I sat on the living room sofa, staring at my phone screen with a bad feeling. Bella had just come out of Malik's room, her face looking a little panicked when she saw me.
"Where are you from?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
Bella smiled slightly. "I just borrowed a blanket from Malik. I'm not feeling well," she replied lightly.
Followed by Malik coming out of the room."Honey, where's the food you made earlier?" he asked, as if he hadn't done anything wrong.
"I have it on the table. Take it!" I replied briefly before hurrying off to my room. I was fed up with their game.
***
The next morning, after Bella came home, Malik suddenly invited me to the inauguration of his new office tonight.
"Stay with me, okay?" he said as he straightened his tie.
I smiled a little. "Yeah, after I get home from college, I'll come straight after."
He nodded, then pecked my forehead before leaving.
I still believe that everything is fine.
Later that evening, I arrived home after teaching at the college, but Malik was nowhere to be found.
My phone vibrated.
["I already went with Bella. Couldn't wait for you."]
I stared at the message for a long time. My little heart told me this wasn't trivial, but I tried to think positively.
Without thinking, I quickly got ready and went alone to the inauguration ceremony.
Once at the event, I started looking for Malik among the crowd of guests.
But my steps stopped when I heard a familiar voice.
I turned around and saw Malik, Bella, and some of her friends talking and laughing.
"So, Malik told Ruby he had a business trip?" One of their friends laughed sarcastically.
Bella smiled triumphantly. "Oh my gosh, just trust him. In fact, this is our first anniversary. I didn't expect to be able to celebrate it calmly."
My heart sank. A year?
So they've been together that long?
I looked at Malik, hoping he would deny it.
But he was just silent. He didn’t say anything.
"And Ruby didn't even realize it either, poor thing," Bella's friend added with a laugh.
My chest felt tight. I couldn't hear any more. I backed away slowly, away from them before my tears fell on this place.
I walked aimlessly, my mind in turmoil.
Suddenly, a waiter came from the opposite direction, carrying a tray of hot soup. I didn't see her because my mind was still drifting.
"Miss, watch out!" the waiter shouted.
I gasped, but before I could react, someone pulled my arm hard.
I lost my balance, my body was pushed back, and my head hit the corner of the table.
"Akh!" I winced in pain.
Meanwhile, Bella, who had pulled me earlier, had spilled hot soup.
"Ouch!" Bella cried out, her face tightening with pain.
Within seconds, Malik was already running towards us.
"Bella! Are you okay?" He immediately grasped Bella's hand in a panic.
I waited for him to turn to me.I was also injured; my blood was rushing out of my forehead, and my head was still throbbing. But not a single care was taken for me.
"Oh my God, what's wrong with your hand?" Malik was busy blowing on Bella's hand. "I'll take you to the hospital."
I sat quietly, staring at the two of them. .
That night, I went home without saying anything. I had seen enough of everything. Tomorrow, I would leave. I will leave all this behind. And I won't look back anymore.
The next morning, I stood in front of the immigration office, clutching the documents I had prepared since last night. My breathing was heavy, but I didn't hesitate. This had to be done.
I submitted my passport renewal and identity change forms. My hands trembled slightly as I wrote down my new name. It's no longer the same Ruby—I wanted to leave everything that hurt behind.
When everything was done, I stared at my new name on the document. This was a new beginning. No more Malik, no more hurt. I had to leave and start my own life.
