurt. He never accepted any help from me. 

He scoffed. “Oh, God. We're only married on paper, Emerald. Quit acting like you're my real wife. For years, you've been trying like one!” 

Jude may harbor animosity toward me for up to three years. He doesn't need to say yes to my parents in order to tie the knot and maintain the connection with our family; rather, he said yes. 

With a heavy heart, I took out a brown envelope and put it on his side. His eyes lingered on it, and as soon as he saw what was inside, a small, cunning smirk crept onto his lips. The writing on it amused him.

“Let's get this done. I prepared our divorce papers, and all you need to do is sign. Three years in misery is enough!” I spat out with mixed emotions visible in my eyes. 

My eyes widened when Jude tore all the papers apart and threw them away. I stumbled upon him, lost for words. All my emotions turn into disgust, anger, and sorrow. 

I only want him to release me, give us freedom from this catastrophe that our parents tied us into. I don't want this marriage; neither does he, but he kept resisting! 

“Bullshit. That's a sign of stupidity, Emerald. A pure crap.” He uttered it in a stoic manner. 

“I am tired, Jude! I am sick of this loveless marriage between us! I am tired of being a stand-in, a puppet to everyone, and being your substitute wife!” I burst out my lungs. I didn't mind if someone might hear us outside. 

Tears streamed down my face, yet he remained nonchalant and cold. He showed no sign of empathy toward me, but his arrogance was evident.

“Lower your voice, or someone might hear you. Dare to speak again, and I'll make sure to screw your life over this time,” he warned. 

Jude maneuvered his wheelchair toward me while maintaining a safe distance of several meters.

“Emerald, you bear too much blame to consider your request. Do you think I'll grant you a divorce? No! Not only did you ruin my life, but your negligence and arrogant actions also earned me a lot of criticism!

I took all the blame when my sister ran away. Unforeseen circumstances prevented Phoebe from marrying Jude before the wedding. Many people eagerly anticipate their upcoming wedding, even branding it as the wedding of the year. 

A day before the wedding, I decided to escape as well. I don't want to marry Jude in place of Phoebe, who vanished into thin air. However, Jude went after me and subsequently suffered an accident. He woke up bearing the heartbreaking news that he wasn't able to walk and was completely paralyzed. 

Jude harbored a deep hatred toward me, and I took full responsibility for the events that transpired. I thought he would call the marriage off but rather proceed on marrying me. My mom wouldn't let me get off the hook easily knowing I am marrying a son of a future president of the country. Her greed for money and power is incomparable. I can't call her a mother, but I also can't hate her.

My mom loves power. It's the most important thing to her. She married Phoebe's father out of her thirst and greed for it. She even supported the idea of throwing me in a tiger's den in order to become the daughter-in-law of the future president of our country. How cruel, isn't she?

“We've been married for three years, and yet you still don't know me. I won't sign the divorce papers, Emerald. I took you as a stand-in and as a hostage. You will live with me for the rest of your life. I want you to experience hell in my hands!” 

Indeed, I triggered his anger. The root of his anger kept lingering in his mind. There's no way I can erase it in his memory no matter what I do. 

But I am so tired... I'm tired of being around him. I've endured enough hardships, but they pale in comparison to his. Well, maybe my mom was right; life might have been wonderful if I had been the one who died that day and not my brother. My sister might have lived a life she wanted if I had become deaf and not her, and our parents wouldn't have reached for Sanders’ help if the accident did not happen. 

Everything occurred because of me. 

“Jude, I—”

Suddenly, a group of men rushed into his room. They opened the door and pushed me away from Jude, acting as if I were a predator who was trying to harm him.

“Take this woman away!” The head of his security team affirmed. 

Several tears streamed down my face as I gazed at him, pleading with my eyes, but he showed no emotion when his men dragged me out of his room.

Unfair... But I think I deserve the hell I live in right now. I will die caged in this loveless marriage my parents put me through. Maybe this is the fate written for me, but I won't just sit back and do nothing.