Chapter Four

Sophia's point of view

My heart raced as I got into the cab, and as soon as I settled in, I called my best friend. My voice, trembling with excitement, yelped, “I did it, Ava! I finally got the divorce.” I squealed.

I could sense the shock in Ava's voice as it came in slightly strained. "Are you for real?" she said, her voice slowly rising as we spoke.

"Yes, you wouldn't believe it!" I nodded eagerly as if she could see me. "I got help from one of his mistresses. It was a very strange alliance, but she stood up for me, and together we made him speechless," my voice was beaming with pride as I told Ava what had happened. She was the only family I had left now, and she had been rooting for me to walk out of this sham of a marriage from day one.

"That's crazy!" Ava exclaimed.

"Uhum," I replied.

"What did John do?" she wondered.

I smiled. "He was speechless," I chuckled. "Don't worry, I am on my way to your house right now. I will tell you everything when I get there. If you don't mind, can I crash with you for some days before I get my affairs in order? The lawyer promised to get my property back to me in a week once I had the divorce papers," I explained to Ava.

"Sure," she replied. "You can stay for as long as you like. Let me just get a few things ready. I will see you when you get here, okay?" Ava said. I nodded again, ending the call.

My eyes fixed on the window as I watched the car drive toward Ava's. I couldn’t wait to get to my friend and tell her everything. I also needed a warm shower and a nice rest on a bed that didn’t feel like I was sleeping in a cage.

After a few minutes' drive, the cab pulled into Ava's house, a small bungalow at the Inwood.

I stepped out of the cab and inhaled deeply, letting the crisp air fill my lungs as if it were my first breath in years. My heart fluttered as I felt free. At least I was very close to real freedom. I quickly glanced at my watch. It was already 1 pm. I couldn’t wait for tomorrow—I was counting the hours until I could officially submit the divorce papers, finally sever ties with the Smith family, and watch my lawyer tear them apart.

As I approached Ava's house, I rang the doorbell and waited, but after a minute, there was no response. I looked around, confused. Ava was a work-from-home introvert; she was always home. Pulling out my phone to call her, I jumped at the sudden pop of a champagne cork.

“To the newest divorcee in town!” Ava’s jubilant voice rang out behind me, startling me. I turned just in time to be sprayed with white wine.

I couldn’t help but laugh as I brushed the droplets from my hair. “Ava!”

“Congratulations on your freedom, girl!” she said, pulling me into a warm hug.

"Freedom," I repeated softly, letting the word sink in. It was exactly what I had been longing for.

“Thank you,” I replied, glancing around. Something felt off. “Wait, were you hiding in the bushes or something?” I narrowed my eyes at her.

Ava chuckled, her expression mischievous. “Of course not! I just stepped out to grab some wine. I got back right before you arrived.”

I raised an eyebrow, my suspicion growing. Her elegant dress looked far too glamorous for a casual day at home. “Are you sure? You look like you’ve been on a date with Mr. X,” I teased, trying to probe as usual. Ava was always private about her love life.

She waved me off, rolling her eyes. “Stop asking questions and come inside to celebrate. I made your favorite.” She slung an arm around my shoulder, steering me toward the door.

Inside, I stopped in my tracks. Ava had outdone herself. The dining table was laden with a lavish spread, candles flickering in the dimly lit room. My chest tightened with gratitude.

“Oh, Ava,” I whispered, turning to her. “You did all this for me?”

“Of course,” she said, taking my hands. Her eyes met mine, and for a moment, her smile felt almost too wide. “You have no idea how long I’ve prayed for you to leave John.”

“You’re too sweet,” I murmured, pulling her into a tight hug. Tears threatened to spill over as I whispered, “I should’ve listened to you when you told me not to marry him,” I said, remembering her warning.

“You don’t need to worry about that now. It’s over now,” Ava said, pulling back slightly. Her warm smile twisted into something cold, and her lips curled into a devilish smirk.

“Now I can have him all to myself,” she said, her voice dripping with malice.

I blinked, confused. “What?” The word barely escaped my lips before something hard slammed into the back of my head. Pain exploded in my skull, radiating like wildfire. My vision blurred as the room tilted violently.

I stumbled, collapsing to the floor. Shapes swirled in and out of focus, but through the haze, I saw three figures standing over me—Ava, John, and a man I didn’t recognize.

“Is she dead?” Ava’s voice wavered, betraying a crack in her confidence.

“She can’t die here!” she hissed, panic lacing her tone. “Take her out of here!”

“She’s not dead yet,” the unfamiliar man said, his voice cold and devoid of emotion.

John sighed in frustration, kneeling beside me to rummage through my belongings. He straightened with the divorce papers in his hand, his smug grin twisting the knife in my gut.

“You don’t need to worry about her anymore, sweetheart,” he said, sliding his arm around Ava’s waist. He kissed her slowly, deliberately, as if to taunt me.

“Let’s enjoy our dinner. JJ will take care of it,” he added dismissively, guiding Ava to the table.

My vision dimmed, but I could still make out their silhouettes, laughing and toasting to their victory. The last thing I saw before darkness consumed me was the flicker of a candle as they burned the divorce papers to ash.