Chapter 5
That night, while the rest of the house drowned in silence, I stood in the kitchen, lighting a small candle. I had baked a tiny cake—plain vanilla, the kind I always imagined I’d make for my child’s first birthday. The air smelled of sugar and sorrow. No balloons, no celebration. Just me, a candle, and the echo of a future I never got to hold. “Happy birthday, little one. I’m sorry that you didn’t get to see the world,” I whispered, tears slipping down my cheeks as I stared at the flickering flame. My hands trembled as I placed a small white flower beside the plate. A soft breeze passed through the open window, rustling the flame. It felt like a whisper. A goodbye. While I was smoothing the icing, I heard the click of heels. Taylor. I didn’t turn around. “You really are shameless,” she said behind me, her voice sugary sweet but laced with venom. “Still staying here, pretending like you belong. You don’t. Not anymore.” I sighed, wiping the corner of the cake with the back of my hand. “I’m leaving soon. Don’t worry about it.” “Good,” she smirked, stepping closer. “Because our baby will be born soon. And I don’t want my child growing up near a pathetic, jealous woman who lost hers.” My grip tightened around the spatula. Taylor leaned in, her breath warm against my ear. “Want me to help you leave faster? I could give you money. A lot. Anything—just disappear. Forever.” I finally turned to her. “I don’t need anything from you. Or him.” I met her eyes. Cold. Soulless. “You can play Mrs. Smith forever if you want. I’m done playing pretend.” Then I walked away, leaving the half-decorated cake behind. I wouldn’t let her poison one more memory. Later that night, after lighting the candle for my child and whispering a prayer only a grieving mother could understand, I stepped back into my room—only for Harold to barge in and yank me by the arm. “What the hell did you do to my suit?!” He shoved a garment bag at me. Inside was the navy blue suit he’d planned to wear for tomorrow’s event—the merger, the anniversary. There was a faint wine-colored stain on the lapel. One I hadn’t put there. I stared at him in disbelief. “I didn’t—” “This is your only job!” he barked, throwing the suit at my feet. “Fix it, or you’ll regret it.” Then he stormed out, slamming the door so hard the walls shook. My eyes fell on the fabric. I knew who had really done it. Taylor had gone into that closet earlier. This was her way of leaving one last stab before sunrise. Still, I didn’t cry. Instead, I spent the next few hours bent over the laundry sink, trying to scrub the stain out in silence. My hands were raw, my back aching, but I kept going. For myself. For my last act in this cursed house. When I finally got the stain out and went to hang the suit, Taylor strolled in wearing silk. “Oh,” she said, pretending to be surprised. “Didn’t you hear? No need to fix that one. He’s wearing the suit I made for him. Custom. Cost a fortune.” Before I could say a word, Harold appeared behind her, took the freshly laundered suit from my hands, and tossed it into the trash bin without a glance. “I told you,” she said smugly, curling her arms around his. “Some things don’t belong anymore.” But even as they turned away from me, I felt no more pain. Because I was finally leaving tomorrow. And they had no idea. The next morning, they left early. Off to their perfect celebration—the anniversary they now shared, the business merger, the shiny life built on betrayal. The house was quiet. Peaceful. And mine for just a few more moments. I packed my suitcase slowly. One dress. Some cash. A pair of heels. Nothing else was worth taking. At precisely 10:00 a.m., a black car pulled up in front of the house. Drake stepped out. He looked older than I remembered—but in a comforting way. Stronger. Wiser. Drake, the man I once rejected because I thought I loved someone else more. The one who had always waited in the wings while I threw myself into fire. He smiled when he saw me. “Are you ready?” “More than ever.” We drove straight to the airport. The sky outside was beginning to darken, but inside, I felt light for the first time in years. My phone buzzed. Mom: Where are you? Don’t you dare miss today. A lot were expecting something for you! Don’t disappoint me or I’ll let Taylor have everything. I ignored it. Then another message. Harold: Bring Taylor’s necklace. She forgot it. Where are you? Hurry up! Don’t be such a VIP. Another. Valerie, answer me. Then his tone shifted. More frantic. More controlling. It’s our wedding anniversary, for God’s sake. Where are you? You’re humiliating me. Everyone’s asking where you are. You should be here for the merger. Then the last one: COME BACK. I MEAN IT. I stared at the screen. And typed slowly: Happy anniversary. You’ll receive my gift shortly. Then, as the plane began to board, I pressed send. The last thing I imagined before takeoff was Harold’s face as he opened the envelope I’d arranged to have delivered. Inside: the wedding ring I once wore with pride. And the signed divorce papers. Before he could respond, I blocked him. And then the plane took off—carrying me toward freedom.