Unmatched Wife: Not His To Claim Anymore novel Chapter 7

Chapter 7: MATTHEW

The word divorce hit me like a physical blow, knocking the air from my lungs. I stared at Bianca, and couldn’t process what I was hearing.

“Stop being dramatic,” I said, my voice harder than I intended, feeling she was throwing this around just to gain my attention, by being needy. “You’re upset, you’re overreacting, but divorce? That’s–no. We’re not doing this.”

“I’m not overreacting.” She sounded calm now. “I’m finally reacting appropriately. I should have done this months ago.”

“Over what? Over me trying to help a dying woman?” I ran my hand through my hair, frustration boiling over, not knowing why she was making it such a big deal. “You’re acting like I’m asking you to commit murder instead of to help Mia get better.”

“You’re asking me to risk my life for someone who isn’t even sick-”

“She is sick! Dr. Hartwick confirmed it!”

“Based on falsified records that I just showed you—”

“That you THINK are falsified because you can’t stand the idea of me spending time with Mia!” I was shouting now.

“This has nothing to do with medical evidence. This is about your jealousy, your insecurity, your inability to handle the fact that I have a history with someone else.”

“You brought her here to replace me.” Bianca’s voice was soft, but the words cut through my anger like ice. “You brought her into our home two days ago for her birthday, and she still hasn’t left, Matthew. It’s been two days. Her birthday is over. Why is she still here?”

I froze. Mia was still in the guest room, had been since that night. I’d meant to drive her home the next day. I really had. But there had been pack business, and she’d mentioned feeling tired, and Theo had begged for her to stay longer…

“I haven’t had time to take her home,” I said, my tone firm.

It wasn’t an excuse. It was reality. Since the Alpha King’s disappearance, every pack had been secretively fighting over territory.

Though no one knew where the King had gone, his influence hadn’t vanished. His people were everywhere. Any pack that crossed those invisible lines–those that threatened the balance of the continent–would be punished, swiftly and without mercy.

Keeping my pack safe, while also securing our place in the ongoing struggle, required constant vigilance.

Bianca, as my Luna, should have understood that. She should have stood beside me, supported me and helped heal Mia instead of turning this into a confrontation.

“And Mia needs help right now,” I continued. “She’s weak from her illness. She shouldn’t be left alone.”

“She’s not weak! She’s not sick! And you’re keeping her here because-”

“Because she’s my friend and she needs support! I thought maybe if she stayed a few days, you two could get to know each other better, could become friends. “I didn’t understand why Blanca couldn’t see that. How many times did I have to explain it before Bianca learned to understand?

Bianca laughed, shaking her head as if I had just told her a cosmic joke. “Friends? You want me to become triends with the woman who’s taking everything, from me? Who’s stolen my birthday, my husband’s attention, my son’s affection?”

“It’s not fake!” But even as I said it, doubt crept in. Small, insidious. Walt… Why was Mia still here? Why had I been so quick to accept her diagnosis without question? Why had I

No. I couldn’t think like that. I couldn’t doubt Mia. She was sick, she needed help, and Bianca was just jealous.

“She’s taking my place,” Bianca said quietly. “And you’re letting her.”

“That’s insane-”

“Is it? Where is she right now, Matthew? In our guest room, in our home. How long until she’s in our bedroom?

“Stop it!” My hands were shaking now from anger and confusion. “You’re-”

A sound from the doorway made us both freeze. Mia stood there, wearing one of the guest room robes, her face pale, her eyes filled with tears.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I heard shouting, and I was worried… I didn’t mean to cause problems in your marriage. Maybe I should go…”

“Yes, you should.” Bianca’s voice was harsh, cold and rigid as she continued speaking. “Now. Tonight. I want her out of my house.”

Mia took a step forward, her hand outstretched toward Bianca in a placating gesture. “Bianca, sorry, I never meant to…”

“I hate you! I hate you! You’re trying to make Aunty Mia go away.”

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