The Husband Who Regretted Too Late

Chapter 3

The chill now cut like a knife, a stark contrast to the tenderness of just moments ago. He spoke with such self-righteous conviction, utterly blind to his own cruelty.

Selena's gaze fell on the cup of warm coffee on the nightstand. Her feet froze, glued to the floor as if nailed down.

Five years ago, he had done it all for her. He had bought the sanitary pads, brewed the soothing drink, and even taken care of everything when the cramps left her helpless. Selena's menstrual pain was debilitating. Each cycle left her curled up and gasping.

Austin had coddled her like a precious child. He had blown on each spoonful before feeding it to her. Now, knowing full well she was suffering, he forced her out into the rain. And worst of all, he was giving all that care to someone else.

"It hurts, doesn't it?" His voice was low and deliberate. "Funny. I thought you were heartless." His dark eyes pinned her in place.

Selena jerked back to reality. She forced a brittle smile. "Why would it hurt? I'm just earning my keep. Don't worry. I'll take good care of her."

She led Amanda into the bathroom. The girl stripped without hesitation, giggling as she boasted. "Austin is so strong. He left bruises all over my chest."

The girl's pale skin was a canvas of purple fingerprints. They clustered thickest around her breasts.

Selena pressed her lips tight. Her hands shook as she passed over the underwear. Her heart might as well have been ground to dust under his heel. Every breath stung.

Outside, Austin suddenly smashed a bowl against the tiles. The crash reverberated like a gunshot.

When they emerged, porcelain shards carpeted the floor. Amanda cowered in the corner, her lip bleeding where she had bitten it. Austin stood quivering with rage.

Selena stepped forward and knelt to gather the pieces. He wrenched her wrist up. His eyes were black voids. His voice strained. "You're really this desperate? You'd sell yourself out completely for money?"

"Would you kneel? Would you beg like a mongrel?"

Her answer was a sickening crunch as her knees hit the broken porcelain. Shards bit into her flesh. Pain radiated up her legs as she trembled. She pressed her forehead to the cold floor.

His voice cracked like a whip. "Get out."

He flung her backward. She landed hard. His glare was colder than the tiles beneath her.

The door slammed, plunging the hallway into silence.

She stared at the blood crusting her palms. A broken laugh escaped her lips. "You're right. I'm beyond saving."

Later, in her room, Selena pulled out the hidden notebook by moonlight. She etched each mundane detail like a lifeline. If her mind truly began to fail, these pages would be her compass.

She cried until sunrise. She woke to a pillowcase stiff with salt.

Pale sunlight bled through the curtains. It was cold as the look he had given her. A chill that seeped into her bones.

At exactly nine o'clock, Austin's door clicked open. Maybe he was in a rare good mood today.

He snapped an icy command. "Serve Amanda her breakfast."

Amanda? Who was that?

Selena frowned. The question slipped out before she could stop herself.

Austin whipped around. Irritation sharpened his voice. "You forgot already? Drop the act. You were the one who fetched her yesterday."

Only when she spotted Amanda standing behind him did yesterday come flooding back. Instantly, her heart plummeted. A cold sweat prickled her skin. Quentin had said she had two weeks before the memory loss worsened. Yet here she was, already slipping.

Her head bowed. Her lips twisted in a bitter smile.

After steadying her breath, she guided the properly dressed Amanda to the dining room. The younger girl studied her with quiet curiosity. Why was a rich wife treated like dirt compared to the staff? Still finding her footing, she did not dare ask.

She shrank into a chair at the far end. Only for Austin to haul her onto his lap.

Amanda yelped. Her face flushed scarlet.

He chuckled. "Stay put," he murmured. "I'll feed you myself."