Forgotten Wife: My Ex-Husband Regrets It After I Left novel Chapter 23

23

Sienna’s POV

I was still curled up under the blanket, wishing I could get through the morning without having to face anyone.

But that wish dissolved the moment I heard a knock at the door.

“Sienna,” Liam’s voice came through, flat and devoid of any compassion. “Get breakfast and the picnic packed. We’re going

out

My eyes flew open. It took a few seconds for the words to fully register. I tried to respond with a hoarse voice, “L… I’m sick, Liam. I have a fever. Can’t you ask one of the maids? I really need to rest.”

But all I heard was a long sigh from the other side of the door, followed by his voice, louder and colder this time.

“I asked you to do it, not someone else. Everything needs to be ready in an hour. Don’t make excuses.

His footsteps faded down the hall–no questions, no concern.

I could only cover my face with my hands. I wanted to cry, but even tears wouldn’t come. Maybe I’d run out of strength for that.

too.

My body was still trembling as I slowly forced myself out of bed. My legs wobbled when they touched the floor, but I made myself move to the bathroom just to splash water on my face. The cold water against my fevered skin felt like needles. I stared at my reflection in the mirror–pale, swollen eyes, messy hair. There was no trace left of the woman who used to burn with life.

I dragged my body downstairs, step by painful step, gripping the wall for support. The lower floor was already filled with noise- Noah’s laughter and Emily’s soft humming as she got things ready. But it all felt so far away… like it belonged to someone else.

I entered the kitchen in silence. My hands trembled as I gripped the cutting board, my head spinning as I prepared the ingredients. But I forced myself, as always. I cooked the rice, fried the eggs and chicken, cut up fruit, arranged everything neatly into lunch boxes. I did it all while enduring the sharp aches shooting through every part of my body.

Not because I was strong. But because I had no other choice. Because in this house, my illness was not a valid reason. Because my presence was treated like a shadow. Because they would carry on without me. And maybe… It was time they did.

Today, they would go out and have fun. And I would watch from afar. Again. As always.

The heat from the stove mixed with the heat from my body made the room spin. The knife nearly slipped from my hand as my vision blurred. The sizzling pan sounded distant, like an echo in an empty tunnel. I clung to the counter, trying to stay upright,

but my body wouldn’t obey.

“Mrs. Sienna!” The housemaid’s voice cried out behind me, rushing over to catch me before I collapsed.

I bit my lip, trying to keep the weakness from taking over. My breath came in short gasps, cold sweat soaked my temples.

“You’re burning up… Come sit down!” The housemaid said in a panic, helping me into a chair.

But before I could catch my breath, heavy footsteps entered the kitchen. Liam stood there, his expression annoyed, eyes devoid of even the slightest concern.

“If you can’t handle it, don’t force it,” he said flatly, like I was just an inconvenience in his morning.

I looked at him, still struggling to breathe. There wasn’t a single caring word from his mouth. Not one question about whether I was okay.

Just judgment… as if I’d failed a simple task.

At that moment, I realized–my pain didn’t even register in his heart.

I closed my eyes for a second, taking a long breath even though it burned in my lungs. “I’m fine…” I whispered to myself more than anyone else. Even though I was trembling and still dizzy, I forced myself to stand. I gripped the edge of the table for support. “I’ll finish the lunch,” I said quietly, with a smile so faint it barely existed.

Liam stood in the kitchen doorway, arms crossed, wearing that same unreadable expression. No concern, no empathy. Just a tired sigh, as though watching me like this was exhausting. “You always exaggerate everything, Sienna. A little fever and it’s already a full performance.”

My heart sank. But I stayed silent. I was too tired to defend myself.

I reached for the lunch boxes, finishing the sandwiches I’d half prepared, arranging the fruit I’d already cut. But as I stretched to grab a glass from the top shelf, my vision spun again. My body swayed, and the glass slipped from my hand.

The shattering sound broke the morning stillness. Glass exploded across the floor, fragments scattering everywhere. I stared down, shaking.

“What now?” Liam’s voice boomed, his steps quickly approaching.

I stood frozen, staring at the broken glass, my body trembling, my heart feeling just as shattered.

Liam looked at me with sharp eyes, as if trying to decide whether I deserved sympathy or if this was just another act.

“Still sick?” he asked, voice dripping with sarcasm. “If you couldn’t do it, why didn’t you just stay in bed? Why wait until you made a scene for everyone?”

I held my breath. With everything I had.

From the living room, Noah’s voice rang out–clear and loud.

“Mommy’s such a crybaby! Auntie Emily is strong–she cooks at Daddy’s house too!”

That voice… it hit harder than anything Liam had said. The little boy who used to cry in my arms after falling off his bike now spoke with loyalty that wasn’t mine.

I turned slowly. Emily was already beside Noah, her expression awkward, like someone who didn’t want to be involved but still wanted to be seen as kind.

“Maybe…maybe we should just buy food from outside,” she said gently, as if trying to ease the tension.

||

Noah immediately cheered. “Yay! I want a burger! Aunt Emily, let’s get the one we had last time!”

24

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