Gaslit by Comments for Years

I watched the floating comments fade, numb.Then I looked up and met Alex Gallucci as he stepped out of the study.He didn't even glance at me. Went straight to Nico. "You like Tressa's pasta?"Nico nodded hard.Only then did Alex look at me, eyes cold. "Stop wasting time in the kitchen. Nico doesn't like your food."He grabbed the fork Tressa handed him, took a bite, and smiled at her.In that moment, I felt like a background extra in my own home.I'd been married to Alex for seven years. Nico's stepmom for seven years.Seven years ago, Alex's real love—Cecilia Borrello—died, leaving him with a baby, Nico.He came to me and asked if I'd marry him.I'd loved him for years. I said yes without thinking, clinging to the chance.But on our wedding night, he went cold. "Cecilia's the only one in my heart. I'm marrying you so Nico has a real family. Don't expect anything else."My chest went cold.'I was so blinded by love,' and I still agreed.I thought if I tried hard enough,

The second I said "divorce," Alex's and Nico's faces both changed.The comments blew up like a bomb went off.[What the hell? This isn't how the script goes!][Is Reyna crazy? Why is she asking for a divorce out of nowhere? Alex and Nico love her so much!][Relax. She's just mad. She's loved Alex for ten years—no way she'd actually leave. She's just trying to scare them.]I looked at the comments all saying the same thing and smirked.Maybe Alex and Nico thought the same.That I'd loved them for nothing, year after year. No matter how they stepped on it, I wouldn't leave.So they kept pushing. Again and again.Alex's brows tightened, something unreadable in his eyes. "Reyna, don't use this to get my attention."Nico cut in, full of disdain. "What game are you playing now? I'm telling you, it won't work."I didn't argue.I picked up the broken opal, wrapped it in a tissue.Then I went back to my room, shut the door, and locked it.***Early the next morning, the lawyer se

A calm voice cut in. "Hey, let go of my girlfriend."Arnaud stepped up, easy, and slid in front of me.Alex's pupils shrank. His eyes locked on the hand on my shoulder, rage right there, ready to spill."Your girlfriend?" he scoffed. "She's my wife.""Ex-wife." I cut in, cold. "Mr. Gallucci, show some respect."I didn't look at him again. I turned to Arnaud and gave a small, apologetic smile. "Sorry, babe. My mess."Arnaud shook his head, blue eyes warm."It's okay. What's yours is mine."The way we acted with each other snapped whatever control Alex had left.Something dark flashed in his eyes. Then he swung at Arnaud.Arnaud moved fast. They started fighting.The gallery exploded into chaos.The comments? Still eating it up.[Ahhh! Alex is fighting for Reyna!][Oh my God, this jealous showdown is everything. I can't look away.]I called the cops.They showed up fast.Alex knew it was me. He didn't fight it. Just stood there in the wrecked gallery, staring at me.His

Alex should've been deported back to Italvia by then.At least, I hadn't heard anything about him in a long time.Just when I thought life would finally stay quiet, an unknown number called.It was his mom. Pamela.Her voice sounded tired. "Reyna, is there really no chance for you and Alex? I know you were wronged. He failed you. But for Nico's sake, could you—""Pamela." I cut in, calm but firm. "If I were your daughter, would you really let me go through all that?"Silence.I let out a small laugh. "You're a good mom. But Alex and I are divorced. Nico has you. I'm okay."A sigh came through the phone.Pamela kept going, voice gentle, almost lecturing. "After you left, Alex changed. He locked himself in your old room for days, wouldn't see anyone. The company's a mess, and he ignores it. A few days ago, he drank until he had a stomach bleed and ended up in the ER. Even then, he was calling your name..."I listened in silence, like it was just gossip.When she finished, I sp