I Told My Domineering Husband I Never Enjoyed It Chapter 04

I Told My Domineering Husband I Never Enjoyed It Chapter 04

From that day on, Rhys and I stayed locked in a cold war for half a month.

He moved out of our room.

Some nights, he didn’t even come home and slept at the office instead.

Meanwhile, I hired a lawyer to start drafting the divorce agreement.

Our families had done too much business together over the years.

A divorce wasn’t just about the two of us. It would affect both families, their assets, and countless joint interests.

There was no rushing it.

One night, I came home late from work.

The downstairs living room was dim. A tall figure sat quietly on the couch.

I froze. “…Rhys?”

It hit me then—I couldn’t do it anymore.

The bright smile, the singsong “honey”… it was gone.

Rhys looked up at me.

I hesitated. “Were you waiting for me?”

Silence. No answer.

Right. So much for wishful thinking.

Just as I turned toward the stairs, his voice cut through the quiet.

“The business gala’s the day after tomorrow. We’ll attend together.”

I almost refused. Then I thought better of it.

The divorce wasn’t finalized yet.

If rumors got back to our parents before everything was settled, they’d only worry.

Under the soft lights, our eyes met.

“Fine,” I said flatly, then headed upstairs without another word.

Rhys stayed exactly where he was. He never moved.

—

The night of the gala, I slipped my hand through Rhys’s arm.

An odd discomfort washed over me.

The comfort I’d once felt being close to him was completely gone.

Thankfully, I spotted a friend and let go of Rhys right away, making a beeline for her—grateful for any excuse to end the awkward proximity.

Rhys paused where he stood.

His fingertips brushed the sleeve I’d just released, where a trace of my warmth still lingered.

My friend grabbed my hand, practically glowing with excitement.

“I have to tell you! My husband and I went to see a volcano a few days ago. It was incredible!”

“Next we’re planning a beach vacation.”

She grinned. “So how are things with Mr. Hollister?”

I pressed my lips together, dodging the question.

“Do you two… talk a lot?”

She blinked. “What kind of question is that? Of course we do.”

Then she rolled her eyes.

“We fight all the time, too. Sometimes he drives me so crazy I want to punch him.”

“But he always ends up apologizing first.”

As she rambled on, my mind drifted.

Rhys and I had never fought.

Whenever we disagreed, I gave in.

Whenever I upset him, I’d apologize first. Even when I didn’t think I’d done anything wrong.

Everything she said after that just… faded into white noise.

She noticed the look on my face.

“Want to sit down in the lounge for a bit? It’s getting stuffy in here.”

I shook my head.

“I’ll be right back.”

I headed toward the restroom.

The ballroom buzzed with laughter and clinking glasses.

Many guests had flown back from overseas just for tonight’s event.

I recognized plenty of familiar faces.

Rhys had probably gone off to chat with his own circle.

My thoughts were a mess.

Then a familiar voice froze me in place.

“It’s fine.” Rhys.

I stopped walking.

Another voice cut in.

“We told you. If you didn’t love her, you never should’ve agreed to that marriage.”

“And now look at the mess it’s landed you in.”

Another voice chimed in.

“Seriously. You didn’t even want it. You should’ve just followed your heart back then.”

A third laughed.

“That’s what happens when you don’t stick to your guns. One bad call, and now your whole life’s a mess.”

One… bad call?

I looked down. My eyes stayed fixed on my shoes.

I’d always thought Rhys at least cared about me a little.

I mean, we’d grown up together. Surely that counted for something.

I thought the comments were right. That he only changed after meeting the FL.

But I’d been wrong. He’d never loved me.

To him, this marriage had always been a mistake.

Someone added, “Well, at least you’re getting out now. Better to cut your losses while you still can.”

I turned and walked away before another word reached me.

Anger churned in my chest.

I’d spent years accommodating him. Catering to his every mood. Putting him first.

And that was his idea of suffering?

Then why hadn’t he asked for a divorce sooner?

…Oh. Right. Because the FL wasn’t in the picture yet.

Now she was. And he was done settling.

My blood was boiling. Blind with fury, I barreled straight into someone’s chest.

I stumbled back. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”