Chapter 9 Humiliated
Alex
“I love you.”
Three words.
I’ve heard them countless times before–soft, warm, and filled with sincerity. Mum and Dad say it to each other. Mum and
Granny say it to me all the time.
But hearing them come out of Leah’s mouth the other night?
It made my skin crawl.
It sounded foreign, misplaced like it didn’t belong between us. It didn’t settle in my chest the way it was supposed to. Instead, it made something tighten, something itch beneath my skin.
I pulled away. Not obviously. Just enough to create distance, enough that I could breathe without feeling suffocated by the weight of words I wasn’t ready to hear. And that’s when I noticed her.
Athena
Running.
Her black long hair whipped behind her, her pace quick. The way she left–like she was running from something–made my jaw
clench.
I had wondered for the past three days but since I had been busy with work I barely saw her. But seeing and hearing those remarks told me one thing.
My wife was jealous and I liked it.
Which is bullshit because I shouldn’t like anything that has to do with her.
Athena Dawson.
The name alone makes my blood boil these days. I roll my shoulders, trying to shake off the frustration, but it lingers, simmering beneath my skin.
Her attitude. Her rebellion. The way she suddenly changed overnight.
She’s testing my patience, and it’s driving me insane.
We had a deal.
Three years.
Just three years of marriage before we could go our separate ways. That was the agreement. I needed her, she needed me–it was
1/4
mutual.
But now? She’s making it unbearable.
Leah is supposed to be the right one for me. I know this. She’s kind. She’s patient. She saved me.
This morning was proof of that.
When my chest tightened and my vision blurred, she was the one who stayed and made sure I stabilized. She was the one who calmed me down, it’s been three years and she’s never told a single soul about my weakness.
I feel like shit for having married another woman but I did it for her. And now that she’s back, I’ll give her back her rightful place.
These confused feelings must be because she had been away for so long.
Leah made sure Ryan didn’t let anyone in. That’s why I like her. She understands how our world works and one leak of my
sickness will change the whole game.
And then Athena had the audacity to walk in, looking at me like I was cheating, like I had betrayed her.
I hadn’t even touched Leah.
Maybe I should have.
I exhale sharply, running a hand through my hair.
I need to divorce her.
This marriage, this mess–it’s getting to me. It’s making me second–guess things I shouldn’t. It’s making me hesitate.
I can’t afford to hesitate.
The rough opening of my door makes my eyes look up and I’m taken aback by a tear–streaked Leah.
“What happened to you?” I ask, standing to check if she has any injuries.
Her clothes are a mess and her mascara is running down her face. Her shoulders shake, her hands clenching into fists as she
sniffles.
Then she moves like she’s about to run straight into my arms.
I take a step back.
Fuck
I don’t know why.
Maybe It’s instinct.
Reflex. But the second I do it, she freezes, fresh hurt flashing across her face before she drops her head.
2/4
“She-” Leah hiccups. “Athena–she insulted me.”
“What?”
“She called me a homewrecker.” Her voice trembles. “And then–she slapped me, Alex. She hit me. And–and she tried to run me
over with her car.”
I exhale slowly, my mind racing. That doesn’t sound like Athena.
Sure, she’s been reckless, stupid even, but to hit Leah? To run her over?
“Alex,” she whispers, her voice breaking. “You’ve been neglecting me.”
I look at her then, really look at her. Red–rimmed eyes, shaky breaths, a vulnerability that makes my guilt punch me in the fucking guts. This is all me.
“I’ll check the footage.‘
“Are you doubting me?” Her voice sounds broken.
“No. You know I wouldn’t. I just want to know how much I should revenge you. She won’t hurt you ever again.”
The lie slips out of my mouth. A part of me just wants to be sure. I grab a tissue from my table and hand it to her.
She takes it, her fingers brushing against mine as she sniffles again, but I pull back like she just shocked me with electricity.
What the fuck is wrong with me.
I press my button and ask Ryan for the footage. She was right.
Athena has lost her mind.
So here I am. Here to remind her since her memory seems to be giving her a problem.
Athena laughs.
“What? She came crying to you?” She lets out a sharp laugh, one filled with something bitter, something taunting.
It annoys me so much that I close the distance between us in two strides, gripping her arms and pinning her against the cold wall.
The laughter dies on her lips.
“You think this is funny?” My voice is low, and dangerous, pressing down on her like a vice.
Her breath hitches, but she keeps her chin up, meeting my glare head–on. “I think it’s pathetic.”
My grip tightens. “You slapped her, Athena. You tried to run her over with your damn car. Are you out of your fucking mind?”
She exhales sharply, her lips pressing into a thin line. “I never touched her.”
“Don’t lie to me!” I snap, my patience running thin. “I saw the footage.”
3/4
Her face pales, but she doesn’t drop her act. “Then you should know she’s lying.”
“And you should know your tears won’t save you this time.” I lean in closer, lowering my voice to a venomous whisper.
“You think you can just do whatever you want like you belong in my life? The title of wife was never yours. Honestly, I’m even shocked I lasted this long with you because you disgust me.
I don’t give a fick what you do but never touch Leah again. She will be Mrs King and you’ll be back to being a fucking nobody not that you became something.” I press harder into her, my suit grazing her barely dressed skin. I hold her jaw and force her to look
at me.
“You know why I kept you a secret? Because you’re not good enough for the open. You need to be hidden so the shame you bring
won’t come to light.”
Her mask cracks, her lashes blinking away something. And then, finally, the dam breaks.
A tear slips down her cheek.
But instead of softening, it fuels the fire raging inside me.
“Don’t,” I bite out, my jaw clenching. “Don’t you dare cry? Your tears don’t mean shit to me.”
She flinches. 1
Good.
“You want to act like a brat? Then you’ll be treated like one.” My grip shifts from her arms to her wrist, yanking her away from
the wall. “You’re going to apologize to Leah.”
She digs her heels into the floor, resisting. “Alex-”
“Shut up.”
Dragging her down the stairs, I ignore her struggles, and the way her breath comes out in shaky pants.
Tonight, she’s going to learn exactly where she stands.
Leah stands in the center of the room, still looking fragile, still looking like the victim she is. I release Athena only to shove her to
her knees.
“Apologize,” I order, my voice devoid of any warmth.
