His Love Was Never Mine

Two years of marriage to my patient, and this is where I stand. I discovered the truth through my medical records: he's been in love with someone else all along. Now, that person is returning this holiday season. As for me? I'm just his wife on paper, a marriage of convenience, an obligation he felt forced to keep. A bitter ache hollowed out my chest as I sat alone at the hospital through the night. Maybe I should just step aside and let them have their happy ending? But why should I be the one to suffer? Julian was the one who pursued me in the first place. As usual, I brought in a glass of milk and pushed open the study door. The room, usually so serene, was in utter chaos. Julian's father clutched his chest, his hand trembling as he pointed at the woman standing behind his son. "Why are you back?" he spat. "After everything we did for you, this is how you pay us back?" The woman shrank back, speechless. Julian, always the devoted protector, stood defiantly in front of her, locked in a silent standoff with his father. Furious, the old man snatched a teacup and hurled it at her. Julian immediately threw himself in front of her. But the impact he expected never came, because I lunged without a second thought, blocking the cup with my own body. "Ah!" The teacup shattered into shards, and scalding tea splattered everywhere. I hissed, sucking in a sharp breath as the pain flared. "Yara!" Julian's face darkened as he rushed toward me. Just as I opened my mouth to tell him I was fine, his mother's shocked cry cut through the air. "Stacy, your neck... you're bleeding!" Julian, who was just inches from me, instantly turned away. Seeing the small cut on Stacy's neck, his face twisted in distress. He grabbed her hand, ready to storm out. "Stop right there!" His father roared, but Julian didn't even flinch. Only as he passed me did he pull up short. A shadow of guilt crossed his face before he muttered, "Yara... I'll explain everything later." I had already pulled my hand back from him. Biting back the pain, I stared at the floor and whispered a barely audible "Hm." But in the end, they didn't leave. His mother's panicked scream stopped them in their tracks. "Arthur! What's wrong? Someone, help!"