Chapter 6: you have no right

Caroline’s Point of View

For the first time in my marriage, I don’t go home. I can’t. Instead, I find myself in my childhood bedroom, curled up in the familiar but almost stifling atmosphere of my father’s mansion. I try to process everything he said to me when I arrived. The warmth I had once imagined in this place doesn’t exist. He was right in a way I didn’t want to admit; I don’t deserve to be treated like this, but his reminders sting rather than comfort me.

"You’re the heir of this family," he had said sharply, his voice more cutting than compassionate. "Stop hiding from the world. You were a fool to think that man would ever see your worth.”

It’s a familiar kind of pain, this undercurrent of disappointment. His version of love has always felt conditional, tied to expectations I’ve never fully met. Part of me knew coming here would reopen these old wounds, but somehow, it’s grounding. His disappointment is something I’ve grown used to, and it reminds me of why I married Knoxx in the first place—an escape that turned out to be another trap.

But he’s right about one thing: I deserve more than what I’ve been given. This marriage has chipped away at me, and it’s time to face that truth. I deserve better, even if I have to build it alone.

The next morning, my phone buzzes, filling with missed calls and messages from Knoxx. I ignore them all, pushing the weight of those notifications to the back of my mind. I can’t hide forever, but that doesn’t mean I have to face him right away. I stare out the window, steadying myself. I’ve always been the one to confront things head-on, and this is no different.

As I reach for my phone, I see a message from Adrian Wayne, a family friend and my father’s business partner. He’s close to my family and someone my father always speaks highly of. His message is brief: “I heard what happened. Are you alright?”

A flicker of surprise crosses my face. My father must have told him, and that small thought makes me feel exposed in a way I can’t fully explain. I text back politely: “I’m fine, handling it. Thank you.”

His response is almost immediate: “If you need anything, you know you can count on me. Just say the word.”

A small part of me feels comforted, even though I know I won’t take him up on the offer. This is my battle, and I have to face it on my own.

Taking a deep breath, I prepare myself for what I know I have to do. I need to go back. I need to confront Knoxx, clear-headed and focused, and not let him or anyone else drag me down any further.

I finally pull myself out of bed, dreading the conversation waiting for me back at the house. The house Knoxx and I share—though it doesn’t feel like home anymore.

When I arrive home, I’m startled to find Knoxx already there, pacing in the living room. It’s so unlike him to be home at this hour. Normally, he would’ve been buried in work, in meetings, far away from me and the tension of our crumbling marriage.

His eyes snap to mine the moment I walk through the door. “Where the hell have you been?” His voice is sharp. “I’ve been calling you all night.”

I look at him, trying to keep my voice steady. “I was home.”

He sneers at my response, his lips twisting in disbelief. “Home? I was here all night, Caroline. You didn’t come in. So, where were you really?”

I stare back at him as I answer with cold demeanor, “This isn’t my home... At least, not anymore.”

That makes him pause. His expression falters, the confidence in his accusation wavering. “What are you talking about?”

I take a breath, steadying myself. I need to say this, to finally let go. “I want a divorce, Knoxx.”

The words hang in the air like a heavy storm cloud. His eyes widen in shock, the usual arrogance and control slipping away from him.

“You can’t be serious.” His voice is a little quieter now, softer, but it doesn’t matter.

“I saw her yesterday,” I say, the bitterness rising in my throat. “Your mistress. And I know she’s pregnant with your child.”

Knoxx’s face pales, but he doesn’t deny it. He can’t.

“I’ll leave,” I continue, my voice trembling but resolute. “I’ll make it easy for you. You can have your perfect little family. You never loved me, anyway.”

For a moment, he doesn’t speak, just stands there staring at me as if he can’t quite believe what I’m saying. And then, his expression shifts, darkens.

“Is that why you didn’t come home? Did you stay at his house?” His voice turns accusatory, harsh again.

I frown, confused. “Whose house?”

Knoxx’s eyes narrow. “The man you’re cheating on me with.”

My jaw drops, anger surging through me like wildfire. “I’m not like you, Knoxx. I would never cheat. Not while we’re still married.”

The audacity of his accusation—how could he, after everything? He’s the one who got another woman pregnant, and yet he has the nerve to accuse me of cheating? I can feel the heat rising in my chest, my hands shaking with rage.

"I’m not your mirror, Knoxx. You can’t just project your guilt onto me and accuse me of your wrongdoings," I snap, my voice steady despite the fire burning inside. "I won’t be the one to carry the weight of your mistakes anymore.”

He falls silent.

“You have no right,” I spit, turning on my heel and heading for the stairs. I need to get out of this place, to pack my things and leave him behind.

Nonetheless, just as I reach the top of the stairs, the front door creaks open that makes me freeze in the spot.

“What’s going on here?”