Chapter 3

The journey from Mr. Lorenzo’s house to Lucian’s was quite long, it took me over an hour by bus.

Throughout the trip, I couldn't stop picturing how intimate Lucian looked as he fed Larisa.

The way they looked at each other, Larisa’s smile—it would be hypocritical to call that just a friendship. A tightness gripped my chest again.

And what hurt the most was this, why did Lucian seem so fine after we had lost our child? I bit my lip, trying to hold back the tears welling up once more.

When I arrived home, I found that Lucian had already returned from work. As soon as he saw me walk in, he rushed over with a look of panic.

"Elara, did you come to the office earlier?"

"Mm-hmm," I replied curtly.

I tried to remain calm, even though I was falling apart inside.

"Why did you leave so suddenly?"

I looked at him with a bitter expression.

"Why would I humiliate myself? You were busy feeding your 'greatest ex-love,' after all."

"Elara, it’s not what you think. Larisa was having trouble with her hand, I was just helping her."

I laughed, but tears streamed down my face. I didn't even know whether to laugh or cry at his excuse.

"Everyone at the office thinks you and Larisa are engaged. Your colleagues don't even know who I am because you always take Larisa to office events!" I shouted, unable to hold back anymore.

All this time, I had tried to be a good wife. I never demanded that Lucian take me to office functions, nor did I ever complain when he was busy with work.

But it turned out my silence just made me look like a fool who didn't know a thing.

"I genuinely just wanted to help her, because Larisa needed a job."

I laughed even harder. So, Lucian really did take me for a fool. I roughly wiped away my tears and glared at him.

"So, how long have you and Larisa been involved?"

Lucian’s face instantly went pale. The change in his expression made my heart ache even more.

"At home, you play the part of the perfect, devoted husband—but it turns out it was all just a cover for your rotten behavior!" I spat out, furious.

"We’re just friends, there’s nothing more to it!"

"Oh, really? You looked so happy with her—so happy that you didn't grieve at all when our child died."

"What are you talking about, Elara? You’ve got it all wrong."

I closed my eyes for a moment.

Enough.

I was tired.

I was tired of being the only one trying to hold this marriage together.

"That’s enough, Lucian. Arguing like this only hurts us both. Let’s just let go of each other—let’s get a divorce! I’m giving you up to Larisa."

Lucian looked stunned.

"Elara, have you lost your mind?" he snapped, his temper flaring.

"Yes—if I stay your wife, I’ll actually go insane!" I turned and walked into the bedroom.

I started packing my things. It was only then I realized how few clothes I actually owned. Most of them I had bought before I even married Lucian.

I stared at the clothes in silence. How simple my life had been. I never asked for expensive things. I only wanted a happy little family. Yet, even a wish as simple as that seemed too hard to achieve.

My hands froze when I saw the baby supplies I had prepared. Tiny clothes. A small blanket. A pair of socks. Everything was still neatly stored away, brand new.

A tightness gripped my chest. I picked up one of the baby outfits and clutched it tightly to my chest. Tears began to fall again.

"Did my child leave because they were afraid of being born into a broken family?"

The question slipped from my lips before I could stop it.

Lucian tried to stop me, but my mind was made up.

"Elara, think this through carefully. If you divorce me, where will you live? You have no one but me!" Lucian shouted.

I stopped moving, then slowly turned to look at him.

"Oh, so you’re underestimating me because I have no one else? You dared to break your vows because you assumed I’d just keep sticking by your side?" I retorted.

"That’s not what I meant!"

I didn't reply.

Moments later, the bedroom door opened. My mother-in-law appeared, looking startled.

"What’s all this commotion about?"

"Mom, Elara wants a divorce," Lucian complained.

I waited for my mother-in-law's reaction.

After all, back when she was sick, I was the one who cared for her. I prepared her meals, administered her medication, and even cleaned up after her when she soiled herself.

But I never expected the response she actually gave. My mother-in-law smiled happily instead.

"That’s great. What’s the point of having a wife who’s nothing but a burden? You should marry Larisa instead, she has a great career. That way, the two of you can really build up your savings!"

I stared at my mother-in-law for a few seconds, then looked away. It turned out I had never truly been considered family after all.

I wiped away my tears and went back to packing my things into my bag. I didn't care anymore. I wanted a divorce.

And Lucian seemed swayed by his mother's words, he made no move to stop me.

As I walked toward the bus stop, I saw a red car pull up in front of Lucian's house.

Moments later, someone stepped out of the car—it was Larisa. My mother-in-law welcomed her enthusiastically, especially when Larisa presented a gift that looked expensive.

"It’s funny—all my sacrifices over the years were eclipsed by a single gift. And to think I even gave up part of my own allowance to support my mother-in-law. Elara, you really are pathetic." I said this, feeling a wave of self-pity.