Checkmate

REBECCA'S POV

I could hear the soft murmurs around us as everyone stared in shock. The tension between us was palpable; neither of us spoke, but the way our eyes locked in a fierce battle made it obvious that something was off.

Finally, Felix snatched my hand, but instinctively, I flung his grip off my wrist.

It wasn’t just because I was mad—it was because his touch, which once gave me comfort, now repelled me.

“We need to talk. Rebecca, don’t you dare cause a scene and ruin things for Anna. Do you know how much she worked for this project?”

Even in this moment, the only person on his mind was still Anna.

I let out a slow, humorless laugh. 

Then, I stepped forward, my heels clicking against the floor. 

“Anna, Anna, Anna,” I snorted, poking his chest with each word that rolled off my tongue, not caring that everyone was watching.

I was done.

“Is she the only person you think about?”

Anna clutch Felix arm tighter, her voice soft, almost trembling.

"Rebecca, I swear, I would never take your designs. Maybe you just forgot that we worked on them together."

I froze. Forgot? 

A murmur spread through the crowd, a few people exchanging glasses. 

Was I the one overreacting? No, this was exactly what she wanted. 

I scoffed and arched a brow at Anna. “With all this acting and two-faced personality, I think you need an Oscar. No wonder you’re always in and out of the hospital.”

“Rebecca, watch your tone. We are in public,” Felix roared.

“You have no right to silence me. You stole my family and my design. What else can’t you steal?” I snapped, my tone rising.

“Sis, why are you being like this? I think you believe these are your designs, but actually, they’re mine. I know you’re mad because Felix and I are close, but I would never do anything to hurt you,” Anna said, biting her lip as tears filled her eyes.

“If I had known you were so quick to tear down anyone in your path, I never would have worked here.”

The whole room erupted in murmurs, hushed whispers filling the air. My lips curled into a smirk as my gaze flickered between Anna and Felix, standing side by side.

“You both deserve each other,” I hissed. Then, I crossed my arms and tilted my head toward Felix. “Meet me at Langford Courthouse tomorrow at 12 PM. By then, the agreement will have been finalized.”

Felix’s eyes widened as he grabbed my arm. “Rebecca, what do you think you’re doing?”

My gaze dropped, devoid of emotion. That was when I knew—I felt nothing for this man anymore.

I smiled as I leaned in closer, our faces mere inches apart. He stared at me, searching for something in my expression.

“I’m divorcing you,” I sighed, clasping his fingers and sliding his hand off my arm. Taking a step back, I declared, “We are done.”

Felix’s eyes were laced with fury, but beneath that, I caught a glimpse of something—was it shock? Regret? I couldn’t tell, and it didn’t even matter.

His face goes emotionless, as if I had just told him I was leaving for a weekend tried. 

Then he smirked. 

"You really think this is it, Rebecca? 

You think you're the one ending thing?" He scoffed adjusting his cufflinks. 

"Let's be honest. You've been nothing but an inconvenience for years."

My nails dug into my palms, but I refuse to react.  "Perfect. This inconvenience has overstayed in your life." I clapped back and his face hardened. 

Felix parted his lips, about to rush toward me, a whimper broke through the air, and my face hardened.

In an instant, Felix’s attention was back on Anna as he clamped his hand around her waist. Anna’s eyes were tightly shut, her breathing uneven.

“Anna, Anna! What’s wrong?”

“Brother Felix, I’m fine. Don’t pay attention to me. You have to fix things with Rebecca,” Anna gritted out as her body began to shiver.

The whole meeting room roared with worry. Without hesitation, Felix swept Anna off her feet, carrying her in his arms.

He took off running, not even caring that I was still standing there, watching him. As they passed, Anna’s body brushed against mine, and my knees buckled, sending me crashing to the floor.

Felix's arm wrapped around her, effortlessly lifting her. Like she was precious. Like she was delicate. 

But when I had been sick—feverish, barely able to stand he had only sneered. 

"You're too heavy. Get into the wheelchair."

My breathe hitched, the past crash into me like a tidal wave. He never lookef at me like that. He never held me like that. 

I didn’t know how long I sat there reminiscing about the past, but slowly, I felt his presence before I saw him.

A crisp, clean scent—a mixture of cedarwood and quiet power.

He crouched beside me, offering a handkerchief. His eyes held something I couldn’t place—familiarity.

“You shouldn’t cry over a scumbag,” he said, smirking.

I gave a weak chuckle, shaking my head.

He slid a card into my palm, leaning in slightly. “It’s been a long time, Rebecca Belmont.”

I froze. My blood ran cold.

How did he know that name?

“Don’t be so surprised. I know a lot more than you think.” He smiled, slipping his hands into his pockets before walking away.

I had questions. How did he know about my identity?

Who was this man, and why was he here?

I swallowed the lump in my throat, ready to call out to him when my phone rang. My eyes narrowed as I saw the caller ID—Will’s teacher.

Panic rushed through my veins. Did something happen?

“Hello, Miss Katie. Is Will alright?” I asked sharply, my feet padding against the floor as I rushed out of the meeting room, heading toward the hallway.

“He’s fine, Mrs. Sterling. It’s just that your son changed his emergency contact from you to another woman.”

I stopped in my tracks. My hand clenched into a tight fist as bile rose in my throat. “Who?”

“It’s Mrs. Anna Sterling, his aunt. He claims that she is his new mommy.”

Miss Katie cleared her throat. “Mrs. Sterling, if this is some sort of error, I can correct it.”

I stopped in my tracks. My hand clenched into a fist as bile rose in my throat.

He replaced me?

My grip tightened around the phone, but I didn’t speak immediately. I let the silence stretch, let the weight of those words sink into my bones.

My son had erased me—just like his father wanted.

But I wouldn’t break. Not here. Not now.

Slowly, my lips curled into a smirk. A sharp, cold smile.

Oh, Anna. You really thought it would be that easy, didn’t you?

My voice was smooth, emotionless when I finally answered. “Miss Katie, there’s no error.”

A pause. Then, I added, my tone almost mocking. 

“My son is right. He has a new mommy.”

I exhaled slowly, adjusting my bag. Then, with quiet amusement, I murmured under my breath.“Let’s see how long she lasts.”