The last 48 hours felt like a year. I waited, overthinking, my heart racing so hard as I kept counting the hours.

Two years of my life wasted over a crime I didn't even commit.

I slowly step out of the prison's big gate, clutching the small bag they gave me.

Inside are the divorce papers I refused to sign, a few old things, and my phone that's probably dead by now.

The space outside feels too big, the air is fresh too. I take a deep long breath, but it doesn't calm the burn I feel in my chest.

My eyes search for Adam's car among the cars lined up. He's not here.

Any second now, he'll show up. He'll pull me close, kiss me, and tell me this was all a welcome home prank.

Because I know how crazy he can get when he wants to tease me, it's one of the reasons I can't stop loving him. His playfulness, his charm, his tease.

Tears sting my eyes regardless, because something tells me I'm just dreaming.

Then a glossy black ride startles me as it makes a quick stop in front of me. The window rolls down.

"Ma'am, get in. I'm supposed to take you to your preferred destination."

I take a slow step forward and look at the cab man. Dark hair, with a built frame. His grey eyes are still fixed on me waiting for me to hop in

"What's your name?" I ask, just to ensure I'm not getting kidnapped.

"Hunter Ramsey," he says, "from the possible directions I was given, you're likely headed to Hilton's Estate?"

"Specifically Adam Hilton's mansion. Right?" he asks.

Adam. He didn't come by himself, he booked a cab instead. That's so unlike him. For some reason that realization made my stomach sink.

"You're Mrs. Hermione Hilton, right?" He asks, with an impatient tone

"Yes," then I drag in a deep breath and enter.

~~~

The car slows in front of our mansion, the wide black gate automatically opens and we drive in.

My eyes move across the compound, and a deep feeling of sweet-sorrow overwhelms me.

The pool. The same blue pool where Adam and I spent so many nights. Laughing, kissing.

My gaze shifts to the house itself, the big and tall mansion covered in glass. My home.

From here I can even see our room. I would wake up and look out at the city while Adam kissed down my back and told me to stay in bed, to rest a little longer.

I grip my knees and take a deep breath.

"Mrs Hermione. We're here." Hunter's voice pulls me out of my thoughts.

I look down at the divorce papers in my lap and hold it up, my hands cold and shaky.

What if this is real? What if he doesn't want me anymore? What if another woman has already taken my place while I was rotting away in prison?

I push the door open and step out.

The glass door uses face recognition, and it immediately starts sliding open as I approach.

I start climbing the stairs to our room, that's when I hear a faint moan.

My stomach twists and my hand holds the rail tight.

The sound grows clearer as I reach the top of the stairs.

My whole body trembles. I don't want to believe it. I don't want to see it. But my feet carry me forward anyway.

I push the door open.

The sight almost knocks the air out of me.

A woman in nothing but a black g-string kneels in front of Adam, his fingers digging into her silky black hair, swaying as she sucks on his dick, moaning loud to it.

Adam is sitting there, his face is calm, his other hand resting on the bed, watching her.

My mouth goes dry instantly. I gag, fighting the urge to throw up right there.

Adam's eyes finally lift. His fire brown eyes lock onto mine.

"Fuck Hermione, you forgot your manners in prison?" He groans.

I can't breathe. It feels like someone has their hands wrapped around my heart, squeezing, choking the air out of me.

I slowly close the door back, my hand slipping on the handle. My head feels dizzy and I cling to the railing for support.

Adam steps out of the room with his phone pressed to his ear.

His black shirt is open, revealing his abs that's even more wickedly toned than I remember.

His dark hair looks damp, like he's just stepped out of the shower.

I fell in love with that look, long before he stole my heart with his words and actions.

He leaned to the door frame. My heart aches badly as I watch him fold his sleeves, revealing his toned arm muscles.

His shoulder holds the phone to his ear, as if my presence doesn't even affect him anymore, as if I'm totally invisible to him now.

"Six? Come up here" he speaks into the phone.

Within seconds his Personal assistant, Six Albello arrives, he looks way taller than the last time I saw him.

"Did you sign the papers?" He finally asks casually, with a deep husky voice.

I slowly step backwards, my chest is burning.

"Adam!" His name rips out of me before I can hold it back. My throat stings.

He shuts his eyes for a moment, pressing his fingers against the bridge of his nose, like he's really tired of me.

"There was a note in the folder, Hermione," he says slowly, not lifting his gaze to mine. "Didn't you get it?"

"You can't do this to me, Adam." My voice cracks so badly I almost don't recognize it.

"I waited for you in that damn prison. Every single day, every single night."

"You were all I ever thought about." My chest heaves, tears burning my eyes. "You can't just send me away."

I drop the papers and they hit the floor with a soft slap.

My hands shake as I reach for him, wrapping gently around his hand. His skin is warm and familiar, it breaks me even more.

"Baby," I whisper, holding on like he might vanish if I let go. "Please... you don't have to do this. Just tell me what I did wrong."

For a second, he looks down at my hand. And I catch that trace of softness I know so well. But it dies almost instantly.

His jaw tightens, so hard I can see the muscle jump from his side profile. His deadly handsome side profile that I became charmed by.

He looks away like I disgust him.

"I'm back, right? We can be together again, Adam. Just like we used-"

"I've made my decision, Hermione. What did you think? You step out of prison and expect things to be the same?" He lashes out.

"Adam!" I yell, my grip on his hand tightening, "baby, please just look at me."

"Just get it done!" His voice explodes, as he yanks his hand away.

My body jerks back from the roughness in his voice, I've never seen him like this before.

The door behind him creaks open and the lady steps out.

That's when I realized she's the same woman in the picture.

Her long dark hair spreads over her shoulders, her blue eyes too intimidating to look at. She's holding the bedsheet from our bed across her chest.

My gut twists at the sight of her. I can't even breathe properly.

She leans on the doorframe, tilting her head "Adam, sweetie," she purrs, "you're being too cruel," her expression is filled with fake concern.

"Get the fuck inside, Cassie," Adam snaps without looking at her. His tone is harsh and commanding. "I didn't ask you to come out here, did I?"

Cassie smirks, shifting the sheet around her body.

"Sorry, Hermione. It's just that... you're interrupting something." Her voice drips with mock sweetness.

"Adam, tell her to take it off," I manage to choke out my words, pointing at the sheet.

Cassie smiles like she's won. "You still smell like sweat and piss," she says coolly.

"Maybe clean yourself up first before you act like you still own anything here."

Her gaze shifts to Adam, hand brushing his bare chest.

"I'll be inside my love," then she turns and disappears into the room, the door shutting behind her.

I try to swallow but it feels like there's a stone in my throat, the silence between us speaking a million words.

"Hermione. I won't repeat myself. Sign the papers, and head out." Adam demands.

My knees weaken. I slowly crouch down as I reach for the papers scattered on the floor. Tears falling uncontrollably.

I came from a family with a harsh upbringing, parents that didn't care if I was bleeding or hurting.

But nothing. Nothing ever broke me the way Adam just did.

He loved me, the only love I've ever experienced in this cruel world.

We were addicted to each other-the sex, the mind-shattering orgasms, the laughs, the cuddles, the sweet words. The way he held me.

Everything is being stripped away from me.

All I ever wanted was to come home to him, to get lost in his arms, just like we used to lose ourselves in each other.

But all I get is the coldness in his eyes that I've never seen before, the sharpness of his voice, these divorce papers, another woman in his arms.

I look up at him, to beg, to pour my bleeding heart out, to say the last words that are left of me.

"Adam, if I sign these papers..." I breathe out.

"If you let me walk out of here like this, I'll never be back in your life again. We'll never have those moments..." I couldn't finish my words.

Tears roll down my cheeks, my heart shattering in a million pieces, waiting for him to give me the tiniest bit of hope that he still loves me.

"Baby... please," I beg.

"Sign those fucking papers, Hermione." he commands.

I look down at the papers, then pick up the pen and sign. My tears drop on the ink, smearing my signature.

I sniff hard and hold them up to him, and he picks it. My eyes search his face for any sign of remorse but...nothing.

"Take her to where her stuff is," he orders Six.

"This way, ma'am." Six subtly holds my shoulder, guiding me through the corridor and down the stairs.

I stare back at Adam as I walk down the stairs, holding my chest, because I can feel it ripping apart.

He finally looks at me, and I burst out crying, as if I haven't been crying before.

Everything is happening so fast. I wasn't prepared for this. It's too much pain to bear.

Who can love me the way he did? How can I love anyone else the way I love Adam? He's all I want.

I shut my eyes, letting the warm tears fall down my cheeks.

Six opens the door to the visitors' room, and that's where I find my belongings.

My box and my laptop, neatly packed in one corner of the room.

I don't care to check the box. I open my laptop, and there is my App idea that I've been working on before I got arrested.

I shut it and pick my stuff.

"Let me get them for you," Six offers politely.

"No, Six, I've got it," I say, sniffing back the snot already falling through my nostrils.

I push the box forward, and we head out, clutching my laptop in my left hand.

The idea is the only hope I have left. I can't go back to my family house; they will just break anything that's left of my heart with harsh words.

As the gate opens, I spot him again, standing by the side of his car, waiting.

"Mrs. Hermione, are you okay?"

I sniff, my throat burning.

"I'm not a Mrs anymore, Hunter," I whisper, forcing myself to look at him even though I feel like collapsing right here.

His grey eyes widen. "Damn!..." He exclaims, pressing a hand through his black hair.

His grey eyes still on me like he wants to say something but nothing comes out.

"Can you... can you just drive?" My voice shakes.

"Okay," he replies quickly. He bends to lift my box, places it inside the car, then opens the door for me.

"Please," he says, gesturing.

"Thanks...Hunter."

I slide into the seat, my body feeling heavy, my chest tighter than it has ever been.

He starts the engine, and slowly, we roll forward.

I look back, the mansion grows smaller as we move down the streets, I can't stop staring at it.

Every memory I had in those walls. The kisses, the laughs, every touch, they all want to tear me in pieces.

Hot tears spill again before I can stop them.

"What did I do to you, Adam? What did I do to deserve this?"

I keep staring until the house finally disappears, and it feels like a knife twists inside my heart.

I wipe my face, but the tears don't stop. I cover my mouth with my hand, trying to keep the sounds down.

I don't want to disturb Hunter. I don't want him to see me breaking apart.

But it bursts out anyway. My shoulders shake, and my body follows.

From time to time, I catch his eyes flicking to me through the mirror, shame overwhelms me.

"I'm sorry, Hunter," I cry out suddenly, my voice breaking. "I'm really, really sorry."

"Please Mrs... sorry, Hermione," he says gently, correcting himself.

"Don't apologize to me." His voice is calm. Like he wants to steady me.

I shake my head, pressing both hands to my lap. "I just don't know what I did. I wish someone could just tell me something, anything to hold on to."

He takes a slow breath. "I don't know what you did, Hermione. But all I know is... you loved him. And that's one of the rarest things a man could ever get nowadays."

I sniff hard and wipe my nose with the rough prison fabric still on me.

My chest aches, but I turn my face to the window, exhaustion dragging me under as I watch the blur of lights and trees, till everything suddenly blanks out.

~~~

I wake up when I hear Hunter's voice. "We're here," he says.

I lift my head from the window glass, my neck is stiff and aches, like I've been sleeping for hours.

"We're... where?" My voice cracks beyond recognition.

"Well... let me show you."

He hops down from the car, walks around, and opens the door for me.

"Thanks, Hunter."

He nods, quietly, and I step out.

The soft air brushes my face. Then I see the sea, stretching wide, the waves dancing slowly.

My chest loosens just a little as I take the deepest breath in a very long time.

"It's so beautiful, Hunter," I say, the first real smile pulling at my face since... I don't even know.

"How did you know about this place?"

He runs a hand through his black hair, his arm muscles flexing with the movement. "It's mine," he says simply.

My eyes widen. "Yours?"

He looks at the water, his voice low. "I come here when... thoughts are too heavy...you know? Helps me breathe again."

I turn back to the sea and let the air fill me. For a second, it almost feels like I can breathe.

"I knew you weren't just a regular cabbie," I say.

There's been something about him since the moment he picked me up. His voice, the way he carries himself. Not like someone used to being ordered around.

"Well," he cuts me off gently, "let's not talk about me."

He pauses, then gestures awkwardly. "I've got a cozy rental space where you can stay, for as long as you want... I don't know, I just... I don't want you crying like that again."

I shake my head. "It's alright, Hunter, you don't have to do that."

"Anything you need, just name it," he insists. His voice is steady but softer now.

"I can't give you much right now, but... I do know this. You're a good person, Hermione."

My throat aches as I smile at him. I don't even know why it stings to hear those words, maybe because I wanted it to be Adam saying those words to me.

"Thank you so much."

I clear my throat. "How about you tell me about yourself instead?"

He lets out a shaky laugh, revealing his perfectly aligned teeth "About myself?" He asks.

"Yeah. You've already seen my worst moments. Prison, divorce, me wiping my snort with my sleeve in your car."

We both make disgusting expressions at each other. I couldn't help it after all. I need to get somewhere and clean up ASAP.

"Well... my dad landed in a coma two months ago," he begins. "Brain disease."

"We built a company together. It was growing, doing well. Worldwide kinda dream. But then... I have a step older brother."

"Somehow, he...played me. Manipulated everything. And in the end, he took it all. One hundred percent. Everything I built with my father."

"Down to the last fucking penny."

My mouth falls open. "Oh my God. Hunter, I'm so sorry."

He shakes his head, almost smiling. "You don't have to be sorry, Hermione. I've got it under control. Good lawyers are on it. He'll end up in jail soon. I'm one thousand percent sure."

I nod slowly, watching the way his face doesn't even shake when he says it. "I hope you beat him."

"Sure," he says like it's already done.

The silence that follows feels heavy.

After a while, he glances at me. "What about your parents?"

My stomach twists, but I don't reply him. Going back there would feel like an abomination. Like dragging my shame through their front door.

Ever since I got married, they've never called. Never asked if I was alive. I've called so many times, but they ignored me. I'm sure they didn't even know I went to prison.

I pull out my phone. The battery has been dead since prison.

I press the power button, and the screen lights up. Five percent left.

Scrolling through my contacts feels like reopening wounds.

Adam's name is everywhere, saved as 'My Addiction' I can't even look at it without my chest hurting.

I force myself past it until I find Zara.

I hit a call. I don't have enough battery to wait.

She picks up instantly.

"Hermione! Holy shit! Is that really you?!"

I press the phone closer to my ear, "Yes, Zara, it's really me," I respond, hating how my voice sounds.

"Oh my God! Two damn years, girl." Her voice wavers, like she's about to cry too.

"Are you home now? I'm coming over! And tell Adam he's not seizing you today."

I close my eyes. Hearing Adam's name feels like a blade pressed to my skin. "Ummmh... Zara, I don't know about that."

"Wait...why does your voice sound like that?" she asks, her tone sharpening with concern.

I swallow, not wanting her to know just how wrecked I am. "Can I come over?" I ask, like I'm some twelve year old asking for permission.

"Are you kidding me? Why the hell are you even asking?"

"I don't know, Zara, I mean..."

"Don't even finish that," she cuts me off quickly.

"Get your polite ass over here. Girl, I've missed you. We've got a lot of talks to do."

I sigh deeply and hang up. Zara's place is exactly where I need to be right now.

We'd been making beautiful progress on my App idea. We could have been hitting millions by now with the launch plan we had laid out but the arrest happened and I've totally lost track of everything.

I'm only left with the amazing ideas I've been able to come up with while in prison.

I drag my small box onto my lap and open it, picking up my purse.

I unzip it and stare at the cash tucked neatly inside. My eyes widen. Ten thousand dollars.

What the hell? I know for sure I didn't leave that amount in here.

Did Adam...? The thought stops me. Did Adam put the money in my purse?

Is this a pity gift?

I sit there staring at it, torn between anger and confusion.

I lift my head and catch Hunter watching me, sitting comfortably on the hood of his car, his legs apart.

"Ummmm....Hunter? how much do I owe you?" I ask, holding the purse in my lap.

He shakes his head quickly. "Hermione, you don't have to do that."

"What do you mean?"

He glances at me, his arms folded to his chest, with a soft expression on his sharp face.

"See, I know this is supposed to be professional, but let's just skip payment for today." He pauses, and a small smile draws at his lips.

"Maybe I'll be able to offer you much more than a broke cabbie will, the next time we meet."

His words are strange, like there's a hidden meaning behind them, but I don't sweat it.

I feel a bit relieved and I find myself smiling.

"Thank you so much, Hunter. You're amazing."

His smile grows wider.

"So, where are you headed to next?" He asks.

Zara is curled up beside me on the couch, one leg tucked under her.

A half-eaten pancake sits on her plate, forgotten, her tea cooling between her palms.

Her brows are drawn so tightly in confusion.

She's gotten just a bit lean, but her caramel skin glows better, her black curls always look ever glossy like she oils it every minute.

"Babe... tell me you're joking," she says, her voice almost breaking.

"Adam? Divorce? That man worshiped everything that concerns you."

I stare down at my plate, pushing crumbs of pancakes around with my fork.

My chest feels hollow, like someone scooped me out from the inside, and it hurts so much, but I feel more ashamed talking about it.

Zara only visited us once but she knows everything about me and Adam. I used to tell her everything. But now...

"I wish I was joking. But it's true, Zara. He sent the papers while I was still in prison."

Zara's head snaps toward me, her mouth parting in shock. "Sent them? God!-"

"I don't get it. I don't fucking get it. That is so cruel!"

Zara leans closer, her shoulder brushing mine. Her eyes are almost wet.

"I swear, Hermione, I could kill him right now. To put you through this after everything? After you..." she stops herself.

She takes a deep loud breath. "You don't deserve this. Not from him."

Silence drapes over us.

She reaches out, and holds my arm, "You've been crying a lot. Look at you Hermione."

A broken laugh escapes me. "What do you expect? Two years locked away... and now this waiting for me as soon as I get home? I'm... I'm shattered, Zara." I breathe out, not even finding the strength to talk.

Her grip tightens. "No. You're hurting, yes. But you're not shattered. You're still you. You're still Hermione."

"The smart girl that can program dead bodies to function, but can't fry eggs without turning them black."

"I shoot my gaze at her, holding the urge to laugh, then my hands snap to her mouth, squeezing. "You bitch, you just have to keep remembering that, huh?"

She bursts out laughing.

Then she leans her head against mine, her voice turning into a whisper. "And I've missed you. More than I can say."

"I've missed you too babe." I say.

"But...Zara, the idea."

"No no no," she shakes her head.

"You eat, you rest your head, shake off everything about Adam and prison, then we can talk business."

"Because damn Hermione, we've got a shit load of business to discuss."

~~~

I wake up with a pounding headache. My eyes feel swollen, my pillow is damp. I must have cried myself to sleep again.

The first thing I do is grab my phone. My heart beats faster as it turns on.

I stare at the screen, waiting. But I see nothing. No missed calls. No texts. Not even a blank message from Adam.

I'm sure he's still with her, in our matrimonial bed. Making out, probably mocking me while they're at it.

It feels like the heartbreak is fresh all over again. Like it just happened this morning, not yesterday.

"I'm never crying over you again, Adam." I whisper. That's exactly what I promised myself last night before I fell asleep.

I pull out the SIM from my phone and snap it in half, then throw it in the bin.

I block him everywhere. I don't want anything ever reminding me of him.

I open my phone gallery. My thumb hovers over pictures of us. I select everything, press delete, and they all vanish, except one.

The photo of us in the pool. He's lifting me up, I'm laughing with my head thrown back.

We looked like the happiest couple alive. My finger brushes over his face on the screen.

"I hope you're happy with her," I whisper, and another tear slips down but I wipe it fast. "I hope...she loves you as much as I loved you."

I press delete and the screen goes blank.

"Goodbye, Adam...You're dead to me."

I take a long bath and change into clean clothes.

When I walk into the kitchen, the smell of coffee fills the air. Zara is leaning against the counter with two mugs.

"Bitch, you look like you woke up from the dead," she says, handing me a cup.

"Thanks," I mutter and take it, instantly falling in love with the warmth it gives me.

"Aww. You already sieved out the sugar." I ask.

I smile faintly. "You put all of it in yours, right?"

"Exactly. I'm a sweet girl, I know." She winks, and I can't help but laugh softly.

"You're the best, Zara," I say.

Then I set my laptop down on the table and take a sip of the coffee.

Her tone shifts to a more serious one. "So, from our beta testing, remember that? With my followers and a few influencers, we got an insane response."

"We could've made millions just from that if you'd agreed to make it a paid version, Hermione." She shakes her head.

"Your idea's super genius, but then...prison happened," she says, gesturing with her hands in the air.

I breathe in slowly. Shame touches me, but I push past it.

"I got a lot of new ideas in prison," I say. "Crazy ones. With what we already have, we can build something way bigger."

Her eyes light up. "That's what I like to hear. And listen, I've still got influencers begging to partner with us. They were pissed when everything paused, but they'll jump right back in."

"You said the beta has... what, three million users now?" I ask.

"Three million active fucking users," she yells excitedly. "And you gotta open a social media account, by the way."

I chuckle softly. "I'll handle that later."

"Fine." She takes another sip of coffee.

"I'm thinking five dollars per month for a subscription." I say.

Her eyebrows shoot up. "Hermione, that's too low. A shitty competitor app takes ten dollars, and it's nothing compared to yours."

"I know. But five is still amazing for a start. We make it superb and affordable for the people. That's how we grow faster."

Zara leans back, crossing her arms. "And with the influencers on board, we could hit the world hard."

We stare at each other. And I find both her eyes wide with excitement.

"Oh my God, Zara," I breathe. "We could hit a billion dollars in a year if we work super hard on this."

She squeals and nearly spills her coffee. "That's exactly what I'm saying, bitch! Like disgustingly rich. That's what I'm fucking talking about!"

"I've waited so much for you, Hermione, you won't understand!"

Her excitement pulls a laugh out of me. I nod, relief rushing through me for the first time in years.

"Good," I say, looking at her.

"Let's make this happen."