My Husband Believed I Kidnapped His Mistress

I stared at her from the hospital bed, my body aching, lungs still recovering from the asthma attack. But nothing hurt more than her words—and the fact that she had the power to be here, standing above me like she had already won.

My voice was soft, but steady. “I don’t want to fight you.”

She scoffed, but I continued.

“You already won. He brought you back, didn’t he? He chose you. What else do you need?”

Shania’s smirk didn’t waver. “What else do I need?” She took a step closer, lowering her voice like she was whispering a secret. “I need you gone.”

She raised her hand, flaunting a sparkling ring I hadn’t seen before. It glinted under the hospital lights, intentionally positioned in front of my face.

“We’re getting married, Ellie. For real this time. No contracts. No business deals. Just love,” she said, her smile dripping with venom. “So pack whatever little pride you have left and leave. For good.”

I swallowed the bitterness pooling in my throat. “You don’t have to worry,” I said, holding her gaze. “I’m leaving. I just need a few more days.”

“Good.” Her voice sharpened. “Make sure you never come back.”

I nodded slowly. “Then make sure Colton doesn’t come looking for me.”

Shania’s laughter rang through the room, mocking and cruel. “Oh, dear,” she said with a chuckle. “He won’t. He didn’t even visit you, did he?”

My chest tightened, but I kept my face unreadable.

“Want proof?” she asked, reaching into her purse.

I didn’t answer, but she didn’t need permission. She pulled out her phone and pressed play.

Colton’s voice filtered into the room, low and irritated. “Ellie? She’s nothing. Just a bed warmer. A glorified nanny, really. I never loved her. She was just… convenient. You’re the one I truly love, Shania, forever. I’ll dispose of her soon. Don’t worry…”

My heart dropped, even though I already knew he would say that.

Shania tilted her head in mock sympathy. “Still want to believe he’s run after you like what he did to me?”

I clenched my jaw, tears stinging my eyes—but I refused to let them fall. I had cried enough for him.

“Just get lost,” I snapped, my voice breaking. “Stay away from me.”

But the door swung open before she could respond.

“What the hell did you just say to her?”

Colton’s voice thundered into the room.

I looked up—and there he was. His sharp jaw tense, his eyes cold and full of anger.

“She visited you while you were in this state, and that’s how you treat her?” he continued. “You should be thanking her—apologizing for what you did.”

I blinked at him. “Apologize?” I said in disbelief. “For what?”

Colton’s expression turned even darker. “Are you serious? It’s your fault she got hurt. You pushed her away from me. You’re the reason she got caught up in all that. If you hadn’t meddled, none of this would’ve happened.”

Something in me shattered right then. There wasn’t any misunderstanding left. He meant it.

I looked at him—really looked at him—and saw someone I didn’t recognize anymore.

“I don’t want to hear this,” I muttered. “Just get out. Both of you. I just want to rest.”

But Colton wasn’t done.

He marched toward me and grabbed my arm roughly.

“No, Ellie. You’re not resting.”

“Colton, stop—”

He pulled me up from the bed, uncaring of the IV attached to my hand or the sharp pain that surged through my side.

“Have you forgotten?” he hissed. “You’re supposed to be arranging my birthday party. It’s in two days, and you’re still lying here like some victim?”

“I am a victim,” I whispered, pain laced in every word.

He didn’t hear me. Or maybe he didn’t care.

“Get up. You’ve got things to do.”

I looked at the nurse for help, but she averted her eyes.

I wanted to scream, to collapse, to disappear—but I didn’t.

I stood. Slowly. My body trembled. My side ached. My heart bled.

But I stood. Just a few more days.