Chapter 1: The End Of Our Vows

Bella's POV

They say every love story begins with hope. But mine began with fire.

I can still see the way Eric looked at me the night of the charity ball. He looked at me like I was the only woman in the room, though we were surrounded by hundreds. I was just a nobody then. A server at the event. Outside that, I was a quiet girl tucked in the corner, working on my small designs and dreaming of someday being seen as one of the greatest perfumers. But Eric saw me.

"Dance with me," he'd said as he walked over to me. He removed the tray from my hand and pulled me closer to him.

I laughed nervously. "I don't even know you."

But he smirked. Looking at me confidently as though rejection never existed to him. "Then consider this the first step. I'm Eric Damon."

That was how it started. The billionaire CEO who could have had anyone chose me. Me, Bella Hayes. I thought it was fate. I thought it was love. He chased me with flowers, midnight calls, and promises of heaven and earth. He loved me hard and fast. With a certainty that swept me off my feet.

Our wedding was a dream. I wore a lace dress with a white rose bouquet in my hands. I believed in the forever he promised. But forever was shorter than I imagined. Cause the Eric I married allowed himself to be covered by someone's shadow. His mother's.

Grace Damon. The woman who reminded me, day after day, that I was an intruder in her son's life. She reminded me of my shortcomings. Watched my womb, and when it stayed empty, she condemned me. "Three years and nothing? My son married a barren woman."

And Eric let her. That's the part that broke my heart. And to make things worse, Grace introduced another girl at the family dinner table and said, "This is who should have been my daughter-in-law." And Eric was silent. He had an affair with her. And so, tonight. I will choose myself.

The next morning. I stood in Eric's office. He sat at his desk, as there were papers spread before him. His head was bent over numbers and business deals like always.

My hands shook slightly as I pulled the folder from my bag. It was divorce papers.

"Eric," I called. My voice cracked, but it managed to get his attention.

He looked up, his dark eyes softening as they landed on me. "Bella. My darling. I didn't hear you come in."

I stepped closer, the papers pressed against my chest. "We need to talk."

He frowned. "What is it?"

I placed the folder on his desk. He barely looked at it at first, but then his eyes widened, and his hand froze mid-motion.

"Bella..." he called as he opened the folder, skimmed the top page, and his breath caught. "Divorce?"

I nodded. "Yes."

He pushed the chair back and stood up. The veins in his hand tightened around the paper. "No. No, Bella. This... this is a mistake."

He looked between me and the papers as though he was trying to find hidden cameras for the prank he was falling for. "Why now? After everything. Bella, we can fix this. Whatever it is, I'll fix it."

A hollow laugh slipped out of my mouth. "Three years, Eric. Three years, and nothing has changed. It's too late now. Nothing will change."

"Don't say that," he snapped. "I know I've made mistakes—"

"Mistakes?" I cut in, the anger in me was boiling. "You let your mother run our marriage into the ground. You stood there, silent, and watched her as she tore me apart piece by piece. You let her bring another woman into our home, and you fucked this woman on our matrimonial bed, Eric. Do you even realize how humiliating that was?"

His face went pale as shame flickered in his eyes. "Bella, I didn't mean—"

"You didn't mean what?" I spat. "You never mean anything. But you always allow. Were you drugged when you were deep into that lady's pussy, fucking her like you've never fucked anyone else before?"

He raked a hand through his hair, pacing around like a caged animal. "I can change. I'll tell my mom to stop. I'll—"

"You won't," I cut in again. "You've had three good years to prove you could. And you didn't."

The room became silent. Eric's lips parted, ready to plead again, but then the door creaked open.

"Bella," came in the shrill voice I had learned to hate. "Oh, thank heavens!"

Grace Damon stepped inside, her smile was wide. She looked at the folder in Eric's hand and clapped joyfully.

"Finally! She's leaving!" she laughed. "I told you, my son, didn't I? She was never good enough for this family. Couldn't even give you a child. What use is a wife like that?"

Eric's head snapped toward her. "Mother, please stop—"

But she only waved her hand. "Stop? Oh, Eric, don't pretend you don't see the blessing in this. She's doing us both a favor. Sign it, dear. Let her go, and we'll find you someone worthy of this family. That's if you don't want the one I brought in. Someone who can give you an heir."

My blood boiled, and my fists clenched at my sides. I wanted to scream at her, wanted to throw something. But instead, I exhaled, forcing myself to calm down.

"You don't deserve a reaction out of me."

Grace blinked, and the smile on her face slipped.

Eric turned back to me. "Bella, please," he begged. "Don't do this. Don't leave me."

I shook my head, trying to control the tears that wanted to pour out of my eyes. "I already have, Eric. This paper is just the proof."

He faltered, staring at the signature line, his hands trembling. Then slowly, painfully, Eric picked up the pen.

His hand hovered, and his chest heaved. But finally, he signed.

Eric dropped the pen, his eyes were glassy. "Bella..." he whispered.

But I couldn't listen. I turned the papers in place, and the marriage was gone. As I turned to leave, behind me, Grace laughed.

"Good riddance. The barren lady finally takes her leave."

I paused at the door, my hand on the frame and my body trembling with fury. But without looking back, I spoke.

"You can have your son now."

And then, I walked out. But as the door shut behind me, a question kept whispering in my mind.

Was this the end or only the beginning?