Chapter 3: The Last Thread Holding Me

I sat on the edge of the cold metal bench outside Blackstone & Co. Law Chambers, the divorce papers clutched tightly in my hand.

My fingers trembled, I could feel my chest rising and falling too quickly, as if the air around me was no longer mine to breathe.

I couldn’t believe how far things had fallen apart. From wife… to prisoner… to unwanted.

There was only one person left in this world I could turn to—Barbra Scotts.

With shaky hands, I dialed her number. It rang just once before she picked up.

“Celine?” Her voice was sharp, almost panicked. “Oh my God, are you okay? Where are you?”

I pressed the phone to my ear like it could somehow hold me together. “I’m out,” I whispered. “They released me.”

Barbra exhaled. “That’s good… that’s really good.”

But there was something in her tone. That pause. That cold hesitation. A distance I didn’t expect.

I swallowed hard. “Did you know Adam was going to send a lawyer? Did you know about the divorce?”

She went quiet.

“Barbra, please…” I pushed, my voice cracking. “Tell me you didn’t know. Tell me you’re still on my side.”

“I… I don’t know what’s going on, Celine,” she said, too slowly. “Everything is just so messy. Maybe it’s best to give him space.”

Her words stung. “So that’s it? You believe them too? You think I did it?”

“I didn’t say that,” she said quickly. “I’m just saying, this whole thing… maybe we should all take a step back.”

I hung up before the tears choked me too badly to speak. She didn’t believe me either. Maybe she never did.

I wiped my face with the back of my hand and stood up. I couldn’t sit there and wait for my life to rebuild itself. I had to fight, even if I was the only one still fighting.

Adam was my husband. He owed me the truth, not papers. Not silence. He owed me his eyes.

I flagged down a taxi and gave the driver the address of the Brooks’ estate. My heart beat heavily against my ribs with every kilometre. My mind raced through every memory; our wedding, our honeymoon, the late-night laughs, the dreams we once shared.

How could it all dissolve like sugar in rain?

When the mansion gates came into view, I sat up straight.

I paid the driver and stepped out. The sun was already setting, as it casted long shadows on the driveway. I made it to the gate, but the guard blocked my path.

“I’m sorry, madam. I have strict instructions not to let you in.”

I stared at him. “You’re really going to stop me from entering the house I once lived in? My husband’s house?”

“Ma, please don’t make this harder than it already is.”

But I didn’t care. My anger burned too deep. I pushed past him before he could stop me, tears already forming again as I marched up the steps and into the house.

The moment I entered, I felt it.

Judgment.

They were all there—Adam’s family. Mother, brother, aunt. People I had smiled with at family dinners. People I once cooked for. Now they all looked at me like I was dirt beneath their shoes.

And standing tall in the centre, like a queen commanding her court, was Evelyn Brooks.

She didn’t need to speak. The satisfaction in her eyes was enough. She wanted this moment. She orchestrated it.

“I see you still have no shame,” she said coolly, folding her arms.

I stepped forward, my voice shaking but loud. “You planned this. You set me up. And now you want to stand there and act like you’ve won.”

Evelyn’s laugh was quiet and dry. “I didn’t need to set you up, Celine. You did this to yourself.”

“I want to see Adam.”

“You’re not welcome here,” she snapped. “Leave now.”

“I’m not going anywhere until I see my husband.”

And as if my voice summoned him, Adam entered.

My breath caught in my throat.

He looked tired, tense… but not surprised. He already knew I was here.

“Adam,” I whispered, stepping toward him. “Please. Please just look at me. This—” I lifted the divorce papers, “—this can’t be real. Tell me you didn’t mean to send this. Tell me this was a mistake.”

He stood still, arms crossed. “It’s not a mistake.”

The words sliced through me.

“I didn’t betray you,” I said, my voice rising. “You know me. You know I could never do something like that.”

“I thought I knew you,” he replied coldly. “But you’re full of surprises.”

“You’re really going to believe your mother over me?” I asked, chest heaving. “After everything we’ve been through?”

He looked away.

“I love you, Adam. I didn’t steal from you. I didn’t sleep with anyone. That night, something happened. I was drugged. I woke up in a stranger’s room. I didn’t even know how I got there.”

“I’ve heard enough,” he said, turning from me.

“No! You haven’t!” I cried out. “You haven’t heard anything. You’re listening to everyone else but me.”

Just then, the door opened and Barbra walked in.

My face lit up. My only hope.

“Barbra!” I called out, hurrying to her. “Please. Please tell them the truth. Tell Adam what happened that night. You know I didn’t go anywhere. You were with me.”

Barbra’s eyes met mine, and something in them made me freeze.

“I’m sorry, Celine,” she said slowly. “But I can’t lie for you anymore.”

My heart sank.

“What?” I barely recognised my own voice.

“You knew what you were doing,” she added, looking away. “I tried to protect you… but I’m done.”

I took a step back. My legs went weak. The room spun. My best friend… the one person I thought would never turn on me… had just buried the last bit of hope I was holding.

Adam stepped forward.

“This is done, Celine,” he said. “Sign the papers. Leave my family alone. And move on with your life.”

“I’m still your wife!” I screamed. “You made vows to me!”

“I made them before I found out who you really are,” he said with disgust.

I dropped the papers on the floor, tears pouring freely now. “You’re not even listening. You never even gave me a chance to explain!”

Evelyn rolled her eyes. “This is becoming embarrassing. Get her out of my house.”

The guard came back. This time, he didn’t hesitate to walk toward me.

“No!” I said, stepping back. “Don’t touch me!”

My chest burned. My mouth moved before I could think.

“I’m pregnant.”

The whole room fell silent.

Adam froze. His eyes widened. The guard stopped in his tracks.