Chapter 12: Now The Fool Is Leaving Her

Kayden didn’t make it home until nightfall. Having just regained his memories, he needed time to recover—not just his mind, but his body too. He’d found a quiet spot earlier to focus, using the forces of nature to restore his innate abilities.

The results weren’t bad: about 15% of his power was back. But the internal injury that had been festering inside him for three years couldn’t be expelled so easily. It would take time.

When he finally stepped into the house, a familiar voice greeted him—angry, shrill, and relentless. Scarlett, his mother-in-law, was still ranting about the afternoon’s fiasco.

“Do you have any idea how furious Elizabeth was?” Scarlett’s voice cut through the quiet like a blade. “Dragging Georgia out of that meeting like a fool! You’ve humiliated us all, Kayden!”

The moment Scarlett caught sight of him, her wrath doubled.

“Oh, look who finally decided to show up. Did you even think about running away? No? Pity. If you had, maybe my family wouldn’t be in this mess!” Scarlett spat, her words sharp enough to pierce steel.

Kayden stood in silence, his face impassive.

“You’re useless! A burden! And now you’re dragging Georgia down with you. Do you ever stop to think if you’re even worthy of her?”

Georgia sat on the sofa, her round eyes fixed quietly on Kayden. She didn’t say a word. Across from her, Leah lounged with an apple in hand, her expression unbothered.

“Hey, dummy,” Leah said between bites, her tone light and teasing. “Where’d you buy the food today? It was pretty good. Think you can take me there tomorrow?”

“Don’t change the subject!” Scarlett snapped, shooting Leah a death glare.

Leah rolled her eyes and shrugged, biting into her apple again.

Kayden finally spoke, his voice calm but firm. “I’m tired. I’m going to bed.”

And with that, he turned and walked to the bedroom.

Scarlett shot to her feet, ready to chase after him, but Leah intercepted her. “Mom, let it go for tonight. I’ll talk to him.”

Without waiting for permission, Leah limped after Kayden, her swollen foot slowing her down.

---

Leah found Kayden sitting on the floor of Georgia’s room, his back against the bed frame. He was staring blankly ahead, lost in thought.

“Hey, dummy,” Leah called, plopping down beside him.

Kayden looked up, startled. “What is it?”

Leah smirked. “So, the food today... you made it, didn’t you?”

Kayden nodded, confused by the question. “Yeah. I didn’t buy it.”

Leah waved her hand dismissively. “Forget the food. That’s not why I’m here. I wanted to ask you something... Have you remembered anything?”

Kayden studied her for a moment, then nodded cautiously. “I suppose. Why?”

Leah hesitated, her lips twitching as if she was unsure how to continue. Finally, she leaned in a little closer, the scent of soap and shampoo faintly trailing her movements.

“Do you remember... the things I used to make you do for me?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kayden frowned. “What things?”

Leah flushed, her face turning a deep red. “You know... those things,” she muttered, her voice faltering.

Kayden tilted his head, piecing it together. “You mean eating ice cream off your thighs, massaging your legs, and giving you baths?”

Leah gasped, her face now crimson. She had been dreading this exact moment ever since she learned Kayden’s memories were back. If he used this against her, she'd be doomed.

“Listen,” she stammered, “you can’t tell anyone about that. If my sister finds out, she’ll kill me! But don’t worry—as long as you keep quiet, I’ll be on your side. I’ll stand up to Mom, and I won’t pressure you to divorce Georgia.”

Kayden’s expression softened as he studied her. “Don’t worry,” he said coolly. “Just don’t ask me to do those things again.”

Leah immediately crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at him. “In your dreams! I only made you do that stuff because you were too dumb to say no. Now? Forget it!”

The door creaked open before she could say more. Georgia stepped into the room, her gaze flicking between the two of them.

“Georgia!” Leah exclaimed, jumping to her feet.

Georgia raised an eyebrow but didn’t speak.

“Well, you two have fun. I’m going to bed,” Leah said hastily, brushing past her sister and out the door.

---

The room fell silent as Georgia and Kayden stood there, facing each other.

“What was Leah talking to you about?” Georgia finally asked.

“Nothing important,” Kayden replied, his tone casual. Then, after a pause, he added, “Actually, I think your mother is right.”

Georgia frowned. “Right about what?”

Kayden sighed, his voice soft but steady. “If you meet someone who’s worthy of you... and you want a divorce, I won’t stop you.”

Georgia blinked, stunned. “What are you talking about?”

Kayden’s gaze dropped to the floor. He didn’t belong here, not in this life. He was a man of war, a ghost of the battlefield. Love was a foreign concept to him. But Georgia... she had been kind to him—far kinder than he deserved. And now, with his memories back, he couldn’t shake the fear that his old enemies might hurt her to get to him.

He didn’t want to be her weakness.

Before he could say more, Georgia stepped forward and punched him square in the chest. The sound echoed through the room, and Kayden stared at her, stunned.

Her eyes were red, brimming with unshed tears. Her voice trembled with emotion.

“Do you have any idea how much I’ve put up with because of you? The ridicule? The mockery? And now—now—you’re telling me you want a divorce? Fine! Let’s get divorced. Let’s make it official so everyone can laugh at me even more!”

Her words hit him harder than any blow ever could. Kayden felt a sharp ache in his chest, a pain he couldn’t name.

Georgia had endured so much because of him. For three years, people had laughed at her for marrying an idiot. And now, even the “idiot” wanted to leave her.

“I’m sorry,” Kayden said quietly.

It was the first time he had ever apologized to anyone. A war god didn’t apologize. But for Georgia, the words came unbidden.

Georgia didn’t respond. She sat down on the bed, her back to him, silent.

Kayden didn’t know she was crying.

For three long years, she had borne the weight of judgment and ridicule. And now, even the man she had defended wanted to abandon her.

Her heart broke under the strain, and Kayden could do nothing but watch.