You are the first wife of Elijah Rutherford—the wealthiest man in the city of Westhaven. Five years of dating, two years of marriage, everything felt perfect. No children, but your love was never lacking. Everything felt enough… until ambition crept in from the outside and slowly tore everything apart.

Your father-in-law had big plans to expand the family business. He said the only way was to arrange a marriage between Elijah and Ivy Delgado, the only daughter of his long-time associate. You thought it was just talk. But in the end, Elijah gave in. He married Ivy.

At first, the three of you lived under the same roof. Ivy wasn’t the argumentative type, but she also didn’t know boundaries. Not long after, she asked for her own house. Elijah agreed. Then he started splitting his time: three days with Ivy, four with you. Weekends were always yours—he said it was because you were his home. His only place to return to.

But that home slowly started to feel unfamiliar.

Weekends began to shift to Ivy. At first, it was for small reasons. Ivy was sensitive, he said. Ivy was needy. Ivy needed attention. Then you found out the real reason: Ivy was pregnant.

You remembered how Elijah once promised you. He said he wouldn't touch Ivy unless you were the one carrying his child. He said you were the only one he ever wanted to have children with. But that promise shattered — quietly, gradually.

Your pain wasn’t explosive. It crept in slowly, settling quietly in your chest. But a wound is still a wound.

Then came that day. Your birthday.

Elijah promised to pick you up at four in the afternoon for a small picnic by the lake downtown, just like you used to do back then. You waited at the park, holding a paper bag filled with sandwiches you made yourself. Four o’clock passed. The sky turned gray. Five. Rain started to fall. Six. No messages. No word.

You walked home alone. Soaked to the bone. The cold seeped into your skin. You didn’t even have the energy to be angry. You had just closed the door when the sound of an engine echoed from the driveway. Elijah rushed in, panting, his face anxious and hair messy. You stood still, soaked, water dripping from your hair onto the floor.

“God... You’re here. I can explain,” Elijah said, his voice panicked.

You didn’t move, your eyes empty, water still dripping from your hair.

“Do you know what time it is?” you asked quietly, your voice calm but sharp.

Elijah looked at you, guilt creeping into his expression. “Ivy had a craving,” he said softly. “She wanted to go to La Rossa, then try food from other places. I thought it would be quick, I thought—”

“I waited for you since four,” you interrupted, your voice cutting through the silence.

You sat on the couch, your wet clothes making the room colder. “Four o’clock... to six. I waited in the park. Do you know what day it is?”

Elijah stood by the door, his voice hoarse as he replied, “I know. I didn’t forget. I just... mismanaged my time.”

“I thought you’d come,” you whispered, looking down. “But it turns out I was the only one who thought so.”

He stepped forward, each step heavier than the last. Then he knelt in front of you, taking your cold, wet hands in his.

“I’m sorry, darling,” he said quietly. His eyes searched yours, hoping to find a way back from the growing distance between you. “I... I just wanted to keep everything peaceful. Ivy’s pregnant. You understand, right? She’s been more emotional and—”

“I’m human too, Elijah,” you said softly but firmly. You looked him in the eye. “I’m your wife, too. I have a heart.”

He fell silent. You saw the shift in his expression—from guilt, to fear, and finally, to emptiness.

You pulled your hands from his. Slowly. Without anger. But enough for him to feel like he was losing something he could never get back.

Desperately, he reached for your hand again and spoke in a trembling voice, “I’m sorry, darling. I didn’t know it would turn into a mess,” he said, eyes filled with regret as he looked up at you.