Chapter 3

Andrew suddenly ripped the divorce papers apart. The sound tore through the room. Shreds flew, with a few white flakes landing on Anna's face.

"Vicious move!" he spat, voice thick with anger. "You knew I'd die for Anna! Knew it! Yet forced this choice on me! Think I'd let you win?

"Divorce is DEAD! Bury that hope!"

Anna stood frozen, pale. Trembling, she finally found her voice: "Andrew, you... you… promised me forever."

He gripped her shoulders: "Anna, listen, I love you— more than anything. But how? How can I give you a future with empty hands?"

"I can work! I've got savings— my own money! We can start over—"

"No! I won't let you suffer! Not like that. I won't see you struggle." He cut her off. But his eyes dodged hers, looking everywhere but at her hurt face.

"Why should Louise steal what's yours? She's playing head games, trying to trick us— to get—"

I almost laughed out loud. The sheer cowardice of it. Hiding behind money, calling it love.

"Andrew," I said, "You stand there and claim to love her deeply, yet… you fear building a life with her from scratch? Afraid a little hard work? Or..." I paused. "...truth is, you’d rather stay here? Stay trapped… with a woman you hate?"

"Shut up!" Anna shrieked, her face flushing red with rage. "Stop poisoning us with your venom! I trust him!

"I'll wait!"

Applause erupted suddenly from some corners of the room.

"Brave Anna! " Someone yelled. "Since when does real love need a piece of paper?"

"True love conquers all!"

Andrew seized the moment. He pulled Anna tight against him. "I’ll never fail you, darling!"

Can’t save fools begging to drown.

I simply turned and walked out.

Three days passed. Andrew gone. No word.

Anna’s social media feeds exploded. Picture after picture: sunset proposals, diamond rocks, Parisian kisses. All captioned: #TRUELOVEWINS.

Probably bought bots and trended it. I didn't pay attention.

Until one midnight, my phone buzzed and lit up with eleven missed calls. All from Andrew.

His voice cold and deep when I answered:

"Get to the Starlight Bar. Now."

"...?"

"You got 30 minutes."

"Why on earth should I wreck my sleep for you, Mr. Wilson?"

"Because I’ve got new divorce terms...with lethal clauses for YOU."

The lounge door crashed open. Laughter died mid-air.

"Well look—the loyal little wifey come to fetch her man!"

"Missed your hubby's attention that much?"

Rich boys—Anna's pack, Andrew's buddies— Always blamed me for stealing Anna's spot.

Seeing Andrew silent, Anna's die-hard simp lunged up:"MILFs are my jam! C'mere sugar!"

His paw grabbed my wrist—dragging me toward couch.

My kick hit something.

Screech—Anna's shriek froze the room— Red wine bled down her white dress.

Andrew moved like lightning to Shield Anna and shove me down.

Glass shards bit my palm.

Pain came second, his slap coming first.

"Apologize. NOW."

His eyes were black fire. Three years as his wife... less than spilled wine.

"Let me handle her, Andrew! Hard mouth? We'll play a game."

The simp whipped off his belt, lassshing my ankles raw. My dress tore.

"Damn— married women do have a diferent weight to them!" His sandpaper fingers found my ankles, inching upward.

Bile rose.

"Andrew! I'm carrying your child!"

His turned a stoney back. Anna's eyes gloated: "Worth it."

Beer bottles clanked. Wolf whistles pierced.

My begging turned to howls— Their laughs got louder.

When my blouse tore, the man in front of me let out a cry of surprise.

"Pregnant women are choice—"

THUD!

The simp flew like a broken toy—crashed against the glass table. Andrew hauled me up, wrapping me in his jacket.

Carried me out.

"Andrew..." Anna’s face bleached white.

Andrew drove me all the way back to the villa. He dumped me in the bathroom.

Feral. Tore my clothes. Scrubbed me raw with the showerhead.

Every spot touched tonight was rubbed raw by him. This man, a stranger now, scarlet-rimmed eyes, anger within. But why the fury? He let them do this to me.

Outside thunder cracked.

Knock knock knock.

Nanny’s voice shook: "Master... Miss Anna’s here."

He threw a towel at me. "Clean up. Wait for me."

First time he left Anna at the door. Rain pounded the windows.

The rain outside was very loud, but the silence inside the villa enabled me to clearly hear their conversation.

"Andrew, what’s wrong? Can’t let her go?"

"I didn't say that."

"You promised to marry me. Still?"

"Give me time."

Anna’s voice shook: "I’m freezing... hold me?"

Before, he’d have cradled her till dawn.

But tonight:"Driver’s taking you home."

Anna looked like she was beside herself with anger and slammed the door hard. But this time, Andrew didn't chase her.

He stalked back into the bathroom. Hands braced on tub edges, he trapped my gaze:"Satisfied, Louise? Your vicious game worked."

I nearly choked on rage:"Your mess with Anna—my fault?"

"The whole banquet knows you’re pregnant!" His reply was off the point, "Divorce now? Anna branded mistress forever! I won't feed your scheme!"

"Mr. Wilson, who shoved her into mistres' skin? You."

"Shut it!"

He yanked me from water and threw me onto bed.

First time in three years, he slid in beside me.

The thick reek of spirits hung in the air.

When his heat pressed my spine, I jolted like shocked deer. "Hate sharing beds."

"I’m your husband. Father of that accident inside you."

"So? Need relief? Call Anna."

Something snapped. He yanked my arm and forced me to meet his eyes directly:"You schemed to marry me! Why occupy my wife’s place… Refuse the duty?!"

"Duty?"I spat the word, "Anna’s serviced your ‘duty’ for years! Or..." My smile cut deep. "...suddenly fall in love with your 'wife'?"

He crushed my mouth.

No kiss—a punishment. The more I fought, the deeper he invaded.

Burning. Also fury.

Just as breath failed—

BRRRRT! BRRRRT!

His ringtone shattered the haze. He killed the call—it raged back louder.

Until nanny’s wail pierced the walls:"Master! Miss Anna—she's slashed her wrists!"

Anna's fake suicide blew up online. Overnight, hashtags painted two characters: me—the :witchy ex-wife" who'd driven her to despair—and Anna, the tragic "love victim."