Chapter 1
My husband, Astor Ratliff, was thinking about his first love again today.
I braved the pouring rain to visit him in the hospital. When I arrived, he was shouting, “Bring my wife! I need her here.”
His friends joked that he was bound to his wife.
And everyone said Astor loved me so much.
Blushing, I walked over with a smile and took his hand. “I’m here, honey.”
But his face twisted in disgust as he pushed my hand away. “Kelsey Bibb, get away from me! You’re not my wife. My wife is Chloe Sloan.”
Chloe was his first love.
His friends looked uneasy, avoiding my eyes.
Their expressions made one thing clear–they all knew about Chloe.
At that moment, I felt like a fool. My bashful, affectionate smile just seconds ago must have seemed pathetic and laughable to them.
One of them stammered, trying to explain. “Kelsey, don’t take it to heart. Astor’s under anesthesia. He was just talking nonsense.”
IN
|
O <
Chapter 1
1789 Vouchers
The others chimed in, “Yeah, everyone knows how much Astor loves you. Just forgot what he said.”
“Exactly! Chloe is just his secretary. You mean the world to him, Kelsey.”
Someone gave the speaker a nudge to let him stop.
I stayed quiet, barely feeling anything except the cold, numbness of my feet, soaked in rainwater for over four hours.
Astor still kept shouting, “Where’s my wife? Aden, call her now!”
His voice softened, carrying a hint of sadness. “I just want to hug her. Why doesn’t she come to see me?”
I grabbed his hand and asked, “Astor, who am I?”
He stared at me blankly, then muttered, “Hag.”
I let out a laugh, though my eyes brimmed with tears.
We had been together since we were seventeen. Now, at thirty, with just four years of marriage behind us, he was already calling me that.
Finally, I took his phone and called Chloe.
When Chloe arrived, she ignored me and rushed straight to Astor. She grabbed his hand, eyes red, and said, “Astor, sorry I’m late.”
Astor broke into a grin and pulled her into his arms. “Honey, you’re finally here.
“Someone tried to pass herself off as my wife, but I told her to
24.13%
<
Chapter 1
get away. Like I’d ever mistake anyone for you.”
11 208 Vouchers
Chloe shot me a smug look, then turned back to him and said softly:“That’s my guy.”
Astor pointed to his lips. “Your husband deserves a little reward, don’t you think?”
Then they started kissing, completely ignoring everyone else.
As I watched, my throat tightened and tears threatened to fall.
I dug my nails into my thigh, trying to stay calm, but a chill crept over me and my body trembled.
Aden Brooks, his best friend, whispered, “Kelsey, why don’t you head home and rest? Astor will explain everything once he’s in his right mind.”
Would he? I wasn’t sure.
I gazed at Aden, my face wet with tears.
Crying in front of such a whore was humiliating.
I tried to hold back the tears, but I couldn’t.
About thirty minutes ago, Astor was my perfect, doting husband. I used to proudly talk about him to everyone.
Thirteen years together, not a single fight. That was because he had been so patient and devoted,
And now, that perfect image was shattered.
It felt like my world was falling apart, crushing me under its
Chapter 1
weight.
I quietly got up and left the ward.
As I stepped outside, I heard their sighs of relief, like they had just got rid of a burden.
That was when I realized I wasn’t one of them anymore. I was someone they felt the need to guard against.
A sleepless night.
Memories of our thirteen years together haunted me, leaving me breathless with pain.
Somehow, I developed a fever. My body felt heavy and hot, my eyes refusing to open.
Just as I thought I might not make it, someone touched my forehead. I even heard a panicked voice calling, “Honey…”
I was too weak to reply, and tears streamed down my face.
When I woke up, Astor was sitting by my bed with a tired look.
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
I was surprised to see Astor when I woke up.
For a moment, I thought I was dreaming and just stared at him.
He looked down at me and grabbed my hand with emotion. “Honey, how are you feeling?”
I pulled my hand away, frowning. “Honey? Not hag anymore?”
Astor’s face went pale. His eyes reddened as he slapped himself. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t myself yesterday. The anesthesia really messed me un
This book had been added on your bookshelf.
“I… I don’t even know what got into me. When I came to my senses, all I felt was regret and fear.
“I was scared that you’d leave me. So I signed myself out of the hospital, even though the doctor told me not to.”
As he spoke, he struggled to get up and lifted his shirt.
Astor had had an appendectomy, and blood was seeping through the bandages.
I relented, thinking he must have stayed by my side all night. The pitiful look in his eyes made me question myself.
Maybe he wasn’t as hopeless as I had thought. Maybe it was just a fleeting attraction to a young, pretty girl–nothing compared to what he felt for me.
E
D
C
