Roxanne stepped in fast.“Please don’t be angry at her. She’s always hated me. She’s insecure and jealous. Now that you chose me, she can’t accept it.” She lowered her head. “I’ll apologize to her. Just don’t hate her because of me.”
I watched them… And finally understood. I was never their daughter. Never his wife. I was just the mistake they all agreed to erase.
…
I got home with Ryle.
The house was silent, empty in a way that made my chest ache. I put him down slowly, and he wandered over to the kitchen like a little ghost. I made him something to eat. He barely touched it, just stared at his plate while I sat across from him, tired to the bone, bruises burning under my clothes, arms still raw.
When he finally finished, I cleaned up, tucked him into bed, and kissed his forehead. His little body was warm, soft, and somehow all mine, but I felt every crack inside me that hadn’t healed.
I collapsed onto the couch after. My phone buzzed. My lawyer.
“Divorce papers are ready. Needs signatures from you and David.”
I typed back, hands trembling. “Okay.”
Then the phone rang again. Colt Blackwood. My pulse hitched.
“Is your divorce ready?” His voice was calm but sharp. “In five days I’ll get you out of that house. You and your son.”
“Yes,” I whispered. “I will make him sign.”
The weight in my chest eased a little. A small victory.
The next morning came David’s call. Cold. Sharp. The kind that made your bones ache before your mind could even think. He told me to go to the hotel. I left Ryle with the maid. I wanted to take him with me so badly, but I couldn’t. Not yet.
....
When I arrived, the room was bright with cameras and lights. Roxanne was there. My sister. The one everyone thought was sweet, fragile, and perfect. She had her fake smile plastered on, pink maternity dress hanging loose, eyes sparkling with the performance she always gave.
“You need to apologize,” she said, “In front of everyone. For ruining my name, for what you posted about me. Admit it.”
I looked at her, “I didn’t do anything wrong,” I said quietly. “You, as my husband mistress were the one who destroyed every—”