Chapter Five: Leaving the Past in the Dust

Silvia’s POV

I returned home in the afternoon to find Mum and Jasmine eating lunch in the dining room. They tilted their heads in my direction when they saw me.

“Silvia, where are you coming from?” Mum asked me, raising an eyebrow.

“I went to the hospital…” I lied, unblinking. But I didn't know what to say after that, my words drowning in my throat.

“Lies!” Jasmine sneered, standing up. “I didn't see you at the hospital!”

I looked at her, my expression neutral. “And what were you doing there?”

She froze, unable to answer me. She clenched her fists, opening her mouth to say something.

"Does she need a reason?" Mum interrupted as she stood up, walking toward me. She stopped a few inches from me, scoffing.

Right, I shook my head slowly. Mum had always supported Jasmine. It didn't matter what my younger sister did—she was always right. Most of the time, I suffered for her actions. It was as if I wasn't a member of their family… A heartbreaking realization I'd grown up with.

“You've been acting weird lately,” Mum said. “It's only right she finds out what the matter is!”

“I've been acting weird?” I scoffed, glancing at Jasmine. “It seems you've got the wrong person.”

I noticed how Jasmine’s facial muscles twitched. Perhaps she'd gotten the hint that I knew everything… Perhaps she was only suspicious. It didn't matter, though. I’d be leaving this godforsaken place today.

“What's going on?”

My eyes drifted toward Winston, rage building up in my heart. He looked so innocent and caring, as if he truly loved me. I clutched my handbag, taking deep breaths. It took me a lot of self-control to stop myself from lashing out at or punching him.

Winston walked toward me, furrowing his brows. “Silvia, are you alright?”

He wanted to touch my chin, but I slapped his hand away. I could see his eyes widen as he stared at me, speechless.

“Your senseless wife is becoming wayward!” Mum chipped in. Obviously, she thought she'd add more tension as usual. “She's been going out lately!”

Winston blinked. “That reminds me… Where are you coming from? I called Dr. Mark today… You were not at the hospital.”

He took a step forward, but I edged backward, keeping a considerable distance between us.

“That's right,” I said, taking a deep breath. “I wasn't at the hospital, because…”

Everyone stared at me, waiting for me to finish my words. I could see Jasmine's expression turn ashen. Obviously, she had her suspicion about what I was up to. Winston, on the other hand, remained indifferent. He even softened his gaze, looking at me with his brows furrowed. Who was he going to fool?

“...I went to file for a divorce.”

The words descended like a hammer, causing everyone's eyes to widen. A silence so dreadful filled the sitting room… One could hear a pin drop.

“What are you talking about, Silvia?” Winston asked, his voice turning deep.

“You heard me right, Winston,” I said firmly. “I'm divorcing you.”

“This must be a joke—”

I took out the divorce papers and shoved them in his face. “These are the divorce papers… Please sign.”

His eyes darted between me and the divorce papers, his expression turning grim. He took the divorce papers from my hands, skimming through them. He then looked back at me for a few seconds.

“Silvia, is this a prank or what?” He asked. “You can't divorce me after everything… After five years of marriage—”

I smiled bitterly, shaking my head. “I know everything, Winston. You've been having an affair with Jasmine for five years… Five years of our marriage.”

If I hadn't seen the truth for myself, I wouldn't believe that Winston was capable of that. How on earth could someone be so manipulative? He'd made me believe a beautiful lie for years!

My eyes drifted toward Jasmine. My younger sister was pale—deadly so. She stared at me with trembling pupils, as if I was a ghost. I looked back at Winston and said, “Please, sign the divorce papers.”

Winston’s expression shifted suddenly. It became so twisted that I couldn't recognize him. “And if I refuse? Are you going to force me?”

I'd prepared myself for the worst scenario, but not something like this. I'd expected him to at least beg—to say it wasn't his fault for cheating. But he didn't do that. This made me realize the kind of monster I’d married ignorantly.

He walked toward me, stopping a few inches from me. “What do you even plan on doing if I divorce you? You don't even have a business?”

“That's not your concern,” I said flatly. If I didn't already have an inheritance waiting for me, those words would have shattered me completely.

Mum also stepped forward, sneering at me. “So, you're going to divorce your husband? For something as trivial as cheating?”

I frowned deeply, looking at her. I wasn't angry or hurt… I was disappointed. She'd always blindly supported Jasmine, but this was absolutely low.

“He slept with your sister, so what?” She grimaced. “She's your sister, Silvia! You don't possibly think you'd leave without making amends!”

Was she trying to gaslight me? I scoffed inwardly, averting my gaze. I didn't have time for that now.

Winston grimaced, raising his chin slightly. “Do you think any company will accept you once you leave? I can blacklist you with a simple phone call… But if you stay, we can settle things amicably.”

Obviously, he didn't want to lose a very intelligent asset like me. After all, I'd helped him become successful.

My gaze sharpened. “Remember 29th July.”

His pupils dilated instantly when he heard the words. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he stared at me with a mortified expression.

I stepped forward and took out my pen, looking straight into his eyes. “Now sign.”

Winston gulped and slowly took the pen, walking toward the center table. He began signing the divorce papers, as if he was a puppet... I could see his fingers trembling. The arrogant and manipulative man was gone.

Mum blinked, her eyes darting between Winston and me. “What is going on here?”

She walked toward Winston and tried to talk him out of signing the divorce papers. “What are you doing?”

But it was too late. Winston had already signed everything. He walked toward me, returning the divorce papers. I took them, putting them back into my handbag with a polite smile. It was surprising, because I should be grimacing in contempt.

“Thank you,” I said, unblinking. Now it was time to leave with my belongings. Winston had finally signed.

Everyone was dead quiet as I walked to the bedroom to get my belongings. When I returned, everyone was still standing, frozen in place.

I was about to leave the house when Winston bellowed. “Silvia!”

I stopped and tilted my head at him.

“You will regret this,” he said, his voice as cold as winter's grave.

I raised my chin, replying flatly. “We'll see.”

With those words, I walked out of the Bradley mansion, leaving behind my past. A buzz in my handbag jolted my thoughts. My phone was already ringing before I left the estate.

My lips curled up knowingly. Soon, I'd embrace a promising future.