Chapter 4:Rock Bottom

Evelyn's POV 

I stared at the iron gate for the last time before dragging my suitcase down the street. 

I only left with my suitcase and some cash I've been secretly saving for a while. 

But before I could take a few more steps, the universe showed that she wasn't on my side either. The darkening clouds had covered the once shining sun. 

"This day couldn't get any worse," I mumbled to myself as I dragged myself to the near bus stop to shield myself from the rain. 

The rain came pouring harder than I expected, drumming against the roof of the bus stop until it drowned every other sound.

I sat there, clutching the handle of my suitcase as the cold wind sent shivers through my body.

A few strangers ran towards me, hoping to shield themselves too, each minding their business. Some were scrolling their phones while the others were complaining about the weather. None of them even gave me a glance and I was grateful for that.

The last thing I wanted was anyone seeing the tears threatening to fall down my face, I don't think I would be able to hold it in if anyone asked what was wrong with me.

I let out a shaky breath and looked back in the direction of Charlie's house, even from here I could still see the towering gates that once caged me in.

For three years, I had convinced myself that if I loved Charlie enough, if I became the perfect wife, he would forget about everything and eventually love me back.

But instead, I was thrown out the moment Serena returned.

Maybe I had been foolish from the very beginning.

I was foolish to think that things would get better. It was right in my eyes... The proof that Charlie wanted nothing to do with me.

I looked down at my suitcase, everything I owned now fit inside it.

Three years  of marriage now reduced to one suitcase and some cash.

A knot formed in my stomach, where was I supposed to go now?

I couldn't return to Charlie.

And my parents...

I pulled out my phone, my fingers hovering around their contact. Despite everything that had happened between us, a small part of me still believed that they wouldn't abandon me completely... That dad wouldn't let me go so easily.

After all, he's my father.

With trembling hands, I called his number.

It rang but no one took the call.

I called again, still no response.

I tried the number again, and someone finally took the call.

"Hello..."

The line disconnected before I could finish my sentence.

I was truly on my own with no where to go and no where to turn to.

The screen remained dark in my trembling hands.

For a long moment, I simply sat there, staring at my reflection. My eyes were swollen, my cheeks red, my hair clung to my face and I could barely recognize the woman looking back at me.

Little by little, the rain eased until nothing remained but the steady drip of water from the roof of the bus stop. 

Slowly the dark clouds began to drift, revealing the gray evening clouds.

I glanced at the time.

7:18 p.m.

I hadn't realized I'd been sitting there for so long.

People gradually left the bus stop, returning to their homes and families and within minutes, I was the only one left sitting there.

Everyone had somewhere to go.

Everyone except me.

I tightened my grip on my suitcase and forced myself to stand. My legs protested after sitting in the cold for hours, but I ignored the discomfort.

I couldn't stay here any longer, not when darkness was already creeping over the city.

Stepping onto the sidewalk, I looked around until a yellow taxi approached. I raised a hand, silently praying the driver would stop.

Thankfully, he did.

"Need a ride, miss?"

I nodded.

"Is... Is there an affordable motel nearby?"

"There's one about ten minutes from here. It isn't fancy, but it's clean," he replied.

"That'll do."

He climbed out to help place my suitcase in the trunk before I slid into the back seat.

As the taxi pulled away from the bus stop, I rested my forehead against the cool window and watched the city lights blur past. 

Ten minutes later, the taxi came to a stop in front of a small motel tucked between two convenience stores. 

I paid the fare and pulled my briefcase into the motel. I paid for a night and the receptionist directed me to my room.

The room was even smaller than I had imagined.

A single bed occupied almost half the space, the paint on the walls had begun to peel in places, and the old air conditioner rattled noisily every few seconds as if it would give up at any moment.

It wasn't much but for tonight, it was all I had, not that I had a choice anyway.

I placed my suitcase beside the bed and sank onto the thin mattress with a weary sigh. Every muscle in my body ached. 

I reached for my phone, hoping to distract myself from reality for a few minutes but instead, the first headline that greeted me stole the air from my lungs.

"Business Tycoon Charlie Thorne Reunites with Long-Lost Fiancée Serena Hart."

The article was accompanied by a photo of Charlie carrying Serena in his arms, gazing at her with a tenderness I had spent three years wishing he'd show me.

I scrolled down to the comments.

"They're perfect together!"

"Serena fought for true love, she deserves her happy ending."

"Good riddance to that evil substitute wife. She was only keeping Serena's place warm."

The phone slipped from my trembling hands as tears streamed uncontrollably down my face. I buried my face in the pillow, muffling my sobs until there were no tears left to cry.

When I finally lifted my head, I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand.

No more.

I was done begging for a love that was never mine and would never be mine.

Then I remembered a city I'd once read about—Oakhaven, a place known for endless business opportunities and fresh starts.

Tomorrow, I will leave for Oakhaven with the little cash I have.

At the thought of cash, I reached into my handbag and pulled out my wallet.

My fingers trembled as I counted the cash inside.

Ten ...

Twenty...

Thirty....

Just sixty dollars.

I counted it again hoping I had somehow missed a few notes.

I hadn't.

I knew I hadn't saved much but I never knew it was that little.

It was barely enough to keep me alive  for a few days even if I spent it carefully.

I was going to leave this place no matter what, I had to leave.