All Chapters of Second Vows Of A Scorned Wife : Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

*Avina*The air in the doctor’s office smelled like bleach and old paper. It was the kind of smell that clung to my throat and turned my stomach, because it always meant tests, needles and answers I wasn’t ready for. On a normal day, I would have been lying down by now, staring at the ceiling as a doctor drew blood from my arm for the third, fourth, maybe fifth time this week.But this time, I was sitting on the edge of the plastic chair in front of the doctor, my hands trembling in my lap. I looked down at my skin and couldn't help but notice how pale it looked, it was almost translucent like wet parchment.Forcing down the emotions building in my throat, I stuffed my hands under my lanky laps and just fixed my gaze on the shelf behind the doctor's head. Why was it taking him so long to interpret my chart?He has been staring at it for over 10 minutes now and I was already getting anxious. The silence was so heavy I could hear the clock ticking on the wall with every second feeling

*Avina*The gravel of the driveway bit into my bare, bloodied feet, but I didn't feel it. I couldn't feel anything except the frantic, jagged beat of my heart and the cold, wet sensation of my own blood soaking into my collar.I leaned against a thick oak tree at the edge of the estate, gasping for air. My lungs felt like they were filled with crushed glass, each intake of breath excruciatingly painful. But still, I looked toward my home—the Graves mansion with hope.It was glowing.Every window was ablaze with warm, golden light. Music drifted across the lawn, a soft, upbeat jazz that felt like a slap in the face. Valet drivers in crisp uniforms moved luxury cars. Men in tuxedos and women in shimmering gowns laughed as they walked toward the grand entrance.I stood in the shadows, a ghost in a torn, shredded coat. I looked at the faces of the guests through the massive glass windows of the ballroom. I saw them…our "friends." Chloe was there, sipping champagne and laughing with a grou

*Avina*“Is everything done, Maria?” I asked again, my voice cutting through the low clatter behind the counters.Maria didn’t look up at first, too busy correcting a placement and signaling someone to lower the heat. “Yes, ma’am. Almost.”I exhaled slowly. “Almost how long?”She finally faced me, hands folding together. “We ran short on flour. Ben’s gone to fetch more from the underground pantry.”I sighed and pressed a finger to my eyebrow. “No problem, just take your time and make sure everything is perfect.”She nodded. “Yes ma'am.”I went out yet again, pausing briefly to smoothen out my silk dress. It was a soft, pale blue—Xavier’s favorite color. I looked innocent. I looked like the perfect, grieving wife he expected to find.A clock went off somewhere in the house prompting me to take a deep calming breath. He would be home soon. I could feel it. Clenching my fists by my sides, I shook my head and strutted towards the foyer. “Avina!”I froze, my blood turning to ice as the v