Once the Forgotten Wife, Now His Biggest Regret Chapter 4: My husband chose my sister over me

For a second, I stood rooted to the ground, too afraid to even blink, breathe, or move a muscle. Fear pulsed through my veins as beads of cold sweat trickled down the sides of my head. But that fear swirling inside of was nothing when my daughter’s life was in danger.

I dropped everything and rushed to Kayla’s side, holding her protectively in my arms. I needed to keep her safe.

"Mommy..." my daughter’s soft, trembling voice reached my ears as she snuggled deeper into my embrace. "I’m scared."

"It’s okay...it’s okay. Mommy’s here," I assured, smoothing down her dark brown hair and gently patting her back.

But the man still had his gun aid directly at us. He had a mask over his face, revealing only his angry brown eyes. I watched as his gaze dropped to my sister’s neck and knew imdiately what caught his attention.

The diamond necklace.

"Give your necklace," the man demanded this ti, pointing the gun at my sister.

"Jessica, just give it to him. I will buy you another one, I will buy you a dozen more if you want."

My sister’s face turned pale, one hand instinctively clutching the diamond necklace at her throat. "No, this is mine. I—"

"Do I look like I give a fuck?" The gunman’s voice was sharp, controlled. "Necklace. Now."

Jessica shook her head imdiately, panic spilling over. "I—I can’t—"

"Don’t make repeat myself." The gunman stepped forward, threat threading his deep voice. "Hand it over, or I will shoot your pretty head off."

I watched as my husband threw himself in front of my sister without a second thought. "Get away from her."

Jessica clutched his sleeve now, half-hidden behind him. "Lucas..."

"It’s okay," he murmured to her, voice soft and gentle. "I’ve got you."

The gunman gestured impatiently. "Necklace. Last chance."

"Leave her alone."

But Lucas was no match against the burly man. In the blink of an eye, he was easily pushed aside and fell onto the ground while the man took this opportunity to grab my sister, holding her hostage.

Her high-pitched screams rang in my ears as she struggled against the man’s thick arms that were keeping her caged in. "Lucas! Help !" She begged as the man pressed the gun to her temple, sheer desperation glistening in her wide jade green eyes. "Help !"

Lucas was already on his feet, fear evident in his light brown eyes. "Don’t hurt her. We’ll give you anything you want. Just take the necklace."

The man scoffed as he unclipped the diamond necklace with his free hand, stuffing it into his pocket. "I’m afraid that’s not enough. I’m going to need more."

"Just...just let her go, and I will give you what you want. You want money, right? I have money, just please don’t hurt her," desperation slipped through the cracks of his voice as he pleaded with the man.

The gunman only chuckled in response. "And how could I trust you not to run away after I let her go?"

For the first ti since I entered the mall, Lucas had turned to look at . Before I knew it, he had my arms in his grip as he pulled away from our daughter.

"Take her, take her instead! And I will give you what you want." My husband offered heartlessly before shoving in the man’s direction. The force of Lucas’s shove sent stumbling forward, my balance barely catching before I collided with the gunman’s chest.

I turned my head slowly, disbelief crashing over in waves so strong it almost knocked the air from my lungs. My eyes locked onto Lucas—onto the man who had just handed over like I was nothing more than a bargaining chip.

I was his wife! But he chose to give up instead.

"Lucas..." My voice broke, barely more than a whisper.

He didn’t answer.

Didn’t apologize.

Didn’t even hesitate.

"Take her," he repeated, more firmly this ti, his grip already gone from my arm as if he couldn’t let go of fast enough. "Just let them go."

"Fine," the man muttered. "But you better keep your word, else I will put a bullet straight through her pretty little head."

The gunman let out a low chuckle, tightening his hold on Jessica for a mont before shoving her away. She stumbled straight into Lucas, who caught her instantly, his hands steady, protective.

anwhile, I could feel the cold tal pressed up against the side of my head, sending a shiver down my spine. My heart drumd against my chest as the man trapped in his strong arms, and I had nowhere to go.

"Lucas, please—" I tried again, my voice trembling now, raw and desperate. "How could you..."

For a mont—just a mont—I thought I saw sothing flicker in his expression.

Guilt.

Regret.

Sothing.

But it vanished as quickly as it ca.

"Lucas..."

My pleas fell on deaf ears. Nobody even cared to look in my direction. I watched as my husband and daughter stayed by my sister’s side, hugging her so tightly, their faces washed over with relief.

My chest tightened painfully, sothing deep inside splintering beyond repair. They looked like a real family instead, and ? I was just an outsider all along.

I squeezed my eyes shut, accepting my fate. But just when I thought that I might die in the hands of a stranger, loud voices pierced through the air.

"This is the police! Drop your weapon now!"

Startled, the man’s gun fell to the ground with a clank as he released his grip on . He was imdiately put in handcuffs, and I felt like I could finally breathe again. My knees buckled under my weight, and I imdiately collapsed to the ground.

Two officers quickly ca to my aid, checking on while I stared at my husband and daughter, who were still too busy comforting my younger sister to care about . My family didn’t co for .

That was when I knew it was all over. There was no reason for to stay in this marriage any longer.

I made my way over to them, and for the first ti since I was held hostage, my husband finally looked at . His fingers twitched in my direction as he tried to reach for my arm, but I only moved away.

"Evelyn, I didn’t an to sacrifice you as the hostage," he quickly explained. "It’s just that your sister is pregnant. I hope you aren’t upset that I chose to protect Jessica over you. You will understand, right?"

My face was void of any emotions when I looked him dead in his eyes and let the words sitting on the tip of my tongue finally tumble out of my lips.

"I want a divorce."