The Alpha's Unblessed Wife novel Chapter 3

Akiah’s POV

A loud burp escaped me, and it elicited laughter from all of us.-

"Seems like someone's hunger has finally been satisfied," Mom quipped, her laughter joining in.

I dabbed my lips with a tissue napkin, my grin directed at them. "I've missed your cooking, Mom!"

It was an honest sentiment. Amidst my busy schedule, I couldn't recall the last time I had eaten like this, and I genuinely longed for my mom's culinary creations. Dad cast a fond glance at Mom, his smile mirroring the warmth in his gaze as he observed her modest chuckles. Shaking my head at their endearing interaction, I realized I was grinning just as wide without even noticing it.

Following dinner, Dad requested my presence in his study. While the maid handled the cleanup, I pitched in to assist. Meanwhile, Akeel adhered to his usual routine.

Three deliberate knocks preceded my entrance into Dad's study. Settling into a chair facing his desk, I found Mom seated in the adjacent chair. Her reassuring smile accompanied the supportive grasp she laid on my shoulders.

"How are you?" Dad inquired, as if our earlier discussions about me upon my arrival and during dinner hadn't transpired.

I returned a smile, mirroring my previous response. "I'm fine, Dad. Like I told you."

Dad exchanged a concerned glance with Mom before resuming his questioning. Strangely, he was revisiting the same queries they had posed earlier—a fact that raised my eyebrows. "As I mentioned, Dad, Mom, my clothing business is thriving. My designs are well-received by numerous customers. And about Gustav, he continues to be supportive, treating me kindly and ensuring my well-being. I consider myself very lucky to have him," I asserted.

I couldn't discern if it was my imagination, but it seemed like Mom and Dad exchanged an uneasy look before she turned her attention to me, enfolding me in an embrace. Her hand moved soothingly over my back, and her chin rested atop my shoulder. "It's alright, Akiah. You don't need to pretend with us, dear."

My eyes widened in an instant.

They were aware.

Despite their knowledge, I persisted in denial. A nervous chuckle escaped me as I returned Mom's hug. "You must be mistaken, I'm genuinely fine."

Turning my gaze toward Dad, I tried to convey my assurance, yet he shook his head in response. Relinquishing her hold on me, Mom instead clasped both my shoulders, her gaze resolute. “Akiah, we know what’s happening to you.”

Mom's gaze bore into mine, her deep concern mirroring in her eyes. Her tender touch found solace in stroking my hair, each gentle pass soothing in its own way. "If he's disregarding your feelings and causing you pain, Akiah, you need to consider leaving him. Your happiness matters above all else, and we will always be here to support you," her words were resolute, a reassuring declaration that carried the weight of unwavering love and support.

Words eluded me as I grappled with conflicting emotions. For so long, I had clung to the notion that enduring my trials was my rightful path, that enduring suffering would eventually lead to happiness and contentment. I had convinced myself that pain and heartache were inherent to married life, a belief I tried to reinforce even though doubts gnawed at me, suggesting that the burden I bore had grown disproportionately heavy.

"Let's grant him another chance, Mom, Dad," I exhaled wearily. "I know Gustav loves me genuinely, and I have faith in that love. We'll overcome these challenges; they're just a facet of married life, after all."

Our conversation stretched into the depths of the night. I divulged my experiences, and they shared their insights in return. Despite the emotional exchange, sleep eluded me as I reflected on the years that had shaped my life. Being labeled an 'unblessed child' had inflicted wounds that ran deep, and Gustav's arrival had been a beacon of acceptance that I had yearned for. This very acceptance was what made the current situation so distressing; he was the solitary soul beyond my family who had embraced me, and now it seemed that connection was fracturing.

I tossed and turned in bed, attempting to find a semblance of comfort to induce sleep. Frustrated by my lack of success, I eventually sat upright, my thoughts consumed by the need to communicate with Gustav. Our relationship was in dire need of repair, and I yearned for him to express his emotions openly.

With determination, I dialed his number. The phone rang a few times before he picked up, his initial words saturated with anger. "What the hell? You ignored my call earlier, and now you're calling me? Are you belittling me? Did you mock me in front of your family? You think I'm useless, don't you?" his accusations flowed forth in a torrent.

Rather than achieving the constructive conversation I had hoped for, he took the lead, launching into baseless accusations. My frustration grew. Fed up with the situation, I made a quick decision and ended the call, subsequently blocking his number. My intention had been a civil discussion, an opportunity to connect and resolve matters amicably, yet his demeanor had deviated from that aspiration entirely.