Chapter 1

"Rufus, when are you going to divorce her? You promised me."

"Soon, baby. She’s still grieving our dead daughter."

That’s how I found out.

My husband. The man everyone fears. The mafia boss who once swore he’d give me his life, was doing something unearthy with his best friend’s sister.

The bed. The couch. Even next to my anniversary gifts.

And when I confronted him? He smiled at me like nothing was wrong. Slipped a diamond bracelet on my wrist and said, “Happy anniversary, sweetheart.”

To the world, Rufus is the perfect husband but to me? To me, he’s a liar. So I made a choice...

Thirteen days. That’s all I need. My immigration papers will be ready. And I’ll be gone.

"Annette, I’ll only ever love you."

"If I betray you, may lightning strike me dead."

Funny. He said that while still reeking of her perfume.

Six months later, he found me.

His face twisted with fury. “Annette! You’re my wife! How could you do it with someone else?”

I only smiled, sweet and sharp. “I was never yours. You just rented my soul until you broke it.”

--

My husband slept with his best friend’s sister.

Not once, not twice but multiple times and he even brought her into our home. The bed, the couch, the kitchen counter. He told me he only loved me, yet his body told a different story.

I didn’t even have to imagine it. I heard her voice with my own ears.

“Rufus, when are you going to divorce her? You promised me.”

“Soon, baby. Not now. She’s still grieving to our dead daughter.”

“Poor thing. Having a mother like her… no wonder. But don’t worry, I’ll give you a child soon. I’ll get pregnant.”

“I’m counting on it.”

“But tell me the truth. Do you really love her, your wife Annette?”

“Yes. I love her.”

My husband, the man everyone in this city whispered about… the cold, dangerous boss of the Anderson family… still had the audacity to speak about love while touching another woman.

Thirteen days. That’s all I needed. My immigration papers would be ready by then. So I went to the consulate and filed my application.

“Hello, I’m here to apply for immigration,” I said at the counter, handing over my paperwork.

The clerk glanced at me, stamped everything quickly, and slid a receipt across.

“Your application will be processed in thirteen days, ma’am. Please wait patiently.”

I nodded and walked out. Behind me, I caught the sound of murmuring.

“Did I hear right? Mrs. Anderson applied for immigration?”

“She’s leaving the country? But Mr. Anderson dotes on her more than anyone. What could’ve happened?”

“Remember that wedding seven years ago? Biggest event in the city. Three years ago when she got into that car accident, he gave her half his blood. Last year she went missing for an hour, and he turned the city upside down looking for her. And now she’s leaving him?”

I let out a quiet laugh, the kind that doesn’t reach the eyes.

Yes. Everyone knew how much Rufus “doted” on me. To the outside world, I was the only woman he cared for. He was ruthless to everyone else, untouchable, feared even by his own men. But for me, he was all fireworks, diamonds, and sweet words.

I still remember how it started. He saw me once at a party and decided I was it for him. He sent gifts, luxury cars, even put on a three-day fireworks show that lit up the whole city. When I casually mentioned I liked chestnut cake, he drove through a snowstorm all night to bring one to me. He was drenched, lips blue from the cold, but the cake was still warm when he pressed it into my hands.

And when my parents died in that accident, he abandoned a billion-worth deal in New York to rush back to me. He found me shaking, hollow, broken. He pulled me into his arms and whispered, “Annette, I’m here. I’ll always be by your side.”

Back then, I thought he was my safe place. My Mr. Right. I gave him my whole heart.

But love doesn’t stop men like Rufus from straying. Nine months ago, temptation knocked, and he answered. His best friend’s sister, of all people. He thought I’d never find out. But secrets don’t stay buried forever. We had just sent our 2-year-old daughter to heaven when I saw the truth… When I smelled her perfume on our couch, when I pieced together the lies… I knew I was done.

Rufus can play his games, charm the world, and tell me a thousand sweet lies. But this time, I won’t stay.

I slipped my visa papers into my bag, flagged a cab, and told the driver to take me to Ruffus Anderson Estates.

The moment I walked into the villa, something hit me. A strange, heavy smell clung to the air, sweet and bitter all at once. My stomach twisted.

And then I saw them.

Rufus was standing on a ladder, pinning decorations to the wall. Beside him, Maisie Smith smiled like she owned the place.

When the door clicked shut behind me, Rufus turned. His hands froze mid-air, then he came down slowly, carefully. The cold mafia boss everyone feared disappeared in an instant. His eyes softened, his lips curved into that practiced smile that used to melt me.

“Annette, baby… why are you dressed so light? You’ll catch a cold. Didn’t you go out with your friends? Why’d you come home so soon? I was planning to surprise you.”

Surprise.

My gaze slid up to his neck. There it was. A fresh hickey, deep and red, mocking me.

My chest squeezed, but I forced myself to blink it away.

I said nothing.

Maisie’s giggle broke the silence. She walked up, swinging her hair, voice sweet but sharp.

“Annette, Rufus really dotes on you. He even prepared all this for your anniversary.”

She pointed to a pile of gifts stacked in the corner. My eyes followed her hand and that’s when I saw it. A wet patch, soaking into the fabric of the sofa beneath the gifts.

The smell. The mark. The truth.

So this was love? He really had it with her right next to my anniversary presents?

The ache in my chest spread like fire, but I kept my lips shut.

Rufus, blind as ever, walked over with a velvet box. He opened it, lifted a bracelet, and clasped it gently around my wrist. “Happy anniversary, sweetheart. I set up a candlelit dinner for us. Just you and me.”

I shivered and pulled back, “No. I don’t feel well.”

Every second near him felt like punishment.

He frowned instantly, all concern, all performance. He called private doctors, one after another, refusing to rest until they said I was fine. He ordered Mateo, his right-hand man, to fetch health supplements. He even brought me a glass of warm milk, pressing it into my hands until I drank it.

That night, exhaustion finally dragged me under. But when I woke in the dark, my throat was dry, I left my room for water.

And froze.

The door across the hall was wide open. Moonlight spilled through the window, lighting up two figures tangled on the bed.

Chapter 2

Maisie’s voice carried in the quiet. “That bracelet you gave Annette… worth millions, right? I begged you for one, and you ignored me. She doesn’t even ask, and you hand her the best gift in the world.”

Rufus’s shadow shifted. He pushed her legs from his body, sat up, and lit a cigarette. His face was calm, almost bored. “I told you already… We were going to divorce soon. I love my wife but for now, we keep it a secret. If she finds out, it’s over.”

Maisie climbed onto him, unclothed. “I know, but I love you too. I can’t help being jealous.”

Rufus sighed, then reached into his drawer and pulled out a bracelet the same style as mine, just a different color. He dangled it in front of her like a treat.

“Don’t pout. I bought one for you too. Wear it in private. If Annette sees it, we’re done.”

Maisie’s face lit up. She kissed him, whispering thanks, still marked with his touch. Then she asked, soft and curious, “Why are you so scared of her leaving you, Rufus?”

His reply was quick, steady, without hesitation.

“I’m not really that scared because I have you. But Annette was adored by my grandfather. After I inherit my grandfather’s billions in stocks… I can finally leave her and marry you.”

And then he pushed her back down, claiming her again, the bed creaking under their weight. Her soft whimpers filled the night air.

I pressed my hand against the wall, choking on my sobs, staring at our wedding photo hanging nearby. His smiling face in that picture looked like a cruel joke.

“thirteen days, Rufus,” I whispered through tears.

“I’ll be gone. Let’s see how crazy you really get.”

***

I woke up to shouting outside, the kind that shakes you out of sleep before you’re ready. When I opened my door, I saw a woman in the garden next door, clutching at a man’s shirt.

“Tim, I gave you ten years of my life. I even had your children,” she sobbed. “When we got married, you swore you’d love me forever. And now, just a few years later, you’re sneaking around with another woman?”

It was barely sunrise, but plenty of people were already out by the lake, walking, stretching, enjoying the air. Now they all stopped, staring, whispers rising as the scene unfolded.

The man—Tim, someone everyone in the area knew—went pale when he saw the crowd. He yanked the woman inside and snapped at her.

“What’s wrong with you? How many times do I have to tell you? No man stays loyal.”

His words cut like glass. I stood frozen, the echo of them clawing at me. Then a warm hand slid over my ear from behind, shielding me.

“Don’t listen to that nonsense, Annette,” Rufus murmured.

I didn’t turn to him. “Tell me, Rufus… do all men cheat in the end?”

He stilled for a moment, then gently turned me around to face him. His dark eyes locked on mine, “I can’t speak for the rest of the world. But me? I’ll only ever love you.”

I searched his face, his perfect, practiced expression. “You’ll only love me for a lifetime? But a lifetime is so long.”

He pulled me close. “A lifetime is long, yes. That’s why I only want you to fill it.”

I let out a laugh, but it tasted bitter on my mouth. “What if you betray me, Rufus?”

“If I ever betray you, may lightning strike me where I stand.”

The vow was bold. Cruel, almost. Because I already knew the truth. His skin reeked of another woman’s perfume after nights he spent away from me. He could touch them, claim them, and still whisper these words as if he meant them.

“Are you really not afraid that promise might come true?”

“Not at all. No one in this world knows how deep my love runs for you. If you don’t believe me, I’ll open my chest and show you my heart. If that still doesn’t convince you, Annette… I’ll give you my life.”

I thought to myself, If you’re so willing to give me your life, why can’t you control your desire?

Before I could say more, a voice cut in from the doorway.

“What are the two of you doing here?”

We both turned. Maisie stood there, draped in a red dress that clung to her curves, leaning casually against the frame.

I felt Rufus stiffen beside me. His brows pulled together, “It’s not the weekend. Why are you dressed like that? Where are you going?”

It wasn’t the voice of a brother. It was sharper, tinged with something that sounded far too much like jealousy.

Maisie noticed. She smiled, slow and deliberate. “Company party tonight. I’ll find myself a boyfriend there, so don’t wait up.”

Rufus’s expression darkened, but Maisie only grinned wider before turning her eyes to me. “What about you, Annette? Any plans for today?”

Rufus didn’t let me answer. His fingers slid through mine, “Annette and I are heading back to my parents house.”

Maisie’s eyes sparkled with something I couldn’t name. She gave a polite little nod, said goodbye, and walked out, leaving behind the faint scent of her perfume.

And Rufus… Rufus still hadn’t let go of my hand.

Half an hour later, Rufus was behind the wheel, driving me back to the Andersons.

I hated going there. His parents had never warmed to me—only his grandfather ever did. To them, I was a curse. I had given birth to a daughter when all they wanted was a son, and when she died, their hatred for me grew sharper, venomous. Every visit, their eyes cut me down like knives, as if I had stolen their heir with my own hands.

Rufus usually avoided bringing me, saying it wasn’t worth the stress. But this time his mother, Mrs. Anderson, wasn’t feeling well. As much as I dreaded it, we had to come.

When we stepped inside, Mr. Anderson and Mrs. Anderson were smiling, chatting warmly with each other. The second they saw me, their faces turned cold.

Chapter 3

My chest tightened. I kept my head lowered, pretending I didn’t notice, but Rufus did.

His voice turned sharp. “If you two keep treating Annette like this, then don’t expect us to come back again.”

The room went silent until Mr. Anderson slammed his hand against the table, making me flinch. “Watch your mouth. Are you really saying you’d turn your back on your family for this woman?”

Before I could step away, Rufus caught my hand, threading his fingers through mine, holding me still. “Father, I’ve said this many times. Annette is the woman I love. The one person I can’t bear to hurt. I won’t even raise my voice at her, and yet you give her this coldness every time. Do you know what that does to me?” His grip on my hand tightened, “If this happens again, I won’t just walk out of this house. I’ll walk away from this family for good.”

The mafia boss everyone feared could order deaths with a snap of his fingers, but right then he sounded like a devoted husband willing to burn his whole world for me.

Pathetic. He thought I didn't know about his affair.

The room went quiet after Rufus threw his words out like a knife. He looked like the perfect protective husband, standing there like a shield in front of me. But I didn’t feel safe. I just felt… tired.

Mrs. Anderson sighed and finally muttered, “Fine. Let’s eat first.”

At the table, the only noise was the clink of silver against porcelain. Mrs. Anderson kept making those little annoyed sounds, and my hand tightened around my fork. I knew it was coming.

Sure enough, she dropped her fork and said, “It’s been nine months. Enough grieving. You lost a daughter, fine. But it’s time to give us a grandson. You can’t just end the Anderson bloodline.”

Her husband nodded, cold eyes fixed on me. “That child died because you didn’t care for her properly. A simple stomach ache, and she never came home from the hospital. Stop playing the victim, Annette. Conceive again and do it right this time.”

The words sliced straight through me, but before I could open my mouth, Rufus set his fork down. His voice was calm, but sharp enough to cut. “I already told you. Annette is scared of pain. I won’t let her suffer like that. If we never have kids, so be it.”

Their faces dropped, heavy with disdain, and the air grew thick. They were about to start another round when I finally spoke. My voice was steady, even.

“You’ll have a grandchild in half a month.”

The room froze. Three pairs of eyes cut toward me.

Rufus squeezed my hand, his face painted with that sweet, fake concern. “Sweetheart… You don’t have to force yourself for me. I’ll protect you.”

I almost laughed. Protect me? He couldn’t even stop himself from running into Maisie’s arms every chance he got.

I smiled anyway. “You two want a grandson so badly. Let’s make it happen for you.”

They softened instantly, pleased with my answer. But Rufus looked uneasy, like he could smell something wrong but didn’t know where it was coming from.

Then his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, and I caught the name. Maisie.

“Rufus, some guy wants a quickie, would it be okay?”

I counted in my head. One. Two. Three.

He stood right on cue. “Annette, I have to handle something at the office. Stay and finish dinner. I’ll come back for you later.”

He didn’t wait for me to answer. Just grabbed his jacket and left.

The second the door shut, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson dropped the fake politeness.

“We’ll give you less than a month. If you don’t conceive again, don’t ever dare show your face in this house. You come from nothing! Both your parents gone, no name, no wealth. Without Rufus, you’re no one. Don’t think we’ll tolerate you forever.”

Their words kept cutting, sharper each time, until it felt like the walls themselves were pressing in.

And Rufus? He never came back.

Rufus finally showed up that evening, calm as ever, like nothing happened. We got into the car, the leather still warm from the sun.

I glanced out the window and asked lightly, “You done with work?”

He hesitated, just for a breath, then said softly, “Yeah.” His fingers tapped against the wheel, steady, rhythmic. That was his little tell when he was in a good mood.

The silence stretched, and then he asked, “Did my parents give you trouble after I left?”

I was about to answer when my eyes caught something under the seat. A pair of torn silk stockings. Not mine.

So that’s where he’d been. I knew about Maisie, but I hadn’t expected he’d use this very car.

Seven years of marriage and I’d always been… careful. I wasn’t wild, I wasn't daring. Sometimes I even asked him if he wanted me to change, if I was boring him.

Back then, he just held me close, kissing my hair, whispering, “Sweetheart, I only want you. Even if you wore rags, you’d still be the one I’d choose. Don’t force yourself to be anything else. I love you the way you are.”

But the man who said those words now reeked of lies.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “What do you think?”

He thought I was talking about his parents. He had no idea I’d already seen through him.

He suddenly hit the brakes, pulled me into his arms, “I’m sorry, Annette. I shouldn’t have left you alone. I promise, it won’t happen again.”

His embrace felt like a cage.

I pressed my hands against his chest, pushing him off gently. “Just drive, Rufus. I'm tired.”

Because I knew deep down. There was no future left for us.

Chapter 4

The moment I stepped into the house, I froze.

Maisie was lounging on the sofa already in a silky nightgown, eating chips like she owned the place.

“Didn’t you say you had a party tonight? Said you weren’t coming home?”

She gave me this shy little smile. “Oh, Annette, I forgot to mention. I had a fight with my boyfriend, so I went to the party to make him mad. Told him about it, but he didn’t care. Then, the second I got there, he showed up, dragged me out.”

Her fingers flicked at her collar, and the fabric slipped just enough to show the marks on her skin. Hickeys. Fresh. She gave me a sly look like it was some sort of prize.

“I didn’t expect him to be so jealous,” she said sweetly. “We ended up making out in the car. Three times.”

My nails bit into my palms so hard it hurt. But I kept my voice even. “When did you get a boyfriend? You never said a word.”

She just laughed lightly, tossing her hair. “Oh, about nine months ago after I came back from abroad and my brother introduce him to me.”

Nine months. The exact time she moved into this house. The exact time Rufus’s so-called friend asked him to “look after his sister.” What a joke. She’d latched onto him the first day.

I couldn’t stop my breathing from turning heavy. The rage sat right under my skin. And that’s when I felt it… Rufus’s hands, heavy on my shoulders.

“Sweetheart, you’ve had a rough day. Let me run you a bath. You need to rest.”

He guided me toward the bathroom like nothing was wrong.

I slipped inside, closed the door, and started undressing, the thought of soaking in the tub the only thing keeping me steady. Then I realized I’d forgotten clean clothes.

When I opened the door, the world stopped.

Not far away, Rufus was on top of Maisie. His hand ripped at her nightgown like it was paper, his mouth pressed against her skin while his grip locked on her body.

She tilted her head back, letting out these soft little whimpers. “Easy… Annette’s still in the shower. Didn’t you get enough in the car earlier?”

He growled low, voice sharp, possessive. “Shut up! If you even think about letting another man touch you, you’ll regret it.”

She giggled, wicked and pleased, and then her eyes slid to me. Standing there, frozen.

“Alright,” she purred, “I won’t. I’m all yours. You’re so jealous, babe, hmm?”

That was enough. I grabbed my clothes, shut the bathroom door, and locked it.

The water was hot when I slid into the tub, but it didn’t burn as much as the memory replaying in my head.

Seven years ago. Our honeymoon on that island. I’d looked just once at a man with abs. Rufus lost his mind so he kept me locked inside the suite for a week.

When the bed broke and the supplies ran out, he pulled me close, “Annette, I’ve got everything you need. Don’t look at anyone else. Just promise me.”

I had promised him. Over and over.

And since then, I never dared to even glance at another man. But now, he was just as obsessed. Just not with me. With her.

I sank deeper into the water and let out a shaky breath.

When I stepped out of the bathroom, Maisie was gone. Only Rufus was sitting there, calm as if nothing had happened.

On the table, there was a plate of neatly sliced fruit and a steaming cup of ginger tea. The sight made my chest tighten.

He stood and handed me the cup, “I know your period’s close. This will help with the cramps.”

The heat from the cup seeped into my hands, but inside, I felt ice cold. How could he act so normal? Just minutes ago, he was tearing at Maisie’s clothes. Now here he was, pretending to be the perfect husband.

***

I didn’t sleep much that night. My mind kept circling back to the same question: how many faces does he have?

Sometime before dawn, I must’ve drifted off. A sudden shout yanked me awake.

“Annette!”

He jolted up, hands searching wildly in the dark until he found me. His chest heaved, his grip crushing me against him. “Don’t go. Please… don’t leave me.”

I froze in his arms. “What’s wrong with you?”

His eyes were red, his breath still uneven. “I dreamt you walked away from me. It was such a nightmare, Annette. I woke up and you were here. Thank God you’re here.”

I looked down, words heavy on my mouth. I wanted to tell him the dream would come true soon. But I stayed quiet.

Maybe that nightmare shook him, because the next morning, he didn’t let me out of his sight. He insisted on driving me to work himself, like he was afraid I’d disappear the moment he blinked.

The moment we stepped into Rufus’s office, I froze. His entire desk was covered in pictures of me. Different angles, different days, some I didn’t even know he’d taken.

I felt a chill run through me. Before I could say anything, I felt him behind me. His arms slid around my body, his lips brushing my neck.

“Annette,” he whispered, voice low and smooth, “a lot of women throw themselves at me. But when I look at these, I remember who I belong to. You don’t have to worry. I’m all yours.”

I kept my eyes on the pictures, my lips pressed tight. I couldn’t bring myself to answer.

A knock came at the door. Mateo’s voice followed. “Boss, the meeting’s about to start.”

Rufus sighed, reluctant, and held me a moment longer before letting go. “Stay here, baby. Walk around, make yourself comfortable. I’ll be back soon.”

I nodded, though my chest was heavy. The last thing I wanted was to sit in his office surrounded by my own face. So I wandered. Floor after floor, pretending to look, pretending to care.

By noon, my phone buzzed. I picked it up quickly, my heart racing when I saw the caller ID.

“Ms. Annette Cooper,” the woman said politely, “your application for immigration has been approved. Please come to the consulate to collect your visa.”

I opened my mouth to answer, but a voice I knew too well cut in from behind me.

“Visa?”

My blood ran cold.

Chapter 5

I turned slowly, and there he was—Rufus. His face had gone pale, like someone had pulled the ground out from under him.

“What visa?” he asked, his voice low but trembling.

My heart skipped, but I forced a small smile. “Not mine. A friend of mine’s planning to move abroad. She just called to ask me about it.”

For a second, he just stared at me, like he didn’t quite believe it. Then suddenly, he pulled me into his arms, holding me so tight I could barely breathe. His body was actually shaking.

“Annette,” he whispered into my hair, his voice raw, “don’t ever leave me. I thought for a moment you were going to disappear. I can’t… I can’t live without you.”

I rested my hand lightly on his back, pretending to soothe him. On the outside, I smiled faintly, calm and steady. Inside, though, my heart was already somewhere else. I knew the truth. I was leaving soon.

That afternoon, while he was tied up in meetings, I slipped away. I went straight to the immigration office and signed the last of my papers. My hands were trembling, but my mind had never been clearer.

***

That night was the Anderson Company’s big party. Everyone was there. Investors, partners, staff. The ballroom glittered with lights and champagne glasses.

I wore something simple. Quiet. I wanted no attention. Maisie, on the other hand, walked in wearing a blood-red dress that clung to every curve. All eyes followed her.

I caught Rufus choking a little on his drink when he saw men crowding around her. He smiled like a perfect host, but his jaw ticked. His rage was simmering under the surface.

Guests kept whispering about me, how lucky I was. How Rufus was “so obsessed” with me. Investors toasted to his devotion, calling me the envy of every woman in the room.

When a man offered Maisie a drink, Rufus stepped in, took the glass, and downed it himself. His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Can’t risk my friend’s sister being taken advantage of,” he said smoothly.

Maisie chuckled, tilting her head. “Careful, Rufus. If you keep acting like this, Annette might get jealous.”

I smiled, my voice soft but firm. “No, I won’t. I know Rufus loves me. He can’t live without me.”

He glanced at me then, like he didn’t know whether to be flattered or afraid.

Then I noticed Maisie’s wrist. She was wearing a bracelet identical to mine.

Maisie noticed my stare. For a moment, her smile faltered. Then she quickly excused herself and slipped out of the ballroom.

I watched Rufus grow restless, pulling out his phone under the table. Moments later, he stood up, putting on that fake polite smile. “Excuse me, urgent call,” he muttered, before leaving too.

I knew exactly where he was going.

When I tried to follow, one of Rufus’s business partners—married, but notorious for cheating—blocked my way. He kept me in pointless conversation, smirking, stalling.

I forced a polite smile. “I’m not feeling well. I think I’ll head home early. Don’t trouble yourself with giving me a ride. I’ll grab a cab.”

I slipped past, my heels clicking softly against the marble floor. That’s when I heard it. A door left slightly ajar. Voices, murmurs, the unmistakable rhythm of bodies colliding.

I froze, then leaned just enough to peek inside.

Maisie was straddling Rufus, riding him like she owned him. His hands gripped her thighs, his head thrown back, whimpering.

Her eyes slid to mine. She saw me. And she smiled.

“Tell me, Rufus,” she purred, loud enough for me to hear. “Do you really love me? If not, I’ll be with your business partner right now.”

Rufus let out a growl, desperate, breathless. “I love you, Maisie.”

Maisie’s smirk deepened, her gaze locked on me like she knew I was there. “Then get me pregnant. Do it inside me.”

His voice broke into a growl. “Yes, sweetheart,” he exclaimed, slamming harder into her.

My vision blurred with tears. I held my phone at my side, the camera already recording. Every word, every filthy confession, every betrayal, I caught it all.

Before they noticed me, I turned and walked away, silent as a shadow.

Back home, I pulled out my suitcase. My hands shook as I unzipped it, but my heart was steady.

This time, I wasn’t just thinking about leaving. This time, I really was.

---

I sat in the airport lounge, my passport and boarding pass tight in my hand, suitcase by my side. My phone buzzed. Of course, it was him. I took a breath and answered.

“Where are you, baby? Mateo said you weren’t—”

“I wasn’t feeling well,” I said softly. “Bad headache. I went home to rest.”

“I’ll send Mateo over with some medicine.”

“No need,” I cut in, keeping my voice steady. “I’m done taking those. I just want to sleep.” I let a small pause hang before adding, “But before you get home, there’s a little present waiting for you in our room. Please open it.”

I could picture it in my head. On the bedside table: the divorce papers, our wedding rings, and the USB with him and Maisie.

He let out a low chuckle. I heard a muffled sound on his end—a soft whimper—and my blood ran cold.

“I will, sweetheart,” he said, voice laced with something I already knew. “But I can’t go home tonight. Got… important business.”

And then I heard it. Maisie’s laugh, right there, behind him.

“I’ll be home tomorrow,” he added like nothing was wrong.

I smiled faintly, my voice calm. “Yeah, sure.”

“I love you, sweetheart.”

“Mm. Sleep well,” I whispered, then ended the call before he could say another word. My hand trembled, but my chest felt lighter than it had in years.

When the boarding gate opened, I stood, clutching my passport like it was the only thing keeping me alive. My phone lit up again with his name. I didn’t hesitate... I powered it off.

Stepping onto the plane, I finally felt free. I whispered under my breath, “Goodbye, Rufus. I’m not yours anymore.”