His Wife, Her Stranger

Charlotte didn’t understand why her husband was smiling. Not until she heard the words.

“Yes, the divorce is final.”

The remote slipped from her hand, hitting the floor with a dull thud.

Her breath hitched.

Divorce?

Her eyes remained glued to the television screen, her entire body frozen in place. Michael stood before a crowd of reporters, composed, confident, and happy.

Too happy.

“As you all know,” he continued smoothly, “I have been patient.”

Charlotte shook her head slowly, her lips parting in disbelief.

“No… no, that’s not possible…”

Her fingers trembled as she reached for the edge of the table to steady herself.

He never told her.

Not once.

Not even in anger.

Not even during their worst fights.

So how…?

How was he standing there—announcing their divorce to the entire world like she meant nothing?

He was the only man she had ever loved. She couldn't recall any heated argument that would push him to this extreme.

There was no way he would choose to divorce her and make it public without even informing her first.

What happened to handing her divorce papers or at least threatening divorce before making such a final decision?

The thought sent hot tears cascading down her cheeks as she watched him, on screen, happily announcing a divorce that hadn’t even happened yet. He had never once mentioned divorce to her, even during their worst days.

Charlotte dropped to the ground, reaching out to the couch for support.

Her heart thumping loudly in her chest, her breath quickened, and her body trembled with fear.

She couldn't understand why, but she was nervous about losing him.

The mere thought of actually receiving divorce papers from him brought a sudden wave of heat, causing her to break out in a sweat, tears forming in her eyes as she coerced herself to stay sane.

“Is… it a crime to love him? I have loved him foolishly since childhood. What… more do I have to do for him to appreciate me?” she stuttered, her voice trembling.

For five years, she had endured an abusive marriage, silently tolerating insults from Michael, his mother, and his sister. Sporadically, he even went as far as hitting her.

She had been their scapegoat for years, but she never once complained, hoping he would change.

But she was mistaken; the bullying only worsened with time.

Michael's father had been a close friend of her father and his personal driver.

He had promised Charlotte’s father that she and Michael would end up together, ensuring they married before he passed away.

Back then, Michael had shown little interest in her; she was just a friend.

But as they spent more time together, he fell in love with her.

They married right after she graduated from college, but everything changed after his father died.

And ever since, she has endured one form of maltreatment after another.

Occasionally, they even locked her up and starved her for a couple of days before she got released, and