Chapter 6 - THE WOMAN WHO STOPPED BEGGING
Ryan called eleven times that afternoon.
I didn't answer.
He sent messages.
Please talk to me.
Vanessa lied.
I love you.
We can fix this.
Then came the one that made me laugh bitterly.
Think about our daughter.
I stared at the screen.
Our daughter.
The same child he'd called a situation.
I forwarded the messages to Natalie.
Then blocked his number.
That evening, Maya brought me a small bag from home.
Fresh clothes.
My favorite moisturizer.
A photograph of our mother.
And the yellow blanket I'd bought for Sophie.
I pressed it against my cheek.
Maya sat beside me.
"There's something else."
I looked up.
"What?"
"Ryan's mother called."
I sighed.
"What did she want?"
"She said you were overreacting."
I stared.
Maya continued.
"She said marriage is complicated and you shouldn't destroy your family over one mistake."
I laughed.
Then stopped because it hurt.
"One mistake?"
Maya nodded.
I looked toward the window.
"Vanessa pushed me down the stairs."
"I know."
"Ryan lied about it."
"I know."
"And now his mother wants me to forgive him?"
Maya squeezed my hand.
"She doesn't get a vote."
I smiled faintly.
"Neither does he."
The next morning, Natalie arrived with divorce papers.
I stared at them for a long time.
Seven years.
A wedding.
A home.
A business.
A daughter.
I picked up the pen.
My hand trembled.
Then I signed.
Natalie watched quietly.
When I finished, she asked:
"Are you sure?"
I looked at her.
"Yes."
My voice was steady.
"I can't raise Sophie in a house where her father thinks protecting his mistress matters more than protecting us."
Natalie nodded.
Then closed the folder.
May you like
Outside, sunlight broke through the clouds.
And for the first time in days, I felt as though I could breathe.
