Chapter 3

MELISSA’S POV

He may have used me, turn every shred of dignity I have down and ripped my heart open. I wiped the tears off my face, trying to gather what little strength I have left. So, it’s happening, everything I’ve feared, everything I’ve suspected.

Listowell never valued me.

The thought of it alone crushes me, and before I can stop myself, the tears start to fall again, hot and uncontrollable. I sink to the floor, my chest heaving with sobs. How could I have been so blind? How could I have let myself fall so completely for a man who never saw me as anything more than a convenience?

I need to do something—anything to take my mind off the overwhelming pain. I pushed myself up, wiped my tears, and looked around the mansion that once felt like a home. It’s all a lie, every bit of it.

I start to clean. I stripped away every decoration, every item that I brought into this house to make it ours. The soft throws on the couch, the family photos on the walls, the flowers I carefully arranged in vases—all of it goes. I can’t stand to look at any of it anymore. Piece by piece, I dismantle the life we were supposed to have.

The maids and other workers, stood still dumbfounded by my sudden outburst. They offered to help but I turned them down. I'm the one that decorated every little design in this house and I will take responsibility by taking them all down.

The mansion begins to transform back into the cold, empty place it was when I first moved in. I remember how intimidating it felt back then, how lifeless it looked. I thought I could fill it with warmth, with love. But now, it’s clear that nothing I did could ever change what this place truly is—a prison. And I was just another prisoner.

While I packed up my things, my eyes fell on a brown envelope on the other side of the closet. The divorce papers.

“Oh, he indeed had it coming?” I let out a painful laughter, void of nothing but emptiness.

My hands tremble as I pull them out. He didn’t even have the decency to sign them before leaving.

I stared at the papers for a long time, the reality of the situation dawning on me with each passing second.

This is what he wants, isn’t it?

To be free of me, of this marriage that meant nothing to him. To rekindle his love with the woman that broke him. If this is what he wants, then I’ll give it to him.

With a steady hand, I sign the papers, the ink flowing smoothly onto the page. It feels final like a door slamming shut. I roughly pulled out the diamond ring I've had on since our moments together and gently placed it on the envelope on the bedstand.

I stood there for a moment, staring down at the ring and the papers. It’s over. Whatever illusion I was living in is shattered now, and there’s no going back.

I finished packing, carefully placing the last of my belongings into my suitcase. When I was done, I take one last look around the mansion. It’s empty, lifeless— just like how I feel inside.

I didn't bother leaving a note. There’s nothing left to say. I grabbed my suitcase and headed for the door. I can’t stay here, not in this place that’s filled with so many lies and broken promises.

As I step outside, I felt a cold breeze against my skin, and it sent a shiver down my spine.

Although the airport will only be a short drive away, I didn't know where I’m going yet, but anywhere is better than here.

I reached into my bag and pulled out my phone, staring at it for a long moment. There’s no point in telling Listowell about the good news I had for him now. That a little life is growing inside me, that I’m bearing his child, his own blood.

He doesn’t deserve to know. I don't want my baby to be seen as a burden neither do I want him or her to be tagged as illegitimate. Listowell can live his happy life while I love mine with my baby.

I am capable of raising him or her on my own. I would be its mother and father. I will shower her all the love that she needs. I will raise him or her to be a kind person, one that will not take advantage of people.

I turned off the phone and slipped it back into my bag. I summoned a taxi, the driver carefully packed my luggage into it.

“May I know where you're headed Miss?”, he asked as soon as he started the engine

With a heavy sigh, I responded “To the airport”