Chapter 2
“What papers are you preparing that I need to sign now? Another one of your scams?” His tone was flat, but I felt its weight. “You want to scam me, too?”
My heart clenched. He was referring to the financial disaster that had been pinned on mean investment scheme that wiped out everything. But it wasn’t my doing. Jasmine had handled it, stolen my signature, obliterated our family’s wealth. Yet here I was, scapegoated for it.
‘Are you putting our company at risk again when you still owe your father millions?” he added, harrowing his eyes at me. “Answer me.”
My throat tightened. Memories of that day-my shaking hands, Jasmine’s false excuses, Dad’s hunderous disbelief-rushed back. I’d screamed at them, but nobody would listen. Not after Jasmine spun her lies so smoothly.
She’s been hiding it from all of us,” she had cried, clutching Dad’s arm like a wounded daughter I didn’t want to say anything… but I saw Isabella meeting with those people.”
had tried to explain, my hands shaking, voice cracking-but Dad wouldn’t hear it. “Why would Jasmine lie?” he snapped. “She’s always been the responsible one.”
Kevin marched over and shoved my phone into my hand. “Who are you talking to?” His grip was ight as he demanded my passcode.
My mouth clamped shut.
le jabbed at me, voice sharp. “What’s your password?”
closed my eyes and muttered, “It’s my birthday.”
le typed it in. The screen blinked red-incorrect.
He frowned. “That’s not it. Isn’t your birthday September 8? Why is it not working?”
looked at him then, the sting sudden and bitter. “That’s Jasmine’s birthday,” I said quietly. “Nc
nine.”
His expression didn’t change. Not even a flicker of realization. My stomach twisted.
It’s been three years, Kevin,” I said, forcing a bitter laugh. “Three years of marriage, and you stil don’t know my birthday.”
He rolled his eyes. “Can you stop with the drama? Now tell me who you were calling.”
‘Says the husband who never knows my birthday.” I crossed my arms, silenced
He sneered. “So what are you trying to say that I neglect you?”
threw back my head. “Nothing. Forget it.”
my shield.
Instead of retreating, I surprised him by grabbing it again. “Actually… go out with Jasmine. I’m tired. I’m going to rest.”
He snarled. “Rest? Nobody said you get time to rest. Pack our clothes-we’re leaving for a business trip in days. And whatever paper that is, better make sure you’re not scamming us again.”
I exhaled slowly. “But I’m not feeling well.”
He turned on me. “I don’t care! Just do it.”
I forced myself up and trudged toward their bedroom. A few days-that’s all I had. In those few days, I’d strip away every memory I had of Kevin. Or Jasmine. Or this house.
I was packing their clothes-Kevin’s crisp shirts, his tailored pants, Jasmine’s silk dresses she wore like trophies. The suitcase sat open on the bed, swallowing their lives together while I folded each piece. I moved to the closet, pulling down more of his suits, when something slipped loose from the shelf above-an ivory box, half-hidden behind his cufflinks.
Curious, I reached for it and popped it open.
Inside was a velvet case holding two sleek wedding bands, one glinting with tiny diamonds. Beside it lay a photo-Kevin and Jasmine, dressed in formal attire, arms wrapped around each other, smiles perfectly rehearsed. Beneath it was a document. I scanned the heading, and my heart nearly stopped: Prenuptial Agreement.
Not ours. The date was recent. The signatures were theirs.
They were planning a wedding.
My breath hitched. My fingers curled so tight around the paper, it crinkled. I wasn’t just bein eplaced in his bed-I was being erased on paper.
set the box down on the dresser, slowly. Calmly. Then turned back to their suitcase and zipper t shut. This time, not with numbness. But with finality.
Later, outside, I stood by the trash can. I had gathered everything-letters, trinkets, the necklace e once gave me, even the little notes we used to leave each other. Every memory. Every li disguised as love. I tossed the last piece inside and lit the match.
The box caught fire instantly, flames curling around the remnants of a marriage that never reall existed. It burned fast.
Jasmine stepped behind me, arms folded, smirking as the light danced in her eyes. “Burning nemories now?” she said. “How dramatic.”
didn’t answer. Just watched.
Does this mean you’re finally leaving him? When are you walking away, Isabella?” She pokes he fire. “You know you don’t belong here.”
pick up a scrap of paper from the firepit. “Don’t worry,” I tell her quietly, staring at the flames I’m going. And I’ll never come back.”
She barks a laugh. “That’s… actually good. Since you’re leaving, let me help you speed it up.”
n her hands were more boxes-stacked messily, as if she grabbed whatever she could from my oom. My chest tightened the moment I recognized the contents. One by one, she began tossing hem near the trash can.
‘Old letters,” she said mockingly, flinging a bundle of folded papers. “Some cheap jewelry. And >h-what’s this?” She held up a small velvet pouch, the same one that had always stayed in my drawer. “Your mom’s crap. Honestly, it’s cluttering the house.”
My breath hitched. “Don’t.”
But she grinned wider, crueler. From the pouch, she pulled out the half-broken locket, the necklace she gave me before she died. The one she made me promise to protect.
“A keepsake? Cute.” Jasmine tossed it into the fire before I could react.
“No!” I lunged forward, hand stretching toward the flames, but the fire licked my skin first-sharp, fierce. I screamed, jerking back, my palm red and blistering.
That’s when Jasmine shrieked and threw herself onto the ground.
“Ah! My hand!” she cried, covering her face and curling her fingers dramatically. Tears streamed -fake, practiced, loud.
My father came rushing out of the house, eyes wild. “What the hell are you doing to Jasmine?!” “Dad-wait-” I tried to explain, cradling my injured hand.
He didn’t listen. He never did.
The firepit wobbled as he pushed past it in a rage. I barely saw the flames leap-before his hand slammed into my shoulder.
I stumbled-straight into the edge of the fire.
The heat hit me first, searing. My scream tore through the air. Smoke choked my lungs. And the -nothing. Just black.
