Her Provocation, My Broken Heart

Anya Sawyer and I have been married for eight years.

In that time, she brought 99 men back home.

One day, I found myself looking at the 100th young man she had brought home ever since we got married.

He shot me a taunting look before turning to Anya. "Ms. Sawyer, is this your useless husband?"

Anya leaned into her seat and replied with a lazy yes.

The young man patted my cheek with a grin. "Tonight, I'll show you what a proper man is capable of."

…

That evening, I was forced to sit in the living room and listen to their moans all night long.

The next morning, Anya ordered me to prepare breakfast for her as usual.

I refused.

She seemed to have forgotten our marriage was by contract.

That day just so happened to be the third-to-last day of our contract.

The 100th Lover

Anya Sawyer was surprised by my staunch refusal.

This was the first time in eight years that I've ever refused a request from her. She was so shocked that she started scrutinizing me.

"Shane, are you still out of sorts from last night? Were you so shaken that you lost your marbles?"

I silently stared at her, not responding in any way.

After a while, Anya grew unsettled by my stare. So, she impatiently broke the silence, hissing, "If you won't do it, then fine! Why are you staring at me?"

As she said that, she gestured and called for the butler to get breakfast ready.

Just then, the young man she brought back last night approached me with a grin.

"So, how was my performance last night? Did you touch yourself listening to us?" he drawled.

He was about to say more, but Anya dragged him away. "Stop yapping and get ready for breakfast."

The young man raised his eyebrows at me with his eyes gleaming with overwhelming glee and pride.

Anya and the young man kept flirting at the dining table as they ate.

I did not even raise my head. Instead, I was busy thinking about how I should spend my days in the future.

Time passed. Suddenly, someone patted me on the arm.

When I looked up, I found Anya standing next to me with a dark look on her face.

"What is it?" I shot her a confused look.

She said nothing. Instead, she continued to stare at me with emotions I could not decipher flashing in her eyes. "What were you thinking about so deeply?" she finally inquired.

I blinked at her, somewhat dumbstruck that she would even ask me that. So, I told her the truth. "I'm thinking about my future."

Anya clicked her tongue upon hearing that. "What else can you do besides house chores?"

I wasn't fazed even though those demeaning words slipped from her lips so naturally.

I was already used to it.

In the eight years of our marriage, I'd basically abandoned all personal time in order to take good care