REBECCA’S POV
My fingertips tugged against my palm, my chest tightened as my eyes locked on the three who walked in. Honestly, I didn’t know why it bothered me since it was such a regular sight these days.
My husband, Felix Cross, strolled in casually with his sister-in-law, Anna.
Will, our Five-year-old son, tagged along against Anna's side, their fingers intertwined. The sound of their laughter was like a taunt to my ears.
Seeing me in the dining room, Will rushed up towards me. I gave a smile,my arms were still stretched towards him, frozen in midair, but will had already twirled back to Anna's side.
The warmth I expected in my embrace never came.
"Mommy, look what Aunty Anna bought me! It looks good on me, right?" He twirled even more, and that was when I noticed the new shirt he was wearing. "Isn’t it lovely? Miss Anna even bought one for Daddy. Isn’t she the perfect mommy?"
Ironic isn't it?
The child I nearly died bringing into this world now clung to another woman like she was his mother. My fingers curled slightly. I forced them open before anyone could the tremble.
"Hmm, I can see that," I retorted coldly.
Felix brushed past me as he guided Anna towards the table while I followed them closely. After he pulled out the chair for Anna and carefully tucked her in, helping her fix the napkin on her lap, he finally noticed me.
"Oh, you're here. I thought you would be working late today," he said calmly.
I bit my lip. Today was supposed to be our fifth anniversary. How could he forget something like that?
I decided to shrug it off.
I noticed Anna’s eyes glimmer when she stared at the dining table. The only reason I took an early break from work was to give my husband and son a surprise family dinner, but it seemed no one even cared or remembered.
"Sis, did you make all this because you want to welcome me? That is so wonderful!" Anna squeaked with joy.
Her tone was sweet and soft, just like her demeanor, but as I stood there in front of them, a sense of uneasiness crept into my chest.
"What do you mean, welcome?" I flickered my gaze over to Felix, who didn’t spare me a single glance as he poured himself a glass of wine.
Anna seemed a little frightened as she placed a hand over her lips. "Oh, I’m guessing Felix didn’t tell you yet."
My eyes squinted with confusion, trying to process what was happening. "Tell me what exactly?"
"Mommy, Aunty Anna is going to be staying with us!" Will cheered, and my heart sank in my chest.
"Stay? Here?" My voice came out shakily.
"Of course. Granny said she can come live with us," Will pouted, flickering his lashes.
At this point, I didn’t know if my son was just plainly taunting me or if he was merely concerned about Anna.
"Felix, is this true? Is this woman going to be living with us?" I swallowed hard.
Finally, Felix lifted his gaze to meet mine. "Is there a problem?"
"Felix, you just decided to bring someone into our home without even discussing things with me?" I snapped, my tone rising with frustration.
Running my hands over my hair, I snorted. "Forgetting our fifth anniversary is one thing, but bringing someone in without discussing it with me, Felix, that is too far."
Felix sighed, rubbing his temple. Like I was an inconvenience.
"Rebecca, must you always make everything about you?" He said flatly.
"You work late, you're hardly around, and then you throw a fit over something you throw a fit over something that doesn't even concern you?"
I stared at him, stunned.
Doesn't concern me?
This is my home. My family.
Felix glanced at Anna, who. Was quitely dabbing her tears with a tissue. His eyes softened. " You're scaring her."
Before I could speak will slammed me with his remark.
"That's true and please stop calling Aunty Anna 'that woman.' I don’t like it. Besides, the only reason Granny agreed is because Aunty Anna takes better care of Dad and me more than you ever could."
Anna pouted as she pulled Will to sit on her lap. "Silly boy, didn’t I tell you to call me Anna? We are a family."
Her hand brushed over his hair, and Will gave her his brightest smile. It had been a long time since Will smiled like that toward me. "I know what you said, but can I call you Mommy instead? Since Dad likes you so much and you take care of him?"
My brows furrowed as I stumbled back in shock, my heart sinking inside my chest. My pulse started pounding against my ears.
"Is that so?" I managed to say.
"Will, watch your mouth," Felix thundered, then turned towards me.
My whole body froze as I tried to process what was happening.
"He’s just a child. Don’t take his words seriously," Felix frowned, his eyes searching mine.
"Please, let’s just eat. I’m really tired from today’s activities, and I don’t need drama," he added, his tone dropping low.
My arms crossed over my chest. "So, you think I am bringing you trouble? Giving you a headache?"
"Look, Anna is going through a lot after the death of my younger brother, and she is very ill. Mother just thought it’s best she stays here so she won’t be lonely. Don’t you understand?"
I shook my head and dropped onto my seat, which was far on the other side of the table since Anna had taken the seat next to Felix while my son was by her side.
"Sis, I’m really sorry if I’m bringing you trouble." Anna’s eyes filled with tears, and her lips began to quiver. "I understand how you feel, so I think it’s best I leave."
Anna got up slowly, but Felix calmly placed his hand over her wrist. "Where do you think you are going?" he asked softly, in a tone that made my heart shatter.
Throughout our years of marriage, Felix had never spoken to me so gently. He had his moments when he took care of me, but never like this.
"Please, you have to let me go. I don’t want to cause any trouble in your marriage. It was all my fault for asking too much from you," Anna mumbled, and the tears started falling from her eyes.
Was she being serious right now?
Will quickly held her hand. "Anna, please don’t cry. It breaks my heart to see you this way."
Without any hesitation, Felix pulled her into his arms. "Shh, it’s alright. I’m here. You don’t have to cry."
I suddenly remembered the first time I was in pain and burst into tears. Felix’s words back then were stern: "Crying is weakness, and I hate weak people because they disgust me."
Tears instinctively welled up in my eyes. The sight was too much for me to bear, so I turned on my heel.
"Where do you think you’re going after trying to bully Anna? Apologize at once," Felix’s hoarse tone made me stop in my tracks.
My hands curled up into tight fists, so tight I felt my knuckles go white.
Taking a deep breath, I spun to Felix and forced a smile. "What if I don’t want to apologize?"
Silence fell over the dinning room.
I could hear the clock ticking, the faint sound from Will humming a tune as he played with Anna's bracelet.
Felix's expression darkened, his jaws tightening
Then before I could react— A sharp sting burned across my cheeks.
The room spun slightly as the impact forced my head to the side. The world went completely still.
My hands clenched at my side as my heart beat pounded in my ears.
Did... he just slap me?
Will gasp and Anna eyes widened with shock before she lowered her head, a faint smile formed on her lips.
Felix exhaled, flexing his fingers as if the action hadn't even meant anything to him. "Just stop making everything difficult, Rebecca. You're embarrassing yourself.
I slowly turned my head back to face him, eyes were like ice. I see it now. He doesn't love me. He never did.
And I will make sure he regrets this for the rest of his life.
REBECCA'S POV"Felix, I hope you don't regret this action," I snorted, rubbing my injury slightly as I took a deep breath.Felix took a step forward, but Anna clung to his arm. "Please, I don't want you and Rebecca to fight because of me.""Enjoy the meal I made. The sight of you makes me nauseous," I retorted calmly, and Anna bit her lip inwardly."Rebecca, you've gone too far—"I rolled my eyes at Felix’s words. With a spin, I turned on my heels. I had nothing left to say to him or anyone in the room. Tears threatened to spill as I pressed my lips together. As I walked towards the stairs, I heard their hushed whispers, accompanied by laughter. It stabbed deeper than any knife.Just as I reached the stairs, I heard Felix murmur to Anna, "Don't mind her. She just gets emotional over small things."*******The next morning, I was greeted by silence—just as it had been for a while. At least since Anna showed up.I flickered my eyes toward the other side of the bed, expecting to see Feli
REBECCA'S POVI could hear the soft murmurs around us as everyone stared in shock. The tension between us was palpable; neither of us spoke, but the way our eyes locked in a fierce battle made it obvious that something was off.Finally, Felix snatched my hand, but instinctively, I flung his grip off my wrist.It wasn’t just because I was mad—it was because his touch, which once gave me comfort, now repelled me.“We need to talk. Rebecca, don’t you dare cause a scene and ruin things for Anna. Do you know how much she worked for this project?”Even in this moment, the only person on his mind was still Anna.I let out a slow, humorless laugh. Then, I stepped forward, my heels clicking against the floor. “Anna, Anna, Anna,” I snorted, poking his chest with each word that rolled off my tongue, not caring that everyone was watching.I was done.“Is she the only person you think about?”Anna clutch Felix arm tighter, her voice soft, almost trembling."Rebecca, I swear, I would never take y
Chapter 4REBECCA'S POVWith a click, the call ended, and then my phone buzzed in my palm.My eyes lit up with a hint of excitement when I saw the message:"The divorce agreement is ready. You can come pick it up."I tucked my phone inside my purse and sighed. It's about time anyway.My eyes flickered to the card carefully tucked inside my bag. Instinctively, I squinted as I tilted it from side to side, realizing it was a business card.It was probably dropped off by that man—the one who somehow knew my identity. One I had tried my best to keep hidden, yet he knew.Deciding not to dwell too much on my past, I tucked the card back with the intention of checking it later.Sliding into my car, I turned on the engine, and in what felt like the speed of lightning, I was already at Langford Courthouse.The moment I swung the door open, Jessica jumped on me, wrapping her arms around my neck."God, I can’t even imagine what you must have been going through," she said softly.Her hands caresse
Chapter 5REBECCA’S POVFelix's hand trembled as he picked up the divorce papers, his knuckles turning white."You're lying," he said through gritted teeth. "You're bluffing, Rebecca."I tilted my head, my expression calm."Why would I bluff?"Anna's hand tightened around Felix’s arm, her fake innocence slipping for just a second.She was scared.She knew that if I walked away, she’d be left with nothing but a man who was as useless as he was heartless.My smirk grew even wider as I stepped closer to him. "All these years, the reason Sterling Fashion House has thrived is because of my inheritance. Felix Sterling, you are nothing without me."Crack.The force sent me stumbling back. A sharp sting exploded across my cheek.My ears rang. The room spun.I tasted blood.Did he just slap me?Slowly, I turned back to him. Felix’s chest heaved, his eyes dark with rage.But behind it, there was something else.Fear.He was losing control. And he knew it.My lips curled. And before he could say
Chapter 5REBECCA’S POVFelix's hand trembled as he picked up the divorce papers, his knuckles turning white."You're lying," he said through gritted teeth. "You're bluffing, Rebecca."I tilted my head, my expression calm."Why would I bluff?"Anna's hand tightened around Felix’s arm, her fake innocence slipping for just a second.She was scared.She knew that if I walked away, she’d be left with nothing but a man who was as useless as he was heartless.My smirk grew even wider as I stepped closer to him. "All these years, the reason Sterling Fashion House has thrived is because of my inheritance. Felix Sterling, you are nothing without me."Crack.The force sent me stumbling back. A sharp sting exploded across my cheek.My ears rang. The room spun.I tasted blood.Did he just slap me?Slowly, I turned back to him. Felix’s chest heaved, his eyes dark with rage.But behind it, there was something else.Fear.He was losing control. And he knew it.My lips curled. And before he could say
Chapter 4REBECCA'S POVWith a click, the call ended, and then my phone buzzed in my palm.My eyes lit up with a hint of excitement when I saw the message:"The divorce agreement is ready. You can come pick it up."I tucked my phone inside my purse and sighed. It's about time anyway.My eyes flickered to the card carefully tucked inside my bag. Instinctively, I squinted as I tilted it from side to side, realizing it was a business card.It was probably dropped off by that man—the one who somehow knew my identity. One I had tried my best to keep hidden, yet he knew.Deciding not to dwell too much on my past, I tucked the card back with the intention of checking it later.Sliding into my car, I turned on the engine, and in what felt like the speed of lightning, I was already at Langford Courthouse.The moment I swung the door open, Jessica jumped on me, wrapping her arms around my neck."God, I can’t even imagine what you must have been going through," she said softly.Her hands caresse
REBECCA'S POVI could hear the soft murmurs around us as everyone stared in shock. The tension between us was palpable; neither of us spoke, but the way our eyes locked in a fierce battle made it obvious that something was off.Finally, Felix snatched my hand, but instinctively, I flung his grip off my wrist.It wasn’t just because I was mad—it was because his touch, which once gave me comfort, now repelled me.“We need to talk. Rebecca, don’t you dare cause a scene and ruin things for Anna. Do you know how much she worked for this project?”Even in this moment, the only person on his mind was still Anna.I let out a slow, humorless laugh. Then, I stepped forward, my heels clicking against the floor. “Anna, Anna, Anna,” I snorted, poking his chest with each word that rolled off my tongue, not caring that everyone was watching.I was done.“Is she the only person you think about?”Anna clutch Felix arm tighter, her voice soft, almost trembling."Rebecca, I swear, I would never take y
REBECCA'S POV"Felix, I hope you don't regret this action," I snorted, rubbing my injury slightly as I took a deep breath.Felix took a step forward, but Anna clung to his arm. "Please, I don't want you and Rebecca to fight because of me.""Enjoy the meal I made. The sight of you makes me nauseous," I retorted calmly, and Anna bit her lip inwardly."Rebecca, you've gone too far—"I rolled my eyes at Felix’s words. With a spin, I turned on my heels. I had nothing left to say to him or anyone in the room. Tears threatened to spill as I pressed my lips together. As I walked towards the stairs, I heard their hushed whispers, accompanied by laughter. It stabbed deeper than any knife.Just as I reached the stairs, I heard Felix murmur to Anna, "Don't mind her. She just gets emotional over small things."*******The next morning, I was greeted by silence—just as it had been for a while. At least since Anna showed up.I flickered my eyes toward the other side of the bed, expecting to see Feli
REBECCA’S POVMy fingertips tugged against my palm, my chest tightened as my eyes locked on the three who walked in. Honestly, I didn’t know why it bothered me since it was such a regular sight these days.My husband, Felix Cross, strolled in casually with his sister-in-law, Anna.Will, our Five-year-old son, tagged along against Anna's side, their fingers intertwined. The sound of their laughter was like a taunt to my ears.Seeing me in the dining room, Will rushed up towards me. I gave a smile,my arms were still stretched towards him, frozen in midair, but will had already twirled back to Anna's side. The warmth I expected in my embrace never came. "Mommy, look what Aunty Anna bought me! It looks good on me, right?" He twirled even more, and that was when I noticed the new shirt he was wearing. "Isn’t it lovely? Miss Anna even bought one for Daddy. Isn’t she the perfect mommy?"Ironic isn't it? The child I nearly died bringing into this world now clung to another woman like she w