Chapter 9
A few busybodies poked around, fishing for details about the settlement. “How much did you get?” someone asked with a forced smile.
I just smiled back, all calm confidence, and gave them nothing. That money was mine- rightfully mine–and I didn’t owe anyone an explanation.
As for the future? I had no plans of settling for anyone older when there were plenty of younger, better–looking options around.
When we got home, my dad let out a long sigh as he unlocked the door. “I didn’t expect you to turn so many heads tonight. Do you know how many people asked me about you?”
“Dad, I’m not worried about finding someone. Let’s be honest, most of them aren’t sincere -they’re after the money. I don’t want any of that.”
He nodded knowingly. “Alright. If someone suitable comes along, it’s up to you.”
I was about to respond when I noticed a figure standing by my building. Neil.
Scattered cigarette butts littered the ground at his feet–he’d clearly been waiting a while.
My dad’s face tightened as we pulled up. He didn’t say anything, but his cold look said plenty. “You two talk. I’ll head inside.”
So there we were. Just me and Neil in the quiet night. The silence stretched, but he finally
broke it.
“Angela,” he started, voice tired, “I know you’re not that kind of person. Cece… her moods, her behavior… it’s all the pregnancy hormones. I’m sorry.” He paused. “Is there… any
chance for us?”
Even now, still? He thought we could reconcile?
“We’re at the end of the road, Neil. You know I don’t go back to what I’ve left behind,” I
said.
#25 Bonus
Flat. Final.
His face crumbled, sadness etched into every line. “Five years, Angela. You’re stronger than I ever thought. Is there really no chance? We had a child once. Let me make it up to you.
Please.”
“And Cecelia?”
hen she has the baby, I’ll send her away.”
et out a cold laugh. “Do you even hear yourself, Neil? Do you think that’s not insulting enough for me already?“”
“I don’t have a choice. My mom-
“Your mom?” I cut him off, disgusted. “You’re still listening to her? Even after knowing how she’s manipulated you? Why?”
Neil lowered his head. “She’s my mother. I can’t turn against her.”
“Then go live your life with her. Don’t come bothering me again. You betrayed your marriage, our family, and our love. I will never give you another chance. Leave, Neil. And don’t you dare come looking for me again.”
He just stood there, stunned. He hadn’t expected me to be this ruthless–this done. But the truth was, the fact that I was even standing here talking to him was the last scrap of grace he was going to get from me.
He opened his mouth like he was about to argue again, but I turned sharply and barked, “Stop right there! Neil, don’t push me. Don’t make me lay a hand on you again.”
I knew enough about the Schmidt family’s dirty dealings to ruin him completely, but I wasn’t interested in going that far. Not yet, anyway.
Neil staggered back a step, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. “I knew you’d never forgive me. You hate me for betraying you. I’m sorry, Angela.”
+25 Bonus
I shook my head. “I don’t hate you, Neil. I just don’t love you anymore.”
The opposite of love isn’t hate–it’s indifference. And that’s exactly where I was now. I was done. Ready to let him go and forget he ever existed.
Neil’s face went deathly pale.
We had five years of marriage behind us. Before that, we’d dated for a year, had the perfect engagement, and were the golden couple everyone admired. Neil loved me deeply, spoiled me relentlessly, and still–still–he betrayed me.
I once thought the child was a gift, a little angel sent to make us whole. But Neil couldn’t
even wait for that.
There was no point clinging to the past. If this marriage taught me anything, it was never to waste time or energy on someone who didn’t deserve it. If you miss your shot, that’s it-
it’s over.
After that night, I stopped paying attention to him.
***
Half a month later, Maya called with news that caught me off guard. “Cecelia lost the
baby.”
“What?” I asked, frowning. “Wasn’t she on bed rest?”
“She was,” Maya said with a sigh. “But Neil wouldn’t marry her, so she threatened to kill herself. Things spiraled, she fell down the stairs, and… that was it. Miscarried on the spot. Without the baby, she’s useless to him now.”
I blinked. Neil had only kept Cecelia around because of the baby, but now? He didn’t even have an excuse.
The whole thing felt like a sick joke. But, somehow, Cecelia still managed to crawl her way back into his bed, trying to manipulate him all over again. This time, Neil wasn’t playing. He snapped and locked her up for two days just to shut her down.
3/4
+25 Bonus
Three months later, fate threw another show my way.
Maya and I were at a boutique, wedding dress shopping for her, when I noticed Neil and Cecelia outside–arguing. Hard. A third guy stood next to them, gripping Cecelia’s arm, refusing to let go..
‘What is this, a love triangle?”
It didn’t take much to figure out the mess. Cecelia had been seeing this guy on the side- someone younger, someone she’d been throwing Neil’s money at.
After she lost the baby, her little side piece started demanding even more cash, threatening. to expose her if she didn’t pay up. Desperate and sick of his blackmail, Cecelia had run back
to Neil–her last lifeline.
Now the three of them were yelling in the middle of the street, turning themselves into a full–on circus act.
I stood there watching, and honestly? I couldn’t help but laugh. It felt like karma had finally shown up to collect. Neil betrayed me, and now his life was crumbling just as spectacularly.
The shouting eventually died down, and that’s when Neil noticed me. His mouth opened like he wanted to say something, but no words came. After a beat, he turned and walked away, shoulders slumped like the weight of the world was on him.
From the corner of the street, I saw him stop, bury his face in his hands, and sob.
There’s no cure for regret.
As for me? I’ll never look back.
