Chapter 8
Hearing Steven’s words, I felt nothing. No anger, no sadness- Just nothing.
It was true. Once you stopped loving someone, indifference was all that remained.
“Steven, I called you over ten times that day, and you rejected every single one,” I said coldly. “And what were you doing during that time? Oh, right. Making out with Melanie”
Standing nearby, Melanie blinked innocently and approached with a glass of red wine in hand.
She said sweetly, “Anya, I really didn’t know your situation was so urgent back then. Can’t you forgive Steve?
“Look at you–you just divorced him and immediately found a replacement. But unlike you, Steve’s heart has always belonged to you. Let’s let bygones be bygones. I’ll toast to that.”
Everyone turned to me, waiting for my reaction.
I took the glass from her hand and then… I poured it directly over her head.
The red wine streamed down, smearing her makeup and leaving her utterly humiliated.
Melanie froze, then burst into tears and ran to Steven. “Steve! That bitch did this to me! You have to avenge me!”
Despite her sobs, Steven didn’t even glance in her direction. The tenderness he once held for her was gone.
Instead, his bloodshot eyes locked onto mine. He took a deep breath.
“Anya, I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance,” he pleaded.
“I swear, from now on, I’ll only love you. We can start over I’ll take you on the Ferris wheel, to Cryovein to see the northern lights, to every place you’ve ever dreamed of. Just say the word, and I’ll make it happen-”
Before he could finish, Liam punched him square in the face.
“You’ve already hurt her enough,” Liam said coldly. “You’ve got no business staying here. Anywhere Anya wants to go, I’ll take her. You? Get lost.”
Steven looked at Liam in disbelief, then turned back to me. He shook his head stubbornly, his voice hoarse.
“Please, Anya,” he begged, “I’ve already thrown away my pride. Can’t you give me one more chance? I promise I’ll love you the way you deserve…”
I covered my ears, unwilling to hear more of his empty promises.
Liam took my hand and led me out of the hotel without another word.
Outside, under the clear blue sky, I felt like I could finally breathe again.
Liam looked into my eyes and said firmly, “Don’t worry. I’m here for you.”
After that incident, Melanie quietly terminated her pregnancy.
She took to social media, spinning a sob story about how she and her “true love” had been cruelly torn apart by a scheming woman with power and influence.
She accused me of sabotaging her relationship and pointed the finger squarely at my new company, hoping to ruin me and lure Steven back.
1/3
+25 BONUS
For a while, the Internet buzzed with hate directed at me. Protesters even showed up at my office, calling me a homewrecker.
Realizing I couldn’t let the narrative spiral any further, I took action.
I posted a video of Steven and Melanie’s kiss at their friend’s wedding reception, along with a detailed timeline of events explaining everything.
Public opinion shifted quickly. People realized Melanie was the real homewrecker. The backlash was brutal, even affecting her family.
Ashamed of the disgrace she’d brought upon them, Melanie’s parents kicked her out.
With nowhere to go, she reverted to her old ways, becoming someone else’s mistress.
But this time, her luck ran out.
One day, during a rendezvous with her new lover, his wife caught them in the act.
Enraged, the wife gathered a group of people and ambushed Melanie, beating her severely. They didn’t stop there: Melanie’s face was scarred, and one arm and leg were broken.
Disfigured and crippled, she sank into despair.
Melanie spent her days wallowing in self–pity until one day, she limped into traffic with a crutch and was hit by a speeding truck, thrown far from the road.
Meanwhile, my wedding to Liam was in full preparation.
Our families were overjoyed, and Liam took care of every detail according to my preferences–something Steven never did.
With Steven, he would either dump all the work on me or make decisions without consulting me.
While inviting former colleagues to the wedding, one of them congratulated me and shared some gossip. “Anya, do you know what happened to your ex–husband?”
“Hmm?” I asked.
“After you left him, he lost his mind. One day, he jumped from a building. He survived but ended up in a vegetative state. He’ll probably spend the rest of his life unconscious in a hospital bed,” the colleague said.
After hanging up, I couldn’t help but reflect.
A life trapped in endless darkness, unable to move or think, was far worse than death.
After Liam and I got married, he would wait for me outside my office every day, ready to drive me home.
When I got in the car, he’d ruffle my hair affectionately and hand me a warm cup of milk or a little snack.
At home, everything was spotless. The table was always filled with my favorite treats, fresh flowers, and thoughtful surprises.
What shocked me most was how he noticed all the little things I never even mentioned.
Tears welled up in my eyes, unbidden.
Chapter 0
Liam panicked, unsure what he had done wrong.
“Did I mess up?” he asked nervously.
When I explained, he laughed softly and pulled me into his arms, his wart scent enveloping me.
“Silly girl,” he whispered, “Trust me, I’ll make you the happiest woman in the world. I know words aren’t enough, but I’ll prove it with my actions every single day.”
I laughed through my tears, curling up against him and letting myself believe in his promise.
Life was ours to live. When I was happy, those who loved me would feel it too.
It was impossible to have it all, but we could cherish the moments we had now.
Forever was uncertain, but the present could still be beautiful, and the future would shine even brighter.
