ON YOUR KNEES, EX-HUSBAND のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 51 - チャプター 60

Carla~The allegations never stopped coming.Blogs were continously publishing, articles were going crazy with my name on it and even local tabloids too.There were people pointing fingers at me for different reasons. Trolls in the comment sections dragging my name through the mud.My social media account was flooded with angry texts and insults being hurled at me. It was almost like I had personally offended them.Some called me a gold digger, stating that I clearly had a habit of jumping from one wealthy man to another. Others labelled me as "some bitch who never deserved the Lockwood name." And some, they called me a murderer.Apparently they've reopened the case concerning Xavier’s father and this time, I wasn't going to go unpunished.Many were calling for my arrest and prosecution.And some even said I was too irresponsible to take care of my own child, so I left him with my ex-husband.The list went on and on, people calling me out for being a terrible person.Angry tears stung

Damian~“Our boss predicted this.”"He said you'd show up."The bald man’s voice carried a smug certainty as he stepped past me, already turning away like my compliance was a given. He started down a narrow hallway tucked to the side of the club, and after a brief pause, I followed.With every step, the music faded; the noise and chaos of the world outside. It all slowly bled away until all that remained was the soft hum of hidden generators and the echo of our footsteps against concrete walls.We were going underground.“Of course he did,” I replied coolly, even though every instinct I had was screaming at me to be ready for anything.This place wasn’t built for accidents.The hallway was dim, lit by low amber lights spaced too far apart, casting long shadows that stretched and twisted along the walls. I kept my face neutral, but my eyes were constantly moving, watching corners, counting exits, memorizing turns.My hand dipped subtly toward my phone.I typed fast, keeping it low by m

Carla~“You weren’t drunk the whole time?!”Damian’s voice followed me the moment we stepped out of the club's private section, his disbelief almost louder than the distant bass thumping from above.I didn’t slow down.Cool night air hit my face as we emerged into the back lot, sharp and refreshing after the thick, smoky warmth underground. Neon lights bled into the darkness, painting everything in reds and blues. Once again, I felt fully awake.I glanced over my shoulder at him and smiled.“Of course I was,” I said lightly. “Just… selectively.”He stopped walking to gawk at me like I'd grown an extra head.I turned fully then, watching as realization crawled across his face, disbelief giving way to something close to awe.“You’re telling me,” he said slowly, “that entire time...”“I was acting,” I finished for him. “Mostly.”His mouth opened and closed. He dragged a hand down his face like he needed to physically reset his brain.“Carla,” he said, exasperated, “do you have any idea w

Damian ~The hospital corridor was quiet in that strange, unnatural way that never quite meant peace. It smelled faintly of antiseptic and old coffee, the lights dimmed just enough to remind you it was still night...or maybe early morning. Time blurred in places like this. Hours lost their meaning. I wasn't really one to visit.I stood by the doorway, one hand resting against the cold frame, afraid that even the smallest sound might wake her.Carla lay curled up on the narrow couch beside her son’s bed, her body turned protectively toward him. One arm was stretched out, fingers loosely wrapped around his small hand as though she were anchoring herself to him. She was fast asleep, her dark hair spilling over her face, lashes resting against skin that looked far too pale.She hadn’t left his side since last night.Not once.The nurses had tried, politely at first, then firmly. She’d ignored them all. Food trays went untouched, coffee cups cooled where they sat. Even now, exhaustion had

Carla~I sat in the passenger seat with my hands folded in my lap, staring straight ahead without really seeing anything.The road stretched endlessly before us, trees and buildings blurring past the window as Damian drove in silence. The city looked the same as it always had; busy and alive. But I felt detached from it all, like I had been removed from my own body and placed somewhere far away.My mind refused to be anywhere except with Ryan.With the way his fingers had curled around mine. The sound of his voice calling my name. The weight of his small arms wrapped around me like he was afraid I’d disappear again.And I had.I swallowed hard as the thought clawed at my chest.I had left him behind.Again.I had walked out of that hospital ward and left my son in the hands of Xavier and Estelle—left him to sleep under their watch, to breathe the same air as the people who had already failed to protect him more than once.My throat burned.What if something happened while I was gone?