Chapter 4My Jerk Husband Who Begged for Forgiveness, Yet Held Another in His Arms

When I opened the door, I found Hector had actually come home. Over the past two years, his career had really taken off. I had recently heard that he bought Yael a riverside apartment, where he spent most of his time. Yael would cook and do everything to make him happy.

He was lounging against the floor-to-ceiling window. The house was dark, and he stood there quietly with a cigarette in his mouth. Hearing me come in, he stubbed out the cigarette and stared straight at me. I kept my eyes down as I walked past him, but he grabbed my arm and pulled me back.

His brows furrowed as he spoke softly, "Why have you lost so much weight lately?" His tone was gentle, unlike the coldness he had shown earlier in the day. For a moment, I felt like he was still the boy who loved me dearly seven years ago. "I bought your favorite cake," he added.

I pulled my hand free and walked over to the table. I picked up the cake and, right in front of him, threw it into the trash bin.

Hector's expression darkened. He reached out and pinned me against the wall. He gritted his teeth and said to me, "Charleen, what the hell is your problem?"

I calmly met his gaze and said, "I want a divorce."

"Out of the question!" he growled. Then he buried his face in my neck, biting and nipping at my skin. He dragged me into the bedroom and threw me roughly onto the bed. He must have been driven mad by my words. He was like a wild animal out of control, tearing at my clothes with brute force.

I felt sheer terror and began to scratch at him frantically. "Hector! You bastard! Let me go!"

But Hector showed no signs of stopping. He pinned my legs to keep me from thrashing about and bit my neck hard. I cried out in pain.

Hector leaned over me, trying to kiss the tears that were falling from my eyes. "Can't you just be good for once?" he whispered.

I turned my head away, dodging his lips that were about to touch mine. But he grabbed my chin and leaned in again. As his lips got closer and closer, just about to reach mine, his phone suddenly rang. It was Yael calling.

Hector hesitated for a moment but eventually answered the call. I could hear Yael on the other end of the line, her voice thick with tears and a hint of drunkenness. "Mr. Smith, can you come pick me up? They took advantage of your absence and made me drink so much... I can't hold on much longer... Can you come get me... please..."

Listening to Yael's plea for help on the other end, Hector remained silent. His eyes were fixed on me with an intense stare. "Charleen, as long as you ask me to stay, I will," he said.

I let out a cold laugh. I had humbled myself to beg him to stay. But he didn't even wait for me to finish my sentence and hung up the phone, leaving me listening to the cold, relentless busy signal. Now he wanted me to bow down, swallow my pride, and submit to him. "Hector, you must be dreaming!"

Hector was silent for a moment, then let out a self-mocking laugh. He held the phone to his ear and said to Yael, "I'll come pick you up and take you home." Without another glance at me, he got up and left, slamming the door behind him.

After all that turmoil, I couldn't sleep anymore. I pulled on a sweater and headed to the newly opened bar nearby to clear my head. I leaned against the bar, ordered a drink, and began to sip it on my own.

The bar filled with the sound of a classic old song. A deep, husky male voice sang softly and smoothly. When the song ended, the crowd burst into applause. I looked up at the stage and saw a man dressed all in black, looking cool and somewhat familiar.