I’m Always His Second Priority Novel

We stopped speaking . Neither of us reached out first . Our new home , the one we bought after getting married , was already ready . It was right in the best part of the city . Now , I lived there alone with Jason . The place was big and painfully quiet . A week later , Lucas called . His voice sounded exhausted . " Julia , can we talk ? " We met at the apartment . He had lost weight , and the dark circles under his eyes were deep and heavy . " Julia , I'm sorry , " he began . " I haven't been a good husband these past few weeks . " Bella's emotions have been unstable .

She needs someone with her . " I said nothing , waiting for him to continue . " I know you're upset . But Julia , it's been ten years . Don't you know me by now ? What I feel for Bella is just guilt and responsibility . Nothing more . " " I know , " I said . He exhaled in relief . " I knew you would understand me best . " He stepped closer , trying to hold me . But I moved away . " Lucas , I asked you to come here today to talk about the apartment . I'm selling it . " 0.00 % 11:01 He froze . " What do you mean ? " " The place we bought after we got married is registered under both our names .

I want to sell it and divide the assets . " " Why ? This is our home ! " " I'm just afraid that one day , when Isabelle's power goes out again or her plumbing breaks , you'll decide she needs this home more than your wife and son do . " His expression darkened . " Juliana , do you have to talk like this ? Do you have to cut so deep every time ? " " I'm just stating facts . " " It was just a small favor ! " " Running out on Jason's birthday celebration was also a small favor ? Was giving her half your income also a small favor ? Lucas , your ' small favors ' never seem to end .

" He was speechless . After a long breath , he said tightly , " Fine , Juliana . If that's what you think , I'll do as you say . " He looked at me , voice cold and deliberate . " In the next few days , I'll have Bella move in . She can take the guest room . " For a moment , my mind went blank . " What did you just say ? " " I said Bella will move in , " he repeated , louder this time , as if he was trying to convince me , or maybe himself .. " She's alone . I worry about her . She keeps getting into trouble .

If she lives here , under our roof , I can keep an eye on her , and it'll give you peace of mind too . That's fair , isn't it ? " I stared at him as if he were a stranger . " Lucas , you've lost your mind ! " " I haven't ! " he shot back . " I'm perfectly clearheaded . I can't just let my client's sister get hurt ! " 26.80 % 11:01 Each word landed hard - deliberate , final . And suddenly , I felt utterly exhausted . A bone - deep kind of weariness that drained everything inside me . " Fine , " I said softly . " Let her move in . " He froze , clearly not expecting me to agree so easily .

I opened a drawer , took out the divorce papers I had already prepared , and set them on the coffee table . " Sign them , " I said evenly . " From now on , this will be you and Isabelle's home . " I wish you both happiness . " Then I stood up , picked up the sleeping Jason from his crib , and walked out of the home I had once dreamed about . The moment I closed the door behind me , I heard the sound of something shattering inside . That was when my tears finally fell . Our ten - year relationship was over . I told my parents I was divorcing Lucas . They didn't ask questions .

They just said they supported whatever decision I made . Lucas didn't come looking for me . Maybe he was busy helping Isabelle move in . In his eyes , I was probably just throwing a tantrum . Life went on . I went back to work . But I couldn't let it go . I needed to know who that dead child really belonged to . 65.10 % 11:01 I asked a friend at the hospital to retrieve the preserved fetal tissue sample . Without telling anyone , I sent it for a DNA test When the results came back . I stared at the report - my hands shaking