That night, my hospital room was too quiet. I sat on the bed, staring at the photo Beatrix had just sent me. My hands were shaking as I opened it.
It was Walter. He was leaning over her hospital bed, pen in hand, looking so tender and serious, like he was writing something that mattered. The caption under it burned into me:
“Your husband is the sweetest. He wrote me hundreds of love letters and stayed up all night for me. The maids said he only left when they told him you were finally waking up.”
My chest hurt so much I thought I couldn’t breathe. Before I could even put the phone down, another message arrived.
“Rosine, you will never beat me. Do yourself a favor and give up already.”
I bit my lip until I tasted blood. I wanted to reply, but my fingers froze. Before I could type a word, my hospital door opened.
A tall man in a sharp black suit walked in. He didn’t even look at me. He looked straight at Walter, who was standing by the window like he owned the whole world.
“Mr. Rutherford,” the man said politely. “Everything is ready. The press conference is set. Rutherford Crown Holdings will be transferred to Miss Beatrix tonight.”
My whole body went cold. I turned to Walter slowly, praying I had heard wrong.
But Walter smiled, calm and satisfied, like it was all part of a plan. “Good,” he said smoothly. “If my wife asks about this, just tell her the company went bankrupt. She does not need to know the details.”
Then he finally turned to me. His face softened instantly, his voice sickly sweet. He came close, and touched my hand lightly. “Baby, I just got news. The company is in trouble. I have to go fix it right away. Wait here for me, alright? Don’t worry too much. I’ll take care of everything.”
If I hadn’t regained my hearing, I would have believed him. He looked so convincing, like a loving husband under pressure. But I had heard it all. I know the truth now.
I only nodded, too tired to argue, and watched him leave without looking back. The door clicked shut. The silence after was heavier than anything I had ever felt.
I stared at the empty space where he had stood, my hands curling into fists. That was the moment I understood. There was no love left. No trust. Nothing to save.
I reached into my bag and pulled out the divorce papers I had been keeping for weeks. They were folded and worn, but still there, still waiting. I placed them on the table beside me, neat and ready.
Then I picked up my phone. I deleted everything. Walter. Beatrix. Even my parents. Each name disappeared one by one, like cutting strings that had been choking me.
For the first time in years, I felt a little lighter.
***
The press conference looked like a celebration instead of a business meeting. Reporters filled the hall, cameras flashing everywhere while Walter stood on stage with Beatrix right beside him. His smile was wide, proud, almost too perfect.
I was standing at the far end of the hall, half-hidden behind the crowd. Mask on. My eyes stayed on them even when it hurt, even when Alyssa clung to Dillon like she belonged there. I told myself not to care anymore, but my heart still betrayed me.
“This is the start of something bigger for our family,” he said into the microphone.
Everyone clapped. The applause went on and on, like the whole world was cheering for him. My parents were even in the front row, smiling and clapping so hard as if Beatrix’s victory was theirs too.
When it was over, Walter came down from the stage and immediately offered to drive Beatrix home himself. She held onto his arm, glowing like a bride on her wedding day. The sight should have broken me, but I just stood still, too numb to feel anything.
They were almost out the door when someone blocked their way. Aaron. His eyes flicked from Walter to Beatrix, then back.
“Been a while, Walter,” Aaron said with a half-smile. “Taking your sister-in-law out again? Strange you didn’t invite your wife. I was curious to ask her… about her ears. I wanted to see if she’s still struggling to hear.”
The words cut through the room sharper than any blade. Walter’s whole body stiffened. The smile slipped off his face, replaced by something darker.
“What are you talking about?” Walter’s voice was quiet but tense, like he already knew the answer. His eyes darted around nervously. “Rosine… she can hear?”
Aaron looked confused. “Yes. Didn’t she tell you? Her hearing came back yesterday and she was excited to tell you about it.”
That was it. That was the moment.
I turned slowly, not wanting anyone to see the tears already filling my eyes. My hand clutched my bag tighter, fingers brushing against the edge of my passport inside. It felt like the only thing I had left—my escape, my proof I could still leave this cage.
I walked out without looking back. My footsteps were shaky, but they carried me all the way to the airport. My tears kept falling, no matter how much I tried to hold them back.
At the counter, when I finally booked the flight, my voice cracked. “One ticket, please. First available. Paris.”
I pressed my passport into the clerk’s hands, clutching the strap of my bag so tightly it almost hurt.
And in my heart, I whispered the words that burned inside me.
“You will regret everything, Walter.”
