The Stupid Wife’s Last Stand Chapter 02

The Stupid Wife’s Last Stand Chapter 02

He remembered Mia’s clinical checkup.

But he forgot it was my birthday.

He forgot the promise he had made ten years ago, when he swore he would celebrate every milestone from then on.

Back then, he was not the terrifying Dante Moretti. He was only another illegitimate son in the family, locked inside a dark storage locker by his brothers.

He had claustrophobia. He screamed in the dark.

He did not know I had been locked in there too.

“You… don’t cry,” I said. “I’m here.”

He sounded so pitiful that I gave him the cake I had spent half a year’s allowance to buy.

He ate the cake and wiped his tears. “Autumn, we’re friends now. From now on, I’ll celebrate your birthday every year.”

After that, I became his shelter from the family, and he became my shield against my father.

We grew up hand in hand. Later, when he took over the family, he turned down all the sharp, ambitious women who chased after him and married me instead.

Everyone said he only did it to spite his father.

Even I asked him once, “Did you choose wrong? I’m really too stupid…”

He smiled and slid the ring onto my finger.

“Yeah, I’m stupid too. That’s why I married you and kept you by my side, so I can see you whenever I want. So I’ll always know you’re safe.”

The whole family thought he had gone clinically insane.

His father’s rage, his mother’s hysterics, the enemy families closing in from every side, all of it pressed down on him.

But he only held my hand tighter.

“Autumn, that day in the dark, I even wanted to end my life. You pulled me back. I swore then that I would love you, protect you, and do it forever.”

Before, he loved me because I was too stupid.

Now, he cheated on me openly because I was too stupid.

I stared blankly at our wedding photo on the wall until my phone buzzed.

Mia: [Autumn, did you and Dante fight? He looks stressed.]

Mia: [But he’s fine now. He’s happy. The baby is healthy.]

Attached was a photo of Dante.

He was listening carefully to the doctor, taking notes in a small ledger. When I was sick, he used to sit beside me just like that.

My chest cramped again.

Go.

I had to go.

Holding back a sob, I dialed a number.

“Mom?” I said. “I’ll go with you.”

“Really?” Her voice shook. “You forgive me? Where are you? I’ll get the travel documents ready right now.”