I Left My Vampire Husband for the Man Who Chose Me

Elena's POV

When I woke, the sky outside was already fading to dusk.

My body felt hollowed out. Even breathing brought a faint sting.

The ceiling was an unfamiliar white.

It took me a few seconds to realize I'd been moved to a guest room.

My wrist was wrapped in thick bandages. The air carried a faint smell of blood.

"You're awake?"

Jason's voice came from the direction of the sofa.

I turned my head slowly.

He was leaning back, flipping through documents, perfectly composed — as if the person who'd drained half my life just hours ago hadn't been him.

When he saw me looking, he closed the folder and stood.

"The physician says it's just blood loss. You'll live."

His tone was flat, like he was reporting the weather.

I didn't speak. My throat was so dry it burned. I coughed twice.

Jason walked to the bedside and held out a glass of water.

I didn't take it. He didn't push. He set it back down, looking faintly uncomfortable.

"Vicky just woke up."

A beat of silence.

His voice held a barely perceptible gentleness.

"She feels guilty. Says she shouldn't have taken so much."

Jason watched me, as if waiting for something.

I just stared at the ceiling. No response.

He frowned.

"She's actually a good person. Just exhausted from the pregnancy. That's why she wanted your blood so badly. She went a little overboard."

His eyes stayed on my face as he spoke, searching, testing.

In the past, words like that would have broken me.

I'd once lost control completely — screamed at him, shattered the glass coffee table with my bare hands.

I'd stood there with blood running down my fingers, crying, interrogating him.

"Jason, why do you treat me like this?"

"Did you ever love me?"

"Or was I just a joke from the very beginning?"

I'd been half out of my mind, clinging to him like a last straw, desperate to hear even a shred of an answer.

But Jason had just stood there, watching me with eyes that held none of the warmth they once had.

"Love?"

He turned the word over like it tasted strange.

Then he scoffed.

"Elena, I think you've misunderstood something."

"I never needed a human wife."

His gaze dropped to my flat stomach, cold as a blade.

"What I needed was an heir. A woman who could carry and bear my child."

"As for you—"

He paused.

As if searching for the right word.

Then, with devastating casualness:

"You're just a trouble my grandfather left behind."

After that day, I never asked him again.

Now, Jason was still watching me, waiting for the familiar reaction.

Anger. Jealousy. Devastation.

He liked seeing me fall apart. He savored my pain, as if the years we'd spent as childhood sweethearts had never existed.

But I gave him nothing. I just said, quietly:

"That's great. Vicky suits you. I know she's always been in love with you."

Jason blinked, clearly caught off guard.

"What?"

I turned to look at him.

My voice was so calm that even I found it strange.

"You two should be together. Don't waste what you have. I'm fine. I won't die. Go take care of her."

His frown deepened.

This wasn't the reaction he was used to.

After a long silence, he said, "What kind of tantrum is this?"

I shook my head. My fingers twitched, then strained to reach the glass of water. I brought it to my lips, weak and trembling.

Jason stared at me for a long time. Then, suddenly, something seemed to cross his mind.

"By the way — Grandfather is coming back for his birthday celebration."

"He says he hasn't seen the younger members of the family in a long time."

Jason straightened his cuffs and rose from the edge of my bed, his voice settling back into its usual chill.

"There'll be many guests. I need you to handle the invitation list and prepare a gift."

I froze for a second, then struggled to sit up. "But we're getting divorced."

Jason's hands stilled.

Then he moved to the head of the bed and pressed down on my shoulders, leaning over me.

He looked down at me, a glint of mockery in his eyes.

"Until I sign, you're still Mrs. Vanderloom."

"So be good. Grandfather adores you. Keep him happy, and it'll work in your favor."

He straightened up.

"Isn't that convenient? Once the celebration is over, I'll sign the divorce papers."

He studied me for a moment, then added with a contemptuous smirk:

"Not that it matters. You'll be begging me not to divorce you by then. Why bother with this act, Elena?"

The room was quiet for a long time.

I slowly closed my eyes. I had no energy left to argue.

After a moment, I said softly, "Fine."

"I'll prepare a gift. I'll make sure Grandfather has a good birthday."

Jason nodded, clearly satisfied.

He turned to leave, reaching out of habit to pat the top of my head — but I tilted away before he could.

The moment the door closed behind him, I finally allowed myself a small smile.

If he wouldn't let me go, then I'd stay. I'd give the Vanderloom patriarch the birthday celebration of a lifetime.

And I would give Jason a gift he'd never forget.