Chapter 9%
My body ached, my throat was dry, and the sting in my chest was worse than any injury–because I remembered everything
The bomb. The betrayal. The moment Troy ran… but not for me.
I was in a hospital. Alive. Barely. Saved by a stranger, abandoned by my husband,!
The nurse said I’d been unconscious for almost a full day. I had cuts and bruises, but nothing too serious–at least not on the surface. She offered me water I asked for silence !!
There was no point in staying. I waited until the nurse left, then pulled the IV from my arm and stood, dizzy but determined. I grabbed the hospital robe tighter around my body and left the room.
In the hallway. I saw him
Troy
He was on a call, his face blank as ever. When he saw me, his eyes w
widened with surprise–but not relief.
“You’re awake,” he said simply. “Where are you going?”
“Somewhere that’s not here.”
He glanced at his watch. “I have to fly out. Handle a business mess. I’ll bring back something for you.”
That was it. No questions. No apology. No quilt. Just another excuse to run. I couldn’t believe this.2
I nodded, even smiled faintly, but inside, something finally broke. Quietly, completely.
I left the hospital and went straight home. The house was exactly as I left it -cold, neat, unloved. I took my time gathering my things. moving slowly, deliberately. I didn’t cry. I’d run out of tears days ago.
Before leaving for the airport, I sent one last message.
To Bianca.
“Meet me.”
She replied within minutes, probably thinking I was coming to beg, to fight, to start another pitiful argument over Troy, but no.!!
I chose the café near the pier–the one with the wide windows and the sound of the waves crashing just beyond the glass. A place that once felt calming. Today, it just felt final.
“If you’re here to start something. Thalia, I swear–when Troy comes back-
I cut her off by sliding a small velvet box across the table
She blinked, confused
“Open it.”
She did.
Inside was my wedding band
She frowned, “What is this?”
“Try it on.”
“What-?”
“Just do it”
Hesitantly, she slipped the ring onto her finger. It fit. Perfectly.
Her face twisted in confusion, but I didn’t let her speak!
“You’ve always wondered why he hesitates with you,” I said, my voice calm, sharp. “You think it’s quilt. You think it’s because of me. But
it’s not
I leaned forward. “He’s in love with you, Bianca. Not platonically. Not like a brother. Not innocently,”
Her eyes widened 2
“There’s a hidden room in the estate. He kept things in there–photos of you, sketches. And also recorded videos of you that he watched every night while pleasuring himself.” I let the weight of my words settle.!!
She froze.
“That ring? He didn’t have it sized for me. He made it for you. You were always the one. I was the stand–in.“}}
Bianca went pale. Her lips parted, but no sound came out.
“I thought you deserved to know.” I said.
I stood and placed the signed divorce papers in front of her. “Give this to him. Tell him it’s done.“X
She stared at the papers, hands shaking “Where will you go?”
I gave her a smile, small and empty. “Anywhere that’s mine.”
Then I left the café.”
I didn’t look back.
gate, my stomach hollow but my mind clear.
The airport smelled of strong coffee and long goodbyes. I wheeled my suitcase toward the gat While waiting in line at security, I glanced across the terminal.X
Troy was there He wore a black coat, dragging his suitcase, walking toward the VIP lounge.
9.32 AM
He didn’t see me. He didn’t even look up.
I didn’t call his name. Didn’t wave. I just watched him pass. He disappeared behind glass doors as if I never existed
My phone buzzed.
Troy: Just landed. Got you something
A picture followed–a thin silver bracelet cheap–looking, no box. A souvenir from the duty–free aisle.
I stared at it for a long second. Then I laughed–soft, bitter, detached.
So that was it. He bought Bianca a necklace wom by royalty once. Of course, I know that the business trip wasn’t business but an auction to get what Blanca wants! And me? A bracelet from the airportS
I opened our thread. Scrolled through the years of messages. Lies. Half–hearted apologies. Silent treatments. Gaslighting wrapped in
charm.
I blocked his number.”
Then I boarded my plane without looking back.
Because love should not feel like begging to be seen.
And I would never, ever beg again!
