Reject The Ex-husband: I will be the best version of myself!

1

Liam and I firstly met when we were still high school students,at a hockey game in their school.

I was a part of the female hockey team and he was part of the male one.After the match,he came up to me and praised my efforts.

We started talking and gradually,he always accompanies me when I was in training.

When my thigh was injured that led me couldn't participate in the competition,he always stayed by my side and kept me accompanied through the most difficult time.Later in college,he confessed his love to me,and I agreed.After graduating from college,we finally got married.

For a full ten years of love,every scenes of the memory floated in my mind.However,everything was broken by the return of his first love.

I remembered everything.

However,when the fire broke out today,I called him for help.But he said,"You are fine in the hospital.Don't make up lies anymore."and then hung up the phone.

The doctor walked and stood beside me,checking my vitals.

"Okay,Miss Nora,it's time for your discharge.You are free to go home now."The doctor's voice broke into my thoughts.

As the doctor handed me my discharge papers,I saw Liam walking towards me,Abby and her daughter by his side.Abby smiled at me,a triumphant look on her face.

"I'm glad you're okay,"Liam said,his voice detached.

I felt a sting from his words."Yeah,I'm fine,"I replied,trying to keep my emotions in check.

Abby stepped forward,her daughter,Becca,clinging to her hand."Thanks to Liam,we are all safe now,"she said,her eyes locked on his face.

I felt a surge of anger and hurt.Why was she doing this?And why was he looking at her like that?

"I believe you can go home on your own right?"Liam asked me.

I didn't reply,I just packed my bag and tried walking out when he held my arms.

"You are hurting me,Liam."I said with pain.

"When next I'm talking,you don't walk out on me."

I just stared at him.I was not ready to fight with him or argue,especially not in the presence of the hospital staff and also Abby and her daughter,Becca.I glared at John,my eyes heavy with emotions.If only he could split open my heart,he will know how much pain I was hiding.

"Anyways,I will be staying with Abby and her daughter for the night,they need me around."

I was shocked hearing my husband say such.How does he expect me to stay all alone at home,while he stays with his ex girlfriend?

"You're going to stay with them?"I repeated,trying to keep my voice steady.

Liam nodded,his expression unyielding."Yes,they need me.And I need to make sure they're safe."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing."And what about me?Don't you care about my safety?"

Liam sighed,his eyes flashing with annoyance."Of course I do,Nora.But you're not the one who just went through a traumatic experience.Abby and Becca need me right now."

I felt a surge of anger and hurt."So you're just going to leave me alone,after what happened?After what you said to me on the phone?"

Liam's expression softened slightly,but his voice remained firm."Nora,we'll talk about this later.Right now,I need to take care of Abby and Becca."

I shook my head,tears flowed down my cheeks."Fine.Go take care of them.See if I care."

Liam's face tightened,but he turned and walked away,leaving me standing alone in the hospital corridor.I watched as he disappeared,walking back to Abby's ward,feeling like my heart was shattering.

How could he do this to me?How could he choose her over me?

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down.I couldn't believe what was happening.I felt like I was living in a nightmare.

I walked out of the hospital,feeling numb and alone.I didn't know where to go or what to do.I felt like my whole world had been turned upside down.

As I walked,I noticed a taxi cab waiting by the curb.I got in and gave the driver my address.I didn't want to go home,but I didn't know where else to go.

The driver asked me if I was okay,and I just shook my head.I didn't want to talk about it.

When we arrived at my apartment,I paid the driver and got out.I walked inside and locked the door behind me.

I walked over to the couch and sat down,trying to process everything.

Suddenly,my phone rang.It was Liam.I hesitated for a moment before answering.

"Hey,"he said,his voice soft."I just wanted to check in on you."

I laughed,feeling a mix of emotions."You're checking in on me?After what you did?"

Liam sighed."Nora,I know I hurt you.But please understand,I had to help Abby and Becca.They needed me."

I shook my head,even though he couldn't see me."You always put her first,don't you?You always choose her over me."

Liam paused,and for a moment,I thought he was going to deny it.But then he said,"I'm sorry,Nora.I don't know what to say."

I felt a tear roll down my cheek."Just be honest with me,Liam.Do you still love her?”

Liam hesitated,and I could sense the weight of his words before he even spoke them."Nora,I...I care about her.I have a responsibility to her and Becca."

"A responsibility?What about your responsibility to me?To our marriage?"

Liam sighed."Nora,please understand—"

"No,Liam,I don't understand,"I interrupted,"I don't understand how you can so easily choose her over me.I don't understand how you can throw away our marriage like this."

Liam's voice was soft,but firm."I'm not throwing away our marriage,Nora.I'm just...trying to do the right thing."

I laughed,a bitter taste in my mouth."The right thing?You call this the right thing?"

We sat in silence for a moment,the only sound my breathing.

Finally,Liam spoke up."Nora,I think we need some time apart.I need to figure some things out."

I felt a chill run down my spine."Time apart?You mean,like a separation?"

Liam hesitated again before answering."I don't know,Nora.I just know I need some space right now."

I nodded,even though he couldn't see me."Fine.Take all the space you need,Liam.But know this:I won't be waiting around for you forever."

2.

It has been five hours since Liam and I spoke. I was worried sick already. It was late and he wasn't home yet. I checked the clock and it was getting late already. I suddenly received a notification from my phone. Abby had posted a new photo. She was in the restaurant where my husband used to take me to when we just got married.

[Abby: Out on a date with my lovely man.]

I was mad at the caption. Here I was all alone at home and Liam took Abby out on a date after they left the hospital? He couldn't even drive me back home?

I felt a surge of anger as I stared at the photo on my phone feed. How could Liam do this to me?

I thought back to our conversation earlier, how he said he needed space and time to figure things out. I didn't realize that meant taking his ex out on a romantic dinner.

I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I scrolled through the comments on Abby's post. People were congratulating them on their "love" and saying how cute they looked together. It was like a knife twisting in my heart.

I couldn't take it anymore. I needed to know what was going on. I grabbed my phone and dialed Liam's number.

It rang several times before he finally picked up.

"Where are you?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady.

"I'm...uh...at a restaurant," he replied, hesitating.

"I know that," I snapped. "I saw the photo Abby posted. You're on a date with her, aren't you?"

Liam sighed. "Nora,It's none of your business.You have no right to tell me what I do!"

"No, Liam, I don't understand," I cut him off. "I don't understand how you could do this to me. We're still married, and yet you're out with another woman. How could you be so heartless?"

Liam sighed, sounding unbothered. "Nora, don't make a big deal out of this. It's just dinner."

I felt a surge of anger at his nonchalance. "Just dinner? You're on a date with your ex, and it's just dinner?"

"Nora, I told you, I need space. And right now, I'm taking it."

I heard a female voice in the background, and then Abby's voice came on the line. "Hey, Nora. It's Abby."

My heart sank. "What do you want, Abby?"

Abby's voice came on the line, sounding cheerful. "Hey Nora, I'm Abby. I just wanted to talk to you for a second."

I hesitated, unsure of what to expect. "What is it, Abby?"

Abby laughed. "I just wanted to reassure you that there's nothing going on between Liam and me. We're just friends, Nora. I know you're probably thinking the worst, but honestly, we're just hanging out because Becca wanted to go out for dinner and I'm lazy and didn't feel like cooking."

"Save it, Abby," I snapped. "I don't believe you. And even if I did, it doesn't excuse the fact that Liam is out with you and not even bothering to check in with me."

Abby's voice turned condescending. "Oh, Nora, don't be so insecure. Liam's just being nice to me and Becca. You're his wife, not his prisoner."

I felt a sting from her words. "You have no right to talk to me like that, Abby. And I'm not insecure, I'm just tired of being disrespected by my own husband."

Abby sighed. "Whatever, Nora. I just thought I'd try to be nice. But clearly, you're not interested."

The line went dead, and I was left feeling angry, hurt, and frustrated.

I thought I had a good marriage, a loving husband, and a happy life. But now, it all seemed like a lie.

A sob escaped my lips as I thought about all the memories we had made together, all the laughter, all the adventures. Were they all just a lie?

As I sat on the couch, seething with anger and hurt, I scrolled through social media. Abby had posted yet another photo of her and Liam, this time with a caption that read: "Late-night conversations with my favorite person"

I felt a sting from her words.

I kept scrolling, my heart sinking with each new post. They were having the time of their lives, while I was left here alone, wondering what I had done wrong.

Just as I was about to put my phone down, I saw a new post from Abby. A photo of her and Liam, cuddled up together on a couch, with a caption that read: "Sleepover"

My heart stopped.

3

I woke up to an empty bed, the memories of the previous night flooding back like a tidal wave. I felt a pang of sadness and realization - Liam never came home. He was with Abby.

I got out of bed and went through the motions of making breakfast, my heart heavy with grief. As I sat at the table, staring blankly at my food, I couldn't help but wonder what I had done wrong.

After breakfast, I retreated to my music room, seeking solace in the one thing that always brought me comfort - music. I sat at my piano, running my fingers over the keys, trying to lose myself in the melody.

But my peace was short-lived. The door creaked open, and Liam walked in, looking like he hadn't a care in the world.

I felt a surge of anger. "Liam. I saw the photos. I know you were with Abby last night."

Liam's expression didn't change. "So what if I was?"

"So what if you were? You're my husband, Liam. You're supposed to be committed to me, not gallivanting around town with your ex."

Liam snorted. "Committed? You want to talk about commitment? You're always so busy with your music, Nora. You never have time for me."

I felt a sting from his words. "That's not true, Liam. And even if it was, it wouldn't justify what you're doing."

Liam shrugged again. "I'm not justifying anything, Nora. I'm just living my life."

I felt a chill run down my spine. "And I'm just a footnote in your life, is that it?"

Liam's expression didn't change. "If that's how you want to see it, Nora.”

I felt a surge of anger and hurt. "So, you're just going to stand there and tell me that you spent the night with your ex? After everything we've been through?"

Liam shrugged. "It's not like that, Nora. Abby was scared of being alone at night, and she was too lazy to cook for herself. She hadn't eaten all day."

I laughed, I was fed up already. "And that's your problem? You're her personal chef and bodyguard now?"

Liam sighed. "Nora, don't make a big deal out of this. I was just being a friend."

"A friend? You're my husband, Liam. You're supposed to be my partner, my rock. Not Abby's personal errand boy."

Liam's expression didn't change. "I'm just trying to help her out, Nora. Don't be so insecure."

"Insecure? You're the one who's throwing away our marriage for your ex. Don't try to turn this around on me.”

Liam's expression didn't change. "I was just helping her out, Nora. Don't make a big deal out of it."

"You're always 'just helping her out', Liam. When are you going to start helping us out? Our marriage is falling apart, and you're too busy playing hero to your ex to even notice."

Liam sighed. "Nora, we'll talk about this later. Right now, I need to tell you about the family dinner tomorrow."

I raised an eyebrow. "What about it?"

"It's at our family building, and everyone will be there. You need to come with me."

I felt a surge of anxiety at the thought of facing Liam's family, especially after everything that had happened. "I don't know, Liam. I'll think about it."

Liam's expression turned firm. "You'll come, Nora. It's a family event. You're my wife."

I felt a shiver run down my spine at his words. Was I just a possession to him, a trophy to be shown off to his family? I didn't know if I could do it, if I could pretend to be the happy wife when my heart was breaking.

But for now, I just nodded. "Fine. I'll come.”

Liam nodded, seeming to accept my answer. "Good. We'll set off at 5 pm, Tomorrow. Don't keep me waiting."

I watched as he turned and walked away, feeling a sense of resignation wash over me. I knew I had to go to the family dinner, but I dreaded it. I dreaded facing Liam's family, and I dreaded seeing Abby.

As the days passed, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. I felt like I was trapped in a nightmare, with no escape.

On the day of the family dinner, I stood in front of the mirror, trying to muster up some enthusiasm. I put on a bright smile, and a red dress that Liam had bought for me.

Liam and I left exactly at 5 pm, and we drove to the family building in silence. I could feel the tension between us, like a thick fog that refused to lift.

I took a deep breath and stepped into the family gathering with Liam by my side. To my surprise, Abby was nowhere to be found. I felt a wave of relief wash over me, thinking that maybe this evening wouldn't be so bad after all.

Liam's family welcomed me with open arms, and I tried my best to chat with them, to fit in. They asked me questions about my work, my interests, and I answered as best I could.

Liam seemed relaxed, laughing and joking with his siblings, and I found myself feeling almost comfortable. Maybe this was a turning point, maybe we could move past our issues and start fresh.

But just as I was starting to let my guard down, the door burst open and Abby walked in, a smile on her face. And she wasn't alone. Becca, Her daughter, was by her side, holding her hand.

My heart sank, and I felt a surge of anger. What was Abby doing here? Who invited her?

Abby's eyes scanned the room, locking onto Liam and me. Her smile grew even wider, and she started walking towards us, Becca in tow.

I spun around, my eyes blazing with anger. "Abby, what are you doing here? You weren't invited."

Abby's smile never wavered. "Oh, actually, Liam invited me. He said it would be okay."

My eyes snapped to Liam, who was standing frozen, a look of guilt on his face.

"You invited her?" I demanded. "Without asking me?"

Liam shrugged. "I didn't think it would be a big deal."

The understatement made me feel the thin air, and the anger in my heart ignited, and I stared at Abby. "You're always causing trouble, aren't you? You can't resist inserting yourself into our lives."

Abby smiled slightly and answered me, "I'm just trying to be part of the family, Nora. Since Liam is the father of my child, I thought it would be nice to spend time together."

The room fell silent. I felt like I had been punched in the gut. "What did you just say?"

Abby's voice was dripping with malice. "I said Liam is the father of my child, Becca. And I have the paternity test to prove it!"

I stood there, frozen with shock and anger.