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Chapter 2: His Indifference

Penulis: Elixanima
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-03-23 08:17:54

The meal was silent and tasteless. She wasn’t even sure if she was full or just forcing herself to eat.

Once she finished, she cleaned up, then returned to the living room to continue her lesson plans. But no matter how much she tried to concentrate, her mind kept drifting back to Lucas.

Three years.

Three long years since she and Lucas got married. And in all those years, nothing had changed.

No, that wasn’t true. Things had changed. They had gotten worse.

Their marriage was an empty shell—two people bound by paper, living under the same roof but in entirely different worlds. It was a cruel joke—a one-sided love story where she was the only fool still clinging to hope.

Lucas had never treated her right.

He never raised a hand against her, but his coldness was a different kind of torment. His words, his actions—everything was designed to push her away, to break her. And he had succeeded, countless times.

And yet, she stayed.

Why?

Was it love? Or just an unhealthy obsession?

She knew how twisted it was to keep him trapped in a marriage he never wanted. She knew it was foolish. She knew she was only hurting herself. But if staying meant being close to him, she was willing to be selfish.

If love meant letting him go, then maybe… she wasn’t ready to love him the right way.

She could endure the coldness. The silence. The indifference.

But divorce?

No. That was the one thing she couldn’t do. She wasn’t ready to let him go.

Even if it was wrong, even if it made her selfish—she would rather be hated by him than not have him at all.

Tears welled in her eyes, but she quickly wiped them away.

Enough.

Crying wouldn’t change anything. It wouldn’t make Lucas love her. It wouldn’t warm the coldness between them.

She let out a deep sigh and packed away her things. There was no use pretending she could still work. She had lost all focus. Sleep was a far better option than dwelling on thoughts that only hurt her.

On her way upstairs, she paused in front of Lucas’s bedroom door.

Yes, his bedroom.

They had never shared a bed—not even on their honeymoon. From the very beginning, Lucas had refused to sleep in the same room as her.

Even now, after three years of marriage, that hadn’t changed.

The door was slightly ajar, and for a brief moment, she felt the urge to peek inside.

But she stopped herself.

She couldn't risk being caught.

Instead, she whispered, “Good night,” before turning away and heading to her own room.

--

The next morning. Lara woke up early, as always, and went through her usual routine. After a warm shower, she made her way downstairs to prepare breakfast.

To her surprise, Lucas was already in the kitchen.

She paused at the sight of him standing by the coffee machine, his broad frame dressed in an expensive black suit, his head slightly tilted down as he watched the coffee machine fill his cup.

He looked effortlessly handsome. Too perfect. No matter how many times she saw him like this, she still couldn’t get used to it.

Lara swallowed the lump in her throat and approached him carefully.

“Good morning,” she greeted softly, mustering a smile.

He didn’t respond. He didn’t even glance at her.

She refused to let it bother her. “What would you like for breakfast, honey? I’ll prepare it right away.”

“Don’t bother,” he replied, lifting his cup and walking toward the dining table.

Lara paused. A pang of hurt twisted in her chest, but she forced herself to smile. “Alright. If you say so,” she said softly.

She turned away and busied herself with cooking, refusing to let his indifference ruin her morning.

By the time she finished preparing breakfast, Lucas was already gone.

Only his empty coffee mug remained on the counter.

No goodbye. No acknowledgment.

Lara sighed, staring at the abandoned mug.

Would it kill him to say something?

She shook her head and sat down for breakfast.

After finishing her meal, she washed the dishes and went upstairs to get ready for work.

She curled her hair into loose waves, applied light makeup, and grabbed her bag before heading to the garage.

Sliding into the driver’s seat, she started the car.

Another day had begun.

Another day of pretending everything was fine.

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  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 3: Unexpected Visitor

    The school day had ended, and most of the children had already gone home. Lara sat in the waiting area, keeping an eye on the last few students still waiting for their guardians when a familiar voice called out to her. “Lara!” She turned just in time to see Ali striding toward her, her designer handbag swinging at her side. “Are you done with class? I’m dying for milk tea,” Ali announced dramatically, flipping her hair as if the mere thought of waiting any longer was unbearable. Lara chuckled, shaking her head at her best friend’s antics. Ali had been a handful, to say the least, ever since college, but over the years, Lara had learned to handle her quirks with patience. She was high-maintenance, outspoken, occasionally dramatic, and a little too confident for her own good, but beneath all that, she was sweet and fiercely loyal. Life was never boring with her around. Lara turned to her assistant. “Maera, can you stay with the kids while they wait for their parents?” Maera no

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  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 4: Emotionally Constipated Jerk

    Lara forced a smile. “Enough, Ali. We’re fine, really. He’s just busy with work, so we don’t see each other much.” Ali scoffed. “Work? That’s the lamest excuse I’ve ever heard. Do you hear yourself? Look at you—you’re gorgeous, you’re kind, and you’re literally the perfect wife. Meanwhile, he’s out there being an emotionally constipated jerk. Seriously, what’s so special about him? If I were you, I’d find myself a lover. That would teach him a lesson.” Lara shot her a pointed look. “That’s never going to happen. You know how much I love Lucas.” Ali groaned dramatically. “God, you’re hopeless. You’re so in love with a walking red flag!” Lara stifled a laugh. “You sound more bitter than I do. You don’t even have a boyfriend.” She shrugged. “That’s because men are trash. It’s like they have collectively decided to be terrible. Even the ugly ones cheat! The audacity!” Before Ali could rant further, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and scowled. “Ugh, it’s my manager,

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  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 5: He’s A Great Man

    After dropping Ram off at her home, Lara decided to stop by the market to restock their groceries. Their supplies were running low, and she figured she might as well take care of it now before the weekend.The trip took longer than expected. Between picking out fresh produce, comparing prices, and waiting in the long checkout line, two hours had passed by the time she was done. By the time she arrived home, the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow through the windows.Lara changed into more comfortable clothes before heading to the kitchen to put away the groceries. Once everything was sorted, she gathered the dirty laundry from both her room and Lucas’s and tossed them into the washing machine.As the clothes spun in the washer, Lara pulled out her phone from the pocket of her shorts and sent Lucas a message.Lara: What time are you coming home?She stared at the screen, waiting for the little “typing…” indicator that never appeared. It wasn’t surprising. Lucas rarely replie

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  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 6: No Sign Of Lucas

    As soon as the call ended, Lara let out a deep sigh and placed her phone on the counter.That conversation had been exhausting.She loved her mother, but talking about her marriage always left her feeling suffocated. The guilt of lying to them weighed heavily on her chest. It was one of the reasons she rarely visited home. Her parents, especially her Mom, always expected Lucas to come along, and she knew he never would.And now, she had to find a way to convince her emotionally distant husband to visit her family this weekend.Ugh. What a mess.Shoving her phone back into her pocket, she turned her attention back to the laundry. The washing machine had finished, so she moved the clothes to the dryer. Once they were dry, she placed them into a laundry basket and made her way to Lucas’s room. She rarely entered his space, but since she had already done the laundry, she figured she might as well put his clothes away. Lucas’s room was spotless, just as she expected. Everything was neat

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  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 7: Drunken Mess

    Minutes turned into hours.At some point, exhaustion had won, and Lara had dozed off on the couch. But the sharp ringing of the doorbell stirred her awake. Her heart leaped into her throat as she shot up, blinking away the drowsiness. The room was dark, save for the dim glow of the TV screen.She glanced at the clock. 2:13 AM.Who could be visiting this late?With a deep sigh, she pushed herself off the couch and made her way to the door. The doorbell rang again, more insistent this time. Her brows knitted together she hesitated for a moment. Peeking through the peephole, she was met with a familiar face.Izek?Without wasting another second, she unlocked the door and swung it open. Her eyes widened at the sight before her.There, standing under the dim glow of the porch light, was Izek—one of Lucas’s close friends. And beside him, slumped against his shoulder, was Lucas himself. Disheveled. Drunk. Completely wasted.Lara’s stomach twisted at the sight.“Hey,” Izek greeted, offering

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  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 8: I Love You

    Lara froze.“Don’t go…”Lucas’s voice was slurred, barely above a whisper, but it sent a jolt through her body.Her heart pounded as she turned back to face him. His grip on her wrist was weak yet desperate, his half-lidded eyes searching for something—someone.“Don’t go…” he murmured again, voice thick with emotion. “Please… don’t leave me.”Lara’s breath hitched.What is this? What’s happening?Her pulse raced. For so long, she had longed to hear those words from him—to hear him ask her to stay. And now, he was finally saying them.Her chest tightened, a fragile hope blooming within her.She immediately knelt in front of him, her hands shaking as she reached for his. “Lucas,” she whispered, her voice breaking.His eyes fluttered open slightly, and his fingers brushed against her cheek. The gentleness of his touch sent shivers down her spine.“I won’t leave,” she promised, tears welling in her eyes. “I’m here.”Lucas let out a shaky breath. His grip on her hand tightened.“I can’t li

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  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 9: She Was The Villain

    It felt like a slap in the face—harsh, undeniable, and cruel.The words Lucas had uttered echoed relentlessly in Lara’s mind, piercing through her already wounded heart like shards of glass.She stood frozen in place, staring at him in disbelief. He was barely conscious, his drunken state rendering him oblivious to the weight of what he had just said. Yet, his voice had been clear—clear enough to crush every last bit of hope she had been holding onto.Tears blurred her vision as she turned away, unable to bear it any longer. Without another word, she rushed to her room, slamming the door behind her. As soon as the lock clicked, her legs gave out, and she collapsed onto the cold floor, her arms wrapping tightly around herself as if that could keep her from falling apart completely.A strangled sob escaped her lips. Then another. And another. Until the quiet of the room was filled with the sound of her broken cries.Her fingers curled into fists as she pressed them against her heart, as

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  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 10: Not Yet

    Who was she even fighting for? For a husband who loved another woman? For a marriage that was never hers to begin with? For a love that was never meant for her? A bitter, humorless laugh escaped her lips. What was the point of all her struggles, all her sacrifices, if in the end, she was the only one holding on? She had spent years trying to fix something that was doomed from the start. Why had she been so foolish? Why had she agreed to this marriage, knowing Lucas didn’t love her? Not only had she destroyed Lucas' happiness, but she had also ruined her own. Her hands curled into the sheets, gripping them tightly. Should she just give up? Should she finally end this marriage and give Lucas the freedom he had always wanted? Maybe then, he would finally forgive her. Maybe then, she wouldn’t have to keep living like this—chasing after someone who would never look back at her. Wouldn't that be the right thing to do? If she truly loved Lucas, shouldn’t she set him free? The

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  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 50: Let’s Get An Annulment

    Once they were away from prying eyes, she finally gathered the courage to glare up at him. “You can put me down now. No one’s watching.” she muttered. Lucas didn’t listen. Instead, he carried her all the way upstairs, straight to his room. Only then did he finally set her down on the bed. Lara immediately scooted away, putting distance between them. “Thanks. You can leave now.” Silence. For a moment, she thought he would simply walk out. But instead, his voice broke through the quiet. “Are you feeling okay?” Lara almost scoffed. Of all the things he could ask, he chose that? She lifted her gaze to him, searching his face for any trace of sincerity. But she couldn’t find it. Was this still part of his act? Did he actually care… or was he just pretending again? A bitter laugh escaped her lips as she shook her head. “Why are you asking, Lucas?” she said, voice laced with quiet pain. “It’s not like you actually care.” Lucas’ jaw tightened. He didn’t answer, but the flicker in

  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 49: In His Arms

    The party was an intimate affair, filled with close family and friends. Lara was pleasantly surprised to find her own parents there, already seated at one of the tables. She made her way toward them, settling beside her mother, while Lucas followed suit, taking the seat beside her, but they barely spoke. It was easy enough to avoid each other with so many people around, and for that, Lara was grateful.And despite the ache in her chest, she found herself enjoying the celebration. The simple gathering, the laughter, the casual conversations—it was nice.At some point, Lily dragged her away to join their cousins and friends at a separate table. The group was lively, taking turns singing karaoke and clinking their glasses together in celebration.“You’re drinking with us tonight,” Lily declared with a mischievous grin.Lara hesitated. “I don’t think—”“Please, Ate Lara. Just one drink!”Lara had really no intention of drinking, but after much persuasion from Lily and the others, she fina

  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 48: Beneath the Surface

    As Lara stepped outside, she made sure to lock both the main door and the gate. When she turned, she found Lucas standing beside his car, his hands in his pockets.She hesitated for a moment.Why was he just standing there?Lucas had never waited for her before. Had never once shown any concern about whether she got in the car first or not. Usually, he would already be seated inside, engine running, as if eager to be anywhere but near her.Brushing the thought aside, Lara reached for the passenger door handle. Just as her fingers curled around it, another hand landed on the handle at the same time. The unexpected contact sent an involuntary jolt through her, and for a moment, she stilled. She looked up at him, her brows knitting together in confusion.What is he doing?Lucas met her gaze, something unreadable flashing in his dark eyes before he silently withdrew his hand. It was as if he had been about to open the door for her.Lara swallowed the lump in her throat, composing herself.

  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 47: Holding It In

    The day passed by in a blur, and before Lara knew it, Friday had arrived.She was in the faculty room, gathering her things after her last class, when her phone buzzed with a message.Lucas: I’ll pick you up at 6.She stared at the screen for a moment, then locked her phone without responding. What was the point? He was merely informing her, not asking. There was no room for discussion.“Heading home already?” one of her co-teachers asked as she slung her bag over her shoulder.“Yeah, I have an event to go to tonight.” she said, managing a small smile. “I'll see you all on Monday. Have a good weekend.”They exchanged quick goodbyes before she made her way to the parking lot, sliding into her car and driving home.As soon as she arrived, she headed straight to her bedroom. The dress she had set aside that morning hung neatly inside her closet. She reached for it and let out a slow breath.Tonight was going to be difficult.She pushed the thought aside and slipped into the dress—a simpl

  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 46: The Turning Point

    Lara drove home in a daze, her grip on the steering wheel weak, her mind clouded with thoughts she couldn’t silence. The pain still lingered like a fresh wound, throbbing in her chest with every breath. By the time she pulled into the driveway, exhaustion had settled deep in her bones, her face still damp from the silent tears she had shed during the drive. Her eyes were swollen, her heart heavy.That night, she made a decision.She wouldn’t run anymore. She wouldn’t stay silent.For so long, she had been avoiding the inevitable, afraid of the answers she might receive. But tonight, she was done pretending that everything was fine. She was done hoping for something that would never come.She was going to talk to Lucas.She wanted answers. A real conversation. A chance to finally lay everything out in the open.Lara sat on the couch, waiting. The ticking of the clock was the only sound that filled the empty house. Every passing minute chipped away at the last fragments of her patience.

  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 45: The Final Straw

    After her last class, Lara decided to stop by the mall to buy a birthday gift for Lucas’s mother.Evelyn—her mother-in-law, had always loved designer bags. Lara had seen her collection over the years—luxurious, timeless pieces, each carefully chosen. Wanting to give her something she would genuinely like, Lara spent the next hour browsing high-end boutiques, examining different styles, colors, and materials before finally settling on a white Hermès Birkin. It was a safe choice—sophisticated and understated. Something Evelyn would appreciate.Without hesitation, she took it to the counter, paid for it, and waited as the staff carefully wrapped the bag in its signature orange box. Once the transaction was complete, she took the shopping bag in hand and made her way toward the exit.But just as she turned to leave, something across the walkway caught her eye. Lara slowed her steps, her heart hammering against her ribs as she took a closer look.And then her feet stopped altogether.It’s

  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 44: Bittersweet

    The next morning, Lara slipped into her routine as if nothing had changed.She showered, dressed in comfortable clothes, and headed downstairs to the kitchen. The house was quiet—just as it always was in the mornings.She tied her hair up into a loose ponytail and got to work, preparing a simple breakfast. Pancakes, fried eggs, and freshly brewed coffee. It was almost automatic now, the way her hands moved—measuring, flipping, plating. She wasn’t even sure if Lucas would eat, but she made enough for both of them anyway.She had just set the table and was pouring coffee into two mugs when she heard footsteps behind her. Turning slightly, she saw Lucas entering the kitchen. Dressed in a crisp white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, black slacks, and a neatly knotted tie, he looked every bit the man she had married.For a fleeting moment, her gaze lingered. It was an old habit, one she hadn’t quite shaken. But just as quickly, she pulled herself back to reality.“Good

  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 43: Unspoken Tension

    Lara pulled into the driveway, cutting the engine as she let out a slow breath. The warm glow of the living room lights seeped through the curtains, confirming what she already suspected.Lucas was home.The happiness she had felt earlier—the lightness from her evening with Reagan—slowly dissipated, replaced by an unsettling unease. There was no reason to feel guilty. She hadn’t done anything wrong. And yet, a strange nervousness settled in her chest.Taking a steadying breath, she grabbed her bag and draped Reagan’s coat over her arm before stepping out of the car. The sound of her heels clicking against the garage floor echoed faintly as she walked toward the front door.As soon as she entered the house, she caught sight of Lucas in the living room. He was sitting on the couch, dressed comfortably in a plain white shirt and gray sweatpants, his laptop open on the coffee table in front of him. His fingers moved across the keyboard before he suddenly stopped, looking up as if sensing

  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 42: Quiet Intimacy

    When her card was returned, they left the restaurant and stepped out onto the bustling city street. The evening air was cool, and the sound of the city filled the space around them—the distant hum of traffic, occasional laughter from people passing by, the rhythmic clicking of Lara’s heels against the pavement. Despite the silence between them, it wasn’t uncomfortable. Reagan walked at a steady pace beside her, his hands in his pockets, his posture relaxed. After a few minutes, they arrived at a nearby park nestled between high-rise buildings. The lamplights cast a soft glow over the cobblestone paths, and a gentle breeze stirred the trees, rustling their leaves in a quiet symphony. Lara shivered slightly, realizing too late that she had nothing to shield her from the cool air. Before she could react, she felt something warm drape over her shoulders. Startled, she glanced down and saw a familiar black coat. She looked up at Reagan, eyes wide. “Oh. You don’t have—” “You looked c

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