11: Heartless Husband.
My eyes fluttered open. Pain radiates through my body, every muscle aching like. I’d been trampled by a stampede.
The beeping of machines around me and the low murmurs in the room pulled me back to reality.
“Astrid!” Seth‘ s voice sounded with relief and something else anger, maybe? His hand was around mine in an instant, gripping tightly, as if afraid I’d slip away again.
His eyes, bloodshot and tired, met mine, brimming with emotion. “You‘ re
awake… Thank God.”
Dad stood just behind him, hands clasped like he’d been praying this whole time. His usual strong, stoic expression was softened, worry written all over his face.
“Astrid,” he said quietly.
I tried to speak, but my throat was raw, and
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my voice came out barely above a whisper.
“I… I want a divorce.”
The words left my lips before I could second–guess them, and the room stilled. Seth’s face hardened instantly, his jaw tightening.
“That bastard,” he hissed, his voice a mix of fury and pain. “I’ll kill him for this, Astrid. For everything he’s done to you.”
I squeezed his hand weakly, a feeble attempt to ground him. “No,” I said, my voice trembling but firm. “Just… call him. Bring him here. I need to hear it from him. What he thinks about me.”
Seth‘ s expression darkened, his anger barely contained, but he nodded. “Fine, he said tightly, pulling out his phone.
“I’ll call him.”
Dad placed a hand on Seth’s shoulder, taking him outside. They both stepped away, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I closed my eyes, my chest rising and
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falling with shallow breaths. Memories came flooding back, crashing over me like waves Ash’s cold words, the kidnappers‘ mocking laughter, his choice. He had chosen her. Again. It was all too much.
When Seth returned, his face was unreadable, “He’s on his way,” he said. simply, his voice flat and filled with disgust.
I nodded, though I felt sick to my core.
When the door opened and Ash walked in, his presence filled the space like a weight pressing down on my chest. He barely glanced at me before turning his attention to Seth, his posture stiff, his expression impatient.
“Make it quick,” he said coldly, crossing his arms. “I need to get back to Kate and comfort her. She’s been through enough today.”
My stomach twisted at his words, but I said nothing.
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Seth’s fists clenched at his sides, the fury
radiating off him palpable. Without
warning, he stepped forward and swung. his fist connecting with Ash’s jaw with a sickening thud. Ash staggered back, clutching his face, his eyes wide with shock.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Ash spat, his glare sharp enough to cut glass.
“What’s wrong with you?” Seth bellowed, his voice shaking the room. “Do. you even feel a shred of guilt for what s happened to my sister? Do you even care?”
Ash straightened, brushing off his suit as if Seth’s punch hadn’t rattled him. His gaze was cold, distant. “I said I’m sorry. didn’t I? But let’s not pretend this isn’t her fault. She’s the one who provoked them, got herself into trouble. I’ve told her countless times to stay out of things.”
I felt the air leave my lungs. Each word was like a knife, twisting deeper into a wound I hadn’t even realized was still open..
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Seth’s face turned a dangerous shade of red, his body trembling with suppressed rage. “Her fault?” he growled, his voice low and venomous.
“No, Ash. This is your fault. You‘ re the one who put their boss in prison. You‘ re the reason they wanted revenge. You made her their target!” His voice broke, raw and trembling. “Do you even know what she’s lost because of you?”
Ash’s brow furrowed, his cold mask slipping slightly. “What are you talking about?” he asked, his tone dismissive.
“She lost her child, you bastard!” Seth yelled, his voice cracking with the force of his emotions. “Your child. And you never even noticed.”
Ash froze, his eyes widening. For a moment, he looked like a man who had been punched in the gut. “She was… pregnant?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
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Seth laughed bitterly, “Yes, you were going to be a father. But you were too busy running after someone else to notice!”
Ash’s face darkened, his expression unreadable. Then he spoke, his tone laced with disbelief. “How do I know she isn’t lying again to get attention?”
The words hit me harder.
Seth didn’t hesitate this time. He punched Ash again, sending him stumbling back.
“You fucking bastard,” he yelled at him.
I sat there, silent, watching the man I had once loved, the man I had once believed in. And as I looked at him now, all I saw was a stranger a hollow, selfish man who didn’t deserve a single tear I had ever shed for him.
Seth grabbed a stack of papers and shoved them into Ash s chest. “Sign these and send them back. She’s done with you, Ash. She’s done.”
Ash stared at the papers, his expression
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