My Snake Shifter Husband Refuses to Divorce Me

Five years into my marriage to a cold, powerful snake shifter, I find out my husband has been in love with someone else all along. That night, Sebastian Vapenti is kneeling between my legs in the tight black lace servant outfit I made him wear. Normally, this would be my favorite part of the night. Tonight, I just sigh and pull his head back. “Not tonight.” Sebastian looks up at me, clearly confused. His dark hair is slightly messy, and there is still a wet shine on his lips. One of his large hands slides over my calf, then lifts my leg again. Judging from the look on his face, he doesn't believe me at all. “You have an early meeting tomorrow,” I remind him. His breathing is still a little uneven. “I know.” His voice is low and rough. “Let me make you feel good first, okay?” His snake tail is already coiled around my chest. The tip presses against my lips, kneading them teasingly before trying to slip between them. Heat rushes straight to my face. I quickly grab his tail and pull it away. “I said no. I'm serious.” Sebastian freezes. I straighten my clothes and slip back under the covers. “Forget it tonight. Go get some sleep.” For several seconds, he doesn't move. He is still kneeling beside the bed, staring at me like he has no idea what just happened. Honestly, I understand why. I've never turned him down before. Eventually, Sebastian gets off the bed. Without saying anything, he slowly removes the lace outfit. I turn my back to him. The second I close my eyes, I think about the diary I found in his study that afternoon. I wasn't trying to snoop. It had fallen from the shelf, and when I picked it up, the pages opened. Then I saw what he'd written. Page after page was filled with his feelings for a woman he'd loved for years. The more I read, the colder I felt. Then I found the photograph. The girl in it has short hair. Sunlight covers most of her face, so I can't see her clearly. But I'm sure she isn't me. I've always had long hair, almost down to my waist. The last entry hurts the most. *I never thought I'd end up marrying her.* *I won't write in this diary anymore.* I stared at those words for a long time. He never thought he'd marry me. Of course he didn't. Five years ago, I got pregnant after one reckless night with him. That was why Sebastian married me. Not because he loved me. Not because he wanted me. He simply had no choice. And somehow, I spent the next five years believing that maybe, somewhere along the way, he had fallen for me too. God. I must look ridiculous. Sebastian has always been quiet and reserved. I'm the complete opposite. I hug him whenever I want. I kiss him whenever I want. I climb all over him in bed and tease him until his ears turn red. Sometimes I push him so far that his whole body goes tense, his jaw locks, and even the tip of his tail starts twitching. I used to find it adorable. Now I wonder if I've just been annoying him all these years. The bathroom door opens behind me. A little later, Sebastian gets into bed. His skin is cool from the shower. Like always, his long arm reaches around my waist and pulls me against his chest. Normally, I would turn around immediately and wrap myself around him. Tonight, I push his arm away. “Don't get so close.” He pauses. “It's hot.” Sebastian goes still. Even with my back to him, I can feel him staring at me. I quietly move farther away. Another first. Usually, even if I'm sweating, I still insist on sticking to him all night. The bedroom stays silent for a long time. Then I hear his voice behind me. “Baby?” I bury my face deeper into the pillow. “Hmm?” “Did something happen today?” His voice is softer than usual. I close my eyes. “No.” I don't want to ask him about the diary. What's the point? If he really has loved another woman all these years, making him explain himself won't suddenly make him love me. Eventually, exhaustion takes over. Sometime in the middle of the night, while I'm half asleep, I feel something wrapping tightly around my body. It squeezes me so firmly that I can barely breathe. I frown and try to move. It only tightens. Sebastian's tail. I want to push it away, but I'm too sleepy. By morning, he's already gone. I stretch beneath the blanket, then immediately wince. My thighs feel strangely sore. I blink. That's weird. We didn't even do anything last night. Before I can think about it any further, the bedroom door slowly opens. A small face appears through the gap. “Mom?” My five-year-old son, Noah Vapenti, peeks inside. The moment he sees that I'm awake, he pushes the door open and runs over. “Dad said to tell you breakfast is ready.” The second I see him, I instinctively reach for him. Usually, I pull him into my arms, kiss his cheeks, mess up his hair, and squeeze him until he complains. Noah sits on the edge of the bed. Then, like this is part of our usual morning routine, he turns his cheek toward me. “Fine.” His little face stays serious. “You can kiss me.” I almost laugh. “But hurry up,” he adds. “I just fixed my hair. If you mess it up, the kids at school are going to laugh at me.” His cheeks are already turning red. He looks exactly like Sebastian. Same serious expression. Same stubborn mouth. Same habit of pretending he doesn't like affection while waiting for it anyway. Normally, I would grab him and kiss him several times just to make him complain. Today, I don't. My hand stops halfway. I suddenly think about everything I've done for the past five years. Maybe I've been selfish. Just because I like hugging and kissing people doesn't mean they like it too. Sebastian puts up with me. Maybe Noah does too. He's only five, and he's already telling me not to kiss him so much. No wonder he's always so serious around me. I slowly lower my hand. “No kiss today.” Noah's eyes widen. For some reason, he suddenly looks startled. His mouth opens. Then closes. He stares at me for a few seconds, like he's waiting for me to change my mind. I don't. “Mom wants to ask you something.”

Noah's eyes widen. He looks like he wants to say something, but can't quite get the words out. Finally, he asks awkwardly, “What is it, Mom?” “If... if Dad and I both had to go away on long trips, who would you go with?” I know I shouldn't ask him something like this. But I still want to know his answer. If Sebastian really has someone he's loved all these years, what right do I have to keep holding on to him? Noah suddenly jumps off the bed and folds his arms. “Then obviously I'd go with Dad.” My heart tightens. “Mom, you keep kissing me all the time. I'm already a big boy. I don't like it when you do that!” He runs downstairs as soon as he finishes. I sit there, stunned. So my son really does dislike me, just like his father does. I force a bitter smile and bite my lip to keep myself from crying. After washing up, I go downstairs and pretend nothing happened. Sebastian has already made breakfast. He and Noah are sitting at the table, waiting for me. Sebastian looks up. “What took you so long? Come eat before it gets cold.” I sit down and take a small sip of milk. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice both of them suddenly go still. They look like they're waiting for something. Usually, breakfast starts with me hugging Sebastian and showering him with compliments. “Baby, you're amazing. Kiss me.” “Those hands are supposed to sign billion-dollar contracts. How can I let you cook breakfast for me?” Then I hug Noah and kiss him too. “I'm so lucky to have both of you.” But now I know they probably hate that. “All right, Noah. Eat your breakfast. You still have preschool.” Sebastian speaks first. His voice sounds unusually stiff. Noah lowers his head too. He doesn't look very happy. I ignore them and start thinking about everything else instead. Sebastian is a snake shifter. He's also the CEO of Vapenti Holdings. Humans and shifters have legally been equal for years. But with their greater strength and natural abilities, many powerful shifter families have risen to the top of society. My family is wealthy too. But compared to the Vapenti family's century-old power, we're nowhere close. Under normal circumstances, Sebastian and I probably never would have crossed paths. But five years ago, I attended a party. Someone had drugged my drink. Then I walked into the wrong room. A man's burning kiss landed on me. His hands moved over my skin, touching and teasing until my whole body went weak in his arms. By the end, my legs were trembling as I tried to get away. He caught my ankle and dragged me back. Then everything started all over again. The last thing I remember before passing out is the sight of his two dicks between my legs. Snake shifters really are built differently. I still remember the next morning. Sebastian opened his eyes, saw me beside him, and looked completely stunned. I take a bite of my sandwich. So he really never wanted to marry me. I heard that when Sebastian returned to his clan that day, the elders punished him. He took fifty lashes under clan law. “Baby.” Sebastian reaches over and wipes some sauce from the corner of my mouth. “What are you thinking about?” Without thinking, I catch his finger between my lips and lick it. Sebastian immediately pulls his hand back. The tips of his ears turn red. My eyes widen when I realize what I just did. At that moment, my phone rings on the table. I glance at the screen. Ryan Calloway. I pick up my phone and walk away to answer. I don't notice Sebastian's hand tightening around his fork behind me. “Hello? Why are you calling me out of nowhere?” Ryan's lazy voice comes through the phone. “Obviously because I need something. I land at Greyford International at ten this morning. Come pick me up. We can get everyone together tonight.” I laugh. “Fine. Wait for me.” Ryan grew up with me. Our families lived close to each other, and our parents were business partners. We've been friends since we were kids. When I return to the table, I'm in a hurry to finish breakfast. I don't notice both Sebastian and Noah watching me. Noah is the first one who can't hold back. “Mom, if you don't hurry, you're going to be late taking me to school.” “I'm not taking you today.” I wipe my mouth. “I have something to do. The driver can take you.” Then I stand up to go upstairs and change. Sebastian suddenly gets to his feet and grabs my hand. His chair scrapes loudly against the floor. “You're not taking me either?” I look at him. For a second, I almost think I see something like hope in his eyes. Maybe even pleading. I must be imagining it. Sebastian Vapenti is ruthless in business. People beg him for favors. He doesn't beg anyone. “I have plans today, so no.” I pause. “And from now on... I won't take you anymore.” Seeing me all the time probably annoys him anyway. I pull my hand away and go upstairs. I don't hear Sebastian murmur behind me. “So now that he's back, she doesn't want us anymore? Not even a good-morning kiss...” By the time I come downstairs again, both Sebastian and Noah are gone. I hide the ache in my chest and head toward the door. Mrs. Miller walks over. “Mrs. Vapenti, Noah seemed a little unhappy today. I think he still wanted you to take him to school.” I force a smile, remembering what Noah said earlier. “No. He's probably happy.” I lower my eyes. “He's just like Sebastian. Neither of them shows what they're feeling.” Mrs. Miller hesitates. Then she asks, “Mrs. Vapenti, are you still making Mr. Vapenti's lunch today?” I stop. Usually, I bring Sebastian lunch every day. Sometimes, when I'm in the mood, I even cook it myself. But now... “No.” I grab my bag. “I'm not making it. And I'm not taking it to him anymore.” Then I leave before I can change my mind.

I drive to Greyford International Airport. The second I get out of the car, I spot Ryan Calloway. His red hair makes him impossible to miss. He is standing there, talking to a girl beside him. “...No, I can't. Someone's here to pick me up.” Then he sees me. “See? There she is.” He walks over and throws an arm around my shoulders. For a second, we're pressed close together. I immediately try to push him away. Ryan lowers his voice. “Don't. Help me out.” I frown. “This girl followed me all the way back here. Just play along. You've done it before.” That reminds me of high school. I stop struggling and let him keep his arm around me as we head toward the car. “You seriously attract trouble everywhere you go.” I glance at the girl still standing behind us. “Can't you behave for once?” Ryan leans back in the passenger seat, looking completely relaxed. “Hey, don't blame me. How was I supposed to know she'd be this persistent?” I shake my head. Ryan has always been like this. A shameless flirt. He loves getting attention from women, but commitment? Never. At lunch, I keep looking at my phone. Sebastian is always busy with work. Usually, I'm the one constantly texting him. If I see a flower by the road, I send him a picture. If I see a cute dog or cat, I send him that too. Every random little thing in my day somehow ends up in his messages. But now I force myself not to open our chat. He already has someone he loves. If I keep bothering him all day, I'm only making myself look pathetic. I'm still staring at my phone when it suddenly rings. Sebastian. My heart jumps. My hand slips, and I accidentally answer. “Hello?” His low voice comes through the phone. It sounds so close that for a second, I almost feel like he's speaking right beside my ear. We've been this close countless times. After sex, Sebastian always pulls me tightly against him. His hand slowly strokes my bare back. His lips press soft kisses into my hair. His breathing stays warm and uneven against me. “Hello?” Sebastian's voice pulls me back. “Are you listening?” I blink and quickly sit up straighter. “Sorry. What is it?” “Noah called me.” His tone is calm, but there is something strange underneath it. “He said you didn't pick him up from school.” I tighten my fingers around the tablecloth. “And you didn't bring me lunch either.” He pauses. “Did something happen?” “I told you. I had something to do today.” “What could be so important?” I frown. Sebastian almost never asks me questions like this. Before I can answer, Ryan reaches over and snatches the phone from my hand. “Hey, Ivy.” He looks at the dishes on the table. “Do you like the food? I ordered all your favorites.” Then he glances at my phone. “We finally get to hang out again and you're still staring at this thing. Give it a rest.” I reach for it. “Ryan, give me that.” But he ends the call. “Who keeps calling you anyway?” I take my phone back and pick up my juice. “My husband.” Ryan raises an eyebrow. Then he laughs. “That cold-blooded snake shifter?” He leans back in his chair. “Seriously, I still don't understand what you see in him. He's cold, stiff, and probably freezing half the time.” His fox tail slips out behind him and brushes against me. I grab it and toss it away. Ryan is a fox shifter. “You should've married me back then,” he says casually. “Our families already know each other. I would've taken good care of you.” I roll my eyes. “You just wanted me as a shield against all the women chasing you.” “And I don't even like you.” Ryan shrugs. “Since when does a marriage between powerful families need love?” He gives me a look. “You've been reading too many romance novels.” Then he smiles. “What? You and that snake have some great love story?” My hand stops. For a moment, I don't say anything. Because he's right. Sebastian doesn't love me. “Yeah.” I lower my eyes. “You're right.” Then I take a breath. “So I think...” I look at Ryan. “I want to divorce him.”

Ryan has just come back, so he's in the mood to do everything. We spend the whole afternoon messing around on a yacht. At night, he drags me to a bar. All kinds of shifters are there, dressed in barely anything. Ryan is having the time of his life. His fox tail is out, teasing the sheep shifter sitting in his lap. A rabbit shifter sits beside me. His big eyes keep flicking toward me. When he starts leaning closer, I immediately stand up. “I need to go. It's already late.” I look at Ryan. He nods and pushes the woman off his lap. “I'll walk you out.” We step outside the bar together. The night air is cool against my skin. “If you really can't stay married to him and want a divorce, come to me,” Ryan says. “I'll find you the best lawyer.” He pauses. “And you can fight for custody too.” I shake my head. “Noah doesn't like me either.” My chest tightens a little. “And if he stays with Sebastian, he'll get a better education.” Ryan pulls out a cigarette. He is about to say something else when a voice comes from behind us. “What are you two doing?” I turn around. Sebastian. Why is he here? He usually goes to bed around this time. “What are you doing here?” I ask. Sebastian's face is hidden in the darkness, so I can't make out his expression. He doesn't answer me. Instead, he holds out a hand. “Come here.” My body moves before my brain does. I walk straight toward him. Sebastian catches my hand and gives Ryan an irritated look. “Mr. Calloway.” His voice is cold. “You just got back, and you're already dragging my wife around causing trouble?” He pulls me into his arms. My heart skips. His scent immediately surrounds me. My fingers curl. For a second, I really want to wrap my arms around him. I barely hear what he says next. “My wife is still young. It's easy for her to get distracted by all the fun outside.” His arm tightens around me. “So I don't blame her for coming home late.” Then his gaze settles on Ryan. “But some people should learn to keep their distance.” Sebastian puts me into the car. Ryan clenches his jaw. Then he whistles at Sebastian. Sebastian turns around. Ryan pulls his collar aside. A fresh hickey from the woman at the bar is visible on his neck. Ryan grins. “Being young really is great.” His eyes slide toward Sebastian. “Some people shouldn't think too highly of themselves.” Then he adds casually, “After all, your wife and I are the ones who grew up together.” He puts extra emphasis on *your wife*. Sebastian's face immediately turns dark. Ryan looks satisfied. He turns around and walks away. Then he rolls his eyes. The Serpent Clan is under Sebastian's control now. His clan was already powerful before. But ever since Sebastian took over, their influence has become almost impossible to challenge. The Calloway fox clan can't really compete with them. But getting under Sebastian's skin over something like this? Ryan clearly thinks that's worth it. When Sebastian gets back into the car, coldness seems to radiate from his entire body. “What happened?” I look at him. “What did you two say?” “Nothing.” Sebastian shakes his head. The car falls silent. I carefully glance at him. His face is turned toward the window. As the car moves, streetlights sweep across him. Light. Darkness. Then light again. For the first time tonight, I notice how tired he looks. My chest suddenly aches.

“Why are you here? I texted you and told you to go to sleep. I said I'd come home on my own.” I look down and fiddle with my fingers. “I was worried about you,” Sebastian says. “Noah kept waiting for you. He only fell asleep after I carried him back to his room.” My lips press together. A dull ache spreads through my chest. When we get home, I go to Noah's room first. He is sleeping peacefully in the dark. The second I get close, his small hand reaches out and catches mine. “Mom...” I bend down and kiss his little face. “Mom's here.” When I step out of his room, I realize Sebastian is standing by the door. I don't know how long he's been there. His dark eyes are fixed on me. I lower my head and try to walk past him. Sebastian grabs me and presses me against the wall. “Baby.” His thumb rubs meaningfully across my lips. “Where's mine?” I don't answer. Something dark flashes through his eyes. Then he lowers his head and kisses me hard. My legs instantly go weak. I grab his tie to keep myself from falling. “Don't...” I let out a soft sound when he finally gives me a chance to breathe. Sebastian acts like he doesn't hear me. One large hand settles at my lower back, moving slowly over me. Then he suddenly lifts me and throws me over his shoulder. After five years of marriage, I know exactly what he wants. My face burns. The next second, he tosses me onto the bed in our bedroom. My body bounces once against the mattress. Sebastian's heated gaze stays on me. He pulls off his clothes in a few quick movements. Then I freeze. A thin silver waist chain rests against his sharply defined abs. I swallow. I don't notice the faint smile at the corner of his mouth. Sebastian catches my hand and slowly guides it over his body. His voice turns coaxing. “Do you like it?” I nod. He moves closer. So close that I can feel the heat of his body against mine. Hot. Hard. Wanting. Then Sebastian lowers his head and suddenly frowns. “...You smell like someone else.” I barely have time to react before he cups the back of my head and kisses me again. It must be from the bar. There were shifters everywhere tonight. When my attention drifts, Sebastian bites my tongue in warning. He's strangely impatient tonight. Nothing like his usual controlled self. Almost like a jealous teenager. Like he's desperate to erase something that doesn't belong to him. In the middle of it, he presses his forehead against mine. “Baby, scales are good too.” His voice is low and serious. “They're cool in the summer. Those fluffy ones are hot, and they shed everywhere.” As if he needs to prove his point, his snake tail slips beneath my skirt. It coils around my thigh. The tip presses between my legs, teasing me over and over. “Baby.” Sebastian kisses me again. “Can we stop seeing him?” His tail tightens around my thigh. “As long as you come back to me, I'll do anything.” “Stop seeing... who?” Pleasure makes my thoughts blur. I barely hear what he's saying. “Ryan.” Sebastian cups my face and kisses me again and again. “Stop seeing Ryan Calloway.” My foggy mind clears instantly. Earlier that afternoon, Ryan and I talked about a lot of things. Including divorce. And the woman Sebastian had loved for years. The moment I told Ryan about the diary, he slapped his hand against the table. “Now that you mention it, I think I've heard something.” He leaned closer. “I may have been out of the country, but my friends here hear everything.” Then he lowered his voice. “I looked into Sebastian a while ago. He's had plenty of rumors about women.” My first reaction was that Ryan was talking nonsense. Sebastian became CEO of Vapenti Holdings at a young age. Of course gossip followed him. But every time the media tried to turn some random interaction into a scandal, there was never any proof. His legal team always shut it down. So I didn't believe Ryan. Not until he showed me the picture. The glass slipped straight out of my hand. Short hair. White dress. It was exactly like the girl in Sebastian's diary. Except this time, I could finally see her face. And I knew her. Claire Morgan. Noah's preschool teacher. My teeth clenched. So that was why Sebastian insisted Noah attend that particular school. He had even donated several buildings to the place. After all these years... He still couldn't let her go.

A sharp ache in my chest pulls me back to reality. Sebastian is still bent over me, his long lashes brushing against my collarbone. I push him away and quickly fix my clothes. “I don't want to do this. It's already late.” I get off the bed barefoot. Sebastian suddenly grabs my wrist. His voice comes out slowly, each word tight. “Do you not want to do it... or do you just not want to do it with me?” His eyes darken. “Do you really like that fluffy guy that much?” I frown and pull my hand back. “What are you talking about? This is between you and me. What does anyone else have to do with it?” Sebastian's eyes turn red. In the end, he says nothing. As I walk away, I hear him mutter under his breath. “So the guy she grew up with really does win in the end... She still likes that fluffy bastard more. They dated before, after all...” The door closes behind me before I can hear the rest. Wait. The guy I grew up with? Is he talking about Ryan? Why would I like Ryan? I go back to the guest room and take a shower. But once I lie down, I toss and turn for hours. This is the first time Sebastian and I have slept in separate rooms since we got married. Actually, I knew Sebastian long before our marriage. Two years before we got married, I had just graduated from college. Ryan dragged me to a racetrack a few times. That was where I first saw Sebastian. A fitted racing suit hugged his body. His sharp features looked even more striking under the sunlight. And those pale gray eyes... One look was enough to make me fall for him. I immediately wanted to go over. Ryan grabbed me before I could. “What are you doing?” He stared at me like I'd lost my mind. “That's the heir to the Vapenti family. If you piss him off, even I won't be able to save you.” I pause. So that was Sebastian Vapenti. The famous heir to the Serpent Clan. I swallow. “He comes here often?” Ryan plays with the helmet in his hands and shakes his head. “No. That's the weird part. He never used to race.” He looks toward Sebastian. “No idea why he suddenly started coming here.” I nod, disappointed. I roll over in bed. So maybe this is what happens after seven years. Maybe love just wears out. Late that night, my phone keeps buzzing. I pick it up. Ryan. He starts by sending me several messages insulting Sebastian. Then a few photos come through. They're from an event at Noah's preschool. Claire is crouching down with a drawing in her hand. Noah is looking at her with a smile in his eyes. Sebastian stands beside them with one hand in his pocket. Even his usually cold face looks gentle. The other photos are the same. The three of them doing different family activities together. I turn off my screen. My eyes start burning. A bitter smile pulls at my lips. Noah rarely smiles like that around me. And the last time his preschool had a family event, he didn't want me to go. Right now, I want nothing more than to storm into Sebastian's room and throw these pictures in his face. But I don't. I don't want to destroy the last bit of dignity left in this marriage. I open Ryan's chat. “Find me a lawyer and have them draft a divorce agreement.”

The next morning, I hear Noah talking to Sebastian as soon as I come downstairs. “...Then of course I like Ms. Morgan the most.” My hand tightens around the stair railing. I tell myself not to jump to conclusions. Sebastian wouldn't ask him something like that. Just then, Noah suddenly runs over and hugs my leg. “Mom, I haven't seen you in forever.” I smile and crouch down. “Didn't we just see each other yesterday morning?” Noah pouts. “But we used to see each other so many times every day. Sometimes we even slept together at night.” His eyes start turning red. “And now you don't even kiss me anymore! Do you have another baby outside?” I freeze. Noah has never been the type to act clingy. But now his eyes are watery, like he'll burst into tears if I say yes. I immediately shake my head. “No. You're Mom's only baby.” I touch his face. “My friend came back yesterday, so I had to go pick him up. That's why I came home late.” Then I kiss his cheek. It takes me a while to finally calm him down. After breakfast, Noah insists that I take him to preschool. Sebastian nods too, then glances at his watch. “Let's go together.” Sebastian carries Noah toward the front door. Then Noah suddenly says, “Mom hasn't kissed Dad today!” My whole body stiffens. I look up and meet Sebastian's dark eyes. Memories from last night immediately rush back. My face starts heating up. “We should hurry. Noah's going to be late.” I clear my throat. The expectation in Sebastian's eyes disappears. Then he gets into the back seat with us. On the way there, Noah is completely different from his usual reserved self. He keeps trying to find things to talk to me about. I smile and stroke his hair. For a moment, my decision to divorce Sebastian starts to waver. We have barely reached the entrance of the preschool when I hear a woman gasp beside us. “You?” I turn around. It's the girl who was chasing Ryan at the airport yesterday. “Aren't you Ryan's girlfriend?” She looks at Noah. “Is this your child?” Then she points at Sebastian. “Then who is he?” Sebastian's face instantly darkens. I quickly wave my hands. “No, that's not—” “He said you two were together in high school!” She cuts me off. “He even showed me pictures of you two as a couple!” “No, they weren't!” Noah shouts before I can say anything else. His little face turns bright red. He grabs onto both Sebastian and me. “These are my mom and dad! It's not what you said!” The girl looks at me. Then at Noah. Her expression suddenly changes. “Oh!” She nods like everything finally makes sense. “I get it now!” Then she turns around and runs off. I stand there, completely confused. Wait. What exactly does she think she understands?