“As expected,” he muttered. “Another trick of yours. Just admit it, Amara. You’re behind this. These men are working for you.”
I stared at him, stunned. “Are you out of your mind? You think I’d harm my own child?”
Bianca’s voice slipped in sweetly, poisoned. “Well… didn’t you say once that your family needed money? Maybe your father planned this. And you’re helping him.”
My body went cold.
My father. The name they always used to stab me.
Aldrin’s eyes narrowed. “That makes sense. Like father, like daughter. Both con artists.”
The room spun. I couldn’t breathe. They were accusing me—again—while my child was suffering. While the man they hated had already saved her.
“Fine,” I said at last, my voice empty. “Believe whatever you want. If you’re willing to let Sienna die, then do it. At least I won’t be chained to a man like you anymore. You’ve done nothing but fail me, Aldrin.”
I turned away before my legs collapsed beneath me.
Back in my room, I fell onto the bed, clutching my mother’s necklace as silent tears soaked the sheets. My choice was already clear.
I reached for my phone and dialed a number I’d kept for years.
When the call connected, my voice was calm for the first time in days.
“Hello, counselor. This is Amara. I want to file for divorce.”
“Hello, this is Amara speaking. I want to proceed with filing for a divorce.”
The silence on the other end stretched, heavy and uncomfortable, the kind that makes your chest tighten even when your decision is already carved in stone.
“Ms. Amara,” the lawyer finally replied, his tone measured, hesitant. “I need to be clear with you. If you legally separate from Mr. Aldrin, you walk away with nothing. The house will remain his. The company shares stay with him. Even the vehicles under his name—you won’t be entitled to any of it.”
I shut my eyes and let his words settle. Nothing.
Strangely, it no longer frightened me.
What was there left to lose, anyway? Not after the man who promised to protect me became the one who ordered my pain. Not after he stood by while I was broken and called it discipline. Not after he refused to save the very child we created together.
“That’s fine,” I replied calmly, even as my heart thundered against my ribs. “I don’t want anything from him. Send the papers tomorrow—on our wedding anniversary. Let it be my present to him.”
Before he could say another word, I ended the call.