Three years after Vivian and I married into the Domingo family, our husbands' childhood crush Niama Guido came back to the town. Vivian and I had a whole escape plan. But the night before we bailed, Vivian threw herself off a high-rise. I called her husband, Pedro Domingo. He laughed, his tone nasty and cold. "Reena, my brother asked, since she jumped today, are you going to drown yourself tomorrow?"
View MoreMarco's voice shouting for a doctor echoed as blurry white coats darted in."How long was I out?""Three days."That's when I really saw him—hollowed out, voice wrecked. He clutched my hand like someone who'd barely made it through a storm. "The doctor said it was shock. Niama's been arrested. Death penalty.""What was in that letter?""Ree, it's over—""What was it?" My throat was sandpaper, but I had to know.He dropped his eyes. Took a second before answering. "It was... nude photos. Yours. Niama was planning to blackmail you. But Vivian opened the package. That's why she went that night. Ree, it's over. All of it."I shut my eyes, pulled my hand back, and turned away.Yeah. It was over.Time for me to go, too.I had kept a little of Vivian's ashes in a vial. I was gonna take her with me—to see the rivers, the mountains we always talked about, and that snow-covered peak from my dreams.I had my lawyer redo the divorce papers. This time, I handed them to Marco myself.He
He sighed like he was the victim here. "Reena, Niama and I are just friends. Why do you always doubt us? This all started because you were suspicious."I let out a sharp laugh. "Oh, really? So if I had some guy bestie, ditched you for him nonstop, got handsy in public, ignored you at home, let the gossip fly—and then just said, 'WE'RE JUST FRIENDS'—you'd be chill with that? Maybe even fluff a pillow for him in the guest room?"His face stiffened. Brows pulled tight.I gave a cold chuckle. "Yeah. Didn't think so. So what makes you think you get to ask me to be the generous one?"The car went dead quiet.Then Marco let out a slow breath. "So you're saying... if I cut off Niama, you'll drop the divorce?"I smiled. His face lit up like a fool.Then I laughed. "Of course not. I want a divorce because I can't stand you. I hate you."His face dropped, and I didn't even try to hide the grin tugging at my lips.So this is what it feels like to mess with someone you can't stand. Kinda a
Then, a video came through.Marco, caring and tender, was massaging Niama's ankle like she was some fragile princess. Every time she whimpered, he looked ready to call 911.I watched it stone-faced and typed back:[If you want him so bad, get him to sign the divorce papers. I won't stop you.]Niama, Marco, and Pedro were childhood sweethearts. Our whole circle used to place bets on which brother she'd end up with—half said Marco, half said Pedro.Then three years ago, Niama went abroad. News dropped, and everyone discussed it like it was celebrity gossip.Meanwhile, I was getting shoved into awkward blind dates. One of them turned out to be Marco.He proposed.Marco had that golden-boy rep—polite, capable, solid. We'd met a few times, so I said yes.Only now it hits me—he only showed up to that date because he was sulking after Niama left. And I just happened to be the one sitting across from him.And, of course, I was the one who fell first. He? Ice cold.So yeah, I was the
Marco squinted, his demeanor icy and suffocating. Honestly? He wasn't any better than Pedro.Our marriage was straight-up business. We played nice for a couple of years, but these last six months? Total mess. He crossed every line—he even came for my company.If I hadn't woken up and slammed the brakes, Vivian wouldn't have suggested running away with me.And maybe... she'd still be here.That thought hit me like a punch to the gut. For a second, it actually felt like I'd pushed her.My face paled. I yanked my hand back, trying to stay chill. "You should be asking him what he did to Vivian.""Reena—""Marco." I cut him off fast. I didn't care what he had to say. Especially not if he was about to drag Vivian's name into this. She deserved better. "Let's just get divorced. No drama, no family ties, no company talk."Originally, I was gonna dip quietly—mail the divorce papers, skip the drama, keep the business clean.But he already let Niama move in. Pretty sure he wouldn't put u
His voice came out low and rough, thick with blame.So, he finally checked. Finally believed she was gone for real."Tell me—why did Vivian jump? And what about that plane ticket? Was she gonna leave me?"I laughed, my voice cold and sharp. "Not just gonna."His face twisted. Whatever fake calm he had earlier? Gone. Just shadows now.I didn't flinch. Didn't care. Watching him crack felt... right."In a few days, you'll get the divorce papers. Her last gift to you. Not that it matters—she's already gone.""Reena Rayne!"He spat my name like it burned.Then he snapped, slamming me into the wall, his hand tight around my throat. His eyes were pitch-black, like they could swallow light."Tell me! Why'd she wanna leave? Was it you? Did you tell her to?"I stared him down, smile still there. "You seriously don't know? Wow. That's even sadder than I thought.""Answer me!" he roared, tightening his grip.He looked ready to kill me.I let out a bitter laugh. That diary, page after
Maybe I'd finally snapped, because when I said "divorce," all I felt was peace.The room went quiet. I just stood there, waiting.Marco had no reason to say no. Niama was back. Once we were done, he could run straight to her—no drama, no family gossip, no pretending.Then his phone rang. I knew that sound. Niama's exclusive ringtone.His eyes flicked with panic. He answered, right in front of me.Her voice came through loud and needy."Marco, I think I caught a cold. Can you take me to the hospital? I called Pedro, but he didn't pick up."She sounded so fragile, like always.And just like that, I saw it—that flash of worry in his eyes. I'd told myself I was ready for this, but yeah, it still hurt.She had a cold and he was falling apart.Me? I once had a 104 fever. Begged him to take me in. He threw a "call an ambulance" my way and left to check on Niama.Even now, after I dropped the divorce bomb, he still picked her.He almost tripped when rushing out, with his phone pres
I clenched my fists, trying to stay calm. "She's not coming back."Pedro chuckled, but his eyes were icy. "Oh yeah? She shacks up with some sugar daddy and decides she's too good for my family?"So even now, that's all she was to him—disposable.I let out a bitter laugh. All those years she loved him, totally wasted."If you thought so little of her, why didn't you just divorce her? Would've saved you both the trouble."He scoffed. "So she DID find someone. Come on, who is he?"Right then, he looked feral—eyes gleaming, ready to tear someone apart.I turned and bolted up the stairs. I didn't come back to fight. I needed answers.Vivian wouldn't have jumped. She hated death. She's scared of it.But before I hit the second floor, Pedro grabbed me and slammed me into the wall.His breath was hot, right in my face."Reena Rayne, tell me—who's she with? Say it!"The fake smile Pedro was wearing gone. This one was wild.And honestly? Seeing him snap like that... felt weirdly sat
Pedro's voice hit like a slap, sharp and smug. My ears rang. My heart was sinking.I stared at Vivian, blood pooling under her, and croaked, "Pedro, I'm serious. She's dead."He snorted."Dead? For real? And what, I'm supposed to hold a funeral for her now? Reena, just 'cause I've played nice doesn't mean I see you as family. You, Vivian, and your little stunts are pathetic."It was summer, but I felt frozen.I should've known he wouldn't believe me. Vivian was merely a pawn used to shield him from his parents' nagging.Still... a part of her must've hoped he'd care. In the end, he let her down—again.A girl's voice came from the other end of the phone. "Pedro, why are you still on the phone? Come sing with me!"Pedro's voice flipped, syrupy sweet. "Alright, alright, my princess. I'm hanging up."The night was pitch black. Somehow, I felt suffocated as if it wrapped me tightly.I held Vivian's blood-soaked body. Eyes blank. Mind gone.It made no sense.Yesterday, she was
Pedro's voice hit like a slap, sharp and smug. My ears rang. My heart was sinking.I stared at Vivian, blood pooling under her, and croaked, "Pedro, I'm serious. She's dead."He snorted."Dead? For real? And what, I'm supposed to hold a funeral for her now? Reena, just 'cause I've played nice doesn't mean I see you as family. You, Vivian, and your little stunts are pathetic."It was summer, but I felt frozen.I should've known he wouldn't believe me. Vivian was merely a pawn used to shield him from his parents' nagging.Still... a part of her must've hoped he'd care. In the end, he let her down—again.A girl's voice came from the other end of the phone. "Pedro, why are you still on the phone? Come sing with me!"Pedro's voice flipped, syrupy sweet. "Alright, alright, my princess. I'm hanging up."The night was pitch black. Somehow, I felt suffocated as if it wrapped me tightly.I held Vivian's blood-soaked body. Eyes blank. Mind gone.It made no sense.Yesterday, she was ...
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