I Played A Mean Wife But Cried In Secret Chapter 12

I Played A Mean Wife But Cried In Secret Chapter 12

Elias said nothing, just stared at me as if holding back a storm of raw emotion.

I clutched my hat, avoiding his eyes, babbling nervously. “Can’t believe I got mugged by street

punks. Hah. Just my luck.”

“I should’ve taken the subway instead of walking. Fares didn’t even go up either…”

My awkward words were cut off as warm arms wrapped around me. I’d always known Elias had

broad shoulders, but I’d never realized how his embrace could feel-enveloping me completely so

tight it stole my breath.

“What happened to your hair?” he asked softly.

I stammered, ready to lie,

but the intensity in his gaze felt like a burn, and I blurted out the truth before I could stop myself.

“I sold it for money.”

“How much did you get?”

“Two thousand one hundred and thirty-six dollars.”

It was exactly the price of the down jacket I’d bought him.

I’d haggled with the hair buyer for an entire afternoon after checking the tag price.

Elias went silent.

The quiet grew heavy, awkward, so I tried to joke.

“You don’t think I’m dying or something, right? Too melodramatic.”

| “The guy only offered five hundred if he cut it to shoulder length, two thousand if he shaved it all

off. I’m really good at bargaining. I talked him up to two thousand one hundred, and even got him to throw in this hat with a wig attached. He said my hair was the thickest and softest he’d ever bought…”

My voice trailed off little by little, until I felt dampness seep into my shoulder.

Elias buried his face in the crook of my neck.

Reserved and steady as he always was, I saw him cry for the very first time.

His tears weren’t cold, like I’d imagined.

They were scalding. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice hoarse. Why was he apologizing?

He held me for a very long time.

Even the System, who never missed a chance to mock me, stayed unnervingly quiet.

“Do I look terrible? Maybe I should keep the hat on forever.”

“You look perfect. Beautiful.”

Elias pulled me up gently and reached for my hand to lead me away.

I hesitated and pulled my hand back.

“Scarlett must be waiting for you. You should go back to her quickly.”

“Scarlett?”

Elias froze for a second, then seemed to understand what I’d assumed.

“You think there’s something between us…”

I bit my lip and nodded.

Elias looked straight into my eyes, earnest and unwavering,

“There’s nothing.”

He repeated it softly,

“Nothing at all. I’ve never been with anyone else. I thought you divorced me because you didn’t like

me, because you hated me. After all, I’m useless, a failure.”

“That’s not true,” I cut him off anxiously.

“You’re amazing, truly. I only divorced you because… because we couldn’t be together.”

“Why? Don’t you have feelings for me?”

I froze, unsure how to answer.

I hesitated for a long time, watching the light in his eyes dim little by little,

before I mumbled shyly under my breath,

“It’s not that… I do like you…”

Elias stared at me, then suddenly smiled quietly.

He’d rarely smiled or shown any emotion ever since losing his fortune,

but this smile was bright and youthful, reminding me of the confident young man he once was.

I stared blankly at him and asked bluntly,

“What about you? Do you like me?”

Elias took my hand properly this time and walked a few steps forward.

Then I heard his quiet, sincere reply.

“I love you.”