Chapter 4

Last night after Frederick sent Sarah out from his house, he sank into the leather chair by the window.

The house was quiet.

Too quiet.

Margaret and his mother, Hannah, had left hours ago…right after Sarah walked out with her suitcases. Margaret had followed Hannah to her house, happily offering to learn how to cook Frederick’s favorite dishes. She had laughed and said she was preparing herself to be a good daughter-in-law.

Only Sarah knew the truth.

Only Sarah knew how to cook those meals perfectly…because she had stood beside Hannah for years, watching, learning, memorizing every detail just to please him.

Frederick stared around the living room.

Empty.

He felt relieved. Finally, the burden was gone. Finally, the marriage he never wanted was over. And thank God…the fight between his mother and Beatrice had happened. That was what finally made Hannah listen to him. For the first time, his voice had mattered.

So why didn’t he feel happy?

He stood up and walked into the bedroom.

Their bedroom.

The matrimonial bed stood neatly made, untouched. Frederick paused at the doorway, surprised by the strange tightness in his chest.

Why does it feel so silent?

He sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing his face slowly. His mind betrayed him, flashing images he didn’t want to remember…how he had brought women into this same room, how Sarah had stood outside the door or cried silently in the bathroom, pretending not to hear, pretending not to break.

“No,” he muttered. “Why am I thinking about her?”

Sarah is gone.

And he shouldn’t care.

He had made his choice.

It was the right choice.

Just then…

A knock sounded at the door.

Frederick frowned. “Who could that be?”

For a moment, he thought it might be Hannah or Margaret…maybe they had forgotten something. He walked to the door and opened it.

Daniel and Gideon stood there.

His closest friends.

They rushed inside immediately.

“Bro…” Daniel said, eyebrows raised in disbelief. “I can’t believe this. You actually did it!”

Frederick shut the door behind them and ran a hand through his hair tiredly. “I had no choice. It’s been years. Nothing was working.”

They sat down, and Frederick told them everything.

How his mother had suddenly come to him one day and told him to divorce Sarah. How she had said he should follow his heart. How shocked he had been…because he never imagined Hannah would turn against her best friend’s daughter.

Daniel and Gideon had known Frederick since high school. Though they attended different colleges, they had remained close. They had watched Sarah grow into Frederick’s wife. They knew how deeply she loved him. How she always chose him, no matter how cold he was.

Gideon folded his arms and stared at Frederick. “Wait… so your mother can actually change her mind after all these years?”

Frederick leaned back in the chair with a long sigh. “I was shocked when she sat me down to finally go ahead and follow my heart.”

Daniel shook his head slowly. “That’s crazy. Your mum fought for that marriage for years.”

Frederick nodded. “But now l am happy. She’s accepted Margaret. We’re finally together.”

Gideon’s expression hardened.

“Frederick,” he said firmly, stepping closer, “did you know you really messed up?”

Frederick frowned. “What do you mean?”

Gideon’s voice rose with emotion. “Sarah gave up everything for you! Her career. Her pride. Her happiness. And you threw her away like she meant nothing…just to replace her with Margaret!”

Frederick stood up sharply. “I never loved Sarah! I never pretended to!”

Daniel sighed. “We know that. But that doesn’t erase what she sacrificed. She turned men away for you. Men who wanted her. Men who respected her. And you divorced her publicly and replaced her instantly. That’s cruel, man.”

Frederick clenched his fists. “I didn’t hurt her. She knew from the start that I didn’t love her.”

“That doesn’t excuse this,” Daniel replied calmly. “You don’t throw away loyalty like trash.”

Frederick’s eyes turned red. “I thought you guys would be happy for me. Why are you attacking me?”

Silence answered him.

And it hurt more than words.

Frederick leaned back into the chair, closing his eyes.

Gideon’s voice softened slightly but carried weight. “That woman loved you. Truly. She’s beautiful, smart…more than Margaret, if we’re being honest. She gave up everything for you. And now she’s gone. You think this ends here? One day, you’ll wake up and realize she was the only one who truly cared for you.”

Frederick snapped. “I won’t regret anything!”

Gideon shook his head. “You don’t know that yet. But you will.”

“What is wrong with you, Gideon?” Frederick glared at him. “Why are you defending her so much?”

Gideon laughed bitterly. “Because someone has to.”

He turned toward the door. “I can’t watch this. You need to figure this out yourself.”

As Gideon reached for the handle, Frederick spoke sharply behind him.

“Why don’t you marry her instead?” he said mockingly. “Since you care so much.”

Gideon stopped.

He turned slowly and met Frederick’s eyes.

“Are you serious?” Gideon asked. “Because if you don’t want her… then I won’t hesitate to pursue her.”

Frederick’s chest burned.

The thought of Gideon with Sarah filled him with sudden, violent anger. Gideon…the known playboy. The man who never stayed with one woman for long.

He did not deserve Sarah.

“Don’t even think about it,” Frederick snapped.

Gideon stared at him for a long moment, disappointment clear in his eyes.

Then he walked out.

The door slammed shut.