AFTER DIVORCING MY ARMY HUSBAND

CHAPTER 2:

Melinda's POV

Trying to calm myself and stay properly. Jameson clamped down on my wrist so hard like he planned to kill me, but I just couldn't stop myself from letting out a snort of laughter in his presence.

“What’s the big deal? I'm lying when I call you an impotent husband?” I teased him, even though I knew better than anyone that it wasn’t true. Still, I couldn’t stop myself, getting under his skin was the only way I knew how to deal with him.

In bed, he was never gentle. His hands were always strong, sometimes so strong, they left marks on my hips.

But tonight, I only wanted to push his buttons.

“Melinda!” he growled, his voice heavy with anger.

“Did I say something wrong? Then prove me wrong!” I snapped back.

I wrapped my legs around his waist, and I could feel his breathing grow rough. A smile spread across my face. I knew I was getting to him.

But then he pulled me off him, his hands firm. “Do you have no shame, Melinda?”

Oh, now he wanted to act righteous?

Was he pretending to be some perfect gentleman now, just because his dear Clara had just come back to town? Please.

I’d put up with this for three long years, and I was done playing the good wife. If I had to suffer, then I’d drag everyone down with me.

I shoved him lightly and pressed my hand to his chest. My fingers drew slow circles over his hard muscles before sliding downward.

"Shame?" I let out a bitter laugh. "What's there to be ashamed of? You're the one who cheated. And now that you have, maybe I should get pregnant.

“At least then I’d have a real place in the Drake's family,” I said bitterly. “God knows I can’t count on you anymore.”

Jameson smacked my hand away, his expression darkened like a storm.

“You think you deserve to have a baby with me?” he asked, his voice sharp.

For a moment, I froze. The words caught me off guard, but I forced a laugh, loud and bitter. “Why wouldn’t I deserve it? I’m your wife, aren’t I? We’ve been married for three years, Jameson.”

“Wife?” he cut me off, his laugh cold and cruel. “You were never really my wife. If it hadn’t been for my grandfather, I never would’ve married you at all.”

The words hit me harder than a slap.

It felt like all the air had been punched out of my lungs. My chest tightened, and my stomach twisted. For a moment, I couldn’t breathe. Even though I had prepared myself for this day, and I had told myself many times that he didn’t love me, the pain still came crashing in, sharp and merciless.

It was like a thousand little knives stabbing into my heart all at once.

I looked at him, trying to keep my face steady, but my eyes betrayed me. The man I called my husband and respected for three years, the man I had fought with and cried over, was now standing in front of me, saying I had never meant anything at all.

At that moment, I realized just how alone I really was

Three years ago, my mom was seriously ill, and the debts my dad left behind were crushing me.

It was his grandfather, Marcus Drake, who stepped in. He offered me 700 million dollars and an old marriage contract, and that was how I ended up in the Drake's family.

People said I was a lucky woman. Overnight, I paid off my dad's overwhelming debt and became Mrs. Drake.

No one knew that since I was young, every page of my diary was filled with Jameson's name.

When I found out I could marry him, I felt like the luckiest woman in the world. All the hardships and pain I'd endured seemed worth it.

I spent our marriage trying to be a good wife in his house, loving him, doing everything possible to keep from getting on his nerves.

My photo album was like a shrine to him. He hated being photographed in his life, especially with me, so I had to secretly snap with my phone and sneak some pictures of him.

In three years of marriage, we only had one photo together, our wedding picture, because Grandpa insisted on taking it.

On my phone, I kept notes about Johnson, his likes, dislikes, and all the feelings I never said out loud because I was too proud.

“Today you’re away on a work trip. You forgot our first wedding anniversary, but that’s okay. I’ll remind you next year.”

"3 AM. You came home drunk, calling her name many times... God, what kind of a bond we make. Both of us love someone who'll never love us back. When will you forget her and finally see me?"

I've loved him so deeply that I've lost all my pride; it's pathetic, really. And after everything, I couldn't get in return, earn even a moment of real affection from him.

I guess it was time to end this pathetic excuse for a marriage that had left me feeling worthless for so long.

"Fine. If you hate being married to me so much, let's get a divorce."

I crossed my arms and walked to the balcony, yanking open the glass door. The cool night air rushed in, washing away the suffocating tension that had filled the room.

Behind me, I could hear Jameson burst into laughter.

"Divorce? Melinda, what new crazy stunt are you pulling now?"

He let out a tired sigh.

"Whatever game you're playing, I don't have time for this."

Suddenly, I heard his footsteps moving away. "I'm sleeping in the guest room tonight." He announced his declaration.

At the moment, he slammed the door so hard that it caused the walls to shake, leaving my face burning with shame.

All the strength drained from my body as I collapsed against the wall, tears streaming down my cheeks.

That night. I tossed and turned in bed, staring at the ceiling until daybreak through the windows.

Only one thought kept running through my mind... It was time for a divorce.