Chapter 3:
The headline caught my eye before I even realized what I was looking at.
“Travis Harper and Madison Moon spotted at exclusive auction–sparks still flying after all these years.”
My heart stopped, a sharp ache spreading through my chest
I sat frozen, staring at my phone screen as if it had betrayed me. There they were–Travis and Madison, dressed to perfection, glowing as if the world revolved around them. They stood close, smiling at each other with an intimacy that turned my stomach.8
The photos were everywhere. Madison’s hand lightly brushed his arm, a soft, deliberate touch, and his gaze lingered on her face, warm and familiar. They looked like a perfect couple, the kind you’d see on the cover of a magazine, radiating elegance and charm.?
And to think he told me he was on a business trip.
This wasn’t business. The auction wasn’t a professional engagement. It was a date.
I scrolled further, my hands trembling as I read the article. The words painted a nauseating picture of their chemistry, their “undeniable connection.” Each sentence felt like a knife twisting deeper into my chest.
I dropped my phone onto the couch as my vision blurred. My chest tightened, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. The betrayal I had convinced myself wasn’t real was now staring me in the face, undeniable and merciless.|
But then, I thought of my baby.
I rested my hand gently on my stomach, closing my eyes as I took a slow, deep breath. This life growing inside me–so innocent, so pure didn’t deserve to be tainted by my pain. It didn’t matter how shattered I felt. This baby was a blessing, a light in the darkness, and I would cherish it no matter what
had to be strong. Not for myself, but for my child.
That’s why I decided to go to the hospital.
The sterile scent of the clinic didn’t calm my nerves, but the warmth of the doctor’s smile did. As the ultrasound wand glided over my stomach, the rhythmic flicker of the baby’s heartbeat filled the room.
“Everything looks perfect the doctor said, pointing to the screen. “You’re carrying a healthy baby.”
Tears welled up in my eyes, but this time, they weren’t from sadness. Relief washed over me, soft and warm, breaking through the layers of hurt. For the first time in weeks. I felt something other than pain.
I felt hope.
fter leaving the hospital, I knew what I had to do next.
made my way to Harper Enterprises, a building that had once felt like a second home. But now, as I stood before the towering glass Boors, I felt like an outsider
The sleek lobby buzzed with activity, the staff greeting me politely but with surprised glances
I clunched the resignation letter tightly in my hand, I stopped a passing employee and asked, “Is Mr. Harper in his office?“}
“Yes, ma’am, but you can’t go in right now,” she said, her tone nervous…
“Why not? I’m his wife,” I said firmly, narrowing my eyes.
The woman hesitated, shifting uncomfortably. “Mr. Harper has an important visitor and he doesn’t want to be disturbed.”
I blinked, stunned. “An important visitor? Who?”
She avoided my gaze, her voice faltering. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but i can’t say.”
My chest tightened, anger simmering beneath my shock. He hadn’t even told me he was back from his so–called business trip. “I’m his wife,” I repeated, more forcefully this time.
But she only shook her head. I’m sorry, ma’am. He left strict instructions.“X
I clenched my jaw and nodded, forcing myself to appear calm. “Fine,” I said, my voice clipped.
But I wasn’t leaving.
I waited until she walked away before slipping into the hallway leading to Travis’s office.
The door was slightly ajar, and I hesitated for a brief moment, my heart pounding. A part of me knew I shouldn’t look, that whatever I saw would only hurt me more.
But curiosity and pain pushed me forward.}
I peeked inside–and the air was knocked out of me.
Trans stood by his desk, and Madison was in his arms. Their faces were close, far too close. Then, as if on cue, his lips met hers. My breath hitched. It felt like my entire world had collapsed in an instant.
They kissed, completely oblivious to the world around them. The way his hand rested on her waist, the way her smile melted into his–it was as if nothing else mattered.X
I wanted to storm in, to scream, to shatter the perfect little bubble they had created for themselves.X
But I didn’t
Instead, I reached for my phone with trembling hands. I snapped a photo, the camera capturing the exact moment Madison looked up at hirm with that same sickening smile I’d seen in the auction pictures.
It was perfect
12.30 PM
Instead, I reached for my phone with trembling hands. I snapped a photo, the camera capturing the exact moment Madison looked up at him with that same sickening smile I’d seen in the auction pictures
It was perfect.
I turned my back and just left the resignation letter on my table for him to see once I was gone. Then I walked back to my car. Once inside, I stared at the photo, the image seared into my mind. I opened a dummy account on social media, uploaded the picture, and sent it directly to Ethan, Madison’s husband.
Back home, I packed everything Travis had given me over the past five years and carried the boxes downstairs. I lit the fire and burned them all into ashes.
As I watched the flame roared to life, Madison appeared out of nowhere and without even saying a word kicked those boxes. It sent embers and photos flying all
Il over
the place, even on her face but she just smiled.
I blinked in shock. “Madison, what are you doing?“3
“Oh, sorry! I just slipped. I didn’t mean to do it,” she acted innocent while still keeping that smile. “Wait, are these photos of you and Travis? Why are you burning them? Did you finally realize how useless you are to him and you don’t deserve these things?“H
I raised my brow “Excuse me?”
“I’m just saying how you couldn’t protect your mother back then… you know, how she died.. and you were so useless!”
It made me boil. Without thinking. I slapped her across her face. It wasn’t even that hard but she fell straight into the fire
