My Cold Husband

Unspoken Jealousy

Janine POV

Several weeks have passed since Lucas tried to end his own life. Since then, I’ve tried my best not to get too close to him.

I kept my distance—to avoid making him angry and risking him hurting himself again.

I also know that Sophia is always with him.

Wherever he goes, she seems to be watching over him—afraid he might do something to himself again. And I can see how he’s always smiling whenever she’s around.

Whenever I pass by, it’s as if I don’t exist to them. Or sometimes, when I know they’re in the living room, I take the back way just so I won’t ruin their good day.

I finally decided to follow what Mommy wanted.

I didn’t tell Lucas anymore—I know he doesn’t really care about what’s happening in my life anyway. In just a few more days, I know I’ll be strong enough to completely leave his world.

I’m now here at Mommy’s company building. The guards immediately smiled at me because the news had already spread that I would be the one managing the company.

“Good morning, Ma’am. Sir Samonte is already inside,” Mommy’s assistant greeted me.

I’m finally going to meet her business partner—the first thing I need to do is get to know him so we can work well together in growing the business.

“Good morning, and thank you,” I replied.

When I entered, I saw a man reading a magazine. He didn’t notice me right away, so I approached him.

“Hi, good morning. I’m Janine Samaniego. You’re Mr. Samonte, right?” I greeted him with a smile.

He immediately stood up and placed the magazine on the table. I couldn’t help but admire his looks—he was very handsome. I thought Mommy’s business partner would be around her age, but he’s actually young. Still, Luc is more handsome.

“Good morning too. I’m Jerome Samonte—your soon-to-be partner,” he said with a smile.

“In life.”

I frowned.

“I mean, in the life of business,” he quickly added.

“Your husband is Lucas Samaniego, right?” he asked.

I smiled faintly and nodded.

“Don’t worry, Ms. Janine. I know everything. Your mom told me.”

Of course—Mommy really talks a lot.

“Is that so? That’s embarrassing. Sorry about her, she gets too comfortable,”

I joked.

He chuckled softly.

“It’s fine. She’s a good mother. I even dream of having a child like you.”

I laughed.

“You can, if you’re willing to be adopted.”

We both laughed.

“Why would I need to be adopted when there are other ways, Ms. Janine?” he said meaningfully.

I chose to ignore it.

“I think we should focus on business, Mr. Samonte. Time is gold,” I said seriously.

He suddenly laughed out loud.

It’s been almost a month since I started coming to the office. It’s helped me a lot—I don’t cry as often anymore. I spend less time at home, and I can really feel that I’m learning how to stand on my own.

I’m always busy at Mommy’s company. It’s exhausting, but fulfilling. And whenever I have free time, I talk to Jerome. Turns out, this guy is actually kind—he just doesn’t look like it at first.

“Janine, let’s have dinner together, please,” he invited. I usually refuse, but sometimes I end up giving in.

“Fine, but you’re treating,” I joked.

“Of course. Anything for you,” he replied with a smile.

The next day, I woke up with a terrible headache.

When I looked at the alarm clock—I was extremely late. After dinner, he insisted we drink at a bar, so I ended up coming home at dawn.

Before going upstairs, I thought I saw Lucas—peeking from his bedroom door, then suddenly closing it. I brushed it off.

I quickly took a shower and got dressed.

As I rushed downstairs, someone spoke behind me.

“Where are you going?”

It was Lucas.

“To the office. I’m in a hurry,” I answered.

I was about to leave when he suddenly grabbed my hand. I turned around—my heart started pounding at the way he was looking at me. It’s been so long since he looked at me like this.

“Why? Do you need something?” I asked.

He didn’t say anything. He just pulled me toward the dining table.

“Sit down.”

“Luc, if you’re going to ask me to do something—sorry, but I really can’t right now,” I complained.

“I said, sit down. Eat.”

I was shocked.

“I’ll just have breakfast at the office—”

“You own that company. Why are you rushing? Eat there, or do you want me to feed you?”

I sighed and sat down.

While I was eating, he kept staring at me.

“Are you on a diet? You’ve lost weight.” I ignored him.

“Do you always skip meals?” he asked again.

“Sometimes… when I have a lot to take care of.”

He nodded, then handed me an envelope.

When I opened it—annulment papers.

My chest suddenly tightened.

“Do you have a pen? Sign it so we can process it right away.” He immediately handed me his pen.

I took it, but he suddenly grabbed the papers back.

“I’m in a hurry. Some other time,” he said.

He was about to leave when he turned back, leaned in, and whispered—

“I miss your coffee. I miss you too.”

I froze. Confused. Why did he suddenly change?

At the office, I couldn’t focus.

“Janine, are you okay?” Jerome asked.

I told him everything.

“Don’t take it seriously for now. Until he tells you he loves you, don’t let yourself be carried away.”

He was right.

He invited me to dinner again, but this time I said no alcohol because I kept coming in late due to hangovers.

After dinner, he drove me home.

“You’re really fun to be with. I enjoy talking to you,” I said.

“I hope you don’t just enjoy my company—I hope you’ll like me too.”

I took a deep breath.

“Jerome, you know who I love.”

He laughed.

“That’s why you keep getting hurt—you’re too easy to fool,” he said jokingly, though there was sadness in his eyes.

“You’re such an idiot.” I lightly punched his arm. I got out of the car, teasing him like a child, so he chased after me.

We ran, laughed, and played until—

We both fell onto the grass. I didn’t realize we were already staring into each other’s eyes. His gaze slowly dropped to my lips, and I closed my eyes, as if waiting for his lips to touch mine.

Until a car horn blared.

It was Lucas.

Jerome and I immediately snapped back to reality and pulled away. He helped me up and brushed the grass off my legs.

Lucas gestured for us to come closer.

When we did, Sophia was behind him—hands on her hips, smirking. I rolled my eyes. I was tired of letting her treat me that way.

“Why are you only coming home now? Is that how a married woman comes home, Janine?! And what is this—playing around like kids here? How embarrassing!” Luc asked coldly.

I tried to explain, but he ignored me.

“And who are you?” he asked Jerome angrily.

“I’m Jerome Samonte. Her boyfriend,” Jerome replied.

I was shocked.

Lucas lunged at Jerome and punched him.

He pulled me and placed me behind him.

“Stay away from my wife!”

He was about to attack Jerome again, so I stepped between them.

“Luc, stop it!” I shouted. “I’m tired of loving you! What is your problem?! You treat everyone around me like this just because you don’t want me to be happy! So don’t you dare hurt Jerome—because he’s one of the good people you never managed to be for me!”

He went silent. Shocked.

I went to Jerome, apologized for what happened, and told him how incredibly stubborn Lucas was. He just smiled at me and hugged me.

Jerome left after whispering something to Luc.

When I entered my room, I collapsed onto the bed.

What a day.

Absolutely exhausting.