CHAPTER 4

AGNES LA TRINIDAD's POV

I gripped the phone tightly as tears continued to stream down my face. Every word felt like a reality check I had been running away from for years.

"Look at what he did to you," Grace continued. "You lost your child, Agnes! He has abused you over and over again, and now he’s almost k*lling you emotionally! What else are you waiting for? Do you want to end up in a coffin before you realize he's a monster? Please, listen to me this time... leave Henry. Pack your things. If I have to pick you up even if he's there, I will do it."

"Y-Yes, Grace... I’m leaving him," I answered, my voice breaking as I wiped the tears from my eyes. "I’ll just give him my entire inheritance... I’ll give him the twenty-five billion just as long as he lets me divorce him and leaves me in peace."

"Are you insane, Agnes?!" Grace shouted from the other end of the line, clearly unable to believe what she was hearing. "You’re going to give him your entire inheritance after he humiliated and degraded you?! You are smart, Agnes, but why do you lose your mind when it comes to that man?!"

“I can't do this anymore, Grace. I’m so tired. I just want all of this to end.”

That was where our conversation ended. I didn't realize I had cried myself to sleep.

When I opened my eyes, my heart nearly stopped from shock. Henry was the first thing I saw. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at my face with a massive grin.

"Good morning," he greeted me tenderly. "I thought about what you said yesterday... and I agree to what you want."

He pulled a thick folder out of his bag along with a pen.

"I’m giving you the divorce you want, Agnes. But before that, you need to sign these official documents transferring your inheritance to me first."

He handed me the papers. I breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, this hell was going to end. But along with that relief, an intense doubt began to creep into my chest. Why was it so fast? Why did he suddenly agree? I knew Henry needed the money for his project, but I knew him. He was an incredibly greedy person. Something felt wrong.

But out of sheer desperation to be free from him, I buried the doubt in my mind. I quickly signed the document. When I was about to reach for the final folder containing the divorce papers, Henry swiftly snatched it from my hands.

“Henry, what are you doing?!”

A terrifying smirk slowly formed on his lips. Right in front of me, he tore the divorce papers to pieces and scattered the shreds all over my face.

“No… Henry! Don't!”

"Did you really think it would be that easy to escape me, Agnes?" he mocked before laughing out loud. "You are so damn stupid!”

I stared at him as my entire body went cold. The relief I felt seconds ago shattered into a million pieces.

"You're supposed to be smart, but when it comes to me, you're an absolute idiot," he added, quickly standing up while holding the signed deed of assignment. "Your money is mine now, and you will still remain tied to me for as long as I want!"

He grabbed my cellphone from the bedside table and rushed out of the room. Before I could even get out of bed, I heard the heavy slam of the door and the sound of the double lock from the outside.

"Henry! Henry, open this! Please, Henry!" I screamed as I ran toward the door.

I pounded and kicked the hard wood until my hands turned red and bruised. I begged. I cried. I pleaded over and over again, but I heard nothing from the outside except his footsteps and the cold silence of the house.

“Henry! You shameless b*stard! You are so evil!” I wailed, sobbing uncontrollably.

I need to get out of here. Now that he has my signature… my insurance will be his next target. And that means… he will k*ll me.

Driven by sheer desperation to escape that hellhole, I didn't think twice. I rushed to the second-floor window, threw it open, and jumped down with my eyes tightly shut.

"Aahhh!" I screamed in agonizing pain as my body hit the grass.

The cold ground pressed against my face. I could feel a sharp pain shooting up from my foot to my leg. It seemed like I had sprained it, but I didn't have time to wallow in the pain. I forced myself up and limped toward the garage.

With my entire body shaking, my eyes landed on Henry’s parked motorcycle. Luckily, the key was still there.

I don’t even know how to use this thing. I didn't have my cellphone either, making it impossible to call Grace or anyone else for help.

“Sh*t!”

It felt like I was being chased by an invisible monster. I hurried, consumed by the terror that he might come back to the house and catch me. I was certain that would be the end of me if he did.

With trembling hands, I got onto the motorcycle. I forced my brain to recall how Henry used to start it. Perhaps out of pure desperation, I managed to make it run. I gasped in shock as the bike shot forward, but I quickly squeezed the handbrake.

My hands trembled on the wheel and tears completely blinded me, but I forced the motorcycle to stay straight. I had to reach Grace. Right now, she was my only hope. 

When I arrived in front of her house, I hurriedly got off the motorcycle, even as I hobbled on my injured foot. My entire body was shivering as I raised my hand to press the doorbell, but I froze.

A familiar vehicle was parked in the driveway…

“T-That’s Henry’s car…”

My breath suddenly hitched. Slowly, I shifted my gaze to the front door of the house. It felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over me at the sight.

Henry and Grace were standing at the front door. Henry was cradling Grace’s large baby bump while they kissed deeply... as if they were the ones who were truly married.

I covered my mouth in shock. My brain couldn't seem to process the scene unfolding right in front of me.

“G-Grace... and Henry… why are they together? Why is she kissing my husband?!”