The Invisible Wife-Dump Him for $18.80

Chapter 3

The next morning, just as I was waking up, my phone buzzed. Gabriel Whitmore.

"Don't let your temper stop you from visiting my parents today," he said, straight to the point. No greeting. No small talk. Just an order, like always.

Gabriel prided himself on being a devoted son. Never mind that Gerald and Dolores Whitmore were living in the most expensive care facility in the city, his favorite mantra was, Children should personally take care of their parents.

"Okay," I muttered and hung up. Then, like clockwork, I headed to Golden Horizon Care Center.

As I stepped into the room, carrying a pot of freshly made chicken soup, Dolores's voice rang out, practically dripping with pride.

"Oh, Natalie, isn't Serena just stunning? She'll be my daughter-in-law soon!"

She gestured at the TV, where Serena Sterling's flawless face filled the screen.

The young nurse, Natalie Parker, gasped. "Wait, really? They're getting married?"

"Of course!" Gerald and Dolores said in unison, beaming.

My steps faltered. A sharp pang shot through my chest, but I forced it down, keeping my voice steady.

"Dad. Mom."

The second they heard me, their smiles disappeared. Their warmth turned to ice.

Natalie glanced at me, confused. "And… this lady who's here every day is…?"

"Our goddaughter," Dolores answered smoothly, not missing a beat.

Natalie's eyes widened in admiration. "Wow! That's amazing! You must be so lucky to be part of Gabe's family, like having him as a brother!"

I forced a smile that didn't reach my eyes.

The moment Natalie left, Dolores's tone turned sharp. "Lexa, must you sneak in like that? Trying to scare us to death?"

I exhaled slowly. "You looked happy. I didn't want to interrupt."

I set the chicken soup on the table. "I made this for you. Try it while it's still warm."

Gerald picked up the bowl, sniffed once, and sneered. Then, without hesitation, he flung it to the floor.

Scalding soup splashed onto my hand. A sharp sting shot through my skin, but I barely reacted. I just clenched my fists and swallowed down the pain.

"What is this?" Gerald scoffed. "It tastes like garbage! Lexa, you can't even cook properly. What good are you?"

"I'll make it again," I said, my voice flat as I knelt to clean up the mess.

Three years. Three years of showing up. Of taking care of them. Of trying. And for what?

After finishing their massages, I was about to leave when, against my better judgment, I asked the question that had been sitting heavy in my chest.

"Did you know?" I said quietly. "Gabe's planning a wedding. With Serena."

Dolores's face lit up. Gerald's eyes practically sparkled.

"Oh, that's wonderful!" they gasped, nearly bursting with excitement.

I had expected the blow, but it still knocked the air out of my lungs.

I forced a smile. "But I'm his wife."

Gerald's lip curled. "Don't push your luck. We never wanted you to marry him in the first place. You've been sucking him dry for years. It's time to let go."

Dolores nodded, her voice filled with disdain. "Exactly. Stop clinging to Gabe like some parasite."

Parasite.

I shouldn't have been surprised. But hearing it out loud sent a tremor through me.

For three years, I had never asked Gabriel for a dime. Not for myself, not even for them. I paid my own way. I took care of his parents like they were my own.

And yet, this was the label they gave me.

It hit me then, Gabriel's cold heart wasn't an accident. It was hereditary.

Three years of devotion couldn't change them. It sure as hell wouldn't change him.

Their voices droned on, tossing more insults my way, Lexa, fetch me a bedpan! Lexa, clean this up!, but I was done listening.

Without a word, I turned and walked out.

Outside, the sun was breaking through the clouds. The air smelled fresh, crisp. Like something new.

I took a deep breath, pulled out my phone, and made a call.

"Hey… do you have time?" My voice was steady. Clear.

"I've made my decision."