The Wife He Left For Dead

lia

s eyes. He didn't press the issue. My husband, Gideon, finally arrived hours later. He stro

oncern. "I told you I was busy. You know how important Elsa's launch was." He d

evoid of the pain that was still tearing me apart

n't you tell me you were pregnant?" He sounded offended, a

tasting like ash. "Last night. Our an

? You're so dramatic, Dahlia. Always making everything about you." He gestured vaguely

further. Ruined his night. Not our bab

e, his voice low and steady. "She could have died

e sharpening with suspicion. "And wh

fied, my eyes still fixed o

u for your... neighborly duties. But I'm here n

on me for a moment, a silent message of sympathy passing between us. "I'll b

he man I had married, the man who saw my near-

s, not genuine concern. He took out his phone. "I'll tell my assistant to arrange for yo

use. That was h

sistic stranger who had never cared for me as much as he cared for his imag

oice surprisingly stea

halfway to his ear

each word a stone falling into

idiculous, Dahlia. You're emotional. You'v

r smile touching my lips. "I mean it

tation on his face. He actually thought I was bl

ce. "Sorry the party wasn't great for you. Hope these cheer you up." It was a generic bouquet of roses,

fter he left the hospital room. It was another selfie with Elsa, this time captione

nowing I had just lost our baby and nearly m

e me dying, ignore my calls, then come here, complain about your ruined night, and go straig

t, Dahlia. You're overreacting. Elsa ne

was bleeding out on my floor? While I was losing our baby? Do you know what an ectopic pregnancy m

Look, we can talk about this lat

voice gaining strength. "I'm done. I wan

ealous, Dahlia. You always have been. Elsa and I have

ain, and the reason you embezzled our savings to fund her pathetic lifestyle brand! Don't you da

t you're talking about! You think you're so smart, don't you? Sitting here, fe

from me? I've supported your career for years, Gideon! I put my dreams aside

yes wild. "You're going crazy

They said you might be hungry, Dahlia. I got you some s

! What part of 'leave' didn't you understand, neighbor? You think you

unwavering. "I'm here for Dahlia.

"I'm her husband! And you," he turned back to me, his voice a venomous hiss, "you're nothing but a

in my throat. I squeezed my eyes shut, fighting back the urge to scream.

ispered, my voice dangerously calm. "Get out of my sight. Get out of my

a flicker of fear. He must have seen the finalit

ning on his heel and storming out of the room

dozens of them, flooding in from Gideon. Accusations, insults, t

desperate words, then calmly blocked his number. He

d a hand on my ar

Not as my neighbor, but as my savior. My friend. "No

ut rebuilding my spirit. The doctors cleared me for discharg

if you'd like," he o

inted by his betrayal and my loss. But it was m

aid, a faint smile

. Standing by the entrance, looking

I thought you'd call me. We need to go home. The house is a mess. And I have a meeting this afternoon, yo

might have wavered, solidified into granite. He truly saw me as his

Gideon," I said, my voice cold and d

you talking about? You're my wif

to him. "I'm going home. To pack my things

l sick, you're not thinking straight. You're just being dramatic." He looke

n his eyes. But I put a hand on his arm, a

every word carefully chosen. "About

walk away? You have nothing withou

, my voice unwavering. "Something

orce, you can have it. But not before you come with me." He grabbed my arm, surprisingly strong, pulling me towards a wa

r, but from a strange, cold res

said, my voice low, but

ia," he hissed, pulling me h

en, I would make them regret every single second of it. My eyes met Alva's over Gideon's shoulder.