My belongings were scattered across the living room floor like trash.Clothes,books,skincare products—things that had once been part of my daily life—were now trampled underfoot by unfamiliar men and women in staff uniforms,walking around them as if stepping over dirt.
A hot,nauseating wave of rage and humiliation surged through my chest.
I stormed toward the bedroom.
"Lennon,what the hell is going on?"I demanded."Why are my things thrown out like this?"
His voice drifted from inside,calm and detached.
"Winona is injured and she needs a peaceful place to rest.She happened to like your room,so I gave it to her.You should feel honored."
I let out a bitter laugh,hollow and sharp like shattered glass.
"Is that all this is?A generous favor?Or are you just easing her into my role as lady of the house?"
His expression flickered—just for a second—but I caught the guilt before it vanished.
"Meredith Evans,don’t twist things.There’s nothing going on between Winona and me.We do nothing wrong."
Before I could respond,a shrill scream tore through the room.It was Winona’s voice,crying out from my bedroom.
"Lennon!My stomach—ah—it hurts!It hurts so much!"
Lennon rushed toward her.I followed,silent,watching her writhe on my bed,clutching her stomach.
What now?
"Lennon…the soup your wife made for me...something’s not right.It hurts…"
She weakly pointed to the bowl at the head of the bed,her voice trembling.
Lennon’s face twisted into a mask of rage.Without a word,he scooped her into his arms and glared at me like I was filth.
"I’m taking Winona to the hospital.If anything happens to her,I swear,you’ll pay for it.I’ll deal with you when I get back."
And just like that,he was gone.
I stood alone in the wake of his fury.The air in the room had turned cold and thick.
None of the servants dared to look at me.They simply bowed their heads and kept still,as if waiting for something terrible to happen.
I wandered back into the living room and stood before the mess that used to be my life.
My clothes and jewelry were strewn across the floor.Photo albums—even our wedding pictures—had all been ripped apart.
I knelt on the floor and picked up a photograph with trembling hands.It was on our wedding day.He had once vowed to protect me for the rest of his life.
And now,without even blinking,he had cast me out for another woman.
***
A few hours later,Lennon came back.