Chapter 2

“I’m sorry, ma’am… but we can’t let you in.”

The firm voice of a man in black stopped Alyssa in her tracks — right in front of her own gate.

Alyssa frowned. “What do you mean? This is my house!”

Her grip tightened around the small bag in her hand — the one holding a few documents and clothes she’d managed to take from the office the night before.

The man lowered his gaze slightly, but his tone remained firm. “We’re just following Mr. Rafael’s orders.”

That name made Alyssa’s blood boil. “Rafael? I’m his wife! Tell him to come out here and explain this to me!”

The tall iron gate loomed before her — darker, colder than she remembered. Once, it had been a symbol of warmth and home. Now, it felt like a wall of rejection.

From inside came the sound of heels clicking against marble floors.

Then he appeared — Rafael. Dressed sharply, his expression blank, and beside him walked Maya, wearing that same satisfied smile. Behind them, a man in glasses carried a thick folder.

“That’s enough. Don’t make a scene in front of the house,” Rafael said flatly.

He descended the steps with calm indifference, as if speaking to a stranger.

Alyssa stared at him, disbelief clouding her face. “What is this, Rafael? Why won’t my own guards let me in?”

“This house,” Rafael emphasized the word, “now belongs entirely to me. All ownership documents are under my name. You have no right to be here anymore.”

Alyssa shook her head rapidly, her voice breaking. “You can’t be serious, Rafael. This is our home! The house I built with my father before he died!”

Maya crossed her arms, her eyes sweeping over Alyssa from head to toe with disdain. “Your father’s been gone for years, Alyssa. And things have changed. I’ll be living here from now on.”

“Maya!” Alyssa snapped, glaring at her. “Stay out of this!”

Rafael raised a hand to stop her. “Watch your tone. I don’t want the neighbors hearing your cheap melodrama.”

That cold tone hurt more than any shout ever could.

Alyssa took a step forward, her eyes brimming with tears. “I don’t care what the neighbors think! I just want to know how you could do this! I gave you everything—”

“And that’s your mistake,” Rafael cut in sharply. “You trusted too easily. Now face the consequences.”

He turned to his lawyer. “Show her the papers.”

The lawyer opened the folder and read in a formal tone, “According to the asset transfer documents signed by Mrs. Alyssa yesterday, full ownership of all properties — including the main residence and personal assets — has officially been transferred to Mr. Rafael.”

Alyssa froze. Every word from that paper struck her like a slap to the face.

“No… that’s impossible,” she whispered weakly. “You can’t do this, Rafael. I’m your wife…”

Rafael gave a short laugh. “Ex-wife, you mean. The divorce papers are being processed. And don’t worry — I’m generous enough not to press charges.”

Alyssa looked up, her eyes red with rage and heartbreak. “You really have no heart.”

“I’m just being realistic,” Rafael replied coolly.

He gestured toward the guards. “Help her pack her things. I don’t want a single item of mine contaminated by her tears.”

“Don’t touch my things!” Alyssa snapped, pushing one of the guards away. But they went inside anyway, dragging out a few suitcases and small boxes hastily packed.

Some of the wedding portraits that once hung proudly in the living room were tossed onto the wet lawn.

The frames shattered. The photo of Alyssa and Rafael smiling together now lay face-down in the mud.

Alyssa knelt down, picking up the photo with trembling hands. “You promised to protect me… Rafael, you promised…”

Her voice cracked as the rain began to fall softly.

Rafael stared at her, devoid of remorse. “Promises are for different circumstances. I have a new life now.”

He glanced at Maya and wrapped an arm around her waist — right in front of Alyssa.

Maya smiled sweetly. “You should be grateful, Alyssa. Not everyone gets the chance to start over.”

Alyssa bit her lip until she tasted blood. Her eyes burned with fury and sorrow. “One day, you’ll both know what it feels like to lose everything.”

Rafael scoffed. “A threat? From a woman who doesn’t even have a home? Save your drama for yourself.”

He turned to go inside — but Alyssa’s broken voice stopped him.

“How can you change this fast?”

She was crying now, her steps unsteady. “I gave up my pride just to save you, Rafael! And this is how you repay me?”

Rafael paused for a moment, then turned his head slightly. His eyes were cold, unfeeling. “I never asked you to sacrifice anything. You chose to be foolish.”

Alyssa stood still, empty. Those words shattered what little strength she had left.

Maya tugged Rafael’s arm playfully. “Come on, darling, don’t waste time on the past.”

The gate closed slowly.

The sound of metal clanging was like the final hammer of judgment.

Rain poured harder.

Alyssa stood in front of the house that had once witnessed her love — now a monument of betrayal.

Her small suitcase was soaked. Her thin nightdress clung to her skin, making her shiver.

Yet she didn’t move. She simply stared at the great door — the one Rafael used to open for her every night, now shut tight.

Alyssa lifted her face toward the gray sky, her tears mixing with the rain. “You may have taken everything from me, Rafael…”

Her voice was faint, almost drowned by the storm.

“…but you didn’t take me.”

She picked up her fallen suitcase and began to walk away without looking back.

Each step was heavy, but beneath the despair, something began to stir inside her — a strength she had never known before.