
When My Husband Wanted a Divorce
Chapter 2
I stood frozen in place, unable to believe what I was seeing and hearing.
Because of the child we lost, I kept approaching him with guilt, trying everything I could to get pregnant again.
But now, he was blaming me for everything.
I felt like I was suffocating again, and a bitter smile escaped my lips.
"Jayden, you don't know... I've already paid with my life for the child."
The next morning, Jayden and Ellie walked out of the same room together.
I wasn't surprised at all. In fact, I had expected this to happen.
Ellie was the one Jayden could never have. When she showed up with her child, Jayden couldn't wait to take her in.
"Her husband just died, and she's raising a young child alone. Should I just let her suffer without helping?
"Lilian, I never realized you were such a heartless woman!"
So, I watched as she slowly transformed our home into something she liked.
She even wanted to take down my wedding photos with Jayden.
"Gavin used to look at my wedding photos and call out for his dad. I'm worried he'll do the same if he sees yours."
Ellie sobbed weakly as she leaned into Jayden's arms, immediately earning his sympathy.
And so, the last proof of our love was locked away in the basement, gathering dust, never to see the light of day again.
At the dining table, Jayden carefully fed the baby formula while Ellie wore a concerned expression.
"Aren't you going to call Lilian for dinner? She hasn't been around since last night."
Jayden didn't even pause and instead reassured Ellie.
"You're just as kind as always.
"Go ahead and eat. Don't worry about her, she's probably sulking somewhere."
After saying this, he immediately called for Isaac.
"If she doesn't want to eat, then don't bother preparing meals for her these next two days!
"When she's hungry, she'll come out on her own."
Jayden turned to gently wipe the child's mouth, ignoring the hesitation in Isaac's expression.
Watching the tenderness in Jayden's eyes and his complete disregard for me, I spoke the words he didn't.
"I'll never be hungry again and never show up again."
Two days later, everyone began packing to leave the island.
It wasn't until they stepped onto the boat that Jayden finally remembered me.
"Where's Lilian?"
He frowned and asked. Isaac stepped forward to answer, but Jayden waved him off.
"Forget it. If she won't show up when we leave, we'll just leave her behind.
"Isaac, get a fishing boat ready and leave it by the shore. If she wants to come back, she can row herself home."
After saying that, he took the child from Ellie's arms and bounced him lightly, all traces of his earlier irritation gone.
I looked at the worn-out fishing boat, my eyes moist, but my tears had long dried.
So this is what I was worth to him, just a simple "forget it."
I didn't end up using the boat. Instead, I drifted along with Jayden back home.
The house was now covered with photos of Ellie and Jayden. Even if I accidentally appeared in one, I had been cropped out.
As days passed without any sign of me, Jayden became visibly angry and even a little anxious.
"She's gone all day, who knows where! She won't even come home!
"Where's my diving watch? If she's going to die, at least let her find my watch first!"
Jayden angrily hung up the phone, his face twisted in frustration.
I instinctively floated over to the bottom of the storage cabinet and reached out, but then stopped.
"She's completely useless. All she ever does is misplace my stuff!"
I looked back at Jayden and suddenly found him repulsive.
As the loyal wife behind a gold-medal diving champion, I had always taken care of his diving gear.
I still remembered how excited he was when he won his first championship, spinning me around in his arms.
He said it was all thanks to me, that without my help, he would've been too flustered to win.
But now that I was gone, all he did was blame me for misplacing his things.
I suddenly realized that, in his eyes, I was nothing more than a human storage cabinet. I was summoned when needed and dismissed when not.
Jayden won another championship.
I floated above, watching the joy on his face, but I didn't feel the same happiness as before.
I coldly watched as he hugged Ellie tightly, just like we used to.
"Gavin really is my lucky charm! I used a regular diving watch and still won!" Jayden said, lifting the child affectionately.
"If Lilian had hidden my watch and made me lose, I would've punished her severely!"
Ellie giggled and hooked her arm through Jayden's. "That's because you're talented enough not to be affected by these little accidents."
But it was me who had spent countless nights researching the best equipment for Jayden, carefully maintaining everything for him, and now all my efforts were erased with a single sentence.
He didn't remember the good I'd done, but he held onto my mistakes, resenting me forever.
I turned away, unwilling to listen or watch any longer.
Yet, his voice, like a curse, forced its way into my ears.
"Ellie, marry me.
"I didn't have the means before. I was afraid I couldn't give you the life you deserved, so I backed down. But now, we're a perfect match. This is fate.
"I want to give Gavin a real home."
Jayden, full of affection, knelt on one knee in front of everyone and pulled out a diamond ring.
Ellie held the child, her eyes brimming with tears as she whispered softly.
"What about Lilian? I don't want to be the other woman. You know I can't do that. Please don't force me.
"I don't want to be a bad person. I love you, but I can't say yes."
"Ellie..."
Jayden's face was full of tenderness as he gently pulled Ellie into his arms, speaking softly to comfort her, but it made my heart sink.
"Ellie, don't worry. I promise to give you proper status and to marry you openly and honorably.
"I'll divorce Lilian right away!"
"But that's too cruel to Lilian, isn't it?"
Ellie spoke with such kindness, but I caught the glimmer of a smile in her eyes.
"How could it be cruel? If she had any sense, she'd leave on her own!
"She hasn't been home in days. Who knows where she's been? I think she's stopped loving me long ago!"
Love?
I opened my mouth, but no sound came out.
"Jayden, I wanted to love you, but I just can't anymore."
A single tear fell onto the back of my hand, and I was shocked to realize that even as a soul, I could still feel the pain in my heart.