Chapter 2 Unloved and unheard

Lena's POV

The sun hadn't fully risen yet. Only a soft, dull light slipped through the dusty curtains in my room. I turned and stared at the empty side of the bed. He wasn't there again.

In the first year of our marriage, Adrian and I used to sleep in the master bedroom together but things changed. After our first year anniversary, he told me he needed space. "I just need privacy," he had said like it was nothing. So, I moved to the guest room. Since then, he only came to me when he wanted something, then he left like nothing happened.

I lay there, staring up at the ceiling, feeling empty. My heart was tired, heavy from everything and my thoughts....God, they never stopped. They kept circling around the same pain.

A few weeks after that dinner party, Adrian brought Maya, his mistress into our home.

"I need to take care of the mother of my child," he told me, not even looking ashamed. "She shouldn't stay alone in that small apartment." Just like that, like I didn't matter.

I cried so much that night. But crying didn't change anything.

Day by day, I watched him treat her with the care and love I once begged for. He made space for her in this house, in his life. And I... I just watched from the side, like a stranger.

Eventually, I dragged myself out of bed and went to the kitchen, the only place that still felt like mine.

I cooked breakfast like I always did. I even made his coffee, just the way he liked it. Part of me knew it wouldn't change anything, but I still wanted everything to be perfect, just in case.

But Adrian's love was long gone. No meal, no coffee, no effort could bring it back.

Soon, Maya walked into the dining room. She didn't even greet me. "I want a cup of tea!" she announced, loud and proud like a queen demanding service.

Adrian was coming down the stairs and jumped right in. "Didn't you hear her, Lena? She said she needs tea."

His tone was sharp and cruel. Since she moved in, he barely hid his disrespect. He would talk down to me, especially in front of her.

I gripped my nightgown tightly, holding in my anger. I wanted to scream. But I didn't. I made the tea and brought it to her with trembling hands.

"Good morning, sweetheart," he said to Maya and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. My chest tightened. That gentle touch he hadn't given me that in months.

We sat for breakfast, no one really spoke. Just the clink of cutlery filled the air. I moved my food around the plate, I had no appetite.

Then, out of nowhere, Maya let out a loud scream.

"Ahhh! My stomach! It hurts!" she cried, grabbing at her side.

Adrian jumped up, panic in his eyes. "Maya? What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"I don't know... I feel sick" she groaned.

I froze, my heart started racing. What's going on?

He rushed to her side, then turned to me sharply. "Lena, what did you put in the food?"

"N-Nothing," I said, still confused.

"We're going to the hospital," he snapped. Then barked, "Call an ambulance. Now!"

With shaking hands, I picked up the phone and dialed.

The ambulance came and rushed her to the emergency room. Adrian stayed by her side, pacing back and forth, worry written all over his face.

After what felt like forever, the doctor finally came to speak with us.

"She and the baby are stable for now," he said. "But we'll need to run more tests to figure out what caused the pain."

Adrian nodded. But instead of being relieved, he looked furious.

Then he turned to me.

"What did you do, Lena?" His voice was cold.

I stepped back, stunned. "What? Nothing! I didn't do anything!"

"Don't lie to me!" he yelled, making everyone in the hallway turn. "She ate your food and immediately got sick. You've been jealous of her since the day you found out she's pregnant!"

"No, Adrian! I swear, I didn't do anything," I pleaded, my eyes filling with tears. "You have to believe me."

He shook his head, disgusted. "Maya is giving me something you never could, a child. That kills you, doesn't it?"

I flinched. His words cut deeper than any wound. I've struggled with infertility for years and now he used it like a weapon.

"Was this your way of getting rid of my baby?!" he shouted. "You tried to kill her!"

"No! Adrian, please-"

But he wasn't listening. He turned and walked away. I ran after him, desperate.

"This is over, Lena" he said coldly. "I want a divorce."

I stopped in my tracks. "What?"

He pulled out papers from his coat. "They're ready, just sign them. You're getting nothing, because you gave nothing. Now get out of my life."

My hands trembled as I held the papers. I could barely breathe.

"Please, Adrian," I whispered. "Please don't do this."

He didn't say another word. He just walked out.

Back at home, I tried to pack my things but I couldn't. I just sat on the bed, staring at the divorce papers. I hadn't signed them yet. A part of me still hoped he'd change his mind. Maybe if I apologized to Maya, she'd forgive me and convince him.

I heard the door, they were back.

I went downstairs. Adrian saw me and frowned.

"What are you still doing here?"

"I just wanted to ask how Maya's doing," I said quietly.

Maya stood beside him with a fake smile. "I'm fine, Lena, so is the baby."

Then she turned to Adrian and said sweetly, "Can you please take my bag upstairs? I'm tired."

He nodded and went up.

The moment he was gone, Maya turned to me, her smile gone.

"Didn't I tell you I'll have him throw you out? Next time, don't test me."

My heart sank. "So this was your plan?" I asked, barely holding back tears.

"Of course," she said with a cruel grin. "It wasn't even hard and you know he'll never believe you."

She leaned close and raised my chin, forcing me to meet her gaze. "You're pitiful, Lena. Look at yourself, do yourself a favor, sign the damn papers and disappear."