The Invisible Wife-Dump Him for $18.80

Chapter 4

For the longest time, I bought into it, all of it. "It's just work," Gabriel would say. And I believed him, even when everything around me screamed otherwise. That was, until a friend of mine sent me pictures of him and Serena, walking into a private hotel suite together, just two nights ago.

So much for "work."

Now, Gabriel was planning a wedding so extravagant it would make headlines, while I, his wife, had never even gotten so much as a ceremony.

My voice cracked, heavy with unshed tears, as I asked, "Gabe, Serena's just a colleague, right? You're giving her the wedding of the century. What about me? I'm your wife. Did I ever get a wedding?"

We got married when Gabriel was still an unknown extra, barely scraping by with tiny roles. His parents, convinced I was just after his money, treated me like I was a gold-digger from the start. To make them feel better, I signed a ridiculous confidentiality agreement. I even agreed to no wedding, to avoid any further suspicion.

Gabriel promised me, "Once I make it big, Lexa, I'll give you the wedding you deserve."

But that promise was just words, never spoken again after he became an Academy Award-winning actor. And the one time I dared suggest a small family ceremony, he brushed it off, saying, "Work's too busy. Maybe later."

But now? A single call from Serena was enough to change everything.

"Lexa, I've explained this a thousand times," Gabriel snapped, clearly irritated. "Serena and I are a global sensation. I can't just walk away from this. Can't you see that?"

"Can't you wait just a little longer?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

I didn't answer, feeling the cold weight of exhaustion settle into my bones. I didn't want to wait anymore.

The next morning, Gabriel called with that usual dismissive tone. "Don't let your temper get in the way of you visiting the nursing home today. My parents need you."

As always, I complied. Gabriel's mantra was, "Children should care for their parents," even though his parents were living in a top-tier care facility.

I showed up at Golden Horizon Care Center, holding a pot of chicken soup, trying to ignore the bitterness gnawing at my insides.

As I entered their room, Dolores, his mother, chirped, "Oh, Natalie, isn't Serena just gorgeous? She'll be my daughter-in-law soon!" She pointed at the television, where Serena's smiling face filled the screen.

The young nurse, Natalie, practically bounced with excitement. "They're really getting married?"

"Of course!" Dolores beamed, as Gerald nodded along.

A sick feeling twisted in my stomach, but I kept it together. "Dad, Mom," I greeted, my voice faltering.

Their smiles faded instantly. Cold indifference replaced their once-familiar expressions.

Confused, Natalie turned to me. "And this is…?"

Dolores didn't miss a beat. "Our goddaughter," she answered smoothly.

Natalie smiled at me. "Wow, you're so lucky to be part of Gabe's family. It must be amazing to be his sister!"

I faked a smile but felt nothing. When Natalie left, Dolores's tone turned sharp. "Lexa, you really think you can just show up here unannounced? You scared us half to death!"

I suppressed the frustration rising in my chest. "You seemed so happy chatting. I didn't want to interrupt."

Setting the soup on the table, I forced out, "I made this for you. Please, try it."

Gerald sniffed the bowl, then threw it onto the floor, the hot liquid splashing across my hand. Pain shot through me as I bit back the tears.

"What is this? It tastes awful!" Gerald sneered. "You can't even cook properly. What good are you?"

"I'll make it again," I muttered, cleaning up the mess.

The hollow ache in my chest deepened. Three years of devotion, wasted.

Before I left, I asked the question that had been haunting me. "Did you know Gabe's planning a wedding with Serena?"

"Really?" Dolores's face lit up, her excitement matching Gerald's.

"That's wonderful!" they both cheered, nearly bursting with joy.

I braced myself for the blow, but the sting still cut deep. "But I'm his wife," I whispered, forcing a smile.

Gerald sneered at me. "Don't push your luck. We never wanted you to marry him in the first place. You've been draining him for years. Time to let go."

Dolores added, her voice dripping with contempt, "Exactly. You're nothing but a parasite."

A parasite?

The word hit me like a punch to the gut. For three years, I had given everything , my time, my love, my care , but it was never enough. It was never seen.

I turned and walked out without another word.

Outside, the sun was peeking through the clouds. I took a deep breath and dialed a number. "Hello? Do you have time? I've made my decision."

When I got home, the living room lights were already on. Gabriel sat on the couch, his face a mask of fury.

Before I could speak, he lunged at me. "What the hell was that, Lexa? I've been trying to keep the peace, and you go to my parents' place to throw a tantrum?"

I couldn't stop myself from laughing, bitter and dry. "I made them soup, Gabe. They didn't even taste it before throwing it on the floor. They have an entire staff, but they still expect me to clean up after them."

"And as your wife, I don't even rank as high as a housekeeper."

Gabriel glared at me, his voice rising. "They're old, Lexa! They're emotional! They trust you, that's why they rely on you!"

"Trust me?" I scoffed, disgusted. "They trust you the most. So why don't you handle your parents' bodily fluids?"

In three years, Gabriel had barely visited them. His excuse? Work. The truth? He couldn't face the reality of their failing health. So he left it to me, and I accepted because I loved him.

But now, all I could see was that it was never enough.

"How dare you speak to me like that?" Gabriel snarled, slamming the coffee table in frustration. The hot water spilled, scalding my hand.

I cried out in pain, but he didn't flinch. "Maybe now you'll learn to keep quiet," he sneered, his eyes glinting with malice. "Why can't you be like Serena? She's gentle, understanding. Why can't you stop causing trouble?"

Serena. Again.

Clenching my jaw, I stood, despite the pain. I laughed bitterly. "If you love Serena so much, then marry her."

Gabriel's face went crimson. "Say that again, and I'll divorce you."

Finally, I had waited for this moment. "Good. Let's get a divorce."

For a moment, Gabriel froze, his expression a mix of disbelief and rage. "You're serious?"

"Yes."

His panic set in. "You know the agreement, right? If you file for divorce, you get $18.80."

That clause was his safety net, something he always counted on. He never thought I would actually leave.

Without hesitation, I pulled out my phone, opening my payment app. "Send me $18.80, and I'll sign the papers right now. I'll even throw in a parting gift."

Gabriel's face drained of color. It was the first time I saw him terrified.