Chapter 3 His Choice

Yvonne dragged herself through the front door, her steps heavy as if every ounce of strength had been drained from her.

Kicking off her shoes, she stood still for a moment, her eyes roaming the dark, empty house. The corners of her lips curved into a hollow smile, one that carried no warmth.

Only now did she truly see how foolish she had been. This house had always been lifeless, just like Julian's heart. She had spent years guarding a place that was actually cold, silent, and meaningless, becoming little more than an object of pity.

It didn't surprise her that he wasn't home. He had spent the day at Rita's side, celebrating her pregnancy. Most likely, he was still with her now, wrapped in tender moments that belonged only to them, imagining the family they would build together.

Every day before today, Yvonne would have already cooked a full dinner, set the table, and left the lights on, waiting for him with foolish hope.

But tonight, she didn't bother. She didn't even turn on the lights as she walked barefoot into the hollow living room, her body moving on autopilot.

When she reached the sofa, an unexpected hand shot out of the shadows, pulling her against a firm chest.

Her startled cry filled the room just as a lamp flickered on, bathing Julian's face in soft, golden light. His features looked carved from stone, flawless and distant.

Pressing a finger to her lips, he whispered, "It's me."

She froze, stunned by the sudden closeness. No matter how many times she told herself to stop caring, her heart still betrayed her, fluttering at the sight of him.

Julian let her go as quickly as he had pulled her in. The fleeting warmth vanished, leaving behind the same indifference as his voice turned cold, almost reproachful. "Where have you been all day? I tried calling you over and over, but you never answered."

Reality slammed back into her chest. The question was almost laughable. Shouldn't it be her demanding to know where he had spent his day?

She wanted to scream the truth at him, but the words never left her mouth. Instead, she curved her lips into a faint, steady smile and replied, "Yeah."

Yeah? What was that supposed to mean? He was about to press further, but then he caught her eyes.

Something in her calm indifference made his irritation vanish. His words came out gentler, uncertain. "Are you all right? You look pale... are you sick?"

Yvonne dropped her gaze to the floor, realizing that the concern she once craved from him no longer carried the same weight.

Exhaustion pressed down on her, leaving no room to play the forgiving wife. Her voice was faint, almost detached. "I'm worn out. I need to rest."

She turned toward the stairs, but before she could take more than two steps, Julian's arm wrapped around her and pulled her back sharply against him.

Her body jolted from the force, and instinctively her hands flew to shield her stomach. Anger flared hot in her chest. "What do you think you're doing?" she snapped.

Julian's eyes bore into her, his brow furrowing. "You're pregnant, aren't you?"

Her breath caught. He knew? But how?

A wild question flickered through her mind-if he had discovered her pregnancy, then would he choose her or would he still cling to Rita?

"I..." The admission trembled on her lips, but the sudden shrill ring of his phone sliced through the moment.

Julian picked up his phone and answered the call. A soft, tearful voice came through the receiver, trembling with pain. "Jules, I slipped in the bathroom, and my stomach hurts so badly. Can you come over? The baby..."

Julian's face hardened instantly, urgency sharpening his tone. "Don't move. I'm on my way right now."

The call ended, and without hesitation he shoved Yvonne aside, striding toward the door with long, determined steps.

Her vision blurred as tears welled, the sting cutting deep. One plea from Rita, and he could abandon her without a backward glance.

Bitterness unlike anything she had felt before clawed up her throat. For once, she wanted to force the truth out of him, to know where his loyalty lay-was it ever with her, or had it always been with Rita?

She rushed forward, fingers clutching his sleeve desperately. Her lips parted, but before she could beg him to stay, his voice snapped like a whip. "Whatever it is, save it until I get back!"

Her restraint shattered. Her voice shook violently as she cried out, "Where are you going? Who was that woman? You're my husband, Julian. How can you..."

The words she wanted to hurl at him caught in her throat. In that instant, it struck her-maybe she had been wrong all along.

Two months of routine dinners and fleeting gestures had tricked her into believing in something that was never real. She had let herself dream of a marriage that only existed in her imagination, forgetting that Julian had never once offered his heart.

Their marriage had always been a transaction, nothing more than a carefully staged illusion.

Julian's hand moved with a cold precision as he pried her fingers away from his sleeve. His eyes, sharp and merciless, pinned her down like a blade. "Yvonne, stop deceiving yourself. I told you from the start-I don't love you. Whatever I do is none of your concern."

Her heart hollowed at the cruelty in his tone. Her chest tightened painfully at his bluntness. She loosened her hold, a broken sob slipping past her lips as she whispered, "I'm sorry... I went too far..."

Julian lingered only long enough to cast her a silent, cutting look. Without another word, he turned and walked out, the door slamming behind him with finality.

The echo of that sound told her everything-whatever fragile tie had existed between them had just snapped.

Julian's chilling stare refused to leave her thoughts, replaying like a cruel reminder she couldn't escape.

Her stomach twisted, and she stumbled toward the bathroom, hand pressed over her mouth until she collapsed in front of the toilet.

Nothing but water spilled out-she had eaten almost nothing all day, yet her body convulsed as though punishing her further.

The spasms wracked her frame, and tears blurred her vision. With trembling fingers, she rested her palm against her flat belly, a broken laugh escaping through the pain. "Little one, you couldn't have chosen a worse moment to arrive. I'm the only person in this world who wants you."