Chapter: Chapter 6Meritt’s POVI turned around, the cold water still dropping from my trembling hands.Standing just inside the restroom door, holding a towel and looking at me with warm eyes, was Professor Vance. She was my favorite vocal instructor from my university days, the one who had believed in my potential more than anyone else."Meritt? Oh my goodness, it's you!" she gasped, her face beaming with a bright smile. She hurried over and pulled me into a tight hug.For a second, I just stood there, overwhelmed by the warmth. "Professor Vance," I managed to say, forcing a weak smile. "It's so good to see you.""Look at you," she said, pulling back to gently squeeze my arms. Her eyes quickly scanned my face. She saw my hair, the edge of the scar on my neck, but she didn't flinch. Her gaze only softened with deep sympathy. "How have you been, my dear? I received the email from the Teatro di Roma, did you get my recommendation?""I did," I nodded, feeling a genuine spark of gratitude push through t
Last Updated: 2026-09-15
Chapter: Chapter 5Meritt’s POV"Why didn't you come home?"His voice wasn't raised. It was that same smooth and calm voice, but with a heavy sigh of disappointment, as if he had just caught a disobedient child skipping school.I stopped by the corner and he was leaning against his Maybach, his dark eyes fixed on me. He pushed himself off the car and closed the distance between us, his gaze looking up to the doors of the recording studio."And what exactly are you doing walking out of a place like this?" he demanded softly."I was just passing by," I lied, my voice flat as I looked away. "I wanted to take a look."He didn't press the issue. To him, my ambitions were dead anyway. Instead, before I could react, he reached out and took my phone right out of my hand. He tapped the screen, scrolling through the ignored notifications.His jaw tightened and he stared at me with disappointment."You ignored all my calls. You didn't answer a single text." He looked down at me, his brow furrowed in that perfect a
Last Updated: 2026-09-15
Chapter: Chapter 4Meritt's POVI stared at his name glowing on the screen. Michael.For a brief second, my thumb just stood over the green button out of habit. But the pain in my heart snapped me out of my misery and I swiped red unremorseful.The ringing ended, leaving the room to return to it's absolute silence.A second later, a text notification chimed.Stop sulking. It's late, come home now.I let out a breathless and dry laugh. Sulking.That was all my pain was to him. A temporary reaction that he could command me to snap out of.I went to turn off the device completely, but my trembling fingers shook against the screen, accidentally opening my hidden gallery folder. Instantly, the sound of roaring applause filled the room.It was an old video. A clip from my final stage rehearsal before the fire.I watched the girl on the screen, vibrant, beautiful, and absolutely glowing with immense confidence as she hit a flawless high note. She was so brilliant and had the world humblef at her feet and a
Last Updated: 2026-09-15
Chapter: Chapter 3Meritt's POVThe door swung open, hitting the wall with a soft thud.The humiliating display was still happening. Through my rage, my eyes immediately locked onto the sofa. Stella was by his side, her head resting against Michael’s chest as she giggled at his friend's cruel imitation of my trauma. And Michael? He just sat there with a faint smile on his lips. He didn’t stop them, he just watched.Then, the friend who was mocking me turned around and his stupid laughter died instantly in his throat. His face went pale at once as if he had just seen a ghost. One by one, the others turned around, following his gaze. A sudden ruled the air in the room.Stella blinked, sensing the terror in the air and sat up, her eyes landing on me. I saw how composed she was, calculating quickly on how to lighten the air before she quickly masked it with an innocent smile.She stood up and walked toward me, her heels clicking softly against the floor."You must be Meritt," she said, her voice laced w
Last Updated: 2026-09-15
Chapter: Chapter 2Merritt's POVI watched the video again, my eyes glued to his hand.The glass glowed gently as the club light stuck to it. Whiskey.For six long years, he remained disciplined. He hadn't touched a single drop of alcohol since the fire, the fire he barely escaped because he was too drunk to stand. I had always thought his sobriety was a tribute to what I lost that night. A sacrifice out of respect for my ruined face.But watching the video play over and over again, the truth just mocked me in the most painful way possible. He was laughing so loud and unhinged. He never laughed that way when he was with me.He leaned down, mouthing a sweet, childhood nickname I couldn't hear because of the heavy music.I thought he was naturally stoic, but the hard truth was staring me in the face. He just didn't love me enough to give me his fire. I only got the ashes."Ma'am?"The housekeeper’s voice startled me. I turned off the phone screen, looking up as she stood by the door of the dining room."W
Last Updated: 2026-09-15
Chapter: Chapter 1Meritt's POV The door of his study was barely closed. Tonight, on our sixth wedding anniversary, it was slightly open just enough for the sound to find a way out.A low, shaky inhale and a muffled groan.I stood by the hallway, my pale hand freezing just a few inches from the door handle. The silence in the house made the heavy panting and moaning from his room all I could hear. For six years, our marriage was almost like we were roommates. Michael never touched me. He always told me he didn't want to hurt me, that he needed to be careful with me.A burning rage, wrapped in chills filled my chest as I leaned closer to the small opening.Through the narrow gap, I saw him. His back faced me, his shoulders tense and moving smoothly and the light from the computer screen lit up the dark room.I forced my eyes toward the screen.It wasn't a spreadsheet. It wasn't an urgent overseas email. It was a photograph, a woman with perfect skin, and a beautiful smile, with glorious red hair restin
Last Updated: 2026-09-15
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