Chapter 3

Brooke never wanted this nightmare to be real and before she realized it, the tray slipped from her hands, crashing to the floor with a loud clatter. The noise startled everyone in the house, and they quickly gathered in the hallway to see what had happened.

“What’s going on here?” Brooke’s father, Hector demanded, his sharp gaze shifting between her, River, and Harper.

Brooke stood trembling, unable to speak as her eyes began to tear up. “River wants to divorce me to be with Harper,” she responded in a shaky tone. 

Hector glared at her, his voice sharp as a blade. “This marriage has been a mistake from the start. You’re ruining what could have been a perfect relationship by holding on to River.”

Brooke’s head snapped up, stunned by his words. “What?” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her heart.

“Harper and River are made for each other”, he continued, his tone filled with conviction. “It was always meant to be them. And you, Brooke, now that my daughter is back, please do not stand in the way of their love story.”

Brooke’s chest tightened; his words hurt her deeply. Her father’s expression was cold and he looked like he was not going to budge. In every story Brooke was the villain; even when she was wronged, she still painted her as the villain.

“Yes,” he said casually like he wasn’t just destroying her life.

“You’re asking me to just… step aside?” She managed, her voice trembling.

 “You’ve had your chance, but it’s time to end this charade of a marriage. Let Harper and River have the life they were always meant ot have. You’re prolonging the inevitable by clinging to a relationship that was doomed from the start. We all knew there was an expiration date for this marriage so just end it”

 Brooke couldn’t let her tears fall after hearing everything her father said. She scanned the room, hoping for someone—anyone—to come to her defense. Harper remained silent, her gaze fixed on the floor, while River stood stiffly, his expression unreadable.

Only her stepmother, Diane, spoke up, her voice filled with anger. “This is disgusting! How can you say that to her? She’s your daughter!”

Hector waved her off dismissively. “I’m thinking of what’s best for everyone. This isn’t about emotions; it is about making things right.”

Brooke couldn’t find the strength to argue or defend herself. Her father’s harsh words echoed in her mind and she silently retreated to the guest room she always stayed in when visiting the family house. Brooke had her own room but her father did not hesitate to turn to his man cave when she left, while her sister, who had been gone as well, still had her old room.

The walls of the room felt like they were closing in as she sat on the edge of the bed, her hands on her lap . Minutes had passed she heard the celebration outside.

“After what happened, they were partying”, she scoffed but now everything seemed to had died down.

A knock tapped against her door.

“Reign?” she called, barely above a whisper.

She rushed to the door and opened it.

Luke.

Her heart dropped.

He leaned against the frame, his shirt wrinkled, collar open, the faint stench of whiskey souring the air. His eyes were dark, hungry even.

“What are you doing here?” Her voice sharpened.

He stepped inside without waiting for an invitation. The door clicked shut behind him.

“I couldn’t sleep,” he said, his eyes scanning her outfit. “Thought maybe…you couldn’t either and might want company.”

She stiffened. She had kept her distance from him for months, ever since the first time he lingered too long at a hug. Little touches. Low whispers. Jokes that made her question his intentions. She had told no one. Because she believed no one would believe her. Not over him.

But it had always been passive. Easy to ignore until now.

“Go back to your wife”, she said , backing up as he moved closer to her.

“I’ve seen the way you look at me,” he said. “You want this.”

“No.” Brook’s voice trembled. “Get out.”

He kept moving towards then grabs her wrist.

Se pulled back. “Don’t touch me!”

But he wouldn’t let go. His hand clamped around her arm, dragging her closer. She struggled but managed to shove him hard.

“I said stop”

Then she screamed, loud and from her gut.

The door burst open.

Everyone stood there frozen. Her siblings, her husband and parents, everywhere fell silent.

Luke stumbled back, shirt half tucked, breathing heavy.

“She came onto me,” he said quickly. “I tried to leave, she wouldnt let me.”

“This isn’t true; he is lying. Why would he be in my room then if I came onto him?” she responded, feeling impressed at the piece of information that could save her.

Luke fumbled with his phone. “Look, she messaged me.”

A text glowed on the screen:

I really need a companion right now after what River and Harper did. Please help me.

“No,” she whispered. “That’s fake. I never sent that.”

Luke scoffed. “So you’re saying I created a fake account and messaged myself?” Then he turned to everyone. “Look, I just wanted to help her out, nothing more, and I guess I made a mistake.”

“Stop lying—”

“Shut up. How could you? My husband?” Ruby said, cutting her off.

“I didn’t!”

Reign stepped forward. “Let’s just, let’s think before—”

“She’s a disgrace,” Harper muttered and River nodded in agreement.

“You guys are let’s actually listen to what Brooke as the to say”, Diane suggested.

Then the murmurs continue.

“Enough!”, her father’s hand went up, the room immediately silenced.

“First of Diane and Reign just shut up if you want to have a roof over your heads.”

Then he looked at her with cold, disgusted eyes .“You’ve embarrassed this family for the last time, once with one of my wealthy friends. Mr. Thompson. Now this?”

“That wasn’t me!” Brooke said, almost begging. “It was Harper. She wore my clothes, she sent—”

“Stop lying!” he roared. “You’ve always been a problem. Always craving attention.”

Diane tried to speak again, but he silenced her with one look.

“River and I have been talking to weeks. His biggest regret was marrying you but unfortunately we had to do it at the time, now Harper is back and ready to take what is rightfully hers. She is Mrs. Gray’’

He reached into his jacket and threw a thick envelope on the bed.

“Sign the divorce papers. You’re no longer part of this house.”

She stared at it.

Her fingers trembled as she picked up the pen. She flipped to the last page.

River’s signature was already there.

Her breathing stopped, her vision blurred, and her heart cracked not loudly but like glass under pressure.

He hadn’t fought for her. 

She blinked fast, pushing back the tears. Not here, not in front of them.

No one spoke, and no one stopped her.

She signed her name slowly.

Then River’s voice cut through the silence like a sword.

“You’re not getting anything from this marriage. No settlement and your suitcase is already waiting outside.

Diane’s eyes were red, Reign stood stiff, his fist clenched but they didn’t move. They didn’t speak. The grief in their eyes only made it worse.

They wanted to stop it. But they didn’t.

No one did.

Hector dragged her out of the house and held the door open.

He turned to everyone. “If you ever try to bring her back,. You’re dead to me.”

The door slammed shut behind her and just like that, she was gone.