CHAPTER 4

[Diego's POV]

"You're back already, sweetie," Nelly said, her lips twisting into a displeased frown.

"I couldn't wait another moment," I confessed, dropping to my knees before her and clutching her hands. "These five years without you were torture, Nelly. Promise you'll never leave me again."

Her fingers twitched in mine. "I'm not going anywhere. But what about Serene?" Worry lines creased her forehead.

"Already handled," I said, leaning in to capture her lips. "She'll be out of our lives permanently."

Serene meant nothing to me now - just an obstacle finally removed. With Nelly's return, I'd instructed my lawyer to expedite the divorce proceedings immediately.

Poor Serene had lost our child in her darkest hour, and soon she'd lose me too. The thought filled me with giddy anticipation. Finally, I could return to my first love, the only woman I'd ever truly wanted.

[Weeks Later]

I watched dispassionately as Serene entered the lawyer's office. She'd somehow pulled herself together enough to sign the papers, though her movements were mechanical, her eyes hollow.

"Please review the terms before signing," my lawyer instructed, sliding the documents toward her.

Serene didn't even glance at the pages. Her pen scratched across the paper with finality - she couldn't wait to erase me from her life. As if I cared. If she couldn't understand why I needed Nelly, then our marriage had been a farce from the beginning.

" It's your turn, sir," the lawyer said, offering me the pen.

"One moment." I stepped outside and returned with my surprise guest.

Serene's face paled when Nelly glided in behind me. My ex practically vibrated with excitement as she took the seat beside me, our thighs pressing together while I signed away my marriage. Serene's trembling hands betrayed her, though she kept her expression carefully blank.

When I offered the $2 million settlement, Serene refused with a quiet dignity that actually made me wonder to what extent she would be foolish enough not to take the money. 

As Serene turned to leave, I dropped to one knee before Nelly and took out the ring I had bought her. The timing was exquisite - divorcing Serene on our fifth anniversary only to propose to my true love moments later.

[Serene's POV]

I barely made it to the restroom before collapsing against the sink. My reflection stared back at me - a ghost with smeared mascara and cracked lipstick. Red streaks of ruined makeup trailed down my cheeks like blood.

"How could he?" The words scraped raw against my throat.

The door swung open before I could compose myself. Of course it was Nelly. She sauntered in like a cat who'd gotten the cream, her designer heels clicking against the tile.

"Oh sweetheart," she purred, not even pretending to care. "I wish things were different."

I turned on the faucet to drown her out, but her next words sliced through the running water:

"Imagine if he'd left you while you were pregnant. Really, you should be grateful we did you this favor."

White-hot rage exploded behind my eyes. Before I knew it, I'd crossed the room and grabbed her arm. "Don't you dare speak about my child!" My voice shook with fury. "You're not fit to even say the word."

Nelly's smile turned venomous. "Really? Then why did Diego do everything I asked? Including," she leaned in close, "having me witness your humiliation today?"

The truth hit like a physical blow. Every cruel action, every calculated move - all to please this woman. How could he do this to me?

I fled before she could see me break. Home. I needed to get home, pack my things, and erase every trace of Diego Myers from my life. This time, the tears didn't come. Only ice-cold certainty.

He'd regret this. They both would.