Unmatched Wife: Not His To Claim Anymore novel Chapter 77

Chapter 77

Chapter 77

MATTHEW

“The obligation. The duty. The woman i married because I had to, not because I wanted to

Dr. Martinez was quiet for a long moment, letting that confession sit between

“Did you ever love Bianca?” she finally asked. “In four years of marriage, was there ever genuine affection, real care, authentic love for who she was rather than what she provided?

I opened my mouth to say yes, of course I’d loved her, she was my wife-

But the words died in my throat.

Because I couldn’t remember loving her. Couldn’t point to a single moment where I’d felt the kind of bene deep affection d always felt for Mia. I’d appreciated Bianca’s competence, valued her dedication to Thee, respected her medical skills.

But love? Real, genuine love?

“I don’t know,” I whispered. “I don’t think I did.”

“Then let’s examine what you actually felt for her,” Dr. Martinez said. “In our next session, I want you to come prepared to describe Bianca. Not as a wife or mother or doctor, but as a person. What made her laugh? What were her dreams? What did she tear? Who was she when she wasn’t performing the roles you assigned her?”

She stood, signaling the end of our session.

“If you can’t answer those questions, Matthew, then you need to confront the reality that you didn’t just fail to love our we You failed to even see her as a fully realized person rather than a function in your life,”

Teft her office feeling like I’d been flayed open, every protective layer stripped away to expose the rotting thah

I hadn’t loved Bianca.

I’d used her.

And I’d killed her when she stopped being useful.

The call from Marcus came that evening while I was sitting a that quant of my tomporary apartment, tryland Martinez’s assignment and failing miserably

“Alpha, we have a protdem,” Marcus said without proble. “A sentimens

I rubbed my eyes, exhausted from thinnagar and Tho’s awoda and the ovalent wright of gull. What how

“Vandalism. Some spray patted HOMEWRECK as foot of gratz waxen in lentars Nur feet tall pains most of the day to clean it, and these’s still

My sach druppd “When?”

Lad might And Patthes, must het vandals *w***

Gevent at Tucsoning to have hy’s

Julie & tame who studle bed pistimi theg

Chapter 77

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aren’t blind. They know what happened. They know you forced Bianca into a ritual that killed her to save your mistress. They know Mia moved into your house immediately after. They know she’s acting as Luna without having actually earned the position.”

“She survived the ritual-”

“The ritual that killed your wife,” Marcus interrupted. “Matthew, the pack loved Bianca. She treated their children, healed their sick, worked herself to exhaustion serving people who should have been your responsibility to care for. And they watched you ignore her for years while parading Mia around like she mattered more.”

Each word was accurate and devastating.

“What do you want me to do?” I asked, my voice hollow.

“Come home. Deal with this crisis. Show the pack you’re still capable of leadership instead of hiding in BloodMoon City while everything falls apart.”

“I can’t leave Theo. His therapy-”

“Can continue via video sessions. Dr. Fisher has already said she’s willing to accommodate remote treatment if needed.” Marcus’s voice softened slightly. “Matthew, I understand your son needs you. But your pack needs you too. And if you don’t come back soon, there won’t be a pack left to lead.”

“How bad is it really?”

“Bad enough that I’m getting daily complaints about Mia’s presence in the pack house. Bad enough that several high–ranking members are questioning your fitness to lead. Bad enough that if you don’t return and address this within the next two weeks, we might be looking at a formal challenge to your Alpha position.”

The words hit like ice water. A formal challenge. Someone questioning my right to lead, potentially fighting me for control of the pack.

“Who?” I demanded.

“Does it matter? You’ve abandoned your responsibilities for over a month. You’ve left a woman most of the pack views as a homewrecker in charge of pack affairs. You’ve shown no concern for the fracturing happening under your leadership.” Marcus paused. “Matthew, I say this as your Beta and your friend: you need to come home. Now. Before this becomes irreparable.”

I looked at the closed door to Theo’s room, where my son was sleeping peacefully for the first time in weeks.

“I need more time,” I said. “Theo’s making real progress. I can’t disrupt that—”

“Then bring him with you. Dr. Fisher said remote sessions are possible. But Alpha, you cannot stay away indefinitely. This situation is deteriorating rapidly, and your absence is making it worse.”

After Marcus hung up, I sat in the dark apartment trying to figure out how I’d ended up here. Alpha of a fracturing pack. Father to a traumatized son. Widower to a wife I’d never actually loved.

My phone buzzed with a text from Mia:

Someone threw rocks through the living room window tonight. Glass everywhere. I’m scared, Matthew. When are you coming home?

Another text followed immediately:

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