Chapter 8
Back at the hotel, Ruben caught up to me and shoved the property deed into my hands.
“Sabrina, I won’t shortchange you a single cent,” he said.
“This is your home; you don’t need to stay at a hotel anymore.”
His gaze dropped, and in those dark eyes, the calculating sharpness was gone, replaced by a glimpse of the innocence we once shared in simpler times.
I took it without hesitation,
“Will we…. still see each other?” he asked, clutching my sleeve, his voice trembling, his eyes
red with tears.
It felt like a lifetime ago.
Not long before, we had celebrated the arrival of a new life together, believing we were the happiest couple in the world.
Now, our marriage was shattered, every crack bleeding with pain.
I shook my head.
“Unless it’s absolutely necessary… let’s not meet again.”
His hand dropped limply to his side.
I closed the door, shutting him out completely.
Grandma called me on video. Not wanting her to see the bruise on my face, I only showed
half my face on the screen.
She smiled warmly, asking about my life, avoiding any mention of Ruben. For that, I was deeply grateful.
“Grandma, in a few days, I’ll bring you to live with me. I’ve thought it through–I want to be
by your side,” I said softly.
Shattered Promises
7.8%
She gilet and aged with Bestat
After ending the call, I paraned a wet sage from one of Buber’s employees.
Sabrina, something fall happened the silker this phrons have been leaked in the company group chat. We can’t reach fun–do you know where he i
The message was orgue, But the seems that followed confirmed my suspicions:
mare photos of Ratten and Suta. Her face was bined, but Ruber’s was unmistakable.
Seeing these photos now, I felt anting
I replied:
“Ruben and I are divorced. I don’t know anything about his situation.
The typing indicator flickered on their end for a long time before varishing. No further messages came,
I put down my phone, fully aware of the storm Rabben was about to face–one not easily resolved
At some point, it began to rain outside.
What started as a drizzle soon turned into a heavy downpour.
I sat by the window, holding a cup of hot tea, staring at the rain.
Memories from high school surfaced unbidden
One night after study hall, it poured as I prepared to walk home. Ruben had dashed through the rain to a convenience store, spending his last bit of pocket money on an umbrella
He walked me home, holding the umbrella above us. The muddy road made every step uneven, and when I almost slipped, his quick reflexes caught me.
He never let go of my hand after that
Chapter 8
His hair, black and dripping wet, stuck to his forehead. One shoulder of his shirt was soaked, while I remained completely dry.
I remembered my heart racing then, my face flushed with a youthful excitement I couldn’t
hide.
I sighed, smiling bitterly.
The most beautiful memories can only remain as memories.
Even though I tried to stay out of it, the fallout between Sofia and Ruben became impossible
to ignore.
The Walker Group canceled their partnership with Ruben’s company, resulting in massive losses. He struggled to manage the bad press, overwhelmed and desperate.
Back when we were together, his company faced many challenges in its early days, but we always managed to turn things around.
Ruben used to say I was his lucky charm, and that the company’s growth wouldn’t have been possible without his supportive wife.
Looking back now, maybe he wasn’t entirely wrong.
But even so, I would never go back.
Chapter 9
Chapter 9
How everything eventually calmed down, I no longer cared to know.
I composed myself, drove to the countryside, and prepared to bring Grandma to the city,
But when I arrived at the house, she was gone.
The neighbors told me that a group of people had come yesterday, claiming they were sent
by me to take Grandma to the city.
They said I was too busy to come myself and even played an audio recording of me to
convince her.
Believing it to be true, Grandma happily packed her things and went with them.
A buzz rang through my head, and I was instantly consumed by panic.
Who had taken Grandma? And why would they do this?
Instinctively, I reached for my phone to call the police, but my hands trembled so badly I
could barely hold it.
After reporting the incident, I called Ruben.
He answered quickly, his tone tired yet tinged with excitement.
“Sabrina, what’s going on…”
Before I could help it, I broke into tears.
“Ruben, Grandma… she’s gone.”
On the other end, his voice immediately filled with alarm as he tried to comfort me,
promising to drive over from the city right away.
The police arrived shortly after and began their investigation.
Not long after, Ruben arrived, disheveled and hurried, pulling me into his arms.
12:27
Shattered Promises
8.9
Chapter 9
“Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”
Suddenly, a familiar face flashed through my mind–Sofia.
I lifted my tear–streaked face and locked eyes with Ruben. He immediately understood.
After speaking with the police, we drove to the Shen family’s residence.
Sofia appeared, her eyes filled with resentment and bitterness.
I slapped her hard across the face, yelling,
“Where’s my grandmother? Why did you take her?”
Sofia stared at me venomously, a cold smile curling at the corners of her lips.
“You ruined me–my reputation, my future. So, of course, I wanted you to feel what it’s like to lose someone you love.”
Ruben stood beside me, fists clenched tightly.
Moments later, the police arrived, catching Sofia off guard.
She hadn’t expected me to report her so quickly.
We went upstairs and found Grandma lying weakly on a bed, clearly deprived of food.
Tears streaming down my face, I rushed to her side, holding her tightly and refusing to let
- go.
She gently stroked my hair, soothing me, telling me not to worry.
I stood up and slapped Ruben across the face.
He didn’t flinch. He just stood there quietly, taking every punch, kick, and scream I threw at
him.
Tears welled in his eyes as he silently endured it all.
I helped Grandma back home while the police took Sofia away.
12:27
Shattered Promises
9.3%
Chapter 9
As we left, Grandma glanced at Ruben, who stood there with his head hanging low, and sighed deeply.
“You’ve lost Sabrina,” she said softly.
She hobbled away slowly, leaving behind a broken Ruben who couldn’t hold back his sobs any longer.
Ruben’s company was soon hit by scandal, and Sofia dragged the Walker Group down with
er, tarnishing their reputation.
Both businesses suffered heavy losses as partners pulled out and investors withdrew. Ruben’s company quickly declared bankruptcy.
Sofia–beautiful but hopelessly foolish–had destroyed everything.
I turned off the news and walked into the kitchen, where Grandma was making my favorite
food.
I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close.
Outside, the sun was shining brightly.
I still had a beautiful life ahead of me.
