Bianca
I inhaled sharply, my eyes remaining fixed on him, unwavering and undoubtedly strong.
"I never really loved you from the beginning. I only married you because you stood by me during those hard years," he said, then sighed and looked away.
The stiffening silence that followed consumed my soul, heavier than my heart could bear, but I held on, even when it felt too heavy for me to carry.
"Not anymore," he added. Right after, Ella clapped softly, her eyes shifting to me with a smug look.
That's when I felt it, should I tell him who I truly was? Would that change anything? No. A part of me hated it all too much to speak.
Enzo walked over to the TV stand, where a small table sat with some important files. He picked up a brown envelope lying there, and without delay, he came back.
"Take this," he said, tossing it toward me without giving me a second to think.
I crouched down slowly to pick it up, my heart beating wildly.
"What's this?" I asked, staring at him in confusion.
"Open it and see," he replied coldly.
That moment, dread clothed me like a garment. Not knowing what to expect, I finally let the hot saliva in my throat slide down and tore open the seal.
Taking a deep breath, I flipped the paper over, and what greeted my eyes momentarily sent shock reeling through my spine.
"What?" I gasped, turning my widened gaze toward Enzo.
"Yes, that's a DIVORCE AGREEMENT. Sign it and get the damn out of my house and my life," he spat.
His words broke through the wall of my heart, etched with so much pain. My entire being collapsed.
"You're sending me away because of her, after all we've been through?" I mustered the courage to speak yet again, even though words failed me in expressing the depth and effect of his betrayal on my heart.
"Yes. Like I said, sign and leave," he repeated. His voice was sharp, clear, and cold. He meant every single word.
A small, painful groan escaped my lips as the papers felt heavier in my arms. My sight dimmed just by those bold words that I dreaded so much.
Fresh tears welled up in my eyes, but I fought back, restraining them from falling. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing me cry.
It hurt undeniably deep down in my heart, but what choice did I have left? What could I say to make him change his mind?
"Take," his voice broke through, and I lifted my gaze to meet a pen in his hand, stretched out at me.
Instead of tears, a smile that didn't reach my heart formed on my face. I took the pen from him, though my hands shook, and I sighed, letting my eyes take in the appearance of the entire room for the last time.
I had poured so much love into the frames and pillars of this house, building a home I thought was mine, at least, not until now.
Dad's voice echoed in my mind from two years ago, stirring a bitter pang in my heart afresh. I blinked, one tear falling, but I held the rest in.
Such a price to pay for love.
"Sign it and stop wasting time," Ella said, placing her hands on Enzo's shoulder like the clingy, shameless bitch she was.
I ignored the urge to slap her. Another day.
With a heart full of pain, regrets, and anguish, I signed the paper and placed it back on the couch. I turned to leave, but Enzo grabbed my hand.
Looking into those brown eyes, all I saw was coldness, and a flicker of something softer, but it was too late.
"No need to go to the bedroom. Your bags are packed by the gate. Didn't you see them when you came in?" he asked, mocking me.
My breath hitched, but I smirked, glanced at him one last time, and walked to the door.
With my legs glued to the floor and my arms clutched to the door, I stopped in my tracks and stared at the home I had thought would be my blissful forever. It felt like a nightmare now.
"Go. We don't need you anymore. You're a nobody. My man is rich and doesn't need someone from the slums," Ella said again, laughing.
My eyes rolled at her, and I let those words slide. She had no idea where his money even came from, yet she boasted over it?
I stepped out. The sound of the door followed thereafter.
Walking toward the gates, and true to their words, my bags were already packed by the corner of the gate.
I smiled faintly, standing there for a moment, then picked them up, just the things I had come with two years ago. I left everything else behind.
It hurt badly, but I had to let go.
With a deep breath, I walked away.
Outside the gate, Anthony, the chief guard, stood waiting. He lowered his head in respect.
"Your dad will be glad to have you back, young miss," he said.
I didn't answer. The pain in my chest felt too strong to ignore.
I got in the car. As it drove away, I kept my eyes on the house until it disappeared.
Then my phone buzzed. I flinched a little and looked at the screen.
He sent me money? After everything?
I scoffed, full of rage. I sent it back with a simple message:
"I don't need your money. You need it more than I do."
Hitting the send button, I tossed the phone aside, my heart racing heavily and my jaw clenched in frustration.
But it didn't last long, not until the thought of what awaited ahead of me made me break out in a cold sweat.
I exhaled deeply as I braced myself.
Shortly after, the car halted at the mansion, which was just about a two-hour drive from Enzo's house.
The familiar scent of home hit my nostrils, and I inhaled sharply. Briefly, my eyes took in the environment, never believing that I would return broken after I had confidently left two years ago, or should I say I ran away two years ago, hoping love would carry me through the sweet memories of a happy and blissful life forever?
I took a deep breath, shoving the feeling away. I was back, after all. Does it really matter?
Entering the living room, my strength failed me. Cold ripples surged through my veins yet again as my gaze scanned the room. Everything was still in place, but my heart was never the same.
Then the air suddenly grew suffocating as I scanned around like the prodigal daughter I was. No one was in view, which made it a little easier for me. My heart slowly relaxed.
Maybe I should sit on the couch and think about my life, I thought, but then, Dad's hoarse voice roared from the stairs.
Hot tremors and panic immediately settled in my entire body.
"Look who decided to come back after two years," he roared, his tone unreadable.
I buried my head low, unable to meet his dreaded gaze.
I thought I had made up my mind to be ready for whatever came next. But right now, I was done, not under Dad's frightful gaze and presence that stripped away the strength I had mustered.
"I knew this day would come, but I never thought it would be this soon. He finally doomed you?" he asked sarcastically.
That wasn't a question, it was a mocking comment, an insult.
He walked toward me, and I flinched again.
But he just passed by and took his usual seat on the head couch, slightly secluded from the rest.
I felt his gaze hard on me, but I still couldn't lift my head.
"The only reason I'm letting you back in is because I have no other choice," Dad said.
"But on one condition: you will marry Alex Woods."
I finally looked up, raising an eyebrow.
After two years, they still expected me to go through with that arranged marriage?
It became pretty clear that the thing I had run from never stopped chasing me. It had waited for me, ready to trap me the moment I returned.
The truth was that I've never met him before. I don't even know what he looks like. The memories of two years back never stopped flooding my heart with pain.
"That's my only condition. Do you accept?" Dad questioned, his voice raw and guttural.
I looked at him, thoughts Flooded..…