How To Love Your Wife – Chapter 29&30

HOW TO HATE YOUR HUSBAND 2

HOW TO LOVE YOUR WIFE

How To Love Your Wife – Chapter 29&30

[𝑩𝒆𝒕𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝑹𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒔 & 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒔 ]

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆- 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍.

☆ 𝑶𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑵𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒃𝒚 𝑩𝒂𝒓𝒃𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆. ☆

©𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞

✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦

 

[𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚 – 9𝐩𝐦 – Same Day]

Sasha pushed open the front door, exhaustion weighing her down. Romeo had bolted earlier before she could pin down what happened, and now her calls to him died straight to voicemail, one after another.

The house sat too still.

She stepped into the bedroom. Hunter hunched on the bed’s edge, head bowed, staring at nothing.

“Love,” she said quietly, shutting the door.

“Sasha, where have you been? It’s late,” Hunter replied, glancing up with strained eyes.

“Have you seen Romeo? Did he call you, perhaps?” Sasha asked, dropping beside him.

“Romeo? He’s with Rias,” Hunter said, casual.

“No… no, he’s not with her,” Sasha said fast.

“What do you mean he’s not with her?” Hunter straightened, alert.

“You see, Rias and Romeo had a very heated argument earlier and it’s really bad. I’ve been trying to reach him but he’s not picking up…” Sasha faded out.

“What argument did he have with Rias? Sasha, what happened?” Hunter stood, voice edging sharp.

“Don’t get mad, Hunter. Just hear me out,” she said, taking his hand.

“Okay,” he agreed, sinking back down, jaw tight.

Sasha exhaled.

“From what Rias told me, she went to his fortress and overheard him talking to you and Nancy. Nancy asked who he loves more—her or Bianca. Rias said Romeo picked Bianca, clear as day. It crushed her.” Sasha

“Romeo walked in on us talking and things happened, She said she never loved him, only got close to use him for revenge, make him fall then dump him like he hurt her years ago. He lost it—broke down crying, begging her to say it’s fake. She shoved him hard, screamed she hates him, called him a jerk who sees her as Bianca’s replacement. I had to drag him out of there.”Sasha said.

“But now I can’t reach him.” She concluded.

Hunter went dead still, color leaching from his face. His eyes bulged, breath catching like a gut punch stole it.

“She… Rias said that?” His voice splintered weak.

“Romeo… after everything… f×k.” He dropped his head into shaking hands.

“Do you have any idea where he might’ve gone to? Did he say anything?” Hunter asked, jumping up again, phone already in hand.

“No,” Sasha shook her head.

“Sasha, what the heck is wrong with her? Is there something I should know? What does she mean by she doesn’t love him?” Hunter pressed, pacing now.

“Um…”

“Speak up before I lose it. What do you mean by she wanted to use him for revenge?” His voice rose sharp.

Sasha swallowed. “So, Rias initially planned on toying with Romeo’s feelings. I don’t know all details about what happened between them but this is a misunderstanding…”

“She what? She tried to do what?!” Hunter exploded, face red. He stopped dead, staring at her like she grew a second head.

“Your best friend planned to f+k with my cousin’s head for revenge and you knew?”

“Hunter, I couldn’t do anything. She told me and I swear I tried talking sense into her,” Sasha said, standing too.

“You knew she was gonna hurt him like that and did nothing? Why the hell didn’t you stop her? Tell her to back off?” Hunter yelled, hands flying up.

“I tried! I told her it was silly, to talk to him straight. But she has her own mind—she wouldn’t listen!” Sasha shot back, voice climbing.

“Your ‘best friend’ toys with a guy fresh off losing everything after Bianca, and you let it slide? Romeo finally trusts again and she stabs him this way? You should’ve shut that shit down! You should’ve told me!” Hunter barked.

“She’s not a kid, Hunter! I can’t control her. I told her to calm down!” Sasha fired.

“You’re always taking her side. Romeo’s my family too, my blood and you let this happen?” He yelled at her.

“I’m your wife, Hunter! And Romeo is family to me too, you think I like this! Blaming me won’t find him!” Sasha shouted.

“You could’ve told me when you found out! We would’ve prevented all this! I’m your husband and you chose to keep such a thing from me?!”

Hunter raked hands through his hair, turning away.

“F+k this. We’re going to Rias, now.” He stormed toward the door, slamming it behind him.

Sasha sank onto the bed, head in hands.

“Sasha!! Get my keys and get down here!” He yelled from outside.

Sash stood up and grabbed his keys, and walked out of the room.

____________

Romeo perched on the open trunk of his sleek black car, abandoned in the middle of a desolate highway flanked by endless walls of whispering trees.

His feet dangled just touching the cracked asphalt, the fifth bottle of vodka clutched in his white-knuckled fist—yet the liquor burned uselessly down his throat, leaving him agonizingly sober.

Nothing could numb this.

The pain clawed at his chest like a living beast, twisting deeper with every breath, sharper than any blade he’d ever known.

It wasn’t just heartbreak, it was annihilation, his heart shredded into ribbons, each beat a thunderous accusation echoing Rias’s venomous words.

I don’t love you. I used you. Replacement.

They replayed on a merciless loop, poisoning his mind.

How? How had what they had few days ago shattered into this hell by dusk?

“Why?!” He roared to the empty woods, voice cracking raw as tears carved hot paths down his stubbled cheeks.

He hurled the bottle skyward, it arced high before exploding against a distant trunk in a spray of glass and vodka rain.

“What on earth did I do wrong?!” His hands flew to his head, fingers digging into his scalp as if he could rip out the agony.

Sobs wracked his broad frame, reducing the unbreakable man to a trembling wreck—shoulders heaving, knees buckling as he slid half off the trunk, barely holding on.

“Why would you do this to me, Rias? We were perfect this morning! You lied to me, fucked with my soul like it was nothing!”

His phone buzzed incessantly from the trunk’s edge—Hunter’s name flashing for the nth time.

With a feral snarl, Romeo snatched it up and smashed it against the asphalt. It shattered into a hundred glittering pieces, screen splintering like his trust.

“F+k off! All of you—f+k this pain!”

He lurched to his feet, swaying, and yanked another bottle from the trunk’s ice chest, ripping the cap with his teeth.

“Why the hell did I fall in love with you?!”

The scream tore from his gut as he swung the bottle down like a warhammer, smashing it into shards that bit into his shoes.

Rage ignited, pure and volcanic—he kicked the trunk lid, denting the metal with a sickening crunch, then grabbed a tire iron and hurled it into the windshield, spiderwebbing the glass.

“You bitch! You used me and played me like a goddamn fool just for revenge? Revenge?! After Paris, after I poured my fucking heart out to you?”

He collapsed against the car, pounding the hood with bloodied fists, tears streaming unchecked.

“Why can’t I hate you? Why does it hurt so f+king much?!” His voice broke into guttural howls, body folding as he clutched his chest.

“I hate you… I hate you… no, ×k—I love you, Rias! Why can’t I stop?! You’re killing me….you’re killing me!”

____________
[𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲’𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 ]

Nancy walked into the living room and saw Rias on the couch, crying hard.

“Rias? Hey, what’s happening to you?” Nancy rushed over and sat next to her.

“Have you seen Romeo? Do you know where he is?” Rias asked, wiping her face.

“Romeo? Hold on, didn’t you two meet up this evening?” Nancy said, confused.

“I f+ked up, Nancy. I messed everything up,” Rias said, voice breaking.

“What did you do? Gosh, please don’t tell me you two had an argument,” Nancy replied.

“I was at his fortress earlier and overheard you three talking. I got so angry when he said he loved Bianca more than me. I know it hurt but I shouldn’t have said all those hurtful things to him. I told him I hated him, told him I was toying with his feelings,” Rias confessed.

“You… what?” Nancy’s eyes went wide.

“I’m sorry,” Rias whispered.

“Hold on. You said he chose Bianca over you?” Nancy asked.

“Well yes and…”

“Are you crazy? Tell me you actually stayed to hear our entire conversation,” Nancy cut in.

“I… I…”

“Oh my goodness, Rias, what have you done? He didn’t choose her over you. You just misunderstood him,” Nancy said.

“But he… he said he loved Bianca,” Rias insisted.

“No he didn’t. He said Bianca was his past and there’s no comparison to who he loves most because he loves you more, not her!” Nancy explained.

“I… didn’t know. I was too angry, I just left,” Rias said.

“Stupid me, I shouldn’t have asked that question,” Nancy muttered.

The door burst open. Hunter stormed in, Sasha right behind him.

“Hunter,” Nancy said.

“Hunter, calm down,” Sasha urged.

“Rias!” Hunter yelled, charging at her. He grabbed her hair tight.

“Love, let her go,” Sasha said, pulling at his arm.

“Sasha, stay out of this.” Hunter turned back to Rias, eyes blazing.

“Hunter, I didn’t mean to… I…” Rias stammered.

“I’m going to ask you a simple question and all I need is yes or no. No flimsy excuses,” Hunter growled.

Rias nodded, scared.

“Is it true you were toying with Romeo’s feelings?” Hunter demanded.

“I fell in love with him—”

“That wasn’t what I asked. Is it true you were toying with Romeo’s feelings?” he snapped.

“Yes… it’s true. But I couldn’t push through with the plan because I love him,” Rias admitted.

A sharp slap cracked across her cheek, sending her crashing into Nancy.

“Oh my goodness, Hunter!” Nancy yelled.

“Hunter, stop it!” Sasha yanked him back, stepping in front.

“Sasha, stand aside,” Hunter ordered.

“Are you gonna hit me too?!” Sasha shot back.

“Sasha, step aside—let me teach this girl some manners! Why the f+k would she do that? Huh? A misunderstanding? Why didn’t you just ask him directly? Why not talk it out?!” Hunter shouted.

“I’m sorry,” Rias sobbed, holding her face.

“But instead you jumped to conclusions, insulted him, and pushed him away? What kind of temper is that?!” Hunter kept going.

“I didn’t mean it! I misunderstood and I was wrong for judging without hearing him out. I understand,” Rias pleaded.

“No you don’t! You don’t know the gravity of what you did. I watched Romeo almost drown in despair when Bianca died. He couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep, isolated himself, got drunk every day—he even got sick and hospitalized,” Hunter said.

“Do you know how much that guy loves you? He loves you so damn much! I don’t think he even loved Bianca a percent or showed her the affection he showed you!” Hunter added.

“He was so happy when you said you loved him—only for you to hurt him this much! Do you want to kill him? Huh? Answer me before I hit you again!”

“Look, Hunter, calm down. I’m sure Rias regrets it—she was just angry,” Sasha said.

“Why are you taking her side?!” Hunter barked.

“Because she’s my best friend!” Sasha replied.

“And Romeo’s my cousin!” Hunter yelled back.

“Look, I’m not taking sides. We should focus on finding Romeo,” Sasha said.

She reached for him but he jerked her hand away, pulling out his phone.

____________
[𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐢’𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧]

Hinata stood at the counter in her cozy kitchen, chopping vegetables for Angelo’s favorite stir-fry, the sizzle of oil already heating in the pan.

The knife slipped on a stubborn carrot, slicing into her finger.

“Ouch!” she yelped, dropping the knife and clutching her hand.

Blood welled up quick, a thin red line beading across her skin. She reached for a towel just as her phone buzzed loudly on the counter, startling her further.

She glanced at the screen. “Hunter.”

She hit accept, pressing the phone to her ear with her good hand. “Hello?”

“Um, Aunt Hinata, is Romeo there at home?” Hunter asked, voice tight.

“Romeo? No, he’s not. Why, is there a problem?” Hinata replied, wrapping the towel around her cut finger.

“No. I just wanted to hang out with him and couldn’t reach him. His phone must be switched off,” Hunter said quickly.

“Oh, okay,” Hinata answered.

“Alright.” He hung up abruptly.

Hinata stared at the phone, frowning as she set it down.

“What was that about?” she muttered to herself, rinsing her finger under the sink before grabbing a bandage.

The pan popped behind her, but her mind lingered on Hunter’s odd tone.

____________
[𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲’𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 ]

Rias paced around her bedroom floor like a trapped animal, phone clutched tight in her hand. She needed to find Romeo, but where the hell was he?

Hunter and Sasha were out searching, calling everyone they knew, but Hunter flat-out refused to let her join.

“Stay put,” he’d barked.

Her thumb stabbed at Romeo’s number again—straight to voicemail, the nth time. Restless didn’t cover it; her chest burned, every second stretching into torture.

Her phone finally rang. Heart leaping— Romeo! she snatched it up. Ashton’s name flashed instead.

She sighed hard, letting it drop to the bed unanswered.

A text buzzed right after.

*”I’m outside your house.”*

Another sigh. She tossed the phone on the bed and headed out, too drained to care.

—–
She stepped through the front gate into the night, streetlights flickering dim. Across the road, in the shadowed stretch, Ashton’s car idled like a predator. She crossed fast.

“Ashton,” she said, voice flat.

“So, you’re finally back from Paris. With your lover boy,” he sneered, stepping from the shadows.

She froze. Chills raced up her spine, cold sweat prickling her skin. “How… how did you know?”

He closed in, eyes wild. “Tell me, Rias, who’s your boyfriend? Me or him?”

“I’m sorry, Ashton, but look—we need to end this. Romeo is the one I love. He’s everything to me. I never meant to hurt you, but it’s over. Please, just let me go.” She turned to leave.

His hand shot out, grabbing her arm like iron. She spun back.

CRACK—his palm slammed across her face, hard enough to snap her head sideways. Pain exploded in her cheek, stars bursting in her vision.

She stumbled, crashing against the car hood. Before she could recover, he fisted her hair, yanking her up.

“There’s no way you’re getting away from me! You’re mine, Rias—mine forever!”

“Let go Ashton, stop!” She thrashed, clawing at his grip, but he was too strong.

His fist crashed into her side, doubling her over with a gasp. Another backhand rocked her skull. She screamed, kicking wildly.

“Help! Somebody!”—but the street stayed empty, her voice weak against his bulk.

He dragged her kicking legs toward the open car door. She clawed the ground, nails breaking, but he shoved her in headfirst.

She bucked inside, pounding his chest.

“No! Get off!”—useless against his weight pinning her down.

Cold metal snapped around her wrists, the handcuffs biting deep. She bucked harder, muffled cries escaping as he ripped duct tape across her mouth, sealing her screams to pathetic hums.

“Now you’re gonna be mine,” He hissed, breath hot on her face. “And guess what? I’m gonna find Romeo… and kill him.”

Rias shook her head frantically, eyes wide with terror, muffled pleas buzzing against the tape.

His phone rang. He yanked it out. “You found him?”

“Yes, boss. We found Romeo’s car on a highway. He’s still parked there.”

“I want you to detain him there. I’m on my way.”

“Sure, boss.”

He hung up, grinning like a wolf. Faced her. “Let’s go meet that girlfriend thief.”

Slam—the door locked her in darkness. He jumped in the driver’s seat and peeled out, tires screeching into the night.

__________

Ashton’s car slammed to a stop right in the highway’s center, headlights cutting through the dark trees like knives.

In the backseat, Rias yanked desperately at the handcuffs biting her wrists, her eyes bulging wide with pure fear.

She pressed her face to the window, heart stopping as Romeo’s wrecked car came into view ahead, trunk gaping open.

Muffled screams buzzed against the duct tape sealing her mouth.

Romeo. No, God no.

She kicked the door hard, body slamming uselessly, tears blurring everything.

Outside, fifteen of Ashton’s goons emerged from the woods, circling Romeo slow and tight. He sat slumped on his trunk, empty vodka bottles scattered at his feet, body swaying like a broken puppet.

The world tilted fuzzy for him, pain throbbing constant in his chest, but he squinted at the shadows closing in.

Ashton stepped forward from his car, boots crunching gravel, a cruel grin splitting his face.

“Well, look at you. Parked out here like a loser, drowning in your booze. Pathetic.”

Romeo lifted his head slow, vision doubling. “Ashton? What the fuck is this?” His words slurred thick, but anger cut through.

Ashton laughed low.

“This? This is me coming for what’s mine. You really thought you could steal my girl? Take Rias to Paris, play house like some lover? She’s mine, Romeo. Always has been.”

Rias pounded the window from inside the car, head shaking frantic.

No, Ashton, stop! Let him go! Her chest heaved, sobs choking silent behind the tape.

Romeo slid off the trunk, feet hitting ground unsteady. He laughed bitter, wiping his mouth.

“Your girl? That’s right. She told me everything. Said she used me for revenge and doesn’t love me. I guess, she really is your girl.”

Ashton’s eyes flashed rage.

“I’m glad you realized that fact. You’re just the fuckboy rebound.” He stepped closer, voice dripping venom.

“Bet she laughed about you after Paris. That necklace? The kisses? All fake. She came crawling back to me the second you bored her.” Ashton lied.

Romeo’s gut twisted fresh.

I used you for revenge. I don’t love you. I hate you. Toyed with your feelings.

Her words replayed in his head.

She never meant it. I lost her. I lost everything. He staggered forward.

In the car, Rias screamed into the tape, fists bloody from banging glass.

*Romeo, I’m sorry! I love you! Stop this!*

Ashton swung fast, fist cracking Romeo’s jaw with a wet snap. Romeo reeled, crashing into his car, blood spraying from split lip. He spat red, tasting copper.

“That all you got?”

“No,” Ashton snarled.

“That’s for f+king my girl behind my back.” He grabbed Romeo’s collar, knee slamming his gut. Air exploded from Romeo’s lungs; he doubled over gasping.

Rias’s world tunneled to horror. *He’s killing him. Because of me. Please, someone hear me!*

“You think you’re tough?” Ashton taunted, shoving Romeo down.

“Rias whispered my name every night, begged for me to fuck her, I’ve been with her longer than you have. You’ll never have her.” He nodded to his men.

“Beat this thief bloody. Make him regret ever going near her.”

The thugs pounced. First punch to Romeo’s ribs, crack echoing. He swung wild, sloppy drunk, but a boot tripped him flat.

Fists rained on his temple, jaw, stomach. He curled tight, arms shielding face, but kicks hammered through: shin to back, heel to kidney. Blood slicked the asphalt under him.

It hurts… but not like her words. Each blow thudded dull against the real agony clawing his heart.

She doesn’t love me. Never did.

A fist split his brow, vision flooding red. Another boot stomped his hand, fingers crunching. He wheezed, weak gasps, body limp.

Rias thrashed wild, tears soaking her shirt, muffled wails piercing her throat raw. *Romeo! Fight back! I’m here! I love you!*

Ashton watched arms crossed, smirking.
“That’s what you get for touching my woman.”

Romeo choked blood, eyes glazing. The beating blurred endlessly, but her betrayal cut deeper than any fist.

Darkness tugged him under.

Romeo summoned every shred of strength left in his battered body, muscles screaming as he pushed up from the blood-slick asphalt.

His vision swam red, but fire burned in his chest—he wouldn’t go down like this, not for her, not for anyone. Legs shaking, he staggered to his feet, fists clenched, swinging wild at the nearest thug.

His knuckles connected once, a weak crack against Ashton’s jaw, but it was something.

“F+k you,” He rasped, voice raw, lunging for Ashton.

Ashton sidestepped easy, eyes gleaming cold. He snatched the tire iron from Romeo’s open trunk and swung it hard across Romeo’s back.

The impact landed like thunder, pain exploding white-hot down his spine. Romeo’s face slammed into the gravel, teeth grinding dirt, blood flooding his mouth instant.

Ashton didn’t stop. He raised the iron high and brought it down again, splitting skin over Romeo’s shoulder blade. Again into his ribs, bone snapping audible.

Over and over, relentless, each strike painting the highway with fresh blood pooling dark from gashes.

Romeo’s arms buckled, body convulsing, coughs hacking up thick crimson sprays onto the ground.

Weakness flooded him total, limbs weak, breath shallow wheezes.

“Rias… why?“

Her face flashed, her smiles, her lies, and tears mixed with blood on his cheeks. He clawed the dirt feeble, one last gasp.

“Rias…”He coughed out blood.

“I….I hate you, Rias.” Romeo mumbled, before his eyes shut, passing out.

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