Over the years, I did all those things too. He had a bad stomach, so I woke up early every day to cook for him. I waited for him with the lights on, no matter how late it got. I peeled his fruit, cut everything into small pieces so he wouldn’t even have to think. I gave him everything. And now… he was doing all of that for someone else.
I closed my eyes and let out a slow breath. “It’s fine,” I whispered to myself. “It’ll be over soon.” Right? Once I stop loving him, I’ll be okay. I’ll take care of myself. I have to.
...
A week later, he suddenly came home. I was surprised when I saw him. Shouldn’t he be with her?
“Get changed,” he said, already loosening his tie. “We’re having dinner at home tonight.”
“…Okay.”
I didn’t ask anything. I just went upstairs and changed.
At the dinner, everything felt normal. Too normal. People were laughing, talking, raising their glasses like this was just another gathering. Then the topic shifted.
“You’ve been married five years now. It’s about time you had a child.”
“Yeah, Hudson’s the head of the family now. There needs to be an heir.”
“Mika, you should hurry up.”
I kept my head down, fingers brushing against the rim of my glass. A child? With him? Did I even have that right?
“No rush,” Hudson said.
His voice wasn’t loud, but it cut through everything. The whole room went silent. Everyone exchanged looks but no one dared say anything else. Not to him. Not anymore. The atmosphere turned stiff after that and the dinner ended quickly.
“Mika,” Mrs. Hayes said sharply as we stood. “Come with me to the study.”
I knew what that meant. Anyone could see it. A warning. About children. About my place.
“If you’ve got something to say, say it in front of me,” Hudson said, frowning.
Before she could respond, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen and his expression changed immediately.
“…Amber?” he answered, already stepping aside. “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
His voice… it wasn’t the same voice he used with me. Not even close.
Mrs. Hayes let out a cold snort. “Come with me.”
I pressed my lips together and followed her without a word. As soon as the study door closed, her face changed. All that fake calm from dinner disappeared.
“Kneel.”
I didn’t argue. I just went down slowly, my knees hitting the cold marble. It stung, but I was already used to that kind of pain.