“I’m having the divorce papers drawn up,” I said, my voice steady even though my hands trembled. “Five days, Julian. That’s when this ends.”
He blinked at me, disbelief twisting his features. “What are you talking about?” His voice rose in incredulity, edged with a mocking laugh. “Five days? That’s our anniversary, Alyssa. Didn’t we agree to celebrate it, like we always do?”
I laughed, but it was hollow, bitter, and empty. “Celebrate? Like the past five years when you never showed up? When you sent flowers from some distant florist while you were out partying for work?”
His jaw tightened, and for a moment, he just stared.
I pressed on, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. “I always told myself it was business. That you were busy keeping Father’s company running, that’s why you were late, or didn’t call, or forgot. I made excuses for every missed dinner, every unanswered text. I believed in you. But now… now I see the truth. You’ve been spending more time with Sabrina than with me.”
He ran a hand through his hair, irritation flashing in his eyes. “Alyssa, this is ridiculous. You’re angry, fine—I get it. But don’t drag divorce into this. I can fix it. You’re blowing this out of proportion. And Sabrina? She’s my secretary—you told me to hire her! Why are you making her the enemy?”
“I should bring her into this,” I snapped, my voice sharp. “She’s been around us from the start. Supposed to be my best friend, wasn’t she? And yet… she’s the one you go home to. You’ve been lying to me, both of you.”
He chuckled, low and cold, dismissive. “So, this is about jealousy?”
“No,” I whispered, my chest aching. “I’m done. I don’t love you anymore, Julian. That’s why we’re divorcing.”
His laugh grew louder, crueler this time, as he stepped closer. “Divorce me? You’re serious?” His eyes darkened, hardening. “You can’t do that. Where would you go? You’re an orphan, Alyssa. You have nothing without me. Do you expect me to just give you money to walk away?”
My fists clenched. “I don’t want your money.”
He snorted, pressing the wedding ring back into my palm. “Ridiculous,” he muttered. Then he pulled a sleek black card from his wallet and dropped it onto the table. “Here—buy something nice. Much better than whining about divorce.”
I laughed, but it came out jagged, broken. “You really think money fixes everything?”
Already stepping back, he looked bored. “I won’t be home later. Meeting—”
Before he could finish, my palm struck his cheek. The sound cracked through the room like lightning.
For a heartbeat, everything froze.
Then his expression shifted—shock giving way to fury. His hand shot out, and for the first time, Julian slapped me back. I stumbled, cheek stinging, humiliation and pain burning through me.
“What’s wrong with you?” he shouted, chest heaving.
A small voice interrupted.
“Bad!”
We both turned. Little Max stood in the doorway, clutching a tiny toy car, big brown eyes—Julian’s eyes—wide and confused. “Why are you hitting Daddy?”
My stomach twisted. I had always let the child call Julian ‘Daddy’ because Sabrina said his father didn’t want him, claiming it was from a one-night mistake. I had pitied him, loved him quietly, thinking I was helping a friend’s child. Now, I realized the cruel truth. He wasn’t fatherless. He was Julian’s son.
Before I could react, Sabrina’s voice floated from the hall. “Oh… sorry.”
She stepped into view, face sweet, concern painted on, tone dripping with practiced innocence. “Bad timing, I guess? Max wanted to visit. He misses everyone… but maybe we should go.”
“No,” Julian snapped, brushing past me. “We’re going out. Without her.” He shot me a sharp glare. “How dare you even think about divorce?”
Sabrina raised a hand to her chest, feigning shock. “Alyssa, why would you do this? Did something happen?”
“Don’t act innocent,” I hissed.
She blinked, pretending to be clueless. “Did Julian upset you again? Should I scold him?”
Her tone made my stomach churn. I had trusted her with everything—every secret, every hurt—and she had been smiling while betraying me all along.
“Stop pretending,” I spat. “You know exactly why I’m leaving.”
Sabrina tilted her head, mock curiosity in her eyes. “Oh… is this about that guy you mentioned?”
“What?” Julian’s head snapped toward me. “What guy?”
I froze. Is she using the cheating card against me, even though it’s not real?
“Wait,” he growled, glaring. “Are you… cheating on me?”
I stared at him, disbelief burning. “You’re accusing me?”
Sabrina raised her hands innocently. “No, no, she didn’t—”
“Shut up!” I snapped, voice breaking. “You traitor! That isn’t true!”
Julian’s face darkened. He grabbed my arm roughly, pulling me toward our room. “So you want a divorce to cheat? Is that it?”
“Let go!” I struggled, but his grip only tightened.
“No. Not until you come to your senses.”
He shoved me inside and slammed the door. The lock clicked into place. Then I heard their footsteps, fading—the front door closing behind Julian, Sabrina, and their son.
The silence that followed was suffocating.
I sank to the floor, chest heaving, palms trembling. My reflection in the mirror looked like someone else—broken, betrayed, bleeding from the inside.
Tears fell freely as I pressed a hand to my stomach. “I’m sorry, baby,” I whispered. “But I have to let you go. Your father doesn’t want you.”
Outside, their car roared to life, fading into the night. I was left alone, locked in that empty house, clutching my belly, whispering for strength.
“Five days,” I murmured, closing my eyes. “Just five days… then I’ll be free.”
