The Third Child Died, So Did the Wife He Wanted Chapter 01

The Third Child Died, So Did the Wife He Wanted Chapter 01

After three of my children died back-to-back, I finally learned how to be the perfect wife for my Seaking husband.

He hated me tracking his maritime routes, so I shredded every navigation chart we owned.

He despised me questioning his female companions, so I took the initiative to personally arrange beautiful women to keep him company.

Tonight was Garrison Sterling’s welcome-back banquet, and the high society of Blackwood Bay was waiting for Mrs. Sterling to make her grand appearance.

I sat in a dark corner of the venue for a long time until a waiter finally recognized me and bowed deeply.

“Mrs. Sterling? Mr. Sterling is in the main hall. Shall I lead the way?”

I simply shook my head.

“No, thank you. I’m nobody to him.”

Yet ten minutes later, Garrison found me anyway.

He leaned against the doorframe, his voice cutting through the dim light, low and cold.

“It’s my welcome banquet. Why aren’t you out there?”

I kept my eyes downcast.

“It’s just a standard networking event. It makes no difference whether I’m there or not.”

My careless attitude made his brow furrow instantly.

Before he could snap back, the butler’s flattering voice echoed from right behind him.

“Sir is absolutely devoted to Miss Cole. The moment she said she wanted to see the Northern Lights, you halted the entire fleet, chartered a private jet, and flew straight to Mount Silverthorne Resort overnight just so she wouldn’t miss a single second.”

Garrison cut the butler off with a sharp cough, his eyes pinning me flat against my seat.

He was waiting for me to shatter my wine glass, storm over, and demand answers with bloodshot eyes like I used to.

But I didn’t even flinch. I just stared silently out the window at the black sea that had swallowed my three children, completely speechless.

***

Garrison took a deep breath and sat down across from me, tapping his fingers on the table to demand my attention.

“Amber neutralized the South rebellion, and she’s a core asset to the fleet.”

“The private jet to Mount Silverthorne Resort was purely a corporate reward for a subordinate.”

I nodded, my gaze never drifting away from the window.

The air hung dead between us for three seconds.

Suddenly, he leaned across the table, his fingers clamping hard onto my chin, forcing my face around to meet his eyes.

“What is wrong with you lately? Trying to piss me off on purpose?”

I looked at him, completely serene.

“She achieved something massive. She deserved the trip to Mount Silverthorne Resort. I have no objections.”

He stared at me for a few seconds, clearly frustrated that he couldn’t get a rise out of me. His frown deepened.

“Then why aren’t you in the main hall?”

I glanced down at my phone screen. Three missed calls. I offered a flat excuse.

“You said it yourself before, Amber handles these high-profile settings with much more grace than I do. I think you were right.”

I slid my phone into my pocket and met his eyes.

“The guests have been waiting too long. You should get back out there. Don’t keep them waiting.”

Garrison’s gaze narrowed sharply.

“You know I don’t give a damn about those empty formalities.”

He leaned a step closer, analyzing every inch of my face.

“You’re in a rush to push me away. What are you hiding from me?”

Before I could manufacture a lie, the frantic click of stilettos echoed down the hallway.

“Garrison!”

Amber Cole ran into the room, light sweat glistening on her forehead.

Garrison stood up immediately, erasing me from his mind as he grabbed her arm to steady her.

“Didn’t I tell you to wear sneakers on the vessel?”

His brow was furrowed, his harsh tone failing to mask the fierce protectiveness underneath.

“Why are you back in high heels? What if you hurt yourself?”

I looked down at the heels on my own feet and silently pulled them back beneath the tablecloth.

Amber caught her breath, turning to me with her eyes rimming with red.

“I am so sorry, ma’am! When the pirates ambushed us, I truly didn’t expect it!”

“If I hadn’t fallen asleep, I would’ve given my life to get the young master and young ladies out safely. It’s all my fault.”

If this were the past, I would have lunged forward and slapped her across the face.

I would have screamed at her, demanding to know why she pulled the security guards that exact day, why she fell asleep at that exact moment, and why she left the cabin doors unlocked.

But now, I didn’t want to waste a single breath.

I looked up at Garrison.

“Go host your party. Don’t demoralize your crew.”

He supported Amber by the arm, but right before he stepped out, he paused. His voice dropped into a rare, gentle murmur.

“Happy birthday.”

I froze.

“I didn’t forget. I wanted to surprise you during the banquet.”

“Go home and wait for me. I promised you that no matter how busy I am, I’ll spend your birthday with you.”

I gave a curt nod but said nothing.

The one day that used to fill me with endless anticipation every year was a day I had completely forgotten.

Predictably, Garrison didn’t return by midnight.

The candle flickered on the dining table, casting shadows over a feast that had gone completely cold. I dialed back the missed call from earlier.

Arthur Hayes’s voice came through the receiver.

“My Lady, the fleet is fully mobilized. We will arrive in three days.”

Years ago, my father was the absolute ruler of the East and West.

On his deathbed, he entrusted me to Garrison Sterling, who had just seized control of the North.

But the old guard only answered to the Vance bloodline.

“Are you certain you want to reclaim your territorial rights and return to the Vance to forge a new strategic marriage alliance? The Seaking won’t take that lightly.”

“He won’t have a choice. I never married a king, Arthur. Whoever marries me becomes the king.”

I paused, my voice hardening.

“And now, I just want a man who knows how to obey.”

The second I hung up, the front door was violently thrown open.

Garrison stood in the doorway holding a bunch of pink roses, his eyes dark and predatory as he glared at me.

“Say that again. What kind of man are you looking for?”