Chapter Nine

It was half past nine when Selene pulled into the garage. How she had driven through the night, she had no idea. But she made it alive. That was what mattered.

She sat there, unmoving. The engine was off, but her hands were still on the wheel. Five minutes had passed, maybe more, and she still couldn’t bring herself to open the door.

The silence around her didn’t help. It just made everything feel heavier.

This house used to be her safe space. Now it felt like a tomb.

Selene exhaled slowly, closing her eyes. Then, with all the strength she had left, she pushed the door open and stepped out. She had to move.

As soon as she entered the living room, she stopped. There was a brown shopping bag sitting on the couch. She stared at it for a moment.

Carefully, she walked over and picked it up. Inside was a pair of designer shoes. Brand new. Never worn.

Her eyes scanned the logo printed on the bag, and then it clicked. One of the stores. From Michael’s photos. One of the places Cole and Scarlett had gone together.

Selene’s breath caught in her throat.

Her grip tightened on the bag.

Of course. Of course they thought this would help cover it up. Butter up the clueless wife. Throw money at the problem and hope it buys her silence. A thousand-dollar pair of shoes to distract her from a thousand lies.

A bitter sound escaped her lips. She couldn’t tell if it was a laugh or a sob.

Her grip on the bag tightened even more.

Oh, how she wished it was his neck in her hands. Her chest rose and fell, rage bubbling just beneath the surface.

How perfectly they had planned it!

If she hadn’t known what she knew now, she would have thought of it as a beautiful gesture. Something sweet and thoughtful. Another mark earned for Cole as the most magnificent husband. She would’ve smiled. Maybe even blushed a little. Told herself how lucky she was.

But now, all she wore was a scowl. Her lips tight, her eyes dark. Dark with intent.

She stared at the bag like it was poison.

Were all the gifts he ever gave her like this? Covered lies, sugar-coated betrayal?

“Good evening, ma’am.”

Selene snapped out of her thoughts. She turned around and saw Maria standing behind her. The live-in maid, still in her casual work clothes.

Selene, though caught off guard, quickly pulled herself together.

Maria let out a small, genuine laugh as she pointed at the bag in Selene’s hand. “Sir got that for you. He told me to let you know once you arrived. But looks like you already found it.”

Selene didn’t smile. “Where’s Cole?” she asked quietly.

“He’s in the study. Said he’ll be there through the night. He’s got something to work on.”

Selene’s heart skipped. Work? At this hour?

Was he catching on? Had he sensed something was off? Did he happen to see Michael Jobs? Or maybe... maybe he was just on a call with Scarlett. Whispering the same lies. Plotting whatever came next.

Whatever it was, Selene knew one thing for sure.

She couldn’t go into that room. Not tonight.

She turned her gaze back to the shoes and picked them up, then stretched them toward Maria.

“Give this to Nesta. Red’s not really my color,” she said.

Maria blinked. “Oh, ma’am… I can’t take this. Sir got it for you. He’d be offended if he found out you gave it to my daughter.”

“Please,” Selene said, gently placing the shoes in Maria’s hands. “Nesta’s prom is coming up, isn’t it? She could use these. I’ll handle her dress too. And about Cole… don’t worry. I’ll explain it to him.”

Maria hesitated. There was a shift in the air. Something quiet, something tense. But she nodded anyway.

“Thank you, ma’am,” she mouthed, watching Selene turn and walk away.

Selene climbed the stairs slowly, one hand dragging along the railing. Her body moved, but her mind was stuck somewhere between fury and fatigue. There was no room left for confusion — just this slow-burning ache in her chest that wouldn’t let up.

When she reached the top, she paused in front of the bedroom door. Her hand hovered over the knob.

The place that once held her laughter, her trust, her dreams. Now it felt like enemy territory disguised with satin sheets and carefully chosen paint colors.

She pushed the door open.

The scent hit her first. His cologne.

Selene stepped in and let her eyes travel across the room. The bed was made, just as she’d left it. Selene stood still, her jaw tightening.

How many times had she been here? Probably zero because they prefer to do it at the vacation house.

Her fingers curled into a fist. Her heart pounded so hard it echoed in her ears.

How bold. How stupidly, disgustingly bold had they been.

She wasn’t just angry. She was done.

With slow, quiet movements, she picked up her suitcase from the closet. The one she hadn’t used in months. She set it on the bed, unzipped it, and began to pack.

Not her whole life. Just enough. A few essentials. Some clothes. A photo of her and her parents. Her medication. The note.

She didn’t need much. Just space. And a plan.

She folded a blouse and placed it inside, her movements sharp and practiced. With every piece she packed, a little more weight lifted off her shoulders.

She paused once, her hand hovering over a velvet jewelry box. Cole had given it to her on their second anniversary.

She opened it.

The necklace was still there. A dainty gold chain with a charm that spelled out forever. It looked so harmless.

Selene stared at it for a beat, then closed the box and tossed it in the trash.

Forever meant nothing now.

By the time she zipped up her suitcase, her heart had settled into a strange, cold calm.

She glanced around the room one last time. Not with longing. Not with sadness.

Just detachment.

Let Scarlett have it. Let her decorate it with her cheap lipsticks and borrowed perfume. Let Cole pretend this was still a home.

Selene had bigger plans.

She pulled the suitcase handle up and headed for the door.