Chapter 2

2

About two hours later, a frantic ringing woke me from an exhausted sleep.

It was Rowan, sounding absolutely livid on the other end.

"Elena, Misty was having a breakdown and used my phone to block you. She's been unstable lately and needs me. Can't you show some compassion?"

I took a shaky breath, my fingers trembling.

His first words weren't to ask why I was in the hospital. He only cared that I was being difficult.

"I'm in the hospital after losing our child, and no one is here to help me. Where is your compassion for me?"

Rowan let out a huff of pure annoyance.

"Can you stop being so dramatic? Even if you're mad, don't use the baby as a curse."

"The doctor said you were weeks away from your due date. Just let the nanny handle it. I'll be back in a few days."

I stared at the ceiling, my eyes burning and bloodshot.

The nanny had gone on leave yesterday morning. My due date was literally yesterday, but he couldn't even bother to remember.

The smell of bleach and antiseptic filled my lungs, making it hard to breathe.

"Don't bother coming back. We're over."

Rowan actually laughed, his tone dripping with mockery.

"Elena, my child is still in your womb. You think I'm going to let you walk away?"

"Besides, would you really leave me?"

We had been married for three years, and I had spent every second of it chasing him.

I dressed him in the mornings, offered my shoulder when he was stressed, and comforted him when he was lonely.

Everyone thought he was the moon in the sky and I was just the dirt beneath his feet.

I believed it too, which is why I gave him everything.

Before I married him, my mother had gripped my hand from her sickbed, her eyes filled with tears.

"Elena, are you sure about this? Rowan isn't from our world. If he hurts you, I won't be able to protect you like this."

She had held me with her frail, skeletal hands. I told her not to worry.

"Rowan won't hurt me, Mom. He promised to take care of me forever."

My mother was right, but I was too ashamed to tell her.

My beloved husband didn't remember when our child was due. While I was dying in surgery, he was playing hero for his ex.

I used to think no heart was truly made of stone, but Rowan's heart was harder than granite.

He enjoyed my unconditional devotion but refused to give back even a drop of love.

This broken marriage should have ended a long time ago.

I exhaled slowly, my voice finally steady. "Yes. I'm done."