I stumbled home, and that was when I got the news that my divorce papers were ready and my flight was booked for tomorrow.
I took a deep breath, ready to leave my husband and son behind for good.
The moment I opened the door, smoke hit me, and I coughed over and over. I forced my stinging eyes open and saw Samuel tossing stuff into the fireplace. Looking closer, I realized it was the clothes I had sewn for him every year.
Ever since Samuel was born, I had made it my mission to sew him clothes that fit perfectly every single year, even when I was behind bars.
At this moment, those clothes that had been stitched with all my love had turned to nothing but dust.
Samuel just brushed off some ash from his hands and did not even look at me.
Blood was streaming down my head, and I felt dizzy from excessive blood loss. I rushed to my room to deal with the wound.
As I wobbled to the door, I could hear Winona's breathy moans. Hank was on top of her, passionately ripping at the dress I had made with such care. The garment I had crafted with love was ripped to pieces in his hands.
I knew they had been together before, but seeing it with my own eyes made my heart hurt like it was being stabbed with needles.
Winona pushed hard, and Hank growled like a wild animal. Their sounds filled the hallway all night long.
They were together all night, and I sat by the door alone the whole time.
In the morning, Hank, fixing his pants, opened the door and jumped when he saw me, bloody and collapsed in the hallway.
"Juliana, why are you here? Winona got hurt. I was just helping her out."
Hank was still talking when he heard me laugh bitterly.
"Helping out? Does helping someone mean you have to be in their bed?"
Hank got really mad. "So what if I slept with her? Men like us always have a few women. And with your status now..."
He did not finish, but I got the picture. He was a CEO worth millions, and I was just a prisoner.
Seeing I was not fighting back, Hank walked away, pleased.
I had already written my divorce papers, and tomorrow, I would be on a plane out of here.
Late at night, I left the divorce papers and a letter on Hank's desk. I grabbed my suitcase and dashed to the airport.