No Longer Yours, Dear Husband

Ryder lied so effortlessly, his voice steady, his expression sincere—like he actually believed the nonsense coming out of his mouth. And as if that weren’t enough, he even had the audacity to try and comfort me.

My stomach twisted, my heart sinking lower than I thought possible. But despite the cold, hard truth staring me in the face, three years of marriage made me hesitate. I wanted to give Ryder one last chance.

“But I heard my name is on the admission list,” I pressed, my voice barely above a whisper.

“You heard wrong.” Ryder cut me off without missing a beat, his brows knitting together as he looked at me like I was a child refusing to accept reality.

“Amber, I know this is hard for you to accept, but if this is your fate, then no matter how much you fight it, you won’t win.”  Ryder exhaled, as if he were the one suffering. “Some people are meant for college. Others aren’t. From now on, you’re not allowed to apply again.”

Fate? Is that what he called this?

Ryder knew better than anyone that I had the grades to get into university. He knew I was capable. Yet he was the one who tore up every single acceptance letters.The one who ripped away my wings before I could even take flight.

Tears burned in my eyes, threatening to spill, but I refused to let them fall. I forced myself to stay composed. But the Calloway elders weren’t blind; they noticed my silence, the stiffness in my posture. Ryder’s mother shot him a disapproving glare before stepping in to smooth things over.

“Ryder! Is that a way to talk to your wife?” Mr. Calloway snapped. 

“Amber, sweetheart, don’t take it to heart.” Mrs. Calloway added with a forced smile. 

What Ryder meant was that even if you don’t go to college, you’ll still have a good life. He will always take care of you.” She shot Ryder a warning glance and he took the cue, pulling me into his arms in what I could only assume was supposed to be a reassuring embrace.

“They’re right,” he murmured. “You don’t have to worry about anything. I’m a principal. I can take care of you and give you a decent life.”

Before I could respond, a voice called out from outside the house.

“Principal Calloway! Miss Sage just called! She’s already on the train and asked you to pick her up!”

Ryder barely let the words register before his whole demeanor shifted. His eyes lit up, his entire body tensed with urgency.

“She’s already on her way? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” He snatched his coat, practically bolting toward the door. “It’s too hot outside—if she gets heatstroke, it’ll be a disaster.”

And just like that, he dropped everything and rushed out the door.

The Calloway elders looked visibly uncomfortable but quickly scrambled for an excuse to justify his actions.

“Finn called earlier,” Ryder’s father explained. “He asked Ryder to take care of Sage, while she visits. You understand, don’t you?”

“Yes,” his mother chimed in. “After all, Sage is his sister-in-law, right?” 

I could still remember them sobbing, kneeling at my feet on the day of my wedding. They had sworn they would cut all ties between Ryder and Sage, begged me to forgive them, to trust that they wouldn’t interfere in our lives anymore.

Liars. Every last one of them.

But instead of calling them out, I simply smiled and nodded.

“You’re right,” I said smoothly. “Sage is my sister. Ryder’s sister-in-law. Of course, it makes sense for him to pick her up.”

The Calloway elders beamed at my ‘understanding’ nature, but they still lingered, watching me too closely, clearly unsure whether I knew about the admission letters.

I needed to get out of there.

Feigning indifference, I grabbed my things and made an excuse about needing to buy medicine in town.

At the pharmacy, I reached into my pockets, feeling around for some spare change—but all I found was emptiness. Not even enough to buy a simple burn ointment.

Just as I turned to leave, a familiar voice floated through the thin partition separating me from the next room.

“Ryder, it’s just a little low blood sugar. You really didn’t have to bring me all the way to clinic,” Sage’s voice was as soft and delicate as ever, like she was afraid she might shatter if she spoke too loudly.

“Besides,” she continued, a teasing lilt in her tone, “you’ve already spent so much money on me. Won’t my sister mind?”

Ryder scoffed, completely unfazed. “She? What’s she going to do? She lives off me. It’s not like she gets a say in how I spend my money.”

My breath caught in my throat.

“Your health is more important,” Ryder went on, his voice gentle in a way it had never been with me. “Doctor, I’ll take everything you recommended for her. And some candied plums, too—she hates bitter medicine.”

A pause. Then, Sage spoke again, hesitant.

“Thanks, Ryder. But…don’t you think we should get some for my sister too? What if she gets jealous? ”

Ryder laughed, completely dismissive. “Why waste the money? She can handle bitter medicine. She always has.”