Chapter 2
763words
Even the simplest hugs and kisses were rejected with excuses of sexual dysfunction and psychological trauma.
In our king-sized bed, an invisible boundary line always separated us.
I thought he truly had some unspeakable difficulty, so I carefully protected his pride, loved him, respected him. But in the end?
Why is it that with another woman, he suddenly transformed into a beast, full of passion and vigor?
I silently stared at this husband who, for two years, had never once raised his voice at me.
Hoping to see even a flicker of guilt or explanation on his face.
Yet there was nothing.
After dropping that statement, he simply walked away and lit a cigarette.
It was Vanessa who, with an innocent expression, spread her hands and spoke in a tone dripping with fake pity.
"Mira, I'm so sorry! I just insisted on coming along today."
"I heard after your last IVF implantation, you waited for Adrian all night at the hospital, right?"
"That day I was feeling down and dragged him to see the volcano where there was no phone signal. Mira, punish me if you want, do whatever you need to."
My already broken heart now felt so crushed I could barely breathe.
That night, his explanation to me was:
There was an urgent international video conference, the signal was poor, and he couldn't reply in time. And I was foolish enough to believe him.
I suddenly felt all strength drain from my body, but Vanessa grabbed my wrist and forcefully pushed herself backward!
She screamed "Ah!" and slid toward the edge of the ice hole.
"Mira! I know you hate me, but you can't push me in there! Stop taking your anger out on Adrian, he manages such a big company, it's really hard for him..."
"I don't want to ruin your relationship because of me."
Unable to tolerate it any longer, I lifted my foot and kicked her straight in.
"That kick was from me, not her."
"Mira! Have you lost your damn mind?!"
Adrian tossed away his cigarette and rushed over, shoving me hard to the ground.
He carefully helped Vanessa up, cradling her protectively in his arms.
"You're completely unreasonable! Since you're so fond of violence and being so brutal, why don't you cool off up here on this mountaintop!"
With that, he scooped Vanessa up in his arms and strode toward the snowmobile without a backward glance.
The last thing that drifted to my ears was Vanessa's sickeningly fake concern.
"Adrian, it's so cold on the mountain at night, we took away her car keys and phone, will she be alright...?"
And Adrian's cold response.
"You're too kind. Let her freeze a bit—it's just what she needs to cure that spoiled attitude of hers!"
At that moment, I suddenly wondered:
How could such a cold-hearted bastard once make me feel he was the sun that illuminated my entire life?
I was found by the mountain patrol search and rescue team and taken to the hospital.
When I told the doctor I wanted to terminate the pregnancy, she looked visibly shocked.
"Mrs. Locke, are you sure? You've suffered so much for this child, and now you're just giving up. Can you really live with that? Does Mr. Locke know about this?"
I shook my head:
"I've made up my mind. I don't want it anymore."
"He doesn't need to know."
The doctor didn't try to persuade me further. She just scheduled the surgery for the next day.
When I left the hospital, fat snowflakes were falling from the sky.
In a daze, I recalled that day two years ago when my grandfather forced me to meet Adrian for the first time.
I casually mentioned wanting hot cocoa, only to be scolded by my father:
"Mind your status. Don't embarrass yourself like some pampered little princess."
It was Adrian who discreetly asked his assistant to buy one, handed it to me, and said:
"From now on, she's my wife. She only needs to be herself."
Back then, I naively thought this man was so kind.
Being his wife didn't seem so bad either.
But now I don't feel that way at all.
Especially on my way back to the Sinclair family home, after receiving a video from Vanessa, I became even more certain of this.
"Mira, you must be very bored, right? Why not watch a video I took with Adrian? It might cheer you up a bit."
