🌙 Part 1 — The Night of Exhaustion
It was 2 a.m. when Emily Sterling lay curled up on the bed, her body trembling from exhaustion. Her husband, Gabriel Holton, had just returned from a business trip after several days, and all his pent-up desire had exploded into wild intensity.
The floor was littered with used condoms — eight in total. Emily’s throat was sore from crying out, her limbs heavy like stone. When she whispered “Water,” Gabriel wordlessly helped her sit up and brought a glass to her lips.
💔 Part 2 — Beauty Beside a Stranger
Under the warm light, Emily gazed at the man she had married two years ago. Gabriel’s sharp, striking features glowed with confidence and power — the kind of man women fell for instantly. But to Emily, he was a mystery, both familiar and unreachable.
In that quiet moment, a thought bloomed in her heart: maybe it was time for them to have a baby — a child with both their blood. Maybe a baby could bring warmth to their cold marriage.
❄️ Part 3 — The Shattered Dream
Her daydream shattered when Gabriel’s deep, indifferent voice broke the silence.
“Remember to take your pills tomorrow.”
Emily froze, then forced a bitter smile. “Even with condoms, you’re still not reassured?”
Gabriel’s lips curled in mockery. “What do you think?”
His cold words stabbed through her chest, crushing what little hope remained. The tension hung heavy between them, until a sudden phone ringtone pierced the air.
📱 Part 4 — The Name That Killed the Silence
Emily glanced at the glowing phone screen — the name Amelia appeared.
Amelia Waverly. The woman everyone knew as Gabriel’s childhood sweetheart. They had grown up together, studied together, and when she returned from abroad, Gabriel personally appointed her as his secretary. Their connection was deep, their bond undeniable. Everyone whispered that Amelia was the true woman in Gabriel’s heart — not his wife.
⚡ Part 5 — A Call That Broke Her Heart
Gabriel picked up the call immediately. Amelia’s soft voice floated clearly through the quiet room:
“Gabe, I think I’m running a slight fever. Can you take me to the hospital?”
Gabriel’s voice softened, almost tender. “Sure. Rest for now. I’ll be there shortly.”
He hung up, his expression tight with concern. Emily’s fingers trembled under the blanket as she watched him hurry to dress. A wave of pain hit her.
🌧️ Part 6 — The Memory That Burned
Her mind flashed back to last year — when she had gone on a medical mission to the countryside. A disaster struck, and terrified, she had called Gabriel for help.
But instead of comforting her, he had mocked her for “overreacting,” hanging up coldly. That night, she had nearly died in fear — and he hadn’t cared.
Now, Amelia had a mild fever, and Gabriel was willing to rush out in the middle of the night. For Emily, it was clear: her husband had never loved her.
🕯️ Part 7 — The Jealous Wife
Driven by anger and pain, Emily threw off the blanket, ran to the door, and blocked Gabriel’s path. “It’s so late. Do you really have to go?”
Gabriel looked down at her, his eyes flat, unreadable. “You’re jealous?”
Emily bit her lip and nodded. “As your wife, shouldn’t I be?”
He smirked cruelly. “You’re not worthy of being jealous of Amelia.”
His words sliced through her soul. Without another glance, he turned the doorknob and walked out, slamming the door into her shoulder as he left.
🌪️ Part 8 — Left Behind in Silence
Emily stumbled backward and collapsed to the floor. The slam echoed like thunder in her mind. Moments later, she heard the roar of his car engine fading into the distance.
The room was now painfully quiet. The sheets still smelled of him, but the warmth was gone. She wrapped her arms around her knees, trembling, tears streaming endlessly.
For the first time, she admitted the truth — she had fallen into an abyss of her own making.
💧 Part 9 — A Fool’s Love
Emily realized she had always known this marriage was hollow. She had tried to fill it with love, patience, and faith, but Gabriel had only ever kept one woman in his heart — Amelia.
She was nothing but a placeholder, a name on a marriage certificate, a woman to share his bed but not his heart.
Still, she couldn’t stop the ache. Even in pain, she had loved him too deeply, hoping he might one day look at her with tenderness. That hope now turned to ashes.
🔥 Part 10 — The Final Blow
Just as her tears began to dry, her phone rang again.
It was her best friend, Mallory Prescott.
“Mills! Guess who I just saw — your husband! He’s got a woman in his arms, and they look real close. That bastard! Couldn’t he have gone to any other hospital? He came to yours! Is he trying to disgust you on purpose?”
Emily’s hand trembled as she listened. Her vision blurred with tears, not from surprise — but confirmation. Everything she had feared was real.
Gabriel hadn’t just left her alone; he had humiliated her completely.
That night, Emily Sterling realized it was truly time to leave — not just the house, but the man who had never once looked back.
