Lara stirred slowly, her limbs heavy and her mind clouded with sleep. A faint headache pulsed at her temples, and for a moment, she didn’t quite understand where she was.Her brows furrowed as her gaze focused on the unfamiliar ceiling above her. It wasn’t hers. The room smelled faintly of sandalwood and something clean—masculine. She sat up abruptly, the soft comforter slipping off her shoulders.Panic seized her chest.Where... am I?This definitely wasn’t her room. The walls were painted in elegant shades of cream and black, the furniture minimalist but sleek. Everything about the space whispered luxury—but also restraint.Instinctively, she checked herself under the covers. She was still in the same clothes as earlier. Relief rushed through her, but her mind was still racing.Running her fingers through her messy hair, she tried to piece together what had happened. Her heart dropped as flashes of memory came rushing back—her conversation with Lucas... breaking down in Reagan’s arm
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Do not distribute, publish, transmit, modify, display or create derivative works from or exploit the contents of this story in any way. Please obtain permission.Content & Trigger Warning: This story contains mature themes, including explicit content, strong language, graphic violence, and other potentially distressing material. Reader discretion is advised. I do not promote, support, or romanticize any of the crimes or red flags depicted in this story—they are included solely for narrative purposes. Please approach these themes with an open mind while being mindful of potential triggers. Your well-being is important, so remember to take care of yourself before, during, and after reading.***PrologueLara’s gaze rem
December had just begun, and the air was colder than ever. The chill seeped through the walls, making the house feel emptier than usual. Lara sat curled up on the sofa, her laptop balanced on her lap as she worked on her lesson plans. The soft glow of the screen illuminated her face, but her eyes kept drifting toward the wall clock. 8:15 PM. Lucas should have been home by now. He usually arrived by eight, but lately, his schedule had become unpredictable. Some nights, he came home late. Other nights, not at all. She told herself not to overthink it—he was a busy man, after all. But deep down, worry gnawed at her, mingling with frustration. They barely saw each other as it was. And now, even the little time they had under the same roof was slipping away. It was ironic, really. They were married, yet they lived like strangers. She let out a sigh, trying to shake off the unease settling in her chest. Was he doing this on purpose? Avoiding her at all costs? Did he truly hate
The meal was silent and tasteless. She wasn’t even sure if she was full or just forcing herself to eat. Once she finished, she cleaned up, then returned to the living room to continue her lesson plans. But no matter how much she tried to concentrate, her mind kept drifting back to Lucas. Three years. Three long years since she and Lucas got married. And in all those years, nothing had changed. No, that wasn’t true. Things had changed. They had gotten worse. Their marriage was an empty shell—two people bound by paper, living under the same roof but in entirely different worlds. It was a cruel joke—a one-sided love story where she was the only fool still clinging to hope. Lucas had never treated her right. He never raised a hand against her, but his coldness was a different kind of torment. His words, his actions—everything was designed to push her away, to break her. And he had succeeded, countless times. And yet, she stayed. Why? Was it love? Or just an unhealthy obsession?
The school day had ended, and most of the children had already gone home. Lara sat in the waiting area, keeping an eye on the last few students still waiting for their guardians when a familiar voice called out to her. “Lara!” She turned just in time to see Ali striding toward her, her designer handbag swinging at her side. “Are you done with class? I’m dying for milk tea,” Ali announced dramatically, flipping her hair as if the mere thought of waiting any longer was unbearable. Lara chuckled, shaking her head at her best friend’s antics. Ali had been a handful, to say the least, ever since college, but over the years, Lara had learned to handle her quirks with patience. She was high-maintenance, outspoken, occasionally dramatic, and a little too confident for her own good, but beneath all that, she was sweet and fiercely loyal. Life was never boring with her around. Lara turned to her assistant. “Maera, can you stay with the kids while they wait for their parents?” Maera no
Lara forced a smile. “Enough, Ali. We’re fine, really. He’s just busy with work, so we don’t see each other much.” Ali scoffed. “Work? That’s the lamest excuse I’ve ever heard. Do you hear yourself? Look at you—you’re gorgeous, you’re kind, and you’re literally the perfect wife. Meanwhile, he’s out there being an emotionally constipated jerk. Seriously, what’s so special about him? If I were you, I’d find myself a lover. That would teach him a lesson.” Lara shot her a pointed look. “That’s never going to happen. You know how much I love Lucas.” Ali groaned dramatically. “God, you’re hopeless. You’re so in love with a walking red flag!” Lara stifled a laugh. “You sound more bitter than I do. You don’t even have a boyfriend.” She shrugged. “That’s because men are trash. It’s like they have collectively decided to be terrible. Even the ugly ones cheat! The audacity!” Before Ali could rant further, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and scowled. “Ugh, it’s my manager,
After dropping Ram off at her home, Lara decided to stop by the market to restock their groceries. Their supplies were running low, and she figured she might as well take care of it now before the weekend.The trip took longer than expected. Between picking out fresh produce, comparing prices, and waiting in the long checkout line, two hours had passed by the time she was done. By the time she arrived home, the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow through the windows.Lara changed into more comfortable clothes before heading to the kitchen to put away the groceries. Once everything was sorted, she gathered the dirty laundry from both her room and Lucas’s and tossed them into the washing machine.As the clothes spun in the washer, Lara pulled out her phone from the pocket of her shorts and sent Lucas a message.Lara: What time are you coming home?She stared at the screen, waiting for the little “typing…” indicator that never appeared. It wasn’t surprising. Lucas rarely replie
As soon as the call ended, Lara let out a deep sigh and placed her phone on the counter.That conversation had been exhausting.She loved her mother, but talking about her marriage always left her feeling suffocated. The guilt of lying to them weighed heavily on her chest. It was one of the reasons she rarely visited home. Her parents, especially her Mom, always expected Lucas to come along, and she knew he never would.And now, she had to find a way to convince her emotionally distant husband to visit her family this weekend.Ugh. What a mess.Shoving her phone back into her pocket, she turned her attention back to the laundry. The washing machine had finished, so she moved the clothes to the dryer. Once they were dry, she placed them into a laundry basket and made her way to Lucas’s room. She rarely entered his space, but since she had already done the laundry, she figured she might as well put his clothes away. Lucas’s room was spotless, just as she expected. Everything was neat
Lara stirred slowly, her limbs heavy and her mind clouded with sleep. A faint headache pulsed at her temples, and for a moment, she didn’t quite understand where she was.Her brows furrowed as her gaze focused on the unfamiliar ceiling above her. It wasn’t hers. The room smelled faintly of sandalwood and something clean—masculine. She sat up abruptly, the soft comforter slipping off her shoulders.Panic seized her chest.Where... am I?This definitely wasn’t her room. The walls were painted in elegant shades of cream and black, the furniture minimalist but sleek. Everything about the space whispered luxury—but also restraint.Instinctively, she checked herself under the covers. She was still in the same clothes as earlier. Relief rushed through her, but her mind was still racing.Running her fingers through her messy hair, she tried to piece together what had happened. Her heart dropped as flashes of memory came rushing back—her conversation with Lucas... breaking down in Reagan’s arm
Lara kept walking, not once glancing back. Her chest felt tight, her emotions roaring inside her like a violent storm. Her vision blurred as tears clung stubbornly to her lashes, and the lump in her throat felt impossibly large. She pressed the elevator button with trembling fingers. When the doors slid open, she stepped inside and pressed herself into the corner, willing herself to disappear. The doors were just about to close when suddenly, a hand slipped through, forcing them to open again. Startled, Lara looked up—and her breath hitched in her throat when she saw who it was. “R-Reagan?” she stammered, her voice barely a whisper. There he was, still in his dark, tailored suit, the crispness of his appearance a stark contrast to his expression. His usually composed face was tight with concern, his brows knitted together in a deep frown. There was no mistaking the worry in his sharp green eyes. Without a word, Reagan stepped inside. The elevator doors closed behind him, sealing
Lara stared at him like he had grown another head. And then, she let out a short, incredulous laugh. “Oh, God, Lucas. Are you being serious right now?”“I am,” he said, jaw tight with emotion.Lara’s heart thudded painfully inside her chest, but she kept her face neutral, forcing herself to stay calm even when her insides felt like a storm.“I was stupid... a coward,” Lucas went on, his eyes desperate. “I didn’t have the courage to admit it to myself, much less to you. I made so many mistakes, Lara. I was so consumed by guilt, by anger, by everything... and I hurt you. I know I did. Over and over because of my pride and selfishness. I blamed you for everything, when in truth, I was just as much—if not more—at fault. And by the time I realized I couldn’t afford to lose you... you were already slipping away from me.”There was no sign of the cold, emotionless Lucas she once knew. Now, he was stripped bare, vulnerable in a way she had never seen before.But Lara said nothing. She simply
The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across the living room.Lara stirred first, blinking against the soft brightness. She yawned and stretched, her muscles slightly sore from sleeping on the couch. She squinted at the wall clock to check the time.8:26 AM.A groggy voice mumbled from the other couch, “What time is it?”Lara turned her head to see Ali, tangled in the blanket, peeking at her with one eye half-open.“Eight twenty-six,” Lara answered, sitting up with a stretch that made her spine pop satisfyingly.Ali groaned, rolling over and blindly reaching for her phone on the coffee table. Meanwhile, Lara padded quietly out of the living room, making her way to the bathroom to freshen up. She splashed cold water on her face, brushed her teeth, and tied her hair into a messy bun before heading to the kitchen.She decided to prepare breakfast—simple but filling. Pancakes sizzled on the stove while eggs fried in another pan. She quickly threw toge
By the time Lara got home, the sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a soft orange hue over the city skyline. The silence of her condo wrapped around her like a blanket—welcoming, familiar, and exactly what she needed after the emotional weight of her conversation with Riah. She wasn’t sad. Not really. She was just… tired. She dropped her keys in the bowl by the door, slipped off her shoes, and head towards the living room. She barely had time to sit on the couch when her phone rang. Ali. “Hey,” Lara answered, trying to sound normal. [“Okay, I know it’s short notice, but I’m sleeping over tonight,”] Ali announced without preamble. [“It’s Friday, tomorrow’s the weekend, and it’s been way too long since we had a proper girls’ night.”] Lara blinked, the corners of her lips lifting slightly. “You sure? I just got home, and I’m honestly not the best company right now.” [“All the more reason I’m coming over,”] Ali said. [“You need this. Trust me.”] Lara paused. She d
Lara stood frozen. Her mind reeled as the pieces started fitting together—pieces she never even realized were part of the puzzle. She thought back to that day so long ago—when her parents casually asked what she thought of Lucas. She’d smiled then, cheeks warm, and told them she liked him. Naively. Innocently. She had no idea there were already quiet talks happening between their families. She didn’t know that her little confession might have set everything in motion. Her throat tightened. So it was me. Her father had always admired Lucas. He used to mention how driven he was, how sharp, how impressive for someone his age. If she, his beloved daughter, also expressed interest in him… maybe her father had seen that as a sign. A confirmation. A chance to ensure her happiness while also securing a strategic alliance. He probably thought he was doing the right thing. But he wasn’t. He really shouldn’t have done that. He shouldn’t have meddled. Shouldn’t have played cupid
Lara’s jaw clenched as she took a mental step back, locking her emotions away before they could spill over. She looked at Riah, eyes cold. “It doesn’t matter,” Lara said stiffly, her voice clipped. “Whether you’re together or not—it makes no difference to me anymore. The annulment is happening. Whatever you’re trying to do here… it changes nothing.” Riah’s expression faltered. “Are you really going through with it?” she asked, her tone etched with worry and hint of desperation. “What about Lucas? I thought… you loved him.” Lara let out a slow, tired breath. “I did. God knows I did.” she admitted. “But I love myself too. And I’m done wasting my time on someone who can’t see my worth.” “But Lucas loves you!” Riah said suddenly, her voice rising slightly. Lara blinked, stunned for a moment. Then she let out a dry, humorless laugh. “Love? Really? He loves me?” Her tone dripped with sarcasm. “Come on, Riah. You’re making me laugh. Lucas has only ever loved one woman—and it sure
The sun was dipping low outside the school gates, casting soft amber streaks on the floors of the small waiting area. Lara sat on one of the low benches, her posture relaxed, listening to Ram chatter animatedly about a new cartoon she’d seen. The little girl’s eyes sparkled with excitement, her tiny hands flailing as she described her favorite scene. “…and then Ate bought me a new pink unicorn! It lights up when you press its tummy, and it even sings, Teacher Lara!” Ram beamed. Lara smiled, brushing a strand of hair from the little girl’s forehead. “Really? That sounds magical.” Ram nodded excitedly. “I’ll bring it tomorrow!” Just then, Maera, her assistant, called out from across the room, “Ram! Your guardian’s here.” Ram perked up immediately, scrambling to her feet with an excited gasp. “Yay!” Lara leaned down to help Ram put on her backpack and fix the strap that had twisted awkwardly. “There you go, sweetie.” “Thank you, Teacher Lara!” Ram gave her a quick hug befor
When Lara got home that evening, she slipped out of her shoes, feeling the comfort of her condo wrap around her like a warm embrace. She set her bag down and walked into her bedroom, pulling her phone from her pocket to check any missed messages. A notification caught her eye—a message from Atty. Mendez, sent earlier that afternoon. Atty. Francesca Mendez: Hi Lara. I’ve finished drafting your annulment petition. Let me know when you’re free to review and sign it. We can meet anytime that works for you. Lara stared at the message for a moment. Her breath hitched, not out of panic, but quiet relief. It was real now. The end wasn’t just an idea—it was moving, breathing, taking shape. She quickly typed a reply. Lara: Thank you, attorney. I’m free after my class tomorrow, around 5 PM. Would it be alright if we meet over dinner? After hitting send, she placed her phone on the nightstand and walked into the bathroom for a quick half-bath. Warm water rushed over her skin, washing away t