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 comfort of old blankets. I try to grasp everything my dad has said. He’s right. I don’t deserve to be treated like this, not when I’ve given so much of myself, so much of my heart. I shared everything with him, my hopes, my fears, my love. And what did I get in return? Betrayal. Disrespect.

I deserve someone who sees my worth and honors it, not someone who casts it aside. This is not the end of me, just the beginning of something better.

That is all I think about until I finally fall asleep. It’s a heavy weight, but somehow, as I drift into sleep, it feels a little lighter, as if acknowledging the truth has started to set me free.

The next morning when I wake up, the first thing I notice is my phone. It buzzes repeatedly with notifications, Knoxx's name flashing over and over. I don’t want to read them—what could he possibly say to make anything better? I swipe them away, trying to block him out, but the pit in my stomach reminds me that I can’t hide forever.

I’ve always been the one to face things head-on, no matter how painful. And this time isn’t any different. I have to go back. I have to confront the reality I can’t avoid any longer.

Before I can muster the energy to get out of bed, my phone buzzes again, but this time it isn’t Knoxx. It’s Adrian Wayne, Knoxx’s half-brother.

Adrian is the vice President of Wayne Corp. He is a complete opposite of Knoxx. Knoxx is cold and distant, Adrian is warm, charming, with a natural charisma that draws people in. He’s always been a family friend, someone my father admires and it’s clear that my father favors Adrian over Knoxx.

I stare at the message for a moment. It isn’t like Adrian to reach out to me, especially not about personal matters. His message is simple: [I heard about what happened. Are you okay?]

Of course. It has to be my father. He’s the only one who could’ve told Adrian about what’s happening between me and Knoxx. I’ve always known my father trusts Adrian, but I hadn’t expected him to involve him in this.

I reply as politely as I can. [I’m fine. I’ll handle everything.]

Adrian’s response comes almost immediately: [If you need anything, you know you can always count on me. Just say the word.]

I feel a brief flicker of gratitude toward him. Adrian, for all his playboy reputation, is someone who always seems to mean well. And at this moment, I appreciate the offer, even though I know I won’t take him up on it. This is my fight to face, alone.

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?” a familiar voice asks, her voice calm but commanding, always the poised matriarch.