From Neglected Wife to CEO’s Obsession novel Chapter 5

After I finally got Cindy to sleep, I slipped back into the master bedroom. Remy was already out cold, but even in sleep his brow was furrowed, like he was fighting off nightmares. He didn’t look peaceful at all.

I crawled into bed, putting as much distance as possible between us. The silence felt heavy. I tossed and turned for ages, unable to get comfortable, and eventually drifted off into a restless sleep.

My dreams were a mess—flashes of color, broken memories spinning together, all tangled and impossible to escape. In the middle of it, strangers appeared, speaking words I couldn’t understand. They pushed needles into my skin. I felt the icy burn of medicine seeping in, and the pain was so sharp I wanted to cry, but the tears wouldn’t come.

When morning finally came, my head was pounding. My legs felt weak, like I was walking on cotton. There was an empty, cold ache in my chest, like something important had been ripped away and would never come back.

The house was eerily quiet. Remy was gone.

I made some cereal, then just sat at the kitchen table, staring into space. Last night had left a bruise I couldn’t ignore. It hurt. But it also woke me up.

I loved Remy—I did. But love shouldn’t feel like a cage.

If I’d known back then that marrying Remy would end up hurting this much, I never would have walked down the aisle. He’d rather masturbate than sleep with me. I was so done.

The electronic lock beeped. Remy walked in, bringing a blast of cool autumn air and the strong smell of smoke. He was carrying bags from the bakery Cindy and I loved.

I’d always liked having the house to ourselves, so there were no live-in helpers—just a cleaning lady a couple times a week. Breakfast was usually my job.

“Avery, I got your favorites,” Remy said as he came into the kitchen, unpacking everything and setting it out. He gave me a smile, like nothing was wrong. “Where’s Cindy? Still asleep? I’ll get her up.”

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