Chapter Six: Breaking Point

Chapter Six: Breaking Point

My hands were balled into fists as I stood before the house I had called home for two years. The house where I had created countless memories, sweet, pure, beautiful memories, and painful ones too with the man I loved. The promises we made. The promises he made to me.

Now, it all felt cold. Unfamiliar.

Even the air outside was different. The roses I once trimmed had withered at the edges. The lights from the windows, once welcoming, now glared like accusations. My heart thudded painfully as I pushed the door open and stepped inside.

I barged down the hall, my steps carrying me toward the dining room where laughter and voices spilled out. The sound only fueled my rage. I wanted them to pay, to hurt, to regret everything they had done to me. The betrayal, the pain, the loneliness. I thought we were family, but instead they left me to fight alone, wandering from one house to another, begging for someone to believe me. No one did.

They had turned me into this.

Flora’s eyes landed on me first. Her smile faltered, then curved into a sly grin.

“Anna!” she called, her voice dripping with false sweetness, catching Abel’s attention. His eyes darkened the moment they met mine.

The man who once promised to protect me now looked at me like a stranger, like an enemy. But I wasn’t here for that.

I glanced around the dining room. Everything was gone, my surprise, my gift, my time, the hours I had spent preparing for him, preparing for our anniversary. Cleared away, like it never existed. He hadn't even spared a glance at it or appreciated my efforts.

My throat tightened, but anger kept me grounded.

He doesn’t deserve this child. He doesn’t deserve to know. And my baby doesn’t deserve to grow up in this toxic home filled with envy and betrayal.

“What are you doing here, Anna? I hope you have a good reason to be here, like signing the divorce papers,” Abel’s cold voice cut through my thoughts.

My face hardened.

“You shouldn’t be here, Anna. Get out,” Flora snapped, stepping in front of me like a guard dog.

“Move, Flora. I’m not here for you.” My voice was sharp as I pushed past her to face Abel.

“Anna!” she shouted, yanking my arm. “You have no right to be here. I said, get out!”

I turned slowly, meeting her eyes. “You think you’ve won, don’t you?” My voice dropped to a dangerous calm. “You think taking what’s mine will make you more than what you are?”

Her smugness wavered. “At least Abel believes me. Unlike you, I don’t have to beg for love.”

The words sliced me, but I refused to flinch. Instead, I let my rage speak. I lost all restraint. My hand flew, striking her cheek, returning the slap her mother had given me earlier.

“Yes, a lot has happened today,” I hissed, my teeth clenched, “and it changed me.”

Flora gasped, clutching her face, her eyes blazing. “How dare you?!” she screeched, rushing at me like the spoiled brat she was.

But I was ready. Every ounce of humiliation and pain I had endured would be unleashed on her.

Abel caught her before she could reach me, pulling her back.

“Flora, stop.”

“No! Let me deal with her! With this cheater who thinks she can just walk in here and claim rights!” she ranted, thrashing against his hold.

“I said stop!” Abel snapped, yanking her behind him protectively. My chest burned at the sight.

I locked eyes with him. “Give me the divorce papers, Abel,” I demanded.

He stiffened, as if the request caught him off guard. His hand slipped from Flora’s arm, but he quickly masked it with a grim smile, folding his arms.

“So you’re admitting it then? That you cheated. You can’t handle the truth, so now you want a divorce?” His voice was steady, but I could have swore I heard a crack beneath it.

But no, now I know better. Not after the videos Flora had sent, not after the humiliation he had put me through.

I scoffed. “Isn’t that what you wanted? To be rid of me and clean up your image? Fine. I’m here to accept it. Now give me the papers and let me be on my way.”

“You realize signing this means you’re accepting guilt, Anna. You are accepting that you did cheated.” he pressed.

“I said give me the damn papers, Abel.” I ordered, my voice cut like steel.

With a sigh, he walked to the table, picked them up, and handed them over. I pulled a pen from my bag, ignoring the one he offered and signed immediately, my hand firm, unshaking.

When I looked up, my eyes caught his face. The man I once loved. The man with the brown eyes I thought held forever, the broad shoulders I once leaned on. He was still handsome, still perfect in form. But now all I felt was rage, disappointment, and betrayal. The love I had felt for him was gone, burned away by what he had done. He caused it.

His gaze locked on me, assessing, as if searching for something. Then he smirked. “Are you regretting it now? After everything you’ve done? After signing the papers?”

I smiled back, a cold, hollow emotionless smile. “Regret? My only regret was ever falling in love with you. Ever trusting you with everything I had. Ever getting married to you.”

His smirk faltered.

I turned my glare to him and Flora. “I hope you two have a miserable union. I hope you regret every moment of it. You will never know peace, and one day you’ll pay for everything you’ve done. Both of you. I promise.”

Without waiting for their reaction, I turned and walked out, out of his house, out of his life, out of my previous life and away from everyone who refused to stand by me.

This time, for good.