He Never Loved Me Until the Day I Finally Left Him novel Chapter 17

Helena instinctively tapped the notification.

It was a photo from the crash site. In the foreground of the wreckage, she spotted a spilled container of Southside beef noodle soup.

It was still steaming.

So, she really was just a joke to him.

He had crashed his car trying to protect Janetta.

And now, his mistress was by his side, showering him with affection.

But fate wasn't done tormenting her. As she walked down the hall, two nurses pushed a medical cart past her.

They were whispering furiously.

"Did you hear? The crash last night happened because Mr. Hayes was shielding Janetta."

"I know! The paramedics said he refused to let go of her even when they pulled them from the wreckage."

"She's so lucky. With a billionaire backing her, no wonder her acting career is untouchable."

"It's only a matter of time before she becomes the next Mrs. Hayes."

"They'll probably announce it soon. Isn't she already pregnant?"

...

The casual gossip sliced through Helena's chest like a serrated blade.

She was bleeding out, the pain almost blinding.

She thought of all the years she had spent cooking his favorite meals, washing his clothes, waiting up for him.

To ensure he never had to worry about anything but the company, she had managed every trivial detail of their lives.

There was always a hot meal waiting when he came through the door.

His closet was perfectly lined with crisp suits, matching ties, and selected watches so he never had to waste a second looking for them.

She had memorized his every micro-expression.

His moods dictated her entire universe.

But all that devotion meant nothing compared to a few sweet words from Janetta.

Because Janetta was the only one he ever truly wanted.

Her throat tightened, and her vision blurred with unshed tears.

She wanted to scream, but no sound came out. A suffocating wave of despair pressed down on her lungs.

With the nurses' gossip still echoing behind her, she bolted out of the hospital, not daring to stay a second longer.

Attached at the bottom was a short audio file.

Numbly, Helena tapped play.

Sebastian's hoarse, ragged voice filled the quiet room. "Helena... Lena..."

Her grip on the phone tightened.

He had never called her Lena. It was always her full name.

Even in the throes of passion, he remained stoic, only interested in claiming her body, taking her hard and fast.

She had begged for intimacy, for pet names, and got nothing.

Hearing it now, out of nowhere, sent a tremor straight through her heart.

Before she could recover, her phone vibrated in her palm.

It was him again.

Whether her finger slipped or the emotional exhaustion finally broke her, she answered.

"Where are you?" His voice was weak, but still dripping with demanding arrogance.

"Home," she replied flatly.