Chapter Five

She'll pay

Walter's POV

Seeing Annabelle for the first time after five years is a punch to my gut.

She still looks as beautiful as she did, even more beautiful than she did five years ago.

I'm transported back to that morning I saw her, beautiful even hung over.

I did what I never thought I'd do. I approached a complete stranger and offered her a ride.

When she turned towards me her eyes unfocused, unsure. Her brain worked a thousand times faster as she considered taking my offer or not, I knew I had to marry this woman.

It felt necessary, as vital as taking my next breath. But now I wish I didn't.

The instant connection should've been a warning bell, but as a man who has never been impulsive I thought it was the most natural thing to do.

I wish I ignored her and went on my way. I loved her with everything in me, I could've died for her. I wanted everything with her.

I wait for the feeling of betrayal to wash over me and it does. It comes down in bitter, angry waves around me.

But I'm still happy to see her, for one reckless moment I want to pretend that night never happened. The night where she destroyed me for any other woman.

“Dadda! Ice cream”. My little nieces' voice brings me out of my thoughts.

“Of course, sweetheart. Let's go get some ice cream”. I say, kissing her head gently.

Lilly is my little angel.. Sweet, innocent, full of love.

She adores me, and I love her right back.

Sometimes, looking at her makes me wonder what a baby with Annabelle would’ve looked like.

Annabelle!

The heartless bitch!

Always playing the victim.

I wasn't the one who cheated and ran away from shame. It was her!

I still remember that day, every cursed second.

The video and photos sent from an unknown number.

Annabelle.

In a hotel.

In bed with another man.

While I was away on a business trip.

The hurt I felt that day was equivalent to a knife being stabbed into my chest over and over again.

I never felt as broken as I did that moment.

She broke down my walls just so she could hurt me.

I’ll never forgive her. Never!

And I swear, she’s going to pay.

She thinks a new family erases the past?

That man with her… is that him? The one she cheated with? That boy?

I hate the way my heart fills with pain at the thought of a little me and Annabelle.

Only if she didn't betray me that way!

I want to fuck her so hard she cries.

The thought makes bile rise in my throat. Not because I don't want to, but because I want to.

I want her so bad I hate myself even more.

How can I still want her after everything she did to me!

Only if she had stayed. I would've forgiven her even if it would've hurt to do so. I loved her so much I would've forgiven her for something as unforgivable as cheating.

Maybe he’s richer.

That is definitely why she's with him.

I never thought Anna was a gold digger.. but maybe I was wrong about her too.

Since I didn't know she could ever cheat on me

Maybe there were many things about Annabelle I didn't know.

But I know one thing for sure:

She owes me.

Every single dollar.

Every moment of heartbreak.

Every piece of my dignity.

The hundred million she stole from me?

She’ll pay.

In court, in cash, in karma, I don’t care.

I won’t stop until she’s stripped of everything.

Poor. Alone. And begging.