The Billionaire's Insignificant Wife novel Chapter 19

mpty Eyes

Twelve fifteen.

Alina stood in front of the window, staring at the mansion gate with an irregularly beating heart. Her eyes didn’t blink, looking toward the gate. Waiting for the car that usually picked up Junior to return.

But Junior, who should have been home fifteen minutes ago, was still not visible. The black SUV that usually picked him up still hadn’t appeared

‘Where is he?‘ Alina thought. ‘Is Junior okay?‘

Alina remembered Mrs. Helen’s words this morning about Junior’s condition. She was worried something bad had happened to that child.

Then Alina remembered Clarissa’s words this morning in the corridor, a voice deliberately raised so Alina could hear from behind the door.

‘Junior, sweetheart, after school we’re going to the park, okay? Mama already ordered a special picnic basket!‘

The park.

Alina took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. “Junior is fine. He’s just at the park with… his mother.”

Those words felt like poison on Alina’s tongue.

But maybe this was for the best. Maybe Junior really did need time with Clarissa. Maybe the boy could be happy there. Laugh like

before. Play without burden.

Even without Alina.

Something gripped Alina’s chest, but she suppressed that feeling. Alina tried to let go. She was learning to let Junior be with his mother. As long as Junior was happy.

Even if it meant Alina had to die slowly in this room.

Alina’s gaze fell on the table–the lunch tray Mrs. Helen brought an hour ago. Rice, chicken soup, steamed vegetables. Still

untouched. Cold.

Alina’s stomach felt nauseous just looking at it. But Daniel lately always made an issue of unfinished food. Always came with a fake worried face, with questions that sounded like interrogations.

Though before, the man rarely came to her room–even when Alina was sick. The man never visited her.

‘I don’t want him to come again,‘ Alina thought. Tired of having to argue every time they met.

Reluctantly, Alina picked up a spoon. Put cold soup in her mouth. Chewed without tasting. Swallowed though her throat felt

choked.

One bite. Two. Three.

Her stomach rejected it, but Alina forced it. Finished half the rice portion. All the soup. Several pieces of vegetables.

Enough. This had to be enough so Daniel wouldn’t have a reason to enter her room today.

Alina put down the spoon, staring at the plate with empty eyes.

Alina was tired.

Tired of fighting with Daniel. Tired of pretending to eat. Tired of pretending to be okay. Tired of living in a marriage that was slowly killing her.

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But Alina didn’t know how to escape from all this. Daniel’s threat about her family’s debt was so burdensome, forcing Alina to endure even though she knew she would soon break.

Four ten.

The sound of a car made Alina jolt from her reverie. She ran to the window, not caring that her steps stumbled from tripping over her own feet.

The black SUV stopped in front of the mansion. The door opened.

Clarissa got out first with a floral dress still perfect, a smile on her face. Then Junior-

Alina’s heart sank.

Junior got out of the car with his head down. His small posture looked defeated. Shoulders slumped. Steps slow. None of the energy that was usually there every time he came home from school.

Mrs. Helen came out of the front door, smiling in greeting. “Welcome home, young master! How was

“1

Junior walked past her without a word. Without glancing. As if not hearing.

Mrs. Helen froze, her smile fading. She glanced at Clarissa with a questioning expression.

Clarissa just shrugged–a careless gesture that angered Alina from a distance.

Alina placed her hand on the window glass, her fingers pressing until her knuckles turned white.

“Junior…” Alina whispered softly.

She wanted to run downstairs. Hug that boy. Tell Junior that everything would be okay.

But that was a lie.

Because nothing was okay. And maybe everything would never be okay again.

The sound of a second car–Daniel’s black Bentley Continental.

The man got out in a white shirt still neat, tie tied perfectly though it was already afternoon. Daniel came home earlier. Again.

Though this morning, the man left for work later. And Alina knew the reason–because of Clarissa. Always for Clarissa.

Daniel walked to Junior who stood alone in the yard, not yet inside the house. Alina couldn’t hear their words from this distance,

but she could see-

Daniel knelt, eye–level with Junior. His mouth moved–speaking. His hand raised as if wanting to touch Junior’s shoulder.

But Junior didn’t respond. Just stared at the ground with an empty expression.

Then–Junior raised his head. Glanced up. Directly at Alina’s bedroom window.

Their eyes almost met.

Even from this distance, Alina could see Junior’s eyes were teary. His small lips trembled. His hand raised slightly–reaching- as if wanting to reach Alina who was far above,

But Alina quickly stepped back, hiding behind the curtain with her heart pounding hard.

“No. Don’t look at Mama, Junior. Don’t…”

Alina sobbed. She cursed herself for hiding instead. But Alina had to do it.

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