I turned around slowly—and there he was.
Nikolai.
All the color had drained from his face, like the floor had just collapsed beneath him.
“Visa?” he repeated, his voice quiet but unsteady. “What visa?”
My pulse stumbled, but I forced a light smile onto my lips. “Not mine. A friend’s planning to move overseas. She called to ask me about the process.”
He searched my face, studying me as if he could peel the truth straight from my skin. For a heartbeat, he didn’t move.
Then suddenly, he pulled me into him.
His arms wrapped around me so tightly I could barely draw air. I felt it—his body trembling.
“Camille,” he breathed into my hair, his voice rough, almost broken. “Don’t ever do that to me. For a second, I thought you were leaving. I can’t… I can’t survive without you.”
I rested my palm against his back, moving it gently like I was comforting him.
On the outside, I gave him a small, steady smile.
Inside, I was already gone.
That afternoon, while he was locked in back-to-back meetings, I slipped out quietly. I went straight to the immigration office and signed the final documents. My hands shook as I wrote my name, but my thoughts had never felt so certain.
There was no turning back now.
---
That evening was the Sokolov Company’s annual gala. The ballroom glittered beneath chandeliers, champagne flowing freely while investors and partners mingled under golden light.
I chose a simple dress. Soft color. Minimal jewelry. I didn’t want eyes on me.
Vanessa, of course, arrived in a crimson gown that hugged her body like it had been stitched directly onto her skin. Conversations paused when she walked in.
I saw Nikolai nearly choke on his drink when a cluster of men surrounded her. He kept that polished host smile in place, but the muscle in his jaw twitched. The anger simmering beneath the surface was impossible to miss.
People kept approaching me, offering congratulations I hadn’t earned.
“You’re so lucky.”
“He adores you.”
“Mr. Sokolov is completely obsessed.”
Glasses were raised to his devotion. I was called the envy of every woman in the room.
When one man handed Vanessa a drink, Nikolai stepped in smoothly. He took the glass from her hand and downed it himself.
“Can’t have my friend’s sister getting taken advantage of,” he said lightly, though his eyes were anything but amused.
Vanessa tilted her head, lips curving. “Careful, Nikolai. If you keep acting possessive, Camille might misunderstand.”
I smiled calmly. “There’s nothing to misunderstand. Nikolai loves me. He wouldn’t know how to live without me.”
He looked at me then, something flickering across his expression—uncertainty, maybe even fear.
That was when I noticed it.
On Vanessa’s wrist.
The bracelet.
The same design as mine.
For a split second, her smile faltered when she saw where I was looking. Then she excused herself quickly and slipped out of the ballroom.
Nikolai grew restless almost immediately. He glanced at his phone beneath the table. Moments later, he stood, wearing that courteous public smile.
“Excuse me. Urgent matter,” he murmured before walking out.
I knew exactly what kind of “matter.”
When I tried to follow, one of Nikolai’s business associates—well-known for cheating despite his wedding ring—blocked my path. He dragged me into meaningless conversation, clearly stalling.
I kept my tone polite. “I’m not feeling well. I think I’ll head home early. Please don’t worry about arranging a ride. I’ll call a cab.”
I slipped past him.
My heels echoed softly against the marble floor as I walked down the corridor.
That’s when I heard it.
A door not fully closed.
Low voices. Sharp breaths. The unmistakable sound of bodies moving together.
I stopped.
Then, carefully, I leaned just enough to see inside.
Vanessa was on top of him, moving like she had every right to be there. His hands gripped her hips, his head tilted back.
Her gaze shifted.
She saw me.
And she smiled.
“Tell me something, Nikolai,” she said, her voice raised just enough. “Do you actually love me? If you don’t, I’ll go find your business partner right now.”
His reply came instantly, strained and desperate. “I love you, Vanessa.”
Her smile deepened. She held my eyes as she spoke again. “Then prove it. Make sure I’m the one carrying your child.”
His answer was nothing but a hoarse affirmation.
My vision blurred.
But my hand was steady.
At my side, my phone was already recording.
Every word.
Every confession.
Every betrayal.
Before they noticed me, I stepped away quietly and walked down the hall.
Back at the house, I pulled my suitcase from the closet. My fingers trembled as I unzipped it.
But my heart was calm.
This wasn’t a thought anymore.
I was truly leaving.
---
The airport lounge felt too bright.
I sat there with my passport and boarding pass clenched in my hand, my suitcase at my feet. My phone buzzed.
Of course.
I answered.
“Where are you?” Nikolai asked. “Dante said you weren’t at the venue—”
“I wasn’t feeling well,” I replied gently. “My head was pounding. I went home to rest.”
“I’ll have Dante bring you medicine.”
“No,” I interrupted softly. “I’m done with all that. I just need sleep.” I paused briefly before adding, “But before you go home tonight, there’s something for you in our bedroom. A small gift. Please open it.”
I could picture it clearly.
On the bedside table: the divorce papers. Our wedding rings. And the USB drive.
He chuckled quietly. In the background, I heard a faint sound.
A woman’s laughter.
“I’ll look at it,” he said smoothly. “But I won’t be home tonight. Important business to handle.”
Vanessa’s voice floated behind him again.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he added casually.
I smiled faintly. “Sure.”
“I love you.”
“Sleep well,” I whispered, ending the call before he could continue.
My hand shook as I lowered the phone.
But for the first time in years, my chest felt lighter.
When boarding was announced, I stood.
My phone lit up again with his name.
This time, I didn’t hesitate.
I powered it off.
As I stepped onto the plane, something inside me finally loosened.
Under my breath, I whispered,
“Goodbye, Nikolai. I don’t belong to you anymore.”
