The Love That Was Never Mine

Madelyn Clark's fingers gripped the bed sheet so firmly that her knuckles turned pale. At the height of the moment, she sank her teeth into the pillow, trying to hold back her cries.

Her husband, Jason Miller, gently kissed her neck and ear, his voice rough as he whispered, "Sweetheart..."

Madelyn pressed her teeth into the pillow harder, tears of mixed emotions soaking into it.

Along with the tears, a deep sadness grew inside her.

For years, she had convinced herself that he cared for her in some way, but only a few days ago had she discovered that his heart had always belonged to another woman.

After the sex, she curled up, pulling the blanket around her, her lashes still wet.

"Crying again?" Jason bent down to kiss her cheek softly. "Next time, I'll be gentler."

"There won't be a next time." Madelyn's voice sounded raw.

"Why?" Jason was puzzled.

"Jason, I want a divorce."

Ignoring the pain in her back, Madelyn straightened up and met Jason's gaze, her eyes full of resolve.

He was dressed only in a robe, the buttons open, showing off his toned chest and abs.

"You're kidding, right? This isn't funny." His voice was laid-back as he turned to walk toward the bathroom.

"Jason, when you have sex with me, who do you really picture?" Madelyn's voice grew a little louder.

Jason halted and spun around, his flawless face showing a flicker of surprise.

Madelyn rested against the headboard, her face pale and delicate, but her look was firm.

"When we're in bed, are you thinking of me or Rebecca?" Her voice became cutting, almost filled with accusation. "You've left a comment on every single one of Rebecca's posts using your finsta account. You've been in love with her for ten years, and marrying me was just to keep me from messing up her happiness, right?"

It wasn't until last week, when Madelyn stumbled upon Jason's finsta account commenting on her adopted sister's every post, that she had realized her marriage had been a sham all along!

Madelyn forced a wry smile. "On my birthday, you told me you had to work late, but you were really taking her to that bakery she loves. On our first anniversary, you said you had a client meeting, but you were actually out on a date with her."

Jason's expression soured, but he stayed quiet.

"And the real reason you married me..." Madelyn stopped, her voice catching in her throat. "The Powell family and the Clark family had planned for their eldest children to marry. When I came back to the Clark family as their eldest daughter, the marriage deal with the Powells landed on me. But Rebecca wanted Evan Powell for herself. To make her happy, you married me! That way, I couldn't marry Evan, and she could have him instead!"

As she finished, Madelyn couldn't stop the tears from flowing down her cheeks.

Though she had uncovered the truth a week ago, speaking of it now still felt like a knife twisting in her chest.

She had believed she married for love, only to realize she was nothing more than a fool.

"Why are you bringing this up now?" Jason finally said, his tone as cold as ever, as if the man who had been so passionate in bed earlier was a stranger. "You can't change a thing. We might as well keep things as they are."

Madelyn let out a bitter laugh, tears streaming down her face. "So, you don't feel any remorse at all? Not even a little?"

She struggled to speak. "When I came back to the Clark family at eighteen, I was just a naive girl from the countryside. Every brother spoiled Rebecca, who's not even related to them, treating me like I didn't belong. But you didn't push me away. You were the only one who showed me any kindness. Was all of that just for show?"

She straightened up, the blanket falling away, exposing her delicate shoulders and back.

She had once believed this marriage was her way out of the Clark family.

When the Clark family had asked her to come back, she'd had no desire to return.

But the daughter of the couple who had raised her had died because of her, and their attitude toward her complicated ever since. They still cared for her, but seeing her brought back painful memories of their lost daughter.

Madelyn couldn't bear to face them anymore, so she agreed to go back to the Clarks.

However, they believed she had left them for the wealth of the Clark family, and over time, they grew bitter and resentful toward her. She couldn't explain herself, so she estranged herself from them.

When the Clark family had turned against her, she had thought Jason, the only person who had been nice to her, might be her last chance at happiness.

But she had been deeply wrong.

This marriage had turned out to be a dark pit she struggled to escape.

Jason's frustrated voice was the only answer to Madelyn's question, as if she were the one being difficult. "That was years ago. What's the point of bringing it up now?"

"Right, totally pointless. But today is our third wedding anniversary. Remember?" Madelyn cracked.

Jason didn't say a word in response.

Madelyn twisted her lips in a sneer. "Let's just get a divorce."

"Fine. If that's what you want."

With that, Jason shot Madelyn a fierce stare, then stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

Madelyn dried her eyes, making a promise to herself that she would never shed another tear for him.

She stood up, took a quick shower, and began stuffing her things into a suitcase. Just then, a sound from downstairs caught her attention.

She thought it might be Jason returning, but a woman's voice called out from the hallway. "Madelyn, are you there?"

It was Rebecca.

Madelyn ignored her, zipping up the suitcase with a quick motion. She stood up, her face a mask of coldness, and opened the door.

Rebecca, standing on the doorway, was taken aback by the chill in Madelyn's expression and hesitated, eyeing her carefully.

"Are you angry?" Rebecca asked.

"So you do know? Then leave me alone," Madelyn snapped, throwing her a frosty look before turning to head downstairs.

"Madelyn, please wait. I understand you're hurt, and I need to explain," Rebecca said, her voice soft and trembling, sounding almost like the one in pain. "There's nothing between Jason and me. Please, don't make any decisions about divorcing him over a misunderstanding."

Madelyn's hands clenched around the suitcase, her heart heavy with pain.

It was obvious-Jason had already spilled the beans to Rebecca about the impending divorce.

Rebecca went on, "I can clear up the post. That day, I wasn't feeling well, my stomach hurt, and I really needed something sweet. So Jason took me to grab something. We went to a bakery from our high school days. We didn't mean to leave you out; we just figured it might bother you since you went to a different high school in the village..."

Rebecca's voice sounded delicate, almost innocent.

"And the date? That was just a mix-up. Some friends from college came back from abroad, so we went out to eat. We didn't mean to leave you out; we just thought it'd be awkward for you since you don't know them."

Her excuses made sense, but every word seemed to carry a hidden pride about her past with Jason, something Madelyn didn't share.

"Do you take me for a fool? You honestly think I can't see through your facade?" Madelyn sneered, lifting her hand and striking Rebecca across the face.

She was through pretending to get along with her.

Rebecca stumbled back, clutching her cheek in shock, unable to believe Madelyn had actually slapped her.

"Have you completely lost it, Madelyn?" At that moment, their eldest brother, Connor Clark, appeared at the top of the stairs.

He had arrived just in time to witness Madelyn slap Rebecca. His anger flared as he balled his fists, glaring at Madelyn. "How could you hit Rebecca? She's done nothing wrong! She knew Jason first! Of course, they're close!"

Madelyn shot back with cold sarcasm, "She's done nothing wrong? And why do I deserve all this cold treatment from you?"

"How can you even say that?" Connor was so furious, almost ready to explode.

Rebecca quickly stepped in to hold him back. "Connor, I've told Madelyn everything. Once she cools off, she'll forgive me. Don't hold it against her!"

Though she played the peacekeeper, it was clear she was only stirring the pot. Madelyn was so angry that she almost found it funny how ridiculous it all was.

"What else do you expect? Rebecca already explained everything," Connor snapped at Madelyn once more. "Quit causing trouble! Back home, you were always picking on Rebecca, and now, even after marriage, you're still the same!"

Madelyn stared at Connor with a cold, emotionless look, her eyes filled with disappointment.

Whenever she asked for something reasonable at home, Rebecca would make it seem like an intentional challenge, and then everyone would end up scolding her.

The Clarks always backed Rebecca without hesitation, and Madelyn had grown completely tired of their obvious favoritism!

She turned to face Rebecca. Being taller, she looked down at her with a sneer and asked bluntly, "Does your husband know about all this? Does Evan know about your special memories with Jason? Was Evan there at the college reunion with you and Jason? Does Evan know that Jason only married me because of you?" Her smile was filled with sarcasm. "You and Evan aren't thinking of splitting up, are you? So, is Jason going to be your lover instead?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Connor immediately stepped forward, disbelief written all over his face.

Rebecca was even more taken aback. "Madelyn, how can you say such things? Jason and I are just friends!"

Madelyn gave them a cold, appraising look. Without a word, she grabbed her suitcase and walked off.

The nature of Rebecca and Jason's relationship no longer meant a thing to her.

All she cared about was getting away from this place that brought her nothing but pain and revulsion!

She hadn't expected to run into Jason, standing by the large window on the first floor.

His figure looked strangely solitary, and Madelyn's eyes were drawn to it. When she was eighteen, it was this very silhouette that had first caught her eye, making her want to get close and melt the coldness she saw in Jason.

But then, the next second, he turned to face her. When he saw the suitcase in her hand, his face darkened.

It was clear he'd been standing there long enough to catch every word of their conversation.

Madelyn kept walking. So what if he'd overheard them? She hadn't said anything wrong.

"Rebecca already told you everything. Why are you still making a fuss?" Jason spoke just as Madelyn was about to walk away.

"You really think just because she explained, I should forgive you two?" Madelyn shot back.

"Alright. I get the message." Jason let out a sneer. "So, what is it this time? A new purse? Some jewelry?"

Whenever she was angry, he would try to buy her something nice. But that was never what she actually wanted.

Madelyn's fingers tightened into a fist. She pulled a document from her purse and handed it to him. "Sign it."

Jason took it without much thought, but when he saw the words "divorce agreement" on the cover, his expression soured instantly.

"Are you seriously asking for a divorce? If you go through with this, don't even think about coming back to me," he warned, his voice cold and almost menacing.

"This marriage was a mistake from the beginning. I'm just fixing it," Madelyn replied, her eyes drifting away as her voice stayed flat and emotionless.

She had gotten the divorce papers ready a week ago, but it had taken her this long to finally summon the courage to hand them to Jason.

Jason lost his patience. "How much longer are you going to continue this farce? Don't forget, you practically cried back when I asked you to marry me!"

Madelyn inhaled deeply, then said without hesitation, "Because I didn't know your reason for marrying me was so revolting!"

"Revolting?" Jason's face twisted in displeasure. "Why do you think I married you? Out of love?" He looked at Madelyn with the same blank expression he always wore, but there was a subtle glint of contempt in his eyes.

Madelyn noticed it right away.

Even though he hadn't said a word, she knew exactly what he meant-she wasn't worthy of his love.

To him, she was just a country girl, lacking the polish and education of those in high society, a girl with no refinement.