Marrying My Sister’s Husband

“Jayden throws tantrums and now you too?” Nick’s face twisted in frustration. “He’s just a kid, but you? You’re an adult. Why can’t you try to understand him? Once he grows up, he’ll get it.”

“I’m tired from work. Stop adding to my stress, okay? I don’t have the energy to deal with you,”

I wanted to tell him I didn’t need him to fix anything. Just listen.

But to Nick, everything I said sounded like complain. His eyes turned cold, all traces of desire gone.

“I’ve got work to do,” he muttered, storming out and slamming the door behind him. “I’m not sleeping with you tonight.”

I didn’t even bother counting how many times he’d left me like that. At this point, I was nothing more than a convenient toy to him—there when he wanted me, invisible when he didn’t.

But after tonight, I wouldn’t be anyone’s toy anymore.

I spent the whole night at the table, carefully trying to glue my mother’s bracelet back together. It was hopeless, of course—jade doesn’t mend easy. But I still tried. All I had was some cheap superglue and a prayer.

By the time I looked out the window, the sun was up.

Mrs. Fusco had sent me a message, asking me to come over. I threw on a coat and went.

She was sitting in the living room when I arrived, her face tight with worry. When she saw me, she sighed.

“I heard about what happened yesterday. Jayden’s a lot like his dad—stubborn and hard to handle. But you raised him, Aria. There has to be some part of him that cares about you. Give him time. He’ll understand one day.”

Then she looked me in the eyes. “Are you really ready to walk away from the family you’ve built all these years?”

Her words gave me pause.

But can it still be called a family if there’s no love left in it?

My thoughts drifted back to the late Gianna.

Gianna and Nick had been inseparable since childhood—best friends, sweethearts, soulmates. They grew up side by side, went through every phase of life together and eventually got married. They were the kind of couple people looked at with envy.

Until five years ago, when Gianna died suddenly. Nick was never the same after that. It was like half of him had died with her. He walked around like an empty shell, neglecting even his most basic needs—and that included their young son.

Mrs. Fusco was worried sick. She didn’t want Jayden to grow up without a mother’s love. But she couldn’t just trust anyone to fill that role. She was terrified some random woman would ruin everything. So one day, she came to me with a proposal—marry Nick, raise Jayden and be a mother figure to her only grandson.

In the past five years, I gave everything I had to keep the Fusco household running like clockwork. I raised Jayden into the golden boy everyone admired. I even took on Nick’s emotional mess, trying to make life easier for him.

But no matter what I did, it never earned me a sliver of their love.

To Nick, I was nothing more than a warm body—someone he turned to only when desire hit. The rest of the time, I might as well have been invisible.

As for Jayden, he hated me. Because of a few words from outsiders, gossiping about me, he hated me with every fiber of his being. Every time he looked at me, it was like he was willing me to die.

How could that situation fit to ever be called a family?

Mrs. Fusco eventually gave up trying to talk me out of leaving. Instead, she handed me the divorce papers and told me that once I signed, I’d finally be free.

I couldn’t contain the excitement bubbling inside me. I signed the papers without hesitation.

By the time I got home that night, it was already dark. I tried using my key, but the lock had been changed. Confused, I knocked on the door, but no one answered.

Just as I was about to call the housekeeper, Jayden walked out with his arms crossed, eyes filled with disgust.

“Oh, look who finally decided to come home. Why didn’t you just drop dead somewhere? Then you wouldn’t have to cook for me and Dad anymore.”

He was mad that I hadn’t made his meals today. Jayden’s got a picky stomach and a delicate palate—hardly anyone could cook food he actually liked and that wouldn’t upset him. That’s why I’d even taken culinary classes, just to learn how to prepare meals that suited him.

Back then, he used to hug me and smile, saying,

“Mommy, you’re the best chef in the whole world. I wanna eat your food forever.”

But somewhere along the way, everything changed. Now, all he wanted was for me to disappear.

Suddenly, thunder cracked across the sky and rain poured down without warning. Within seconds, I was drenched to the bone. I had nowhere to hide.

I looked up and spoke gently, “Jayden, can I please come inside? I’ll catch a cold if I stay out here.”

He sneered. “You think I care? You wanted to be out so bad, why don’t you just stay out?”

“Jayden, who are you talking to?” a woman’s voice called sweetly from inside.

Valentina Byrnes walked over in sky-high heels and wrapped her arms around Jayden’s shoulders like they belonged to each other.

When she saw me, she couldn’t hold back a laugh.

“Oh, it’s you. Sorry, sweetheart, but Nick said he’d be spending the night with me today. Guess you’ll have to sleep outside.”

Then she turned to Jayden.

“Come on, Jayden. Dinner’s ready. Your dad’s waiting for us.”

“Yay! I love eating with you, Aunt Vee.” Jayden beamed and took her hand. “You’re the best!”