“You humiliated her?” Ares’s voice was sharp, slicing through the air the moment he stepped into the room and learned what had happened with Astrid earlier.

“She started it,” I shot back, refusing to shrink under his glare. “If she had not provoked me, I would not have reacted.”

Ares’s eyes were flat and unreadable. He had always been impossible to decipher, like a slab of marble that refused to crack. I prided myself on being able to read people, but never him.

His gaze shifted to the bedside table where the divorce papers lay untouched.

“I will sign them,” I said quietly. “But I need you to hear me out first. Just once. After I tell you what I need to say, if you still want me gone, I will leave and never show my face to you again.”

“So what is it?” His voice carried a flicker of impatience that made my stomach twist. My courage began to fray.

I knew his greatest vulnerability was the thought of having a child of his own. It was pathetic to rely on it, but I had no choice. If there was any hope of saving our marriage, it would be because of the life growing inside me.

“I…” My voice faltered, small and fragile. He noticed. His jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing, his lips curling in quiet irritation. My hands clenched into fists, nails biting into my palms as I forced myself to speak. “I went to see my doctor today…”

Before I could continue, his phone rang. The shrill sound shattered the moment. He turned away and answered without a second thought, shutting me out completely.

I followed him down the hallway, desperate to at least hear who was on the other end.

“I just got home,” Ares said softly, his voice low and gentle, so unlike the tone he ever used with me. “You are… what? What happened? Are you alright? Can you stand? Alright, I am on my way. Do not move. Just wait for me.”

I barely had time to step back and pretend I had not been listening before he ended the call and turned around.

“Where are you going?” I asked, planting myself in his path. “Ares, we are in the middle of a conversation. Please, we need to talk.”

“Astrid is sick, Winona. She needs me.” He brushed past me as if I did not exist, striding straight to the garage. “We will talk when I return.”

I needed him too. Why could he not see that?

“It is her again!” My voice broke as I followed him. “She is going to ruin you all over again. She is selfish, Ares. She cannot stand seeing you happy without her, that is why she—”

“Sign the divorce papers,” he snapped, spinning around to glare at me. “By tomorrow morning, I do not want you here anymore.”

And just like that, he was gone. The sound of his car tearing out of the driveway was the only thing left in the silence. My knees buckled, and I collapsed onto the cold floor, staring blankly as tears streamed down my face.

I had always believed I was strong. But when it came to Ares, I crumbled every single time.

**

“Ares…” I gasped as his mouth trailed down my chest, his rhythm inside me relentless. I could barely catch my breath. My body trembled with every thrust.

“Ah… Ares…” My back arched when his lips closed around me, his tongue teasing until I could no longer contain my cries.

His face was flushed, sweat dripping down his temples as he devoured every inch of me with kisses. He did not stop. He did not give me a chance to think. Every thrust came with a groan, every touch a low whisper of my name.

“You are beautiful, Winona…” His voice was rough, filled with desire as his hands cupped my breasts and his pace quickened.

I shut my eyes tight, biting my lip to stifle a scream. There was no one to hear, yet the shame burned through me.

He hooked my legs over his shoulders, forcing me open as his gaze locked on mine.

“You like this?” His lips parted, his voice hoarse and unsteady. “You are so tight… I should have done this to you on our wedding night.”

I barely processed his words. The only thing I could focus on was the overwhelming sensation pulling me apart. My fingers twisted into the sheets, my moans louder than ever as the pleasure built higher and higher.

“Ahh!” He spread my legs wide and pressed his body down against mine.

“Ares!” I cried, gasping for air.

He crushed his lips to mine, his tongue sliding past my parted mouth. I kissed him back feverishly, clinging to him as if he were the only thing keeping me alive. He was my husband. It was natural, expected even, yet I still could not believe it was happening.

“Say my name,” he whispered against my lips.

“Ares… I want more. Please…”

His eyes darkened, his thrusts deeper, rougher.

“I want more too,” he growled before kissing me hard. “Oh, God!”

“Mrs. Montgomery! Mrs. Montgomery!”

My eyes flew open at the sound of a voice calling me. One of the housemaids stood in front of me, concern written on her face.

“Mrs Montgomery, why are you sleeping on the floor?”

I blinked, finally realizing where I was. The floor was damp with the tears I had shed earlier. I had cried myself to sleep and dreamt about that night with Ares, the one that had happened a month ago.

“W-What... time is it?” I asked, running a hand through my tangled hair.

“Almost two in the morning.”

“Has Ares come home yet?” I already knew the answer, but I still asked, hoping against hope that he would return, ask what I had wanted to tell him earlier, and finally listen.

The maid shook her head. I forced a small, empty smile and pushed myself up.

“Go rest. I will head upstairs,” I said softly.

She nodded and returned to her room. I went straight to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of vodka, twisting the cap off with trembling hands. I had never imagined my life would turn out like this.

As I drank, memories of my time with Ares resurfaced, each one piercingly vivid. There were so few of them, yet each was etched deeply into me.

When he once told me he wanted children, a family of his own, I had imagined I would be the woman by his side. I had poured everything into being a good wife, supporting his choices, loving him with all I had.

I had dreamed too big. I never knew the fall would hurt this much.

I picked up my phone and typed the words I had been holding in all day.

“I am pregnant,” I sent.

Moments later, his reply came.

“Abort it.”

That was it. That was the final blow.

I staggered up the stairs to our bedroom. The divorce papers were waiting on the bedside table. My chest tightened as I picked them up and read the words once more.

I wanted so desperately to save our marriage, to protect him from further heartbreak. But there was nothing left to fight for.

I took a long, shaking breath, grabbed a pen, and signed my name. That was it. I was no longer his wife. No longer Mrs. Montgomery.

I reached for my suitcase and began to pack my things. All I could hope for was that one day Ares would not regret this decision.