Esmeralda Upton Husband Novels & Stories

“She was… a friend.” He leans back, slow and tense, like he’s trying to find space to think. The silence between us grows heavier, uncomfortable. For a moment, I think about asking if he wants to step out and get some air, but I don’t. I just sit there quietly, watching him, waiting. “Her husband was abusive,” he continues. “Emotionally. Physically.” He swallows hard. “Se-sexually.” My chest tightens. Holy shit. I want to reach for him, to say something, anything but when he glances up, the look in his eyes roots me in place. It’s raw and haunted.

"What happened two years ago was entirely my fault. Please give me a chance to atone for my mistakes." My mom began to cry. "When I was blinded back then, no one was willing to take our case except you. You stepped in to help us, and Alex had never forgotten about that. He didn't want to mistreat you after the two of you got married. So, he'd always tried to give you the best of everything," my mom said. Then, she continued, "What did you do for him in return? You didn't even try to build a life together or make your marriage work. On top of that, you even helped his murderer destroy evidence! Do you have no conscience as a lawyer?"

Even when he stumbled in at four in the morning, he'd find me curled up on the couch under a blanket, waiting for him. Then I'd blink the sleep from my eyes and press a hot bowl of soup into his hands to help him sober up. When had things changed? Oh. He remembered now. After the wedding, the impulsiveness and the romance seemed to slow to a crawl. Everything else in his life took priority over me -- because we had a marriage certificate now, and I wasn't going anywhere. It started with the test results that confirmed I couldn't have children. He never said a word about it, but something had quietly soured inside him.

Sebastian added. “Is this about benefits? I don’t want to be a caged bird.” “The art gallery was always meant for you. I’m just giving it to you as a wedding gift from your husband,” Sebastian explained. “Husband,” Charlotte repeated the word. It was the first time she had heard it about herself. Her relationship with George had only been an engagement. “Soon. We’ll get the marriage certificate when we return to Fyia.” Sebastian wrapped his arm around Charlotte, feeling like he owned the stars and the sea before them. It was more thrilling than becoming the CEO.

I scoffed, before flashing the screen in his face, "look at that, it's a text from Dawson, my boyfriend." He stared at the screen for a bit, reading my text *What's the update? Are you calling it off?* I shoved my phone back into my purse and put a blank check in front of him, "name your price Wilson, we can get in this marriage and carry on with our respective lives, you will be my husband on paper and paper only."

I could not begin to imagine what unspeakable acts he intended to do once he obtained that riding crop. Fear and alarm soon overwhelmed all other considerations. Thus, during the family’s breakfast, I begged Alfred to grant me a divorce with tears streaming down my face. “General Pendleton, I wish to dissolve my marriage with Zachary. We are ill-suited as husband and wife. I beg you to permit it!”

“You’re casually building an illegal batcave and using your HUSBAND’S MONEY?” Elena smirked. “My money is tracked by far more dangerous people,” she said lightly. “His is just loud and insured.” Jace blinked. “…You’re insane.” She shrugged again. “Marriage perks.” And that was when her phone buzzed. Once. Twice. A single name filled the screen. Roman Thorne. Her smirk deepened.

His eyebrows suddenly shot up his forehead as a smirk appeared on his lips, dreadfully showcasing his semi–white set of teeth. “Oh you should've said so earlier, hottie. I'll be right outside,” he stood up and adjusted his black suede jacket, which had dark brown patches at the elbows. He puckered his lips and made a rather disturbing smooching sound as though passing an air kiss to Emerald before he finally left the office. Emerald heaved a sigh of relief before settling comfortably in her seat, this action not going unnoticed by Olivia, who gave a knowing smile to Emerald, completely aware of her unease and clear disgust for her husband.

He ran to the railing and looked down to see me, his pregnant wife, lying motionless below, blood pooling around me. His eyes were bloodshot as he fumbled for his phone, dialing for help. But nothing could save us now. Both my life and our child's were gone. He collapsed at the side of the hospital bed where they had placed our bodies, weeping bitterly, only now truly feeling remorse. Daley had known all along that my heart belonged to Neal. But as long as Neal lived, he would never have a chance.

Emelda grunted, “If you’re going to be staying with me, then you might as well get high. I don’t know if he told you, but I’m not an easy woman to live with.” Olivia hid a frown. Not only did he forget to tell her he had a sister, he also forgot to let her know she was a much scarier person than he was. She gulped hard, taking the glass in his hands which started to shake, looking so pathetic that it made Emelda roll her eyes. “I knew he got married; but I never knew I married a wuss.” “Uhmm.” “What’s your name?” “Olivia.” “Olivia?” “Camden.”