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I Don’t Love You Anymore

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Episode 4

**Aziel**

I was in the middle of the engagement party, having a great time with Dakota, when the police knocked on the door.

The music stopped and everyone stared, curious.

My father-in-law approached the officers.

"Can I help you?" he asked, confused.

"Good afternoon. Is this the Voinescu residence?" the officer inquired, and my father-in-law nodded.

"Yes, this is it. Is something wrong?" Luke stepped in.

The officer looked up and answered.

"There's been an accident," he informed them.

For some reason, I felt a knot form deep in my gut.

Dakota hugged me, kissing my neck to get my attention. And it worked instantly.

I turned my focus to the woman I loved.

That lasted until the officer spoke again.

"Is a Miss Aspen Voinescu your daughter?"

At the question, my body went rigid, snapping me back to reality.

My attention locked on the officers again.

"Yes, she's my daughter," my father-in-law replied. "Why?"

"Sir, your daughter was in a car accident."

At those words, I felt everything around me collapse in a matter of seconds.

Now I'm here, at the hospital.

Pacing back and forth, waiting for news about my son's mother.

Dakota is with me.

Her parents and siblings too.

Calen is at my parents' house, since Carolina rushed here the moment she heard about the accident.

I've been here for hours and Aspen still hasn't woken up.

Today was supposed to be my engagement party. I was supposed to be celebrating with Dakota.

Why does Aspen always have to ruin my happiness?

I looked around at everyone else. Dakota was on her phone doing who knows what.

Ethan and Kyle were surprisingly anxious, waiting for news about Aspen.

Luke, as always, kept his face expressionless. But I noticed -- his eyes were red from holding back tears.

My gaze shifted to my in-laws.

He was stoic, as usual. And she was trembling, muttering under her breath.

I couldn't make out what she was saying, but I caught something.

*Please\, let her be okay.*

I think this is the first time I've ever seen my mother-in-law like this -- so shaken, so hurt. Especially over Aspen, since it's no secret her family never wanted her.

I suppose the thought of losing her daughter softened her heart, at least a little.

"Aspen!" I heard Carolina shout, and I immediately looked toward where they'd taken Aspen.

And there she was. She had bandages in several places.

Cuts on her face and on her legs.

But apparently nothing serious.

Even so, seeing my now ex-wife like that made my chest ache.

Because if something happens to Aspen, how am I supposed to explain that to my son?

I walked toward her and reached out my hand, trying to touch her.

"Aspen, how are you feel--" I froze when she walked right past me, completely ignoring me.

I turned around in disbelief. Was that a mistake?

It had to be. Aspen would never ignore me.

I watched Carolina break down in front of her, throwing her arms around Aspen and sobbing.

Aspen returned the embrace, soothing her, not wanting her to be upset.

Yeah, that was Aspen. Even now, injured as she was, she worried more about everyone else than about herself.

"Aspen..." I gently took her wrist. "How are you? Are you feeling okay?" I spoke in a surprisingly soft tone.

I thought that would make her look at me the way she always had.

With those blue eyes full of love, longing, and devotion.

But what I got was a cold, empty stare.

I flinched at those eyes.

*What was happening?*

She pulled free of my grip.

"Where is my son?" she asked, her voice like ice.

I was in shock. It was like looking at a completely different person.

*Where was the sweet\, gentle Aspen?*

*Who is this new woman standing before me?*

"He's at my parents' house," I told her.

She nodded and started walking away.

"Aspen, sweetheart!" Her mother rose to her feet.

Aspen stopped, glancing at everyone over her shoulder.

I wasn't the only one -- everyone in that room was stunned by those eyes.

She was Aspen, but she looked different now.

So empty.

It was like staring at the hollow shell of the woman who was once my wife.

"Where are you going? You can't leave like this -- you need to rest," her mother continued, earning a scoff from Aspen.

"I'm going to get my son," she said, devoid of emotion.

My chest tightened.

"I'll take you. Just let me--"

"No." She cut me off. "I don't want anything from you. From any of you. You're all dead to me." And with that, she left, Carolina following behind her.

We stood there, paralyzed.

*What? Did she really just say that?*

I could see the shock on everyone's faces -- even Dakota's.

*What was going on with Aspen?*

*Why was she acting like this?*

* * *

**Aspen**

I opened my eyes and shut them immediately -- the light was too much.

I tried to move, but everything hurt.

"Aspen... Can you hear me?" A female voice was calling my name.

It was a nurse.

"Ugh..." I let out a groan. "What happened?"