It really was that simple.
Being with someone wasn’t just about attraction or love—you had to matter to each other. You had to be needed.
Blake didn’t love him. And emotionally, she didn’t need him either.
There was no space for Herman in Blake’s world—nowhere he was needed.
So he kept running into the same wall, over and over again.
Inside, it was chaos—a storm he couldn’t quiet. But on the surface, he didn’t let any of it show. He acted like he hadn’t heard a thing and walked away like it meant nothing.
He could keep it together in front of other people. But alone, the cracks showed—the quieter, weaker side of him, worn down and disappointed.
Like now, sitting in his car, staring into nothing, a heaviness is settling over him.
He couldn’t stop worrying about Blake. So after work, he followed her—keeping his distance, making sure she never noticed.
She pulled into her parking spot at home.
After getting out of the car, she paused, one hand braced on the door.
She closed her eyes and shook her head slightly.
For just a moment, the exhaustion she never showed anyone slipped through.
Herman’s chest tightened.
He knew it. She was forcing herself to hold on.
Why couldn’t she just take better care of herself?
He had the urge to jump out of the car and take her straight to the hospital. But showing up like that would cross a line. It would mean admitting he’d been following her.
Blake wouldn’t hesitate—she’d tell him to get lost without a second thought. And once she did, that would be it. No coming back from it. She could shut that door in under a minute.
That was just how she was—decisive, final, no room for argument.
Herman knew that too well, so he didn’t dare test it.
...
Like a loop on repeat, he saw Blake at the office again the next day—perfectly fine.
All he could manage was a tight, bitter smile.
Sometimes Herman wondered if he was just fooling himself. He kept thinking she needed him, that she needed someone looking out for her.
But she didn’t. Not even a little. It was all in his head—like he was playing out some over-the-top drama by himself, when in reality, he was just making a fool of himself.
Like some loyal guard ready to lay down his life, convincing himself the queen couldn’t live without him.
When the truth was, she wouldn’t even spare a thought for him—wouldn’t notice, wouldn’t care.
That was the truth of their relationship.
Herman finally saw it for what it was. It stung, but in the end, none of it—none of what he felt—made any difference.
No matter how much he turned it over in his head, nothing changed. It didn’t matter.
Maybe she had just been tired from traveling earlier. Now she seemed fully recovered.
Maybe he really had been overthinking it. Maybe she wasn’t as fragile as he thought.
Then something unexpected happened.
Blake suddenly broke out in a cold sweat, her face turning pale.
Herman was the first to rush over, grabbing her wrist. "I’m taking you to the hospital."
With their friends all around, her sudden change scared everyone.
This time, she couldn’t refuse him.
Everyone knew Herman lived close to her. It made sense for him to take her to the hospital and then bring her home.
It was nothing out of the ordinary—just one friend helping another.
Once they got in the car, Herman pulled out and headed straight for the hospital.
Blake pressed a hand to her stomach. "It’s probably just from something cold—cramps. Just take me home."
Herman wasn’t about to let this one go. His grip tightened on the wheel as he kept heading for the hospital. "Let’s get you checked out first. Then we can let everyone know you’re fine."
"This has happened before. I know my body. There’s no need to make a whole thing out of it."
Not the first time? Herman’s grip on the wheel tightened even more. He pressed his lips together, swallowing the worry climbing up his chest before he spoke. "If it’s happened before, then that’s even more reason to get it checked out."
Blake’s expression turned cold. She didn’t argue this time—just rested a hand against her stomach, slowly rubbing it.

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The readers' comments on the novel: Divorce me I'm done serving you (Ayla)
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Why is half of each of these chapters missing? The story sort of trails off in the middle of the chapter. That’s unfortunate....