My Cold Husband

Unconditional Love

Janine POV

I woke up early again because of Bes’s call. Just like always, I still prepared breakfast for Lucas—but this time, I didn’t wait for him to come downstairs. I left the house immediately.

I wanted to get away, even just for a few hours. I didn’t want any trouble. So I chose to be the one who steps aside.

Sophia has been staying in our house for two days now. She said she has nowhere else to go here in the Philippines and doesn’t want to book a hotel.

Lucas didn’t mind at all—he was the one who offered for her to stay in the mansion.

I may not like it, but I have no choice.

Who am I, anyway?

I’m only his wife on paper, not in his heart.

If I don’t want my husband to hate me even more, then I have to stay silent and agree to everything he wants.

I’m on my way to my mom’s place now. She said she has something important to tell me. I don’t want her to see me like this—broken—so I stopped by the salon first, just to look presentable.

Until now, I still don’t understand what I’m feeling. Fear, guilt, pity—all mixed. My chest tightens every time I remember the night Sophia and I met again.

Their words are still vivid in my mind… and so is the pain the man I love caused me.

Flashback – Two Days Ago

After that woman called me a b***h, I hoped—just a little—that my husband would defend me.

Even just once.

“Luc, your wife is very beautiful, right?” Sophia asked.

Lucas looked at her, then back at his glass of wine.

“Yeah. She’s beautiful.”

I was shocked.

And for the first time in a long while, I smiled.

It had been so long since he last called me beautiful.

“Maybe if she gives me that damn medicine again—”

Guilt hit me instantly.

I saw anger, fear, and despair in his eyes.

He finished his drink in one gulp and gave Sophia a bitter smile. She looked saddened—almost pitying him.

Was I the only one who couldn’t feel sorry for my own husband?

I forced myself not to cry in front of them. Quietly, I went upstairs and locked myself in the room.

I woke up to loud noises.

Something was being smashed downstairs.

I rushed out of bed and ran down, terrified that something bad had happened to Lucas.

It was already two in the morning.

When I reached the dining area, broken bottles, shattered plates, and ruined figurines greeted me.

Sophia was there—trying to stop Lucas from destroying everything.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

Suddenly, Sophia slapped me.

Hard.

My eyes widened in shock.

“You’re the reason he’s like this! This is all your fault! You’re a useless woman!”

I looked at Lucas.

He looked exhausted. Sad.

But when his eyes met mine, they changed.

As if he didn’t recognize me anymore.

He walked toward me—and in a split second, his hand was around my neck.

My back slammed against the wall.

I couldn’t breathe.

“You deserve to die! You ruined my life!”

I tried to pry his hand away, but he was too strong.

I heard Sophia crying and shouting.

“Luc! Let her go! You’ll destroy your own life!”

Finally, he released me.

I collapsed onto the floor, coughing, shaking, crying.

He punched the wall beside my face.

That was when I completely broke down.

“What do I have to do… just for you to forgive me?” I cried.

“Is there really no forgiveness left for me?”

“I’m going to marry someone else,” he said coldly.

I felt myself shatter.

“You don’t love me!” he shouted. “If you did, you would’ve let me be happy.”

“You’re selfish.”

Then he walked away.

Sophia approached and handed me a glass of water.

“Let go,” she said coldly. “She’s coming.”

End of Flashback

It still hurts.

Even now, guilt feels like it’s killing me.

When I arrived at my mom’s house, I stayed in the car for a moment.

I didn’t want her to see how broken I was.

But the moment I stepped out, she pulled me into a tight hug.

“I miss you, Mom. I love you.”

And for the first time, I felt real rest.

While we were eating pancakes, she finally told me why she called.

“Sweetie, I want you to take over my company.”

My eyes widened.

.

Joy came—but so did fear.

“Mom… do I really have to let go of my husband?”

She held my hand gently.

“My child, love yourself first.”

That was when my tears finally fell.

“You’ve been hurting for two years. That’s enough.”

She hugged me tightly.

“If he can’t love you, don’t force it. Some battles must be let go so you can live.”

As I left my mom’s house, one question kept repeating in my mind.

Am I finally strong enough to choose myself… even if it means losing Lucas?