Chapter 19

Having said that, Selena raised her gaze, locking eyes with Edmund's tear-filled eyes. She then continued, "It was wrong of me to use you as a stand-in for Herman, but I've always been faithful in our marriage, even going so far as to perform my wifely duties for the past five years. "Have you ever truly seen me as your wife, Edmund? You only married me to spite Claire. You never once acted like a real husband—and worse, you stood by while others hurt me." Her voice remained steady, devoid of blame or reproach, as if she were merely recounting a trivial matter. Yet, Edmund's face gradually drained of all color with each passing moment. He wanted to defend himself, yet his lips quivered for what seemed like an eternity, unable to form a coherent sentence. He fully understood that Selena's statements were indisputably accurate. He couldn't refute her, nor could he defend himself. "I'd like you to be forthright with this, Edmund. Is your desire to hold on driven by love or by a refus