The Ruined Pot Roast

Just because my husband, Dominic Sterling, said he wanted my signature Honey-Glazed Pot Roast, I braved a torrential downpour while shivering with a high fever to bring it to him.

When I arrived at his office, soaked to the bone, he didn't even try to hide his flirting with his assistant, Lexi.

The moment he saw me, Dominic's face darkened with annoyance.

"Why didn't you just wait until I was dead to bring it? Luckily, Lexi already ordered me takeout," he snapped.

I opened my mouth to explain, but he snatched the container from my hands and dumped the meat into the dog's bowl.

Lexi leaned into his arm, acting all sweet and innocent. "You shouldn't feed that stuff to the puppy, Dominic. What if he gets an upset stomach from her cooking?"

Dominic didn't hesitate. He kicked the dog bowl over, sending the food flying across the floor.

He wrapped his arm around Lexi's waist and walked past me without a single look of pity.

"Clean up this mess before you leave," he ordered coldly.

In that heartbeat, the man I had loved for a decade lost all his light in my eyes.

1.

As I walked out of Dominic's office building, my legs felt like lead. My head was spinning, and waves of heat and cold crashed over me.

I tried to keep my eyes open, but the world turned black before my Uber even arrived.

When I woke up, the sterile smell of a hospital filled my nose.

The doctor stood over me, his brow furrowed in a stern scolding.

"Did you not know you were pregnant? Going out in a storm with a high fever is reckless."

"If you had arrived ten minutes later, you would have lost the pregnancy. You need to stay for observation."

My voice trembled as I whispered, "I'm pregnant?"

"Seven weeks along. We can already hear the heartbeat," the doctor said before leaving me alone in the quiet room.

My hand instinctively moved to my flat stomach. After eight years of marriage, this was our first child.

I had been waiting for this moment for six long years.

I reached for my phone to tell Dominic the news, but his call came through first.

"Sera, I thought I told you to clean the office before you left!" he barked through the speaker.

"Lexi almost slipped and fell because of the mess you left. What is wrong with you?"

In the background, Lexi began to sob softly. "Dominic, please don't be mad at Sera. It was my own fault for being clumsy."

Dominic immediately shifted his tone to a gentle, protective coo for her.

His words were like a bucket of ice water, completely extinguishing my joy.

Earlier today, he had texted me saying he missed my home cooking.

I had dragged myself to the grocery store despite a 102-degree fever to get the best ingredients.

I spent an hour over the stove, only to be met with insults and his foot on my hard work.

Watching him walk away with Lexi made me realize something painful.

The boy who used to tell me I looked most beautiful while cooking had died a long time ago.

"Lexi's leg is hurt. I'm staying over at her place to take care of her tonight. Don't wait up," Dominic said before hanging up.

A moment later, Lexi posted a photo on Instagram.

The caption read: "I told him it was nothing, but he insisted on applying the ointment himself."

The photo showed Dominic kneeling, focused intensely on a tiny bruise on her leg.

I remembered when I used to cut my finger in the kitchen. Even a tiny drop of blood would make him panic and rush for the first aid kit.

Now, I was pale and sweating in a hospital bed, and he couldn't care less.

I pulled up my messages and texted my best friend, who happened to be a top divorce lawyer.

"Joanna, please draft a divorce agreement for me."

2.

I returned home from the hospital the next morning. As soon as I opened the door, I saw Dominic sitting on the sofa, his expression grim.

He looked up at me, his voice dripping with icy suspicion.

"Still in yesterday's clothes? Where were you fooling around all night?"

I blinked, trying to ignore the bright red lipstick stain on his collar. I walked to the hallway to change my shoes in silence.

Ever since Lexi joined his firm two years ago, Dominic always brought home things that didn't belong to him.

Lipstick marks, hair ties, long strands of blonde hair, or hickeys on his neck.

In the past, I would have screamed. I would have cried until I couldn't breathe, demanding an explanation.

His infidelity had turned me into a woman I didn't recognizeDa frantic, broken shell.

He would just watch me with cold eyes, never explaining or comforting me.

He would let me explode like a volcano and then leave me to clean up the emotional ash alone.

For two years, I had lived like a servant waiting for her master to return.

I spent every hour analyzing his moods, trying to figure out how to make him stay.

My friend Joanna once said I put more effort into my marriage than most people put into a multi-million dollar contract.

But now, all I cared about was the tiny life inside me.

Dominic noticed the pharmacy bag in my hand, and a flash of tension crossed his face.

"You went to the hospital? What happened?"

"Nothing," I replied casually, heading for the bedroom to put the medicine away.

Dominic followed me, his voice turning into a sneer.

"You're getting old and dramatic. Running to the doctor for every little sniffle is pathetic."

This was the same man who used to drag me to the ER if I so much as sneezed.

I looked at him calmly and walked into the bathroom to wash up.

When I came out, he was still there, sitting on the sofa and staring at me.

I ignored him and prepared to go to sleep, but he suddenly stood up and grabbed my arm.

"Sera, I didn't even punish you for nearly hurting Lexi yesterday. What kind of stunt are you pulling now?"

I sighed heavily. "I'm not pulling a stunt, Dominic."

"Then why the hell are you wearing that funeral face? You're already plain enough, you don't need to look miserable too."

Before I could respond, his phone rang with a high-pitched chirping sound.

"Dominic, pick up the phone..." It was Lexi's voice, recorded as a custom ringtone.

Dominic glanced at me before answering.

"Dominic, there's a stranger banging on my door! I'm so scared, please come over!" Lexi's panicked sobs filled the room.

"Is the security in your building useless?" Dominic asked, but his hands were already reaching for his keys.

"Hang on, I'm coming right now!"

He hung up and rushed toward the door. Just before leaving, he turned back to offer a rare explanation.

"Something is wrong at Lexi's place. As her boss, I can't just ignore it. I'll be back soon."

I looked at him in surprise. Was he actually explaining himself to me?

But the feeling was gone in a second. I didn't care anymore.

"Okay. Drive safely," I said softly.

"Don't you start being unreasonD" Dominic began his usual lecture, but he stopped mid-sentence.

He stared at me, his eyes wide. "What did you just say?"

My voice remained flat. "I told you to be careful on the road."

Dominic stood frozen for a few minutes. "That's it?"

I blinked. "Yes. Shouldn't you leave? Lexi said she's in danger."

He gave me a strange, unreadable look, but he didn't say another word before turning and leaving.

3.

Dominic returned the next morning while I was eating breakfast.

He glanced at the simple bowl of oatmeal on the table, his face souring.

"Sera, where is my breakfast?"

Dominic loved heavy, greasy food in the morning, while I preferred something light.

In the past, I always cooked what he wanted. I would slave over bacon, eggs, and pancakes at 6 AM just to see him smile.

But the doctor had warned me about my health and the baby, so I was sticking to a strict diet.

"There's oatmeal in the pot," I said, not looking up.

"You know I hate oatmeal," he growled.

"Then go eat out."

The words felt strange coming out of my mouth. I had never denied him a meal before.

But the image of my pot roast in the dog bowl was burned into my mind.

"You can't even cook a simple meal anymore? What use are you then?" Dominic yelled, pointing a finger at my face.

I swallowed my last bite and looked up at him.

For the first time, I saw how ugly he looked when he was throwing a tantrum.

"Maybe we should justD"

I was interrupted by Lexi calling again.

"Dominic, it's my birthday tomorrow. Could you ask Sera to bake me a cake?"

"I heard she's a great baker, and I've been dying to try some."

Dominic agreed without even asking me.

Before he could even relay the request, I spoke firmly. "I won't do it."

Dominic's brow pinched together in anger.

"Lexi didn't even file a complaint when you hurt her leg. Why can't you just bake a damn cake?"

"Stop acting like a bitter housewife and stop being so petty."

His insults didn't hurt like they used to. I felt nothing but a cold void.

"Dominic, I'm pregnant."

He froze for a few seconds, and then a mocking laugh escaped his lips.

"Sera, we've been married for years and you never got pregnant. Now that I ask for a cake, suddenly you are?"

"If you don't want to do it, just say so. Don't use such a pathetic lie."

I looked at him, my heart sinking. "I'm serious. I'm actually pregnant."

Dominic rolled his eyes. "Keep acting, then. You're a regular Meryl Streep."

"You're making that cake whether you like it or not. If you don't, we're getting a divorce."

It wasn't the first time he had threatened divorce. Every other time, I had surrendered instantly.

He always assumed I would do anything to keep him.

This time, I just tilted my head and spoke quietly. "Fine. Let's get a divorce then."

Dominic sneered. "You're getting bold, Sera. Now you're even playing along with the divorce threat?"

"I don't have time for your little games. I'll pick you up tomorrow. Lexi wants you at her party."

"And for God's sake, don't wear red like a fool again. You're almost thirty. Red just makes you look old and desperate."

Last year, at the company gala, I had worn a stunning red dress.

When I arrived, I realized Lexi was wearing the exact same shade.

Dominic had laughed at me in front of everyone, calling me a try-hard who looked like a sack of potatoes.

Since then, he never took me to public events. Lexi was always the one on his arm.

But what he didn't know was that the red dress had been a gift sent to me by Lexi, pretending to be from him.

4.

The following evening, Dominic called me, his voice like flint.

"Change your clothes and be downstairs in thirty minutes. It's Lexi's birthday bash."

He hung up before I could say a word.

I looked at the signed divorce papers on my desk. I figured I would just give them to him and end this tonight.

I dressed simply and headed out.

Halfway there, Dominic pulled over to grab some boba tea.

When he came back, he handed me a cup with extra sugar.

"Lexi told me to buy this for you. Consider it a thank you for the cake," he said, acting like he was doing me a favor.

I didn't take it. "I didn't make a cake."

Dominic slammed on the brakes, nearly sending me into the dashboard. He whipped his head around to check the back seat.

When he saw it was empty, he screamed at me.

"Sera! I told you to make that cake! Are you trying to ruin Lexi's night on purpose?"

"You're a grown woman! Why can't you be more graceful like her?"

My patience finally snapped. "She's graceful?"

"Does a graceful woman ask her boss's wife to bake her a birthday cake?"

"Does a graceful woman lure a married man to her apartment in the middle of the night?"

"Dominic, don't tell me you're actually too stupid to see what she's doing!"

Dominic was speechless for a second, but then his jaw tightened.

"Lexi and I are purely professional. Since you didn't bring the cake, you aren't coming to the party."

He got out of the car, walked around to my side, and literally dragged me out of the backseat.

"Dominic, stop! There are no taxis out here! I told you, I'm pregnant!"

He looked at me with pure disgust. "Are you addicted to lying, Sera?"

We were on a winding mountain road. It would take at least an hour to walk to a place where I could find a ride.

The sky was bruising with dark clouds. A storm was coming.

I grabbed his arm, begging. "You can't leave me here. I'mD"

Dominic's rage was white-hot. He pried my fingers off his arm, one by one.

"You can stay here and think about your attitude. Maybe the walk will do you some good."

I grabbed the door handle, refusing to let go. I tried to scream that I was in pain.

But Dominic ignored me and floored the gas.

The car lurched forward, dragging me along the asphalt for nearly fifty feet before I lost my grip.

The last thing I saw before blacking out was a pool of dark blood staining the road beneath me.

When I woke up, the doctor's face was full of pity. The life inside me was gone.

"You're young," he whispered. "You can try again in the future."

My heart felt like a hollowed-out cavern. Tears tracked silently down my temples.

Joanna arrived shortly after. She threw her arms around me, her voice shaking with rage. "That absolute piece of trash!"

I sobbed into her shoulder, letting all the agony out.

Joanna went to talk to the doctor, but the door was suddenly kicked open.

Dominic stormed in, looking furious.

"Sera, enough is enough!"

"You messed up, and then you called the police on me? You ruined Lexi's entire party!"

"Get out of bed right now and come apologize to her!"

"I'm serious, Sera. If you don't, we're done. I'm tired of you embarrassing me."

He reached down to yank me out of the bed.

But then he saw the bandages and the blood. He froze, his lip curling in disbelief.

"You think a few scratches are going to make meD"

He was cut off by a flying kick from Joanna, who had just rushed back in.

She checked on me first, then turned and delivered two thunderous slaps to Dominic's face.

"Dominic, are you even human? Sera was pregnant, and you threw her out of a moving car!"

"You dragged her for fifty feet! I am going to ruin you for this!"

Dominic stumbled back, still shaking his head. "She's lying! She just grabbed the car to stayD"

Joanna slammed the medical report into his chest.

"Read it, you bastard! Seven weeks pregnant. Miscarriage due to blunt force trauma. Multiple severe abrasions."

Dominic stared at the papers, his voice a pathetic mumble.

"This... no, this has to be a fake."

5.

Dominic looked at me, his eyes wide with a frantic, desperate fear.

"Sera, tell me this is a joke. Tell me it's not true."

I didn't answer him. I just looked at the ceiling and said, "I want a divorce."

Dominic's eyes turned bloodshot. He reached out to grab my hand.

"Honey, please. I won't sign those papers."

"I'm so sorry. I didn't know. I swear, if I had known, I never would have left you there."

Hearing him call me 'honey' felt like a sick joke from another lifetime.

For two years, he had barely used my name, let alone an endearment.

Most of the time, he acted like he wasn't even married to me.

I pulled my hand away, peeling his fingers off one by one. "Dominic, I told you I was pregnant. Three times."

He just didn't believe me because he thought I was beneath him.

He enjoyed watching two women fight over him. He knew I loved him so much I had lost myself.

That's why he felt so comfortable hurting me for Lexi's sake.

Seeing the deadness in my eyes, Dominic began to spiral.

"I was just messing with you that night! I just wanted to teach you a lesson, I didn't meanD"

"You meant to hurt me," I interrupted. "You enjoyed it."

"Before you came here to scream at me, what were you doing with Lexi? Do I need to remind you?"

Right before he kicked my door open, I had received a private message from Lexi.

It was a photo of them in bed together.

The caption was: "Old lady, Dominic is mine. If you're smart, you'll walk away. I might even convince him to give you a little extra alimony."

I hadn't replied. I just screenshot it and saved it.

Dominic shouted, "Enough!" He sank to the floor, clutching his head.

"I'm sorry... I love you, Sera. I really do. I just got caught up in the thrill of something new. I thought you'd always be there."

"I didn't want to admit that a plain woman like you was my wife. I thought people were laughing at me."

"But my conscience told me I couldn't just dump you, so I..."

I looked at him with pure scorn. "Your conscience told you not to dump me, but it gave you a pass to cheat?"

When we first started, he was a nobody.

He wanted to start a business, and I gave him every cent of my savings.

When his first venture failed, I worked two jobs to fund his second attempt.

Now that he was a success, I was 'too plain' and 'not educated enough.'

It was the most pathetic excuse I had ever heard.

I looked at him with absolute indifference.

"I'll send the papers to your office. Sign them, and stay away from me."

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