To Hell With Him

Callista went to bed late and woke up late as well. As she stepped out of the bedroom, Luther came through the door while holding a bag in his hands.

"Honey, I bought your favorite honey garlic prawns," he announced while presenting the package as if it were a treasure.

"I rushed back to keep them warm for you. Eat them while they're hot."

In the past, whenever Luther upset her, he would buy honey garlic prawns to cheer her up.

Callista never particularly liked them, but she always forgave him—not because of the prawns, but because she loved him.

What was this gesture for today? Was it to ease his guilt after spending the whole night with another woman?

"Honey, did you see the message I sent before I went out? When did you wake up?"

For some reason, Luther felt a vague unease over Callista's recent demeanor.

"No, I just woke up," Callista replied as she picked up her fork. She wouldn't let herself go hungry because of him.

When he saw her calm expression that seemed to have no trace of anger, Luther finally relaxed. "I'll take care of some work first. When you're done eating, I'll join you for a walk."

Callista continued eating while opening her phone.

Wren had just posted a new update.

"He spoils me so much. I casually mentioned wanting honey garlic prawns, and he immediately went out to get them for me."

Attached to the post was a photo of a bag of the honey garlic prawns—the same ones Callista was eating out of.

Meanwhile, Luther let out a soft laugh across the table. Seconds later, a new comment appeared under Wren's post.

Luther replied, "It's good that you're self-aware."

Not long after, Jane chimed in with her own comment.

"Of course, he should spoil you. Just tell us whatever you want. You're a hero—not like someone else who takes up space but can't even conceive."

Jane's comment was visible to Luther as well.

Callista glanced up. She was curious to see his reaction. He didn't seem bothered at all. In fact, he was wearing a smile. His expression was filled with warmth and contentment.

Callista chuckled to herself. She pulled up Jane's profile and blocked her on all platforms in one swift move. She had been wanting to do that for a long time.

Before Callista could finish breakfast, Luther's phone rang. It was Jane.

Her sharp voice practically burst through the speaker, and Luther frowned as he looked at Callista.

"Mom said she wants to bring you some herbal medicine. Did you block her?"

"There's no need. I'm not drinking it."

Jane had a habit of sending her strange, bitter herbal remedies, none of which were helpful. Callista had forced herself to choke them down over the years, only to endure Jane's passive-aggressive remarks about wasting her kindness.

"But you can't just—"

Even if Jane couldn't send her messages anymore, the old ones were still there. Callista slid her phone across the table toward Luther.

The most recent message from Jane read, "A woman who can't have children is worthless. You couldn't even keep the one you managed to conceive.

"You're such a failure. I won't allow the Spencer family lineage to end with you."

Callista had been pregnant once in their first year of marriage.

But the baby's heartbeat suddenly stopped at seven months, and she was forced to undergo an induced labor.

Jane had made countless remarks blaming her over the years.

Callista, however, knew Luther had always tried to mediate and spoke up for her in front of his mother. Not wanting to make things harder for him, she had never brought it up.

But this time, Luther frowned at Callista.

"She's still my mom. You should try to understand her a little," he said.

"And who's supposed to understand me?"

Callista retorted with a cold laugh. "Luther, you know how devastated I was back then."

"But have you ever considered that there might have been a reason for the miscarriage?" Luther sighed.

"Maybe you ate something you shouldn't have, or perhaps you used the wrong cosmetics…"

Tears spilled down Callista's face instantly.

"Don't cry," Luther said. He realized that he had said the wrong thing. "I'm sorry. That's not what I meant."

During her first pregnancy, Callista had been more careful than anyone else. She hadn't worn makeup even once, avoided eating out entirely, and refused to travel anywhere far.

When she lost the baby, her entire world collapsed. Luther stayed by her side every moment, never leaving her alone, and took care of her 24/7.

He had reassured her over and over. "Honey, it's not your fault. Even if we never have children, it doesn't matter. You're all I care about."

Luther was there for an entire month. He had pulled her back out of the abyss.

But now, she finally understood. He also believed it was her fault the baby didn't survive.