CHAPTER 3

CELINE'S POV

The air in the mansion was getting colder than usual.

Lately, Adrian often turns his face whenever I enter the room.

I stood at the kitchen counter slicing fruits for his favorite breakfast tray.

Suddenly, I heard the unfamiliar sound of suppressed laughter drifting from the balcony.

I paused, holding the knife midair.

That wasn't Adrian's laughter; it's a woman's.

My brows furrowed in confusion when I heard Adrian's consistent laughter as he continued the call.

I cannot remember the last time that I saw Adrian open his teeth, smiling at my words, and to top it all, he has stayed away from the office for a while; he has no sister nor a female friend. So, who the fuck is this woman over the phone?

I dropped the knife and moved quietly towards the glass door, stopping just behind the curtain.

Adrian was leaning back in his wheelchair, with a phone clutched to his ear. He smiled widely and continued with a low and smooth voice.

“No, baby. She doesn't suspect anything. She's still playing the loyal wife. But believe me, in no distant time, we'll be free.”

I froze.

Adrian chuckled again.

“Yeah, I'll transfer the money to you right away. Her father's transfer last week is enough to clear the bills. We're good to go, baby.” he added.

My stomach churned.

I squeezed my eyes shut to control my emotions as I quietly returned to the kitchen to get his breakfast tray. The moment I stepped into the balcony, Adrian was startled, and he dropped the phone abruptly.

“I brought your breakfast,” I said, maintaining a steady voice despite my trembling hands.

He looked up blankly and winked at me. “Thanks.”

I set the tray down and left the balcony without another word.

My fingers itched to call Nora and ask her what she knew, but deep down, my heart was dreading her response. “What if Adrian is truly cheating on me? What if he's just using me?”

At sunset, Adrian asked the gardener to take him round the garden after I finished bathing him, and lucky for me, he forgot his phone on the bed and left.

Without hesitation, I unlocked the phone using the passcode I had memorized from a glance when I was massaging his shoulders.

“What?” I squeezed my eyes shut to make sure that I wasn't dreaming of the message that I saw on his screen.

The number was unsaved, but they've exchanged tons of messages with Adrian.

“Can't wait till we're rid of her, baby.” the number texted.

“Very soon, my love. That's a promise.” Adrian replied.

My jaw dropped at their last message as it dawned on me that I'm not having a nightmare.

I felt a sharp pain in my heart as I dropped the phone.

The whole world was spinning in my head.

But I didn't scream. Neither did I confront him.

I quietly dropped the phone and walked into my bathroom. If a river could be formed by tears, I would have formed one in that bathroom.

Since Adrian had chosen to repay my unconditional love with a broken heart, then I have to break his life as a whole.

Almost two years into a hell called marriage, I helped Adrian to dress. I pushed his wheelchair, brushed his hair, endured his insults, and watched him grow colder.

He stopped touching me a year ago, and I stopped hoping six months ago.

His birthday was in a week's time, and I decided to go and get some groceries and packages for his friends and family whom we invited for the indoor celebration.

As I returned with my hands full of paper bags, I noticed that the door was slightly open.

I entered slowly and carefully halted my steps when my ears perked up at the echoes of unfamiliar voices.

The room was filled with laughter and the tapping of heels on the tile.

Then, I heard Adrian's voice, soft and kind.

“I can't wait to have this with you every day, my love.” he said.

I couldn't wait any longer, and I stepped into the living room abruptly.

My feets grew cold.

Adrian was standing.

Fully upright and dressed in a sharp black suit, his hands curling round a woman's waist.

My heart stopped.

“Adrian!” I screamed in disbelief.

Without any remorse, the stunning woman pulled out of his arms, throwing an icy look at me with her blood-red lips.

Adrian turned slowly with a blooming smugness in his smile.

“Surprise?” He raised a brow.

“You—you can walk?” I stuttered.

He lowered his head and brought it up slowly with a wicked smirk.

“Yeah. For some months now. But you know, I was just waiting for the perfect time to let you know.”

His mistress stepped closer, threading her arms around him.

“Is she that daft to know that you never loved her all this while?” She whispered.

I stared at them numbly.

“You lied to me! All these years!” I stammered with tears.

Adrian shrugged. “I did what I had to do. I needed access to your father's trust. And you, you were always the naive little housewife, clinging to hope.” He said, his voice devoid of any emotions.

“I loved you, Adrian.” I said, my voice trembling.

“And I used that.” He replied coldly.

“Anyways, we're done. I want a divorce.” He declared and reached out to an envelope on the center table and presented it to me.

“I've signed mine. Check for your column and sign as well. If there's anything you don't understand, don't hesitate to ask me.” He concluded and turned to face Alina, instructing her to order the maids to throw my things out of the room.

My heart sank.

Without reading the content, I took out a pen from my purse and signed it under my name.

Whatever is written there, I don't care! All I know is that the title was boldly written as "divorce agreement.

I watched as my belongings were flung down the living room like trash.

I left with a shattered heart, carrying nothing but only my small side bag, which contains my credit cards and IDs.

I couldn't turn my eyes to give the mansion I once called my home a last glance.

Walking down the lonely streets with the singing birds as the closest companions, I heard thunderous voices chatting with heavy footsteps approaching.

“Hey, look. I think she needs a man. She'll definitely make a good catch for tonight.” The voices thundered, and the speed of their footsteps increased.

My heart skipped because I knew that those bad boys of the night were referring to me.

I looked left and right, and I sighted a red, brimming light from a bar.

Without hesitation, I took to my heels and headed straight to the bar, panting heavily like an athlete.

In less than ten minutes, I had gulped down two bottles of Heineken and ordered the third one.

I don't know what I really want. But I just need something that'll make me go into an eternal sleep.

I was suddenly losing my clear vision, but I still noticed it when a strange face slid into the seat beside me.

"Rough night?" His voice thundered, but unlike the husky and irritating voice of men who drink, I could tell how his voice sounded so different, calm, and gentle.

"Tired of this life I guess? You look like you want to disappear," he said with no trace of a joke.

"Maybe I do, but definitely not alone!" I whispered.

The man's lips curled up in a smile as he stared at me without saying a word.

After some moments, he extended a hand. "I'm Kasper."

Reluctantly, I offered my hand in exchange.

"I'm Celine."Just like a wild night I had always wished to have with Adrian on our wedding night, I slumped into the large sofa as he trailed kisses down my face to my neck.

Like two broken pieces colliding at the perfect space, we kissed as if we were starving and later tangled under the duvet."

Oh my goodness! What the fuck did you just do, Celine!" I screamed when I opened my eyes to the bright rays of the morning sun falling from the windows.

I was completely unclad!

I scanned through the four corners of the room, and my eyes met the dumbed knickers of a man beside me. Soon, I heard the dropping sound of water from the shower.

Probably, the idiot is taking his bath after taking advantage of my drunkenness.

Stealthily, I stumbled out of the bed and dressed up immediately.

I just got divorced! I can't let this man think that he'd gotten a new harlot turned mistress.

In a rage, I stopped a cab as soon as I got out of the hotel.

"Drive me out of here, fast!" I ordered the driver, giving him an address.

As soon as we approached my destination, I asked him to park aside so that I'll get some little cash from the point of sale to pay him.

"What the fuck is happening to me?" I screamed, causing those around me to cast a confused glare at me.

I've forgotten the bag that contained my cards and IDs at the hotel!

No, I'm definitely not going back. What if he has checked out already? Besides, I don't even know the room number, and I can't even remember his name.

But—I don't have any cash to pay for my ride.

"Ma'am, is everything okay?" The driver asked after seeing me standing numb and confused for a long time