The Stand-In Vampire Wife Who Walked Away

Elena's POV

The next morning, I got up early, pretending nothing had happened.

I put on the pale blue robe James liked best and made breakfast, the way I always did.

I hadn't slept. The shadows under my eyes were awful.

But I didn't know any other way to face this.

The toaster popped. I plated everything and set two breakfasts on the table.

James came down a few minutes later than usual. Vicky was right behind him.

They hadn't come from the same room.

A small, stupid wave of relief went through me. Then I despised myself for it.

James looked uncomfortable.

He saw the shadows under my eyes. The guilt was right there in his face. He started to say something.

Vicky smiled and slid into the chair next to him.

"Thank you, Elena."

"James told me last night you cook beautifully."

"I appreciate the special treatment."

She'd taken my seat. She sat there easy, like she was the lady of the house.

I gripped the hem of my robe. I stared at James, willing him to say something.

He didn't.

My eyes burned. The tears were coming any second.

But I had too much pride for that.

I gave that face — my face — a smile, and reached over and pulled her plate toward me.

"Don't mention it. This one wasn't for you."

I bit into the buttered toast. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw James freeze.

Vicky bit her lip. She glared at me, and then made herself laugh, soft and forgiving.

"I understand, Elena. This is hard for anyone."

I pretended I hadn't heard. I pushed the butter toward James.

"Babe? You're not eating? I thought you loved my buttered toast."

"Is it because there's not enough butter today?"

I smiled at him, sweet, working hard to look normal.

He took the butter without thinking. The look in his eyes when he met mine was full of pity.

"Elena, we need to talk—"

I pretended I hadn't heard that either, and just kept going.

"That bread we used to get all the time — I think they changed the recipe. It isn't sweet anymore."

"Elena—"

He said my name. His red eyes shimmered.

He was still being a gentleman about it. He couldn't bring himself to tear off the mask I was holding up, even though my voice was shaking now.

"What do you think, babe? You don't like the new recipe either, right?"

"Let's go to the market together next time. The staff make things easy, but I'd rather—"

"Elena, I'm sorry."

He cut me off, finally.

I bowed my head and chewed the toast. I couldn't taste any of it.

"I'm sorry. The person I love has always been—"

"I'm tired today. Don't. Please."

My shoulders were shaking. My voice was small.

"We'll talk about it later. Okay?"

I lifted my head and tried to smile. The tears came down anyway.

A muscle moved in James's jaw. He looked away. His beautiful, sculpted face was full of struggle.

But he'd made up his mind.

"I can't keep dragging this out, Elena. It isn't fair to you."

He softened his voice deliberately, like he was trying to wake me up.

"The one I love has always been Vicky."

"I told you I didn't want to hear it!"

We spoke at the same time. The plate in front of me hit the floor and shattered.

Vicky cried out, theatrical. James's arm shot up to shield her from the shards.

"Ah — sorry, I—"

I came back to myself and crouched on instinct, starting to pick up the pieces. The tears blurred my vision.

Just like the plate.

No matter how hard I lied to myself, our marriage couldn't be put back together.

Just now, the first person James had reached for hadn't been me.

It had been Vicky.

That was all the answer I needed.

I stood up. I didn't notice I'd cut my finger on the porcelain.

James came toward me in a hurry. He took my hand on instinct. Then he caught himself, let go, stepped back.

"I'll get a doctor—"

I grabbed his hand before he could pull away. I was crying and laughing at once.

I'd wanted to look beautiful for this. I couldn't. My face was all tears.

"James, you said it yourself. You loved me. You were the one who proposed. You wanted me to marry you."

I closed my hand around the pendant at my throat. I looked up at him, begging.

"You swore. You swore you'd protect me my whole life. Love me my whole life."

I stepped closer as I spoke. He turned his face away in pain.

"None of it counts anymore. Does it?"

"I'm sorry."

Even now, all he had for me was sorry.

"Let's get a divorce, Elena."

He said it.

I gave a thin, mocking smile, and let go of his hand.

"James. I'll never agree to a divorce."

I wiped my eyes. I looked at this man I loved more than anything, who could be this cruel to me, and I dug my heels in.

"I promised I would be your wife for life."

"I keep my promises."

"You can wait as long as you want. I'll be dead before I sign those papers."