KATELYN's POV

"Leave her alone, Ethan. She wants to leave? Then let her leave. Let's see how well she does separated from you." Derek said in a mocking tone, and I pressed my lips together, fighting off the sting off his words, but I was unable to fight off the tears that welled up in my eyes.

My own brother.

The betrayal cut deep, but I promised myself that this would be the last time that they made me feel this way ever again.

I walked up the stairs, determined to pack as much of my things as I could, so that I could leave this place and never return.

When I was done, I slipped the wedding ring off my finger and stared at it for a long moment.

The tiny band of gold felt heavier than it should.

I walked to the dresser, opened the drawer, and dropped it inside.

The sound of the front door opening startled me. I looked up just as Scarlett  entered the room.

“Hello, Katelyn,”Scarlett stood there, her lips curved into a smug smile.

“What do you want,  Scarlett?” I asked.

Seeing her made my stomach turn. She was the last person I wanted to deal with right now. Even through my exhaustion, the sight of her smug smile filled me with disgust.

She stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor.

“I came to see how you’re doing,” she said sweetly.

I crossed my arms, leaning against the door frame for support. “Get to the point,  Scarlett.”

Her smile widened. “Fine. I’m here to take back what’s mine. Don’t think for a second that he’s yours, Katelyn. You were just a stand-in. A placeholder until I came back.”

Her words sliced through me, but I refused to show it.

“As long as I’m his wife, he’s mine,” I said calmly, meeting her gaze.

 Scarlett let out a bitter laugh. “Do you really believe that? He only married you because I wasn’t here. He’s never loved you, Katelyn. Not for a single moment.”

I clenched my fists, the anger bubbling beneath the surface. “Say whatever you want,  Scarlett. But I’ve been his wife for ten years. You’re the one who left.”

Her smirk faded, replaced by a sneer. “Don’t get cocky, Katelyn. You’re nothing to him. Nothing. And soon, everyone will see that.”

She stepped closer, her voice lowering. “You can’t hold on to something that was never yours.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could,  Scarlett turned sharply and started walking toward the stairs.

Her heel caught on the edge of the rug, and she stumbled, tumbling down the staircase with a loud cry.

I froze, my mind struggling to process what had just happened.

The sound of the front door opening snapped me out of my daze. Ethan walked in, his eyes immediately falling on  Scarlett at the bottom of the stairs.

“ Scarlett!” he shouted, rushing to her side.

I gripped the bannister, my body trembling. My fever made everything feel surreal, like I was watching a scene from far away.

Ethan knelt beside  Scarlett, his hands gently cradling her face. “What happened?” he asked, his voice laced with concern.

 Scarlett’s voice trembled, but her words were clear. “Katelyn… she pushed me.” 

Her words were vague, deliberately meant to sound convincing while hiding the lie.

Ethan’s sharp gaze turned to me. “What did you do?”

His question hit me like a punch to the stomach. I opened my mouth to defend myself, to tell him the truth, but the words wouldn’t come.

The room spun around me, and I gripped the banister tighter, trying to stay upright.

Ethan didn’t wait for an explanation. He scooped  Scarlett into his arms, holding her as if she were the most fragile thing in the world.

“Let’s get you to a doctor,” he murmured to her, his voice soft and reassuring.

I watched helplessly as he carried her out the door, leaving me behind.

My chest tightened, and the pain felt unbearable. When I needed him the most, he picked her instead. The thought crushed me. I felt forgotten, left behind like I didn’t matter at all.

Finally, the dizziness overwhelmed me, and my legs gave out.

As I fell, darkness closed in around me, and the last thing I remembered was the sound of the door slamming shut.