(Karen’s POV, Present Tense)

Morning comes, but it feels no different from night. The sun peeks through my curtains, yet everything inside me is dark.

I sit at the kitchen table in my robe, untouched coffee cooling in front of me. My wedding dress lies crumpled across the couch like a ghost, reminding me of everything I lost in one night.

My phone buzzes for the tenth time. Dre again. I flip it over, face-down. I can’t talk to him. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

The knock on my door makes me jump. My stomach twists, bracing for Yasmin or Dre, but when I peek through the peephole, relief washes over me.

Anita.

I fling the door open, and she pulls me into a hug before I can even say a word. “Karen, I came as soon as I saw the videos. Everyone online is talking about it.”

My heart sinks. “It’s everywhere, isn’t it?”

She nods carefully, pulling back to study me. “You’re trending. Yasmin made sure of it.”

Shame burns my cheeks. I walk her inside, waving toward the couch. She sits, her eyes landing on the wedding dress, then back to me with sadness.

“Tell me everything,” she says softly.

I sit across from her, my hands twisting in my lap. “She showed up at the church, Anita. In front of everyone. Said Dre was still her husband. Said he answers her calls. And Dre…” My throat tightens. “He didn’t deny it. Not fast enough. Not strong enough.”

Anita frowns. “But he followed you here, right?”

“Yes.” I sigh, leaning back. “He swore he doesn’t want her. That he was just trying to keep her from causing more damage.”

She tilts her head, her eyes sharp. “Do you believe him?”

I pause, staring at my hands. “I want to. But she… she’s poison, Anita. And somehow, she still has a hold on him.”

Anita leans forward, gripping my hand. “Then you fight. Don’t let her win. Yasmin feeds on control, and if you back down, she’ll never stop.”

I nod, though doubt gnaws at me.

Before I can answer, my phone buzzes again. This time, it’s not Dre.

It’s Yasmin.

Anita notices the name flash on the screen. Her eyes widen. “Don’t answer.”

But curiosity claws at me. Against my better judgment, I swipe. “What do you want?” My voice comes out sharp.

Yasmin’s laugh filters through, low and smug. “So cold, little sister. I was calling to be generous. Thought you deserved to know the truth.”

My grip on the phone tightens. “What truth?”

She pauses, savoring the moment. “Ask Dre about London.”

London? My brow furrows. “What are you talking about?”

“You’ll see,” she sings. “Ask him where he really was six months ago. And who he was with.”

My stomach lurches. “You’re lying.”

“Am I?” Her voice is pure venom. “Funny thing, Karen. You think you know him, but there are pieces of Dre you’ve never seen. Pieces I still own.”

Rage surges. “Stay out of my life, Yasmin!”

She chuckles, dark and cruel. “I’ll stay out when you let him go. Until then… enjoy wondering what he’s hiding.”

The line clicks dead.

I lower the phone slowly, my hands trembling. My heart pounds so hard it feels like it might crack my ribs.

Anita leans forward. “What did she say?”

I swallow hard, my voice shaking. “She said… to ask him about London.”

Anita frowns. “London? What happened in London?”

“I don’t know,” I whisper, more to myself than her.

The room spins. Yasmin’s words dig under my skin, wrapping around my thoughts like chains. What if she’s right? What if Dre has secrets I don’t know?

Anita grabs my shoulders, steadying me. “Karen, listen to me. Yasmin thrives on lies. She’ll say anything to make you doubt him. Don’t give her that power.”

But doubt is already there, heavy and relentless.

The doorbell rings again. My chest tightens.

Anita stands, her jaw set. “If it’s her again, I’ll handle it.”

But when I open the door, it’s Dre.

He looks wrecked. Dark circles under his eyes, stubble on his jaw, his suit from yesterday wrinkled like he never went home.

“Karen,” he breathes, relief flooding his face. “Thank God you’re here. We need to talk.”

I step back, crossing my arms. “You shouldn’t be here.”

“I’m not leaving until you hear me out.” His eyes flick to Anita, who stands protectively near me. “Five minutes. That’s all I ask.”

Anita looks at me. “Do you want me to stay?”

I hesitate, then nod. I need her here. I can’t face him alone.

Dre steps inside, running a hand through his hair. “I know I screwed up. I should’ve told you about Yasmin’s calls. I thought I was protecting you, but I only made things worse.”

I fold my arms tighter, the question burning in my chest. “What about London?”

His whole body stiffens. His eyes flicker, guilt, shock, fear.

My stomach drops.

“You see?” My voice cracks. “She said you had secrets, and you do. Don’t you?”

Anita narrows her eyes at him. “What happened in London, Dre?”

He takes a deep breath, his jaw tight. “It’s not what you think.”

“Then tell me,” I demand. “Tell me right now.”

He hesitates, and the silence screams louder than any answer.

My heart shatters.

“You can’t, can you?” I whisper, tears burning my eyes. “Because whatever it is, it proves she still has power over you.”

“Karen, no.” He reaches for me, but I step back, shaking my head.

Anita steps between us, her voice sharp. “You need to leave, Dre. Right now.”

His eyes lock on mine, desperate, pleading. “Please. Don’t believe her lies. Don’t give Yasmin what she wants.”

But Yasmin’s voice echoes in my mind: Ask him about London.

And the look on his face tells me everything I need to know, he’s hiding something.

I whisper, barely holding myself together. “Until you tell me the truth, Dre… we’re done.”

The words hang heavy in the room. His face crumples, his lips part like he wants to argue, but no sound comes.

Finally, he nods slowly, pain etched in every line of his face. “I’ll tell you everything. But when I do, Karen, you’ll have to decide if you still want me.”

He turns and walks out, leaving silence and dread in his wake.

I collapse onto the couch, my hands shaking. Anita sits beside me, wrapping her arms around me.

“Whatever happened in London,” she says firmly, “you’ll find out. And when you do, you’ll finally know if he’s worth the fight.”

But my heart whispers the fear I can’t speak out loud.

What if Yasmin is right? What if London changes everything?