Chapter 2

The call ended abruptly.

I still remember when the marriage proposal from the Monclaire family came. They were so happy and didn’t need to ask me anything.

Before, it was because I had loved him for a long time. But now, I had left that uncomfortable place, walking slowly down the quiet, rainy streets.

I felt foolish, especially because I felt powerless and unloved by anyone. It made me almost enjoy walking in the middle of the street. The cold rain soaked through my clothes as I walked down the street.

And I knew I shouldn’t be acting like this, considering my condition after donating blood to Isabella wasn’t too good. My body felt unbearably weak, and I could already feel my vision blurring.

Just as my knees gave out beneath me, my hand was suddenly caught by someone.

I fell into his arms, and we locked eyes, immediately realizing that he was not Sebastian. I swallowed the bitter feeling again and replaced it with a smile.

“Are you okay, Sandra?” He looked at me with clear concern.

Under the black umbrella shielding me from the rain. I could look at him, my university friend and an outstanding lawyer now. I’m also an outstanding student as him when I was in the university, but I went into the marriage with Sebastian, that’s when my bright life suspended as well as my career plan.

I moved slowly. Dylan still kept his hand around me, supporting my body, and we locked eyes again.

Dylan remained the same, he was always such a thoughtful friend. But I managed to create some space between us and slightly diverted my attention from him.

“I’m fine,” I replied, hugging my body. “Could you just help me hail a cab?”

Dylan put his hand on my shoulder. “I’ll drive you home.”

Honestly, I felt a bit uncomfortable meeting him in such a state. I wanted to resolve this quickly, go home, and everything would be okay.

“You’re soaked like this. Listen to me, Sandra. Let me take you home.” He looked at me deeply, like a solid rock, which was exactly how he was.

As far as I remember, Dylan had always been an understanding friend with a warm heart.

Finally, I nodded.

My body, now shivering, couldn’t give me the energy to argue with him. Dylan draped his suit jacket over my shoulders and gently guided me into the car.

During the ride home, Dylan spoke again. “Sebastian is not a good husband.”

I looked at him, trying to process what he said. Dylan surprised me because he wasn’t the type of person to talk badly about others.

“He’s treating you badly. Has he ignored you again?” Dylan glanced at me.

I couldn’t respond to his words because they were true.

“I still remember how incredible you were back in university. I thought you’d become one of the top lawyers of our time. I never imagined you’d turn into a quiet, obedient housewife for a man who doesn’t deserve you. You’ve changed too much… for someone so unworthy.”

Dylan cursed in a low voice. This man, who was close to me, had made me feel better with his attention.

I agreed with everything he said, nodding. Sebastian should indeed feel lucky to have me. Didn’t I always treat him well and care for him?

Finally, we arrived at the house. "Thank you for driving me, Dylan."

He nodded slightly.

"If you need my help, you can contact me, Sandra." Dylan said gently.

His words surprised me a bit because he was genuinely concerned about me.

As I got out of the car, I saw Sebastian standing at the entrance, watching. His handsome face was shadowed, his gaze sharp.

I swallowed slowly, feeling the weight of the tension, and walked toward the house. I didn’t even realize that I was still wearing another man’s suit jacket.

"Where have you been?" I heard Sebastian ask.

The moment he saw me, I knew he was focusing his gaze on the black suit jacket draped over my shoulders.

 I don’t make a sound, walking past him and into the house. "Or should I ask, who were you with today?"

Today, Sebastian felt different than usual. He never cared, he never asked anything about me. The conversation always started and ended with Isabella.

I was so tired of facing him. Because our relationship wasn't close, I was going to respond with a short answer, but before that could happen, he shoved me, making me fall onto the sofa.

"Sebastian." I called his name.

Sebastian always acted cold toward me. This time, our eyes lock on each other. His large body was positioned above mine.

“You didn’t answer my question.”

I tried to escape from this situation, pushing against his hard body, but to no avail. Even as I struggled, he didn’t care. His piercing eyes and deep voice echoed.

“You betrayed me, Cassandra?” He began accusing me, and I was already amused by his words.

Betrayal? Why is that even being discussed when he took care of another woman for nearly three years?

“Get out of my way, Sebastian. I’m so tired.” I ordered him. Even with his sharp gaze, he didn’t do what I wanted.

Then I felt my body being pressed more and more by him, making me even more immobile. At that moment, Sebastian was completely different from usual. His breath, so close, made my body react.

I kept my eyes open, but Sebastian held my chin and forced me to look at him. “Don’t even think about betraying me, Cassandra.”

In three years of marriage, this is the first time he’s kissed me. I knew he was doing this without love, but I let him do it anyway. From the rough kiss, he took off my clothes roughly.

I had always wondered what it would be like to make love to Sebastian. Finally, he did it out of anger because I hadn’t acted the way he wanted. With a rough finger that entered my mouth, he made me continue to look at him.

His other hand was on my throat. ““Isn’t a child what you’ve been after all this time?”

His eyes that gleamed thorned my heart. Making love with him turned out to be this rough, yet with such extraordinary care. I never expected to shed tears because of it—it's so sad.

The rough lovemaking on the sofa ended an hour later. My body weakened, I felt an immense exhaustion and lay on the sofa. From here, I saw his back moving away.

I was completely exhausted…

How did I feel after satisfying my curiosity about making love with the man I had loved all this time?

It gave a very strange sensation. A storm might have suddenly appeared, making my heart feel like it was pierced. It hurt so much that every breath I took caused more pain."

I sat on the sofa, I don’t move. I was filled with emptiness that made me realize that the love from that man would never be mine. He did it because he considere me just as his property, he wanted to assert that so I couldn’t resist.

I might never get his love, but I have the right to escape from a situation that felt like poison to me.

After I understood that, I picked up my phone. I called him repeatedly until he finally answered my call.

“What’s up? You’re bothering me.”

His cold voice made my whole body react, causing pain. I cleared my throat and squeezed the phone tightly.

All the emotions I had bottled up I could no longer contain.

“Where are you?” I said flatly.

I remembered it well, after he did what he wanted with me roughly last night. He just left me without saying a word. He didn’t even turn back.

“With Isabella.”

A cold grin appeared on my face. Already knew about it, clearly.

I can sense my emotions exploding, pushing me to act on everything I’ve been avoiding."

"Ah, right." I thought I managed to say it calmly, but the pain still lingered. "Will you be by my side and take care of me if I get sick?"

He didn’t need to think to answer my question. "Do you think you can get sick? You need to keep donating blood to Isabella."

Silence.

A sour smile curled my lips.

His answer only made me more certain. Thank you, God, for allowing me to hear the answer I wanted. There would be no more doubt. 

Then came his impatient voice. "Don't call me for things like this again. I'm busy. Don't waste my time."

I closed my eyes for a moment, steadying my breath.

"I won't," I whispered. "This is the last time."

I stared ahead at the rain falling against the window. This was the final conclusion of everything I’ve been through.

I immediately hung up the phone. What would come out of his mouth was just nonsense I didn’t want to hear.

Mentally exhausted from this toxic relationship, I wanted to end it quickly.

My phone call was connected to Dylan. Right now, I needed his help. “Can you help me divorce Sebastian?”

“You want to divorce him?” Dylan’s voice was full of surprise. Some noisy sounds were heard before quickly quieting down.

“Yes. I want to divorce him.” I was sure.

“Congratulations.” Dylan congratulated me, making me slightly surprised, but I understood.

Several times, Dylan talked about Sebastian, the man who behaved badly and didn’t deserve to be my husband.

“I’ll do it. You’ll divorce him.”

The phone call ended, and I immediately went to my room to pack my things. I know I need to leave this house and avoid meeting him...

But it’s a mistake because I should have never fallen in love with him. I placed the rose brooch he gave me when we were young inside his desk.

A few days passed, and I met Dylan at a quiet café.

“Everything’s ready, Sandra. And I’ll make sure you get the divorce assets you deserve,” Dylan said with confidence.

A successful lawyer, it seemed, I was sure he could do it.

“No need, Dylan. I won’t take anything from this divorce.”

He looked at me, frowning. “Are you sure?”

“Sure. Please, Dylan. Just make this process as quick as possible.”

He slowly nodded, understanding me. I felt relieved.

I watched him, then suddenly a wave of nausea hit me. I covered my mouth. I guess the divorce had a surprising effect on me.

“Sandra, are you okay?” Dylan moved. He panicked and quickly helped me to the hospital.