Chapter 3: My First Achievement Was Walking Away

I woke up the next morning to the sound of moaning.

My body reacted before my mind did.

“Oh God… Leonard, please stop,” I whispered into the pillow, mortified by myself.

I squeezed my eyes shut, heat flooding me, I fingered myself as memories from last night came crashing in uninvited—the stranger’s sexy baritone voice, the weight of his presence, the way he had looked at me like I mattered. My breath hitched as I orgasmed.

Camille, what the hell are you doing? 

Was it the sound of my husband cheating upstairs that stirred me… or the memory of what I had done the night before?

I sat up abruptly, pressing my palms to my face.

“No. No. This isn’t you,” I scolded myself aloud.

A few minutes later, the house went quiet.

I crept to the bedroom door and peeked through the keyhole.

Leonard and Zoe lay tangled together, naked and peaceful, her head resting on his chest as though she belonged there.

I swallowed hard.

How do people sin so freely and still sleep so well?

My legs felt weak as I made my way downstairs. I poured myself a cup of coffee and stood there, staring at the dining table—the roses, the candles, the untouched food from last night’s anniversary that never happened.

My chest tightened.

Footsteps.

Zoe appeared in the doorway, wearing my bathrobe.

I forced myself to stay calm.

“Oh,” she smirked. “Our trophy wife is awake.”

I said nothing.

“How did your anniversary go?” she continued sweetly. “I hope we didn’t interrupt your celebration.”

I lifted my cup slowly and smiled.

“You wish. No—you didn’t,” I replied evenly. “Thanks to you, I had the best night of my life.”

Her smile vanished. “You’re getting too audacious. It’s like you’re forgetting your place.”

“My place?” I laughed softly. “You must be joking. Look around—this is my home. My man. My bathrobe. My slippers.” I met her eyes. “You’re the one who should know your place. And it’s outside these walls.”

She scoffed. “Your man? While you were wallowing in self-pity, I had him wrapped around my waist.”

“Yes, I know,” I said calmly. “And I also know you don’t have what it takes to get a man of your own. You only eat leftovers.”

I tried to walk past her.

She grabbed my hair. “You disrespectful little brat,” she snarled. “I’m not Leonard. I’ll teach you a lesson if you insult me again.”

I reacted instinctively—gripping her wrist, twisting it hard.

“Don’t you dare lay your filthy, slutty fingers on me, you old whore.”

“Leonard!” she screamed, collapsing dramatically.

He came running down half-dressed, panic flashing across his face.

“What is it?” he asked, lifting her protectively. “She pushed me over this stupid stinking bathrobe. I told you we should’ve gone to a hotel.”

He turned to me sharply. “Are you mad?”

“Yes, Leonard,” I snapped. “I’m mad enough to want to kill you both right now.”

“How dare you,” he said coldly.

“How dare you,” I shot back, my voice shaking. “How dare you disrespect me like this?”

He laughed. “Respect? You shouldn’t talk about respect in this house. 

Remember—you started this. You brought a man into our home on our wedding night. You cheated on our matrimonial bed.”

“It’s a lie and you know it!” I yelled.

“Lie?” he said calmly. “I have evidence.”

“It was a setup, Leonard. I’ve tried to prove my innocence. I lived by your rules—no friends, no freedom, nothing. I tried to make this work, but you’re destroying me.”

“I tried too,” he sneered. “I tolerated your cheating. Your barrenness. You don’t even bring in a dime. The least you can do is allow me peace in my home. If you’re tired, the divorce papers are on the table—and you’re not getting a dime from me.”

Something inside me went completely still.

“My… barrenness?” I whispered.

“Thank you for reminding me,” I said quietly. “I almost forgot.”

I ran upstairs, pulled open the drawer, scattered everything, and signed the divorce papers without hesitation.

Leonard followed me in. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

“Yes,” I replied steadily. “I’m giving you your freedom. This is what you and your mother have always wanted.”

“Don’t bring my mother into this,” he snapped. “She’s just a concerned woman who wants grandchildren.”

“So should I impregnate myself?” I asked flatly. “We’re done talking.”

“And you think you’ll survive without me?” he scoffed. “You have no one.”

“Yes, Leonard. I will survive,” I said. “Because I have me. And that’s enough. Watch me.”

I took my copy, dressed quickly, grabbed my phone, and went into the guest room.

My eyes fell on the envelope and card from the night before.

I opened it.

Two thousand dollars.

I exhaled sharply. Who pays that much for one night?

Tearing it up would be foolish when I had nothing.

I stared at the card for a long time—then tore it into tiny pieces and flushed them away.

Let what happened in the dark remain buried in the dark forever.

As I came downstairs, Zoe was smiling like she’d won a prize.

“See who’s leaving the four walls,” she mocked. “I warned you not to mess with me. I always get what I want.”

“Yes, I’m leaving,” I said coldly. “You can have him. Eat the four walls too—you’re not worth it.”

I walked out with nothing but the money.

I ran. I walked. I never looked back—determined to escape the prison that had caged and crippled me for five years.

“Camille! Cammy!”

I turned to see Naomi—our neighbor, the only friend Leonard ever allowed me keep—running toward me.

She stopped in front of me, panting. “What’s chasing you? Or are you training for a marathon?”

“Nothing,” I said softly. “I almost forgot I had you. Please… I need a place to stay for a few days.”

She frowned. “What happened? Wasn’t yesterday your anniversary?”

“It’s a long story. And I’m not in the right frame of mind.”

She hesitated, guilt written all over her face. “I’m sorry, Camille. You know I’m staying with my brother. He won’t accept it.”

“Why don’t we go back and beg Leonard?” she added gently. “I know he’ll take you back.”

I shook my head. “It’s okay. I’ll figure it out.”

I walked away despite her plea.

At a small eatery, I sat alone, scrolling through my phone.

I only had three contacts – Leonard, Vanessa, my mother -in-law and Naomi.

Leonard, a past I never wish to return to. I'd rather die than go back to him.

Naomi. Can't help me, she has been calling me to go back to Leonard.

Vanessa. I still recall her words . “Dry Camman. You are as dry as wood. You are worthless and useless, no man would ever marry you. You should be grateful my son married you.

That was it.

No one else.

And for the first time in years, the silence and loneliness felt terrifying.

As darkness fell, doubt crept in.

Had I just made the bravest decision of my life…

or the most reckless?