3

I resumed walking slowly and my confusion soon turned to dread as I reached the door and peered inside. My hands fell limp to my side and the color drained from my face.

Stella’s laughter reached my ears first.

She was lying on the hospital bed, she didn’t look sick one bit but she smiled as Leo fussed over her. He adjusted her blanket, brushed her hair away from her face, and spoke to her in a low, tender voice.

So he was here this whole time, while I cried alone, and wanted to die, he was here with her, ignoring my calls, my messages, leaving me in the dense forest alone struggling to live.

Tears stung at my eyes and I couldn't bring my feet to move.

My heart sank further when I saw what he held in his hand—the ruby necklace. My grandmother’s heirloom.

He placed it gently around her neck, his fingers lingering just long enough to make my stomach twist. Stella’s face lit up with joy, and she touched the necklace like it was a treasure. The way they looked at each other—it wasn’t just concern. It was something else.

I couldn’t help but watch, frozen in place, my chest tightening. But then Stella’s eyes flicked to me, and her smile turned knowing, almost mischievous.

She turned to Leo, her voice sweet as honey, though there was an edge to it. “You know I like it. I’ve always loved how you take care of me,” she said, her fingers grazing his arm as she spoke, her gaze lingering a second longer than necessary. “No one else has ever been as thoughtful.”

Her words sliced through the air, She was doing it on purpose, making sure I heard every word. And Leo? He didn’t even seem to notice.

"What do you think you're doing?" I raised my voice, causing both of them to turn their heads my way, Stella flinching from being startled.

"Bella, what are you doing here?" Leo's eyebrows pulled together, his eyes not leaving mine as I pushed the door open, making my way into the room.

“Didn't you say that she is just your sister? Why are you giving her that necklace?” I demanded, my voice trembling.

Leo turned to me, startled. “Bella, it’s not what you think—”

“I know what I’m seeing,” I snapped, cutting him off. My gaze shifted to Stella, who sat up straighter, her smile calm and sweet, too sweet. “Why don’t you tell him the truth, Stella?”

Stella tilted her head, her voice soft and forgiving. “Bella, I understand. You’ve been through a lot today. I forgive you for feeling this way.”

“Forgive me?” I repeated, my voice rising. “For what? For being upset that my husband is treating you like his wife?” I had a lump that was growing in my throat as I struggled to hold back my tears. I could already picture the devilish grin on her face if I dared cry out loud. The last person I wanted to cry in front of was Stella.

"You're giving her my fucking necklace! you know how much we searched for it,  you know how much it means to me  -"

“Bella, stop,” Leo said firmly, cutting me off. He stepped between us, his hands raised like he was trying to calm a storm. “This isn’t helping anyone. I gave Stella the necklace to make up for what she went through. She nearly died because of you. If she likes it, why can't...”

“It’s all her tricks. Why can't you trust me, even just once?" I couldn't believe my ears.

Leo sighed, his tone shifting to one of irritation. “Bella, you’re overreacting. I’ll buy you another necklace, identical to this one. Let’s just end this argument. Stella needs rest, she-”

“Stella, Stella…And what about me?” I shot back, my voice breaking. “I just lost—” I stopped myself, my chest tightening. “Do I mean that little to you?”

Stella spoke again, her voice dripping with kindness. “I’ll keep away from Leo if that’s what you want, Bella. I only stayed because I thought it would make things easier for you.”

I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. “How hypocritical can you get? You’ve done nothing but insert yourself between us since the day I met you!”

“Enough!” Leo snapped, his voice sharp. He turned to me, his eyes cold. “Stella isn’t the problem. She’s been nothing but kind. She even persuaded me to look after you, knowing you had a slight injury while she just escaped death.”

I froze, his words hitting me like a slap. A slight injury? My hands clenched at my sides as I stared at him, the man I thought I knew.

“A slight injury?” I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.

I inched closer to him, completely breaching the distance between us. I stood at only five feet-five so he easily towered over me but his intimidating height did nothing to scare me.

My chest started to rise and fall at a pace I didn't think was healthy for me, by now the tears had fallen at their will, “You left me at the wedding, you leave me at that forest with no people, you never bother to get someone to help me, and even come to see me though you know what I went through…Do I mean that little to you?”

I raised my voice, slapping at his chest with all of me, but it barely did anything to make him budge.

His silence was deafening.

Tears burned my eyes as I looked at him. He didn't care about me. He was never going to.

I looked away from him, sniffing and wiping my nose aggressively with the back of my palm. I turned around on my heels to leave and despite the storm inside of me, I told him in a steady voice, “I want a divorce.”