Chapter 5

“You changed your mind?”

A mocking voice greeted me the moment I stepped through the door of the house I had spent two years desperately trying to turn into a home.

I stopped.

Ralph was lounging casually on the couch, a smug, triumphant smile tugging at his lips. For a fleeting second, irritation surged through me. But I refused to let either of them see it.

“I’m only here to collect my personal belongings.”

I turned away from Ralph’s mocking gaze, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing how much his words affected me.

“Your things are still in our room,” he said casually. “I didn’t let Mom throw them away. I knew you’d come back.”

I slowly looked at him. I said nothing. I simply stood there, waiting for whatever ridiculous excuse he had prepared.

“I know you feel wronged, Bella,” Ralph continued, his voice taking on the tone of someone generously offering forgiveness. “But for the sake of the two years we spent together, I’m willing to give us another chance.”

I nearly rolled my eyes. His audacity was almost impressive. Another chance? As if he were the one doing me a favor.

“You have no one here in Lax City,” he continued, completely oblivious to my growing exasperation.

“And I’m not as heartless as you probably think I am. You can still stay here.”

He paused, glancing toward Dawn before continuing as though what he was about to say were perfectly reasonable.

“But since Dawn is pregnant with my child, she’ll be staying in the master bedroom with me. You can use the spare room near the kitchen for the meantime.”

He said it so casually that I almost laughed. Almost. Instead, I let out a quiet scoff.

“That’s the stockroom.”

Ralph’s expression hardened for a moment, clearly irritated by my correction.

“Well, it’s better than the street, Bella.” His voice carried a hint of condescension.

“You should have realized that after spending the night outside. I know last night must have been difficult for you.” He leaned back against the couch, as though he were genuinely concerned.

“I was also worried you might run into some danger. But I wasn’t feeling well because of my pregnancy, so we weren’t able to go looking for you.”

Dawn finally spoke. Her voice was soft, almost pitiful. But I could see straight through it.

The concerned expression. The slight frown. The way she instinctively rested a hand over her stomach.

It was all an act. They truly expected me to believe that they had been worried about me.

I stared at the two of them, caught somewhere between fascination and sheer exasperation.

They genuinely believed I had come back because I had nowhere else to go.

“With you alone in this city, I’m the best you have, Bella,” Ralph said arrogantly. “Think about it. I’m helping you.”

I almost laughed. But I didn't.

“In exchange, you can help take care of Dawn. She’s pregnant, so she needs proper nourishment every day. Besides, as far as everyone in this neighborhood is concerned, we’re still married. And the child she’s carrying…” He paused, as though what he was about to suggest was perfectly reasonable. “Treat it as your own.”

He stood and walked toward me, his expression filled with self-assurance.

“That was the only thing missing from our marriage—a child. And Dawn has fulfilled that.” His lips curled into a smug smile. “You should be grateful, Bella.”

I stared at him in disbelief.

“We can work this out,” he continued, as though he were offering me some generous compromise. “We’ll raise the child together. Nothing has to change between us.”

Nothing has to change? He really had lost his mind.

“Think about your situation,” he pressed. “You have a roof over your head. Food on the table. A home. In short, you have everything you need.” His smirk deepened. “You still have me.”

I nearly choked on my own disbelief.

“I may not be able to give you the intimacy we used to have,” he added smugly, “but you still have the chance to be with me.”

I stared at him as though he had completely lost his mind.

Then, slowly, realization settled over me. It had been months since Ralph and I had been intimate.

All this time, I had convinced myself that he was simply busy. Stressed. Buried beneath the pressure of running the company.

But now, standing there beside Dawn, I felt pathetic. He hadn't lost interest in intimacy. He had simply lost interest in me. Because he already had someone else.

A mocking chuckle escaped my lips.

The sound immediately wiped the smugness from Ralph’s face. His expression twisted with displeasure, while Dawn furrowed her brows.

“Well, thank you for being so dignified that you stopped touching me while enjoying someone else,” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “And no, thank you for your generous offer. I’m not interested in a threesome.” I gave them both a pointed look.

“I can’t imagine being skewered by the same rod as your mistress.”

Ralph’s face darkened. I didn't bother waiting for his response. I simply walked past them and headed toward the bedroom.

I hadn't come back to reconcile. I had only come for a few personal belongings.

And since they hadn't thrown everything out yet, I might as well pack everything myself. Whatever I no longer needed, I would be the one deciding what happened to it.

For a while, I packed in silence. Then the familiar voices from the living room grew louder.

A moment later, they appeared in the bedroom doorway.

“Don’t even think about taking anything from this house,” Matilda snapped, storming into the room. “Take your rubbish. That’s all you own.”

I slowly turned toward her. Before I could respond, Dawn clung to Ralph’s arm, her expression suddenly filled with practiced worry.

“I brought some of my jewelry when I came here last night,” she said softly. “I’m just afraid I might lose a piece. I’ve already lost count of how many I have since I trusted everyone in this house.”

I froze. The implication was unmistakable. She was accusing me of stealing.

Anger tightened my jaw, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of seeing me react.

I looked at Dawn. Then Ralph. Then Matilda.

Without saying a word, I reached for the only handbag I owned—the one I had brought with me, the one I had used to keep the few personal things I had left. The only reason I had come back.

I placed it on the bed and emptied everything onto the sheets. Then I turned the bag upside down and shook it, deliberately displaying every pocket and every corner.

Empty.

I made sure they saw it. Then, one by one, I picked up my belongings. Before placing each item back inside, I held it up for their inspection.

My movements were slow and deliberate. Almost mocking. I endured the humiliation.

The last thing I picked up was my wallet. I opened it, pulled out a card, and tossed it toward Ralph. It landed near his feet.

“That’s the card you gave me.”

His eyes dropped to it.

“I don’t need alms that can’t even pay the electricity bill,” I said dryly.

I slipped my wallet back into the bag, swung the strap over my shoulder, and faced Dawn. My gaze was cold enough to silence the room.

“And don’t worry, Miss Diaz.” I gave her a faint, humorless smile. “I won’t steal your trash.”

I let my eyes linger on her for a beat.

“After all, you’re the one who seems to enjoy living off mine.”

Dawn’s face twisted with fury. Ralph’s expression darkened, his jaw tightening as anger flashed across his face. But I no longer cared. I simply walked past them, leaving the rest of my trash behind.

“You useless bitch!” Matilda exploded behind me. “Don’t you ever come back!”

I didn't stop.

“You’ll come crawling back, Bella!” Ralph’s furious voice followed me. “And don’t expect me to go easy on you. Once you walk out that door, you’ll finally realize what you’ve lost!”

My fingers curled around the doorknob. I paused.

For a moment, I stood there with my back to them, letting his words sink in. Then I slowly turned around. A faint smirk touched my lips.

“That should be my line, CEO Ralph Vergara.”

His expression stiffened.

“You’ll know exactly what you lost…” I held his gaze, my voice calm and unwavering. “…the moment I step out of this door.”

I turned away before he could respond. I opened the door and walked out without looking back.

“Let’s see where that arrogance gets you!” Matilda’s voice rang out behind me, even after the door slammed shut.

****tbc****