Betrayed by My Trash Husband, Surrender Myself to the Devil-Chapter 44: Wedding Rings (IV)

Claudia POV

[Song Recommendation: Joji - Glimpse of Us.]

Seeing that wedding ring sitting quietly on the table gave me a strong headache, and it was really difficult to breathe at this moment, because the memory of my modest yet beautiful wedding with Miles flashed in my mind repeatedly.

From the way he smiled at me, the way he uttered those vows with all the earnestness he had, and how we promised to go through difficult times together.

I went through difficult times for him, doing everything I could so he wouldn’t fall into depression while his business faced difficulties.

Yet now I was in a difficult time, and Miles wasn’t here.

Instead, he took off the wedding ring that bound us together. I did everything for him, so did I not deserve the same?

Why did he have to throw away the only thing that reminded me of our good times together, when we were just two poor souls in love?

I was trying my best to hold my tears and stammered my question to Ray. "H-h-how could you... t-t-this ring..."

"You should’ve known whose wedding ring this belongs to before it fell into my hands, Claudia." Ray’s voice was as calm as a deep lake. I could sense a hint of mockery in it as well. "I met him today, and he handed me this ring in exchange for some money to invest in his business."

Then he added, "I never forced him to give this to me. But I wouldn’t mind taking it and showing it to you, so you know that you meant nothing to him."

My body was shaking. The impact of seeing Miles’ wedding ring, on top of Ray’s cruel yet truthful words, pounded my head and my chest until I felt lightheaded.

I tried my best not to cry in front of him, because Ray said that my tears were "fake." I also hated that I kept crying, even though I told myself that I wouldn’t shed a single tear for Miles anymore.

But I just couldn’t.

I was reminded of everything good about my small family before everything came crashing down.

And just as I expected, Ray scoffed upon seeing my tears while looking away. "What’s so good about him? Why are you crying over a pathetic coward like him?"

I wiped my tears silently before reaching for Miles’ wedding ring. I remembered how we engraved our names on each other’s rings—his ring had my name, and my ring had his name. It was a reminder that we still had each other in our hearts.

I caressed the ring carefully, and my tears welled up again and fell onto it.

Ray clicked his tongue before saying, "Give your wedding ring to me."

I lifted my head, staring at him through my tears, and he quickly turned his head away again.

But he still opened his palm and demanded, "Give your wedding ring to me. I know that you still keep it somewhere in your room."

"W-what are you going to do with it?" I asked.

"I’ll flush both wedding rings down the drain, so you’ll forget everything about your failed marriage and move on," Ray said.

At that point, a fight-or-flight instinct surged within me. I wanted to protect my wedding ring, even if Ray demanded it.

So I got up, still holding Miles’ wedding ring, and took a step back.

Ray’s gaze darkened as he stared at me. He also stood up and then walked closer toward me.

For every step he took, I hurriedly took a step back, distancing myself from him while clutching the wedding ring in my hand.

Ray rarely made any expression, but whenever he did, it always scared the heck out of me. Just like now, his gaze grew darker and darker as I continued stepping back.

His expression was similar to that of an enraged demon who couldn’t wait to kill you for disobeying his order.

"What are you doing, Claudia? Give that ring back to me!"

"NO!" I snapped at him, and the veins on his temple became visible. The way he looked at me reminded me of the time I insulted him when we broke up.

I called him names, telling him to die alone and in agony, and all he did was glare at me like a demon had entered his body. His green eyes behind those glasses were filled with rage, and veins popped on his neck and temple.

He terrified me back then, but I had Miles by my side, so the fear soon dissipated a little and I stood my ground.

But now Miles wasn’t by my side. I was completely alone while facing a demon who could kill me at any moment.

"This is the last time I ask nicely, Claudia," he said before opening his palm for the second time. "Give those wedding rings to me. You shouldn’t think about a pathetic bastard who didn’t value your presence."

...

Rather than conceding to his request, I looked over my shoulder, then bolted away from him with all my strength.

"Claudia!" Ray called my name, but I ignored him as I rushed into my room.

SLAM!

I shut the door and locked it from inside.

"Claudia!" Ray called my name while slamming the door many times. "Open the damn door! You—what are you doing?! I’m just trying to help you forget that bastard!" 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"Go... go away, Ray," I replied weakly while leaning against the door. "I need some time alone..."

"You—!"

"Please, just... leave me alone..." I begged him, and his frantic knocking finally stopped.

There was a period of silence between us, but I knew that he was still standing at my door.

Finally, he said, "I forbid you to think about that bastard! Remember this, Claudia—Miles has never loved you properly! You were nothing but a useful tool for him until he had no more use for you. That’s why he handed me that ring over a tiny amount of cash!"