The Heartless husband's Regret : Keep Your Hands

Freya “What can you actually do besides whine, Freya?” His voice was icy as he slammed his cane against the floor. As always, I froze, staring at him, unable to defend myself right away. “Today is our wedding anniversary, Ethan.” I tried to explain. It was the third anniversary of our marriage, and I simply wanted to celebrate it. I finished my work early and picked up the cake I had ordered. I had done everything with excitement, believing Ethan would feel the same—that he would appreciate the gesture. Instead, he brushed the cake away. It fell straight onto the documents spread across his desk. “You're insulting me.” The air grew unbearably heavy the moment he said those words. He looked at me with the same cold, piercing gaze he always did. My body went rigid as I was confronted with a truth I had known all along—that our marriage had been unbearably cold for the past two years. Two years ago, Ethan was involved in an accident that left his left leg permanently disabled, forcing him to rely on a cane to walk. His pride was shattered. His expression became hard, and whatever love he once carried seemed to have been completely swept away. I knew how devastating it had been for him. As his wife, all I had ever wanted was to stay by his side and help him through it. “Pointless. Do you want everyone to know that you and I are married?” His tone remained cold. Right... I should have remembered that no one was supposed to know we were husband and wife. My heart began to pound painfully, every beat stabbing at my chest. With trembling hands, I picked up the cake and hurried outside to throw it into the trash. For the past two years, my marriage could hardly be called a marriage. There had been no intimacy, no sweet conversations, not even a single gentle look. Ethan only spoke to me in a cold, commanding voice, and I always obeyed. At the beginning of our marriage, he hadn't been this distant. When we were alone, he would talk with me and even touch me. Remembering the past only made me feel even more miserable, yet I kept forcing myself to understand the situation. Yes, things had turned out this way because Ethan Ashford—the extraordinary, seemingly perfect man everyone feared and admired, could no longer walk without a cane. I understood that all too well. Even after everything, I still forced a smile onto my face. A message made my phone vibrate. I looked down at the screen. There will be a company banquet tonight. Behave yourself. The moment I read it, my fingers hurried to type a reply before he could get angry. I understand. As his hidden wife, I knew my place. I would never do anything to tarnish his reputation. The Ashford family could never accept a daughter-in-law from a small village—if it hadn't been for his grandfather. Three years ago, his grandfather had arranged our marriage. Ethan hadn't objected at all, and I foolishly believed he was my destined soulmate. I never should have put so much faith in a promise made under the influence of alcohol. I let out a suffocating breath through my nose, trying to steady myself before leaving to get ready as quickly as possible. That evening, the company's banquet began. Everything seemed to be going smoothly, and I quietly stayed at the edge of the ballroom. Despite the lively atmosphere filling the hall, I felt nothing but emptiness. I just wanted the night to end so I could finally go home and rest. However, the moment the grand doors opened, Ethan walked in with the same commanding, stoic expression he always wore. What I couldn't believe was the woman in a pale pink gown clinging sweetly to his arm. My hands trembled. My heart ached unbearably as I watched Ethan subtly return the touch of the woman beside him. I knew her. She was his childhood friend. We had met several times when I had just married Ethan. It was all so strange because I should have remained calm. I already knew about Vivian. So I stayed silent, simply watching. “Mr. Ethan, did you come with your girlfriend?” My breath caught the instant I heard one of the guests ask the question. “Yes. She's my girlfriend.” I clutched the left side of my chest as his unexpected answer struck me like a blade. It made no sense. He had told me that keeping our marriage a secret was necessary for his own good. And now, everyone believed Vivian was his girlfriend. My body began to tremble as excitement spread through the crowd, everyone delighted by the revelation. “You must love her very much. I heard the two of you have been childhood friends.” “When are you getting married?” Their questions only made the pain inside me worse. But what truly shattered me was Ethan's answer. “As soon as possible. I'll be sending all of you an invitation.” He smiled. Ethan's gaze met mine, yet he remained perfectly calm. He had humiliated me on our wedding anniversary. And he had succeeded. My eyes drifted away. I turned around and walked off without another word. My pride—as his wife and as the woman who loved him, couldn't bear to stay there any longer. I hurried out of the ballroom. There was no point in telling everyone that I was his wife. Ethan didn't come after me. Standing alone on the quiet terrace, I rubbed my chest desperately, hoping the pain would disappear. “No... no,” I whispered to myself. “Ethan has a reason. He always has a reason...” Rubbing my chest didn't help at all. I struck it several times until I doubled over, coughing. Then I wiped my tears away roughly. Couldn't I have just one peaceful day? My phone vibrated. Ethan was calling. I quickly composed myself so he wouldn't hear the sound of my crying. He hated it. “Wait for me at home. There's something I want to discuss.” His voice was cold and firm. “Yes.”