4

Bella:

Luke let out a quiet sigh before gently taking my hand again and guiding me toward the dining table. I didn't resist this time.

I simply didn't have the strength anymore. Fighting him felt pointless when my heart was already too exhausted to care.

"Sit," he murmured as he pulled out a chair for me.

I lowered myself onto it, my eyes falling on the beautifully decorated table. Rose petals were arranged carefully into three simple words.

Happy Wedding Anniversary.

I stared at them for several seconds, unable to look away.

The words belonged to a marriage that no longer existed. They celebrated a love that had already begun to die.

Luke sat across from me, smiling warmly, completely unaware of the storm raging inside me.

"I've never regretted the day I met you," he said softly. "Every day I'm grateful that you became my wife. Thank you for saying yes to me. Thank you for making this past year the happiest year of my life. Bella... I'll love you until eternity."

His words should have made me smile.

Instead, they only made my chest ache.

I simply nodded.

Speaking felt impossible.

If I opened my mouth, I was afraid everything I have been holding back would come crashing out.

Luke reached into his jacket and pulled out a small velvet box.

He opened it, revealing a breathtaking diamond ring that sparkled brilliantly beneath the chandelier.

Without thinking, I extended my hand out of habit.

My body still remembered loving him, even if my heart had already started letting him go.

He smiled as he carefully slipped the ring onto my finger.

Just then, his phone rang.

He ignored it and continued placing the ring on my finger as though nothing else in the world mattered.

The diamond settled against my skin, heavy and unfamiliar.

"Why are you so quiet?" he asked gently, searching my face. "You know it hurts me when you don't talk to me."

I remained silent.

There was nothing I could say that wouldn't shatter us completely.

His phone rang again.

This time, annoyance flashed across his face before he finally picked it up.

The moment I saw the name on the screen, my heart froze.

Serena.

He answered immediately. "Hey, Serena. What's wrong?"

His voice softened instinctively.

I couldn't hear what she was saying, but I didn't need to.

His expression said enough.

The call lasted less than a minute.

When he hung up, he stood from his chair without hesitation.

"I have to go," he said.

I looked at him quietly.

"Serena needs me." He cut me off before I could even say a word.

“If you walk out of there, we're done!” I said and he shook his head.

“Try to understand me, Serena needs me.” He muttered.

“And what about me? Huh?” I asked.

“Trust me I'll come back, wait for me.” He simply walked away, leaving me alone in the middle of the anniversary dinner he had spent so much effort planning.

I watched him walk away until the front door closed behind him.

Then I stood up slowly and silently.

Every step toward our bedroom felt heavier than the last.

I changed out of my dress, carefully folding it before placing it on the bed.

Then I slipped into a simple outfit. My gaze drifted to the diamond ring on my finger.

I stared at it for a long moment before slipping it off.

Without another thought, I placed it on the bedside table.

Some promises no longer deserved to be worn.

I grabbed my car keys and walked out of the house.

The moment I reached my car, my phone vibrated.

A message from Serena. [Sorry, I had to call Luke, I couldn’t find my inhaler and he doesn't wanna lose me]

Before I could even process it, another message arrived.

[I know you probably don't believe me, he bought a new mansion for me. The passcode is 0613. He won't be leaving until I'm satisfied.]

My fingers froze.

0613. Our wedding anniversary.

Another message followed.

[If you still don't believe me, come and see for yourself. I'll send you the location.]

Seconds later, several photos appeared.

A luxurious mansion I had never seen before. Luke's jacket. His wristwatch. Serena's lace lingerie carelessly thrown across the bed.

I stared at every picture.

My vision blurred as tears filled my eyes.

My chest tightened so painfully it became difficult to breathe.

I didn't need proof anymore. But I still needed to see it with my own eyes. I started the engine and drove off.

The entire journey was a blur.

Tears streamed endlessly down my cheeks, but I kept wiping them away as I followed the navigation toward the address Serena had sent.

Eventually, I arrived.

I switched off the engine and sat there for a moment, gripping the steering wheel as another tear slid down my face.

Taking a shaky breath, I stepped out of the car and walked toward the mansion.

The electronic door asked for a passcode.

With trembling fingers, I typed 0613.

The door unlocked immediately.

My heart broke all over again. She was telling the truth.

Inside the living room, Luke's jacket lay carelessly over the couch.

His wristwatch rested on the coffee table.

Beside them...Serena's lingerie.

My stomach twisted violently.

Barely able to breathe, I climbed the staircase.

Every step felt heavier than the last.

When I reached the first bedroom, I found the door locked.

Then I heard them.

"Does it hurt... fuck..."

"It isn't your first time," Luke's voice said from inside. "Relax and let me do it properly."

"I love you, Luke!" Serena cried.

A brief silence followed.

Then his voice came again. "I love you more than anything."

Everything inside me shattered, so I turned to leave. Whatever love I still had for him died behind that locked door.

I drove aimlessly until I found a bar.

The moment I walked inside, I ordered four bottles of liquor.

I didn't ask for a glass. I drank straight from the bottles, hoping each swallow would numb the pain clawing at my chest.

When I finished the last bottle, I somehow managed to call Fiona.

She arrived only minutes later.

"When did you get here?" I slurred, struggling to focus on her face.

"Bella..." she whispered, kneeling beside me. "You're drunk. What happened? Where's Luke?"

A bitter laugh escaped my lips.

"I heard him..." I whispered. "With my own ears."

Tears blurred my vision again.

"He told her he loved her... while they were together."

Fiona looked stunned.

"Maybe there's some misunderstanding. Maybe you should calm down first…"

"There is no misunderstanding!" I snapped, my voice cracking. "I want a divorce."

She stared at me in shock.

"Help me prepare the divorce papers. Send them to me as soon as they're ready."

"Bella..." she said softly. "Luke has always been a good husband. I can't believe he'd do something like this. Please don't make such a huge decision while you're hurting. Once those papers are signed...there's no going back."

I slowly shook my head. "I'm done."

The words came out barely above a whisper.

"He can have his best friend."

I swallowed the lump in my throat before forcing out the final words.

"I will never stay married to a man I believe cheated on me.”