Suspended in Love

That night, we held each other tightly. Just like that, for Grayson, I became a turtle hiding in my shell, swallowing my pride, biting down my frustration, and putting up with Sophia pushing my limits over and over again. I didn't even know how I managed to endure it.

But even with all that, her condition didn't improve. It got worse. Her demands became more outrageous by the day.

I broke down a few times. Every time I did, Grayson would turn on me, accusing me of being inconsiderate, saying I had no compassion, calling me cold-hearted.

Even people around him started blaming me. Said I should be more understanding. Said I was being petty, going up against a sick woman like that.

Eventually, I even started to doubt myself. Maybe I really was heartless. Maybe I was the problem. I almost let them brainwash me.

Until I accidentally found out the truth—she wasn't sick at all.

I told Grayson.

He didn't believe me. He said I was just jealous, that's why I thought Sophia was faking it.

I'd already made up my mind to leave him, but then the company physical turned up something unexpected—I was pregnant. Grayson was over the moon, talking about wedding plans before I even processed the news.

I hesitated. I told him that as long as Sophia was around, I'd never feel secure. I wasn't even sure I wanted to keep the baby.

Grayson didn't say a word. He disappeared for a night. When he came back, he dragged me to the City Hall and got the marriage certificate—without telling Sophia, of course. He said now I didn't have to worry about him leaving me.

Looking into his earnest eyes, I decided to give him one more chance. Maybe once the baby came, his heart would be with me. Maybe time would reveal who really cared about him. Maybe he'd finally see through Sophia.

Once our child was born, I thought Sophia would take the hint and leave. That she'd finally understand.

But I was too naive. I gave her too much credit. I saw Grayson in a light he didn't deserve. A man who couldn't even protect the woman he claimed to love—what was her child to him?

Grayson hadn't expected me to say what I did. His expression shifted.

"Brianna, how can you talk like that? Sophia is sick! She can't control herself. This time she nearly died, do you know that? She's been in a coma for three days. She just woke up. I only came back to grab some clothes before going back to the hospital. Stop this nonsense. When she's better, we'll go ahead with the wedding."

"Grayson, do you not understand plain language? I said I want a divorce. If you don't want a divorce, fine. But send Sophia to a proper hospital. Get her real treatment. If this keeps up, she's going to drag you down with her—and she'll take our marriage with her."

"Brianna, how could you curse Sophia like that? She's such a kind person. Just because she had an episode and ruined our wedding doesn't mean you get to wish her dead!"

"Oh, that offended you? Good. If you want to stay with me, then get used to it. From now on, every time I see her, I'll curse her. I'll call her what she is—a filthy little homewrecker with no shame."

I'd always been raised well. I didn't speak like this. And maybe because I'd always been so mild, Grayson thought he could walk all over me—twisting things around, punishing me in new ways.

Every time we fought—even when he was clearly in the wrong—I was the one who apologized. I never used words like "break up" or "divorce" lightly. But this time, they pushed me too far. I said everything I wanted to say.

Maybe I crossed a line. Maybe insulting Sophia hit a nerve. Or maybe it was because it was the first time I actually told him I wanted to leave.

Whatever it was, Grayson snapped.

He raised his hand and slapped me across the face.