I inhaled sharply as my eyes remained fixed on him, unwavering and undoubtedly strong.
"I never really loved you from the beginning. I only married you because you stood by me during those hard years," he said, then sighed and looked away.
For a moment, the silence grew heavier. My heart felt like it might break, but I held on, even though it hurt.
"Not anymore," he added. Right after, Ella clapped softly, her eyes shifting to me with a smug look.
That's when I felt it; like I should finally tell him everything I'd kept hidden for years. But a part of me hated it all too much to speak.
Enzo walked over to the TV stand, where a small table sat with some important files. He picked up a brown envelope lying there and came back to me.
"Take this," he said, tossing it toward me without giving me a second to think.
I crouched down slowly to pick it up, my heart beating wildly.
"What's this?" I asked, staring at him in confusion.
"Open it and see," he replied coldly.
I let the hot saliva in my gut go down forcefully as I tore open the seal to retrieve a white paper inside.
Taking a deep breath, I flipped the paper over, and what greeted my eyes momentarily sent shock reeling through my spine.
"What?" I gasped, turning my widened gaze towards Enzo.
"Yes, that's a DIVORCE AGREEMENT. Sign it and get the damn out of my house and my life," he spat.
His words broke through the wall of my heart with so much pain etched on them.
"You want to divorce me after everything we have been through because of her?" I mustered the courage to speak yet again, even though my words were glued to my gut.
"Yes. Like I said, sign and leave," he repeated. His voice was sharp, clear, and cold. He meant it.
I let out a small, painful groan and looked back at the paper, reading the words I never thought I'd see.
Fresh tears welled up in my eyes, but I fought back, restraining them from dropping. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing me cry.
It hurt undeniably deep down in my heart, but I had to give him what he wanted, even though it was damn hard to let go.
"Take," his voice broke through, and I lifted my gaze to meet a pen in his hands stretched out at me.
I gave a small, bitter smile without looking at him, took the pen, and sighed. My eyes wandered around the room one last time. I had poured so much love into this place, building a home I thought was mine.
Dad's voice echoed in my mind, from two years ago: "You will not marry Enzo …..That's final." I blinked, one tear falling, but I held the rest in. Such a price to pay for love.
"Sign it and stop wasting time," Ella said, placing her hands on Enzo's shoulder like the clingy, shameless bitch she was.
I ignored the urge to slap her. Another day.
With a heart full of pain, regrets and anguish, I signed the paper and placed it back on the couch. I turned to leave, but Enzo grabbed my hand.
I looked up at him. Behind his cold stare, I saw a flicker of something softer, but it was too late.
"No need to go to the bedroom. Your bags are packed by the gate. Didn't you see them when you came in?" he asked, mocking me.
I smirked, gave him one last look, and walked to the door.
Before I stepped out, I stopped in my tracks, turned one last time, staring at the home I thought would be my blissful forever. It felt like a nightmare now.
"Go. We don't need you anymore. You're a nobody. My man is rich and doesn't need someone like you, a low life from the slums," Ella said again, laughing.
I rolled my eyes and let her words slide. She had no idea where his money even came from.
I stepped out. The sound of the door clicking shut followed after.
Walking towards the gates, and true to their words, my bags were already packed by the corner of the gate.
I smiled faintly. I stood there for a moment, then picked them up, just the things I had come with two years ago. I left everything else behind.
It hurt badly, but I had to let go.
With a deep breath, I walked away.
Outside the gate, Anthony, the chief guard, stood waiting. He lowered his head in respect.
"Your dad will be glad to have you back, young miss," he said.
I didn't answer. The pain in my chest was too strong.
I got in the car. As it drove away, I kept my eyes on the house until it disappeared.
Then my phone buzzed. I flinched a little and looked at the screen.
He sent me money? After everything?
I scoffed, full of rage. I sent it back with a simple message:
"I don't need your money. You need it more than I do."
I hit send and tossed the phone aside, frustrated and angry. But it didn't last long, because the thought of what was waiting ahead of me made me break out in a cold sweat.
I exhaled deeply as I braced myself up.
Shortly after, I was at the mansion, which was just about a two-hour drive from Enzo's house.
The familiar scent of home hit my nostrils, and I inhaled sharply. Briefly looking around, never believing that I would return broken after I had confidently left two years ago; or say I ran away two years ago—hoping love would buy me through the sweet memories of a happy and blissful life forever.
I took a deep breath, shoving the feeling away. I was back, after all.
Entering the living room, my strength failed me. Cold ripples surged through my veins yet again as my gaze scanned through the living room. Everything was still in place, but then my heart was never the same.
The air around felt increasingly suffocating as I scanned around like the prodigal daughter I was. No one was in view, which made it a little easier for me.
I wanted to sit on the couch and think about what to do or say next when Dad's hoarse voice roared from the stairs.
I freaked out instantly.
"Look who decided to come back after two years," he roared, his tone unreadable.
I buried my head low, unable to meet his dreaded gaze.
I had made up my mind to be ready for whatever came next, but no more. Not under Dad's frightful voice and presence.
All the strength I had mustered fled drastically.
"I knew this day would come, but I never thought it would be this soon. He finally doomed you?" he asked sarcastically.
That wasn't a question; it was a mocking comment, an insult.
He walked toward me, and I flinched again.
But he just passed by and took his usual seat on the head couch, slightly secluded from the rest.
I could feel his gaze on me, but I still couldn't lift my head.
"The only reason I'm letting you back in is because I have no other choice," Dad said. "But on one condition; you will marry Alex Woods."
I finally looked up, raising an eyebrow.
After two years, they still expected me to go through with that arranged marriage?
But what choice did I have?
The thing I had run from, never stopped chasing me. It had waited for me, ready to trap me the moment I returned.
"That's my only condition. Do you accept?" Dad questioned, his voice raw and guttural.
What option did I have left?
"Yes," I muttered.
I had never met this guy before.
How do I even know what he looked like?
What if this was another trap?
Only time would tell…