Evelyn’s POV
I sat on the edge of the bed, my hands buried in my face. My whole body still felt heavy from the
drink the night before. I couldn’t even look at myself in the mirror.
What have I done?
A married woman… with a child… how could I let myself go that far?
The image of that man — cold, handsome, the way he threw that card at me — it still burned in
my mind. I wasn’t that kind of woman. I had never been.
But last night… I was broken. I was just a woman nobody wanted. A wife unloved. A mother
unrecognized.
I picked up my phone to distract myself from the shame building up inside. That was when I saw
the message.
“Mrs. Evelyn, there’s a dinner meeting tonight. We need you there. It’s
regarding the new project files and mreoverThe CEO from abroad is finally
returning.”
My heart skipped a beat.
I remembered — they mentioned weeks ago that the real boss of the company was returning. I
had never seen him. Only the manager had been running things.
I wiped my face and replied, “Okay. Please send the address.
The venue was stunning. A grand hotel with gold lights, soft music, and the scent of roses in the
air. I wore a simple navy blue gown. Nothing fancy, but decent. I walked in slowly, expecting to find a few familiar faces from work. But then… my world stopped. Across the hall, under the glowing chandelier, I saw Jason — my husband. Yes, he’s the CEO of his company, at first I had wanted to work in his company, but he didn’t allow me, probably, he doesn’t want people to know of our relationship. He looked so polished, so proud, as he laughed and sipped champagne. And beside him… was her. Ivy. Wearing my wedding dress. I froze. No… no. That can’t be. That’s my dress. The same dress I wore when I married Jason. The one I had chosen with so much love and hope. Every bead, every stitch held a memory. Now it clung to her body like it belonged to her. I stepped forward, unable to stop myself. “Ivy?” I whispered, eyes wide. Jason saw me. His eyes turned hard. He walked quickly toward me and — without warning — pushed me to the side, away from the guests. “What the hell are you doing here?” he hissed under his breath. I stumbled a bit, hurt more by his tone than the push. “I was invited,” I said quietly. “It’s about the projectHe glanced around nervously, then turned back to me. “This place isn’t for someone like you.”
My chest tightened.
“I’m not here to cause trouble, neither am I here for you” I whispered. “But… why is Ivy wearing
my wedding dress?”
Before he could answer, Ivy appeared beside him, smiling like she owned the world.
“Because it fits me better than it ever fit you,” she said sweetly, but her eyes were sharp.
I stared at her, my breath catching. That dress was mine. My memory. My moment. And now it
was a joke in front of all these people.
Jason looked at me with disgust. “Who are you to question her?”
“Because Jason said I could wear it, okay?” She said, with a smirk.
My lips trembled. I couldn't speak. I couldn't even cry in front of them. I just walked away.
No one pursued me.
No one cared.
The night air outside slapped me like ice. I struggled to breathe.
My heart was pounding in my chest. My wedding dress… my husband… all my loved ones were
in someone else's control now.
Why on earth am I still here?
Why am I still hanging on to this marriage?
I staggered blindly out onto the street, crying.
Tonight, something inside me broke apart.
Jason had made me aware of it. He didn't think of me as his wife.
No longer.
Now, I had a choice to make.
And this time… I would choose myself.
Even if that meant walking out with nothing.
Even if it meant starting all over again.
I was done begging for love.
Evelyn’s POVThe morning air was quiet, but my heart wasn’t.I barely slept through the night. My pillow was soaked with silent tears, and my eyes were sore. Ihad made up my mind. I would collect the divorce papers today. My lawyer had called earlierand said everything was ready. All I had to do was show up and take them.I stood in front of the mirror, brushing my hair slowly. I didn’t even recognize the woman staringback. My skin was pale. My lips were dry. The scar on my cheek… I used to hide it withmakeup. Now I didn’t bother. What was the point?As I slipped into a plain dress and picked up my bag, I took one last deep breath. Today,something in me had changed. I wasn’t going to beg anymore.I walked towards the living room, ready to leave the house, when I heard laughter.Jason and Liam were there — father and son — sitting on the couch, getting ready for work andschool. Liam was holding his little backpack while Jason helped him fix his tie.I paused.I used to be the one
Evelyn’s POVI sat on the edge of the bed, my hands buried in my face. My whole body still felt heavy from thedrink the night before. I couldn’t even look at myself in the mirror.What have I done?A married woman… with a child… how could I let myself go that far?The image of that man — cold, handsome, the way he threw that card at me — it still burned inmy mind. I wasn’t that kind of woman. I had never been.But last night… I was broken. I was just a woman nobody wanted. A wife unloved. A motherunrecognized.I picked up my phone to distract myself from the shame building up inside. That was when I sawthe message.“Mrs. Evelyn, there’s a dinner meeting tonight. We need you there. It’sregarding the new project files and mreoverThe CEO from abroad is finallyreturning.”My heart skipped a beat.I remembered — they mentioned weeks ago that the real boss of the company was returning. Ihad never seen him. Only the manager had been running things.I wiped my face and replied, “Okay.
Evelyn’s POVMy head throbbed. Everything was spinning. I groaned softly and tried to sit up.My eyes opened slowly, and confusion hit me like a wave.Where… am I?This wasn’t my room. The sheets were silk, smooth beneath my skin. The air smelledexpensive—like cologne, leather, and something else I couldn’t place. I looked down.I was wrapped in a white towel. Nothing else.Panic exploded in my chest. I clutched the towel tighter and looked around the unfamiliarhotel-like room. Then, I saw him.A man.He was standing across the room, buttoning his shirt, completely calm—as if nothing waswrong. He looked rich. His black shirt clung to his chest, his wristwatch sparkled under the light,and his face… he was so handsome it hurt. Sharp jaw. Cold eyes. Lips that held no kindness.“What—what happened?” I asked, my voice shaking.He didn’t answer.I grabbed the nearest thing—a pillow—and held it to my chest. “What happened last night?!”He glanced at me once, then continued fixing his cuf
Evelyn’s POVI checked the time for the tenth time.6:45 PM.Liam should’ve been back by now. The school closes by 4:00, and the driver always brings himhome before 5:00. I had called the driver earlier, but he didn’t pick up. Maybe he was just busy.Or maybe… maybe something was wrong?I had spent the whole day in the kitchen. My hands were sore, my dress had oil stains, and myhair smelled of onions and chicken, but I didn’t care. I wanted to do something special. For myson. For Liam.Today was his birthdayAnd even if he hadn’t smiled much at me that morning, even if he had whispered to Jason that Iwas embarrassing, I still wanted to make him feel loved.Because I was his mother.Even if he no longer believed it.I looked at the table I had decorated—blue balloons, a small chocolate cake, his favoritemashed potatoes, and the gift I’d wrapped with trembling hands. A toy car just like the one hewanted two years ago, before he started hating me.Still… no one came.My heart pound
Evelyn’s POVI woke up earlier than usual today.The sky outside was still grey, and the house was silent. But my heart wouldn’t let me rest.every year. Not because anyone reminded me, but because how could I forget the day Ibecame a mother? Today was special — Liam’s birthday. I had marked the day in my mind the same way I did I didn’t need an alarm clock. My love for him had always been louder than anything else.I stepped out of my room quietly, still in my robe. The floor felt cold, but I didn’t care. All I couldthink of was how much Liam used to love it when I sang him awake on his birthdays — when hewas smaller, before he learned how to hate me.I walked to his room with a soft smile, holding onto a thread of hope that maybe, just maybe,today he would remember that I’m still his mother.The door creaked open and I peeked inside.He was curled under the blankets, his small frame rising and falling gently. The sight of himsleeping always did something to me — a mixture of p
Evelyn’s POVThe morning was quiet.Too quiet.The kind of quiet that feels heavy in your chest. Like the silence is screaming all the thingsyou’re not allowed to say.I stood by the doorframe, watching my son, Liam, frown as he sat on the edge of the bed.His socks were halfway on. His school bag leaned against the wall. His uniform was a littlewrinkled. I had ironed it the night before, just like I always did.I took a small step forward. “Do you want me to fix your tie?”He didn’t answer.I walked closer, kneeling in front of him. My knees hurt these days, but I didn’t care. “Liam,” Isaid again, my voice soft, “Would you like me to make your favorite lunch today? I could bring itto school at break time. The j rice with the diced meat. Remember how much you used to loveit?”He looked up at me with the coldest eyes I’ve ever seen on a child.“No.”Just one word.But it shattered something inside me.“No?” I asked, trying to keep smiling.He stood up and pulled the tie out of my