“I never knew she was the third party all along.”

“She used her wealth to snare him. Everyone knew the Wesley name was sinking fast and they were going bankrupt. Zane was desperate and had to marry her and what she offered. Isn’t it obvious she has a noose around his neck?."

“No wonder he follows her around. She took advantage of him.”

“The wedding happened so quickly. The paparazzi caught poor Sasha crying at the airport the day she left the country. But now I heard Sasha is back—richer and better than ever. I heard Melissa boasting to her friend that her brother was about to be rich and swimming in cash again.”

“I like that. Let’s see how that spoiled Elenora handles it when he dumps her on her ass,” the girl said, and her friend burst into laughter. “We all know Zane detests her.”

“I always thought she had class and was graceful. I didn’t expect her to be such a parasite. That’s pathetic.”

“Shhh, the walls have ears now,” they giggled.

I listened to the gossip. A tear broke free and slipped down my cheek, but I wiped it away furiously and straightened my spine.

I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh as I saw Zane’s figure disappear, his car zooming out of the driveway.

So this was what I got after loving Zane?

After five years of marriage, it all came down to this—it turned out to be a cruel joke.

And everyone had known all along. Everyone but me. Now I was the image of disgrace and ridicule.

I picked myself up from the floor, the broken pieces from the glass still embedded in my hand.

I grabbed my keys and walked out of the house, heels clicking against the marble, my jaw set with resolve. “Nathan? Where did my husband go?” I asked Zane’s driver.

“Ma’am, I… I don’t…”

I was fed up with the lies around me.

“I pay you, but you’re lying for him? You have two minutes to say the truth or you lose your job,” I threatened.

“He’s with Miss Taylor,” Nathan confessed. “At St. Joseph’s Hospital.”

Without a word, I cranked my car and sped out of the driveway, tearing through the dead of night like a storm, heading to the hospital.

The ER was quiet and empty.

I walked down the hallway and there they were—Zane had his arms around Sasha, cradling and holding her as she laid her head on his chest.

“Zane?” My voice came out in a weak whisper.

A smug smile spread across Sasha’s face while Zane froze.

“Hello, Elenora. Took you long enough,” the petite girl said, folding her arms with a sickly sweet smile.

Zane protectively stepped in front of Sasha to shield her from me, and it made my heart twist with ache. A tear escaped.

His jaw ticked in anger. “What are you doing here? How did you find out I was here?."

I raised my still-bleeding hand. “Thanks to your dear sister.”

He frowned.

“You know you shouldn’t go around blaming people for nothing.” His tone was sharp. The anger in his voice was impossible to miss.

He opened his mouth to continue, but Sasha beat him to it.

“Melissa is just a kid. You should be patient with her. Why are you dragging her into this?” Sasha said sweetly.

I almost laughed out loud.

Melissa? A kid? She was only two years younger than me. Why, then, was everyone expecting me to be the adult in the situation?.

“And what does this have to do with you?” I asked Sasha coldly, my eyes flickering to hers—entwined with Zane’s—holding his tightly.

But my heart didn’t ache anymore. I was just… over everything.

As I made to walk past them, Zane suddenly grabbed my hand. “What’s with your attitude, Elenora? Apologize to Sasha. Now.” His tone was threatening.

Ignoring the dark look in his eyes, I met his stare, hoping to feel even the slightest spark.

Nothing.

“Give me one reason why I should apologize?” I asked him challengingly.

“Because Sasha is right. Melissa is just a kid. Why are you trying to antagonize her? This is our personal issue. Don’t bring her into it,” he paused. “And can you have no compassion? Don’t you know Sasha was just harassed at the airport? She’s still recovering, and you’re making it worse by talking to her in that manner. Apologize. Now!”

He pulled Sasha closer to him, the fury in his eyes looking like it was about to spill out.

So that was it?

When Sasha got hurt, Zane became mad with concern and almost fell apart. But when it was his own wife being drugged at her birthday party, he played along just to humiliate and steal from me?.

Zane didn’t care about my pain.

I looked at Sasha, whose doe eyes had watered and were almost spilling. She deserved a round of applause. What a performance.

I clenched my fists in anger and yanked my hand out of his hold with all my might.

“You should focus on giving her therapy to overcome the trauma of being harassed by airport security and worry less about how I talk to her. Leave me out of your circus!”

Without another glance or waiting for a response, I turned and walked out of the hospital.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Third Person’s POV

As Elenora walked away, Zane stood there, a shadow of worry flickering across his face and an unfamiliar knot tightening in his chest as he watched his wife disappear down the hallway.

This was the first time Elenora had ever talked back—ever challenged him. She was always gentle, agreeable, and submissive to him.

This time, she hadn’t cried or begged.

“Did I do something wrong?” Sasha asked in a delicate voice, tugging at his hand, her eyes brimming with unshod tears as she clung to him.

Zane turned to her, brushing a hand gently through her hair. “No, don’t overthink it. Elenora was just being unreasonable tonight. Don’t let it get to you.”

With that, he laced his fingers through hers and guided her quietly into one of the hospital wards.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Elenora’s Point of View

After the doctor bandaged my hand, I walked into the chilly night alone, pulling my jacket tighter around me as I made my way to my car. My mind spun with loud thoughts as I drove home in silence.

When I arrived, the villa was pitch black and silent. I paused in the doorway for a moment, exhaling deeply.

The man who I once believed was my safe haven turned out to be a lying, cheating, and conniving monster.

If that was how fate wanted it, I guess it was time to step away. Let Zane and Sasha be with each other—they truly deserved each other.

I took a deep sigh and began my night routine before retiring to bed with a heavy heart.

The next morning when I woke up, the other side of the bed was still cold. Zane had not returned.

As I stood up to start my day, my phone lit up with a notification. It was a message from Sasha Taylor:

You just have his name. The woman Zane truly loves is me.

Attached to the message were numerous pictures. I scrolled through them:

Zane shielding Sasha from the security at the airport, Sasha behind him.

Zane kissing her forehead.

Zane carrying Sasha into the hospital.

Zane cuddling her in a hospital bed.

Each picture was worse than the last.

The bedroom door creaked open at that moment.

“Elle, honey, you’re up early,” Zane said as he stepped inside the room, still wearing yesterday’s clothes.

I turned to face him without a single word.

Zane walked up to me and gently tucked my hair behind my ear. But as he leaned in to hug me, I saw them—

The angry, red, undeniable hickeys were like a slap to my face.

I could ignore Sasha’s taunts, but those hickeys were something else. So I pushed Zane away from me.

“What do you want?"

“My love, last night was my fault. I’m so sorry,” his voice was soft and sincere.

“Sasha had just gotten back from a long trip, and she was humiliated by airport security. She had a rough time. I was really worried about her. I didn’t mean to say those horrible things to you, okay?”

Zane took my hand gently. “Will you forgive me?” I stared at him blankly.

“You know what? I’ve arranged something for tonight, to make up for my attitude. It’ll just be a small gathering—my friends and yours. And Melissa would like to apologize.”

Zane looked into my eyes like he truly meant every word, but I felt nothing. The fire between us had died.

He smiled at me, but my mind went back to last night. After the doctor had treated me, I walked past a hospital ward when I heard Sasha and Zane’s voices inside.

“We can’t let her go like that,” Sasha had sounded anxious. “We’re running out of time.”

“What now?” Zane had asked.

“We’ll think of something to bring her into our midst again. Maybe a birthday party. Just invite her tomorrow. I’ll get you the pill you’ll spike her drink with.”

Zane didn’t even protest. “Okay, what time?”

I didn’t wait to hear the rest before I hurriedly walked out of the hospital.

Now he was back here, pretending like nothing had happened—like he wasn’t planning to ruin me.

“I don’t want to go,” I said, my voice flat.

His smile faltered, anger flashing across his face before he quickly masked it with a warm expression.

“Come on, baby, don’t be such a party pooper. I’ve already sent out the invites. Don’t kill the mood, okay?” Zane pulled me close and planted a kiss on my forehead.

I closed my eyes and sighed. “Alright, I’ll go. But I get to choose the venue."

Since he wanted me to be present in his little scheme, I also had something up my sleeve.

Zane paused and blinked in surprise. Then nodded in agreement. “Okay, send me the address and I’ll pick you up after work.” He kissed me and walked toward the closet to change his clothes.

But halfway there, he paused and looked back. “Oh, wear something dazzling tonight. It’s your 29th birthday—don’t look so miserable.”

As I watched his figure leave, I smiled to myself.

In a few weeks, I’d no longer be Mrs. Wesley.

My name would go back to being Miss Elenora Kings. And it was just a matter of time before Zane found out.

I wonder what his reaction will be when he sees he’ll get nothing from the divorce.

Not a single dime.

Minutes turned to hours, and soon, it was evening.

I was still at work, reviewing some documents when Zane walked into my office holding a bouquet of red roses. I tucked my papers into my bag without saying a word and gave him a quick kiss before we left.

As we headed downstairs, I handed the bouquet to one of the interns. She squealed in delight and hugged the flowers to her chest.

Zane said nothing.

The car ride to the venue I had sent him earlier in the day was tense, stale, and silent. It didn’t take long before we pulled up to the private lounge I’d chosen to fit my plan.

It was a private space, and I planned to turn the tables on them tonight.

As soon as we stepped inside, the loud and obnoxious music made me frown.

“There you are, Elenora. We thought you wouldn’t come,” Sasha waved at us.

I turned to Zane, stunned at the audacity. “You invited her?”

“She’s family,” he simply said and brushed past me.

“Come sit with us,” Melissa said, suddenly appearing behind me like a ghost, latching onto my hand with a firm grip and pulling me toward their table.

“They were supposed to throw me a welcome party today,” Sasha said with a hollow smile on her lips, one that didn’t reach her eyes. “But Zane insisted on celebrating your birthday properly, so here we all are.”

She gave Melissa a look filled with mock concern. “See how much Zane and all of us love and care about you? I hope my presence isn’t too much of a bother.”

“I’m sorry too, Elenora. Can you forgive me? Pretty please?” Melissa batted her lashes with fake sweetness and exaggerated mockery.

My eyes scanned the room filled with strangers.

Everyone present was one of Sasha, Zane, or Melissa’s friends.

Not even Britney, who claimed to be my friend, had shown up—despite the invite I’d sent.

A dry laugh rose in my throat.

This party looked like Sasha’s welcome party in disguise.

Zane reappeared with two glasses of wine.

“Baby, on behalf of all of us who made yesterday a terrible day for you, I want to apologize. Here is a fresh start—to us having a joyful and lasting marriage for the rest of our life. Cheers,” he said and pushed the drink in front of me.

I eyed the glass filled with sizzling wine.

“If you truly forgive us, take the wine,” Melissa said gently—too gently.

My eyes flicked to Zane, who held the drink, smiling softly at me.

I wasn’t stupid.

This was a repeat of what happened at the party.

I smiled softly.

“If you’re truly sorry, why don’t you drink the wine? I’m pregnant and I can’t drink wine now. You can drink it for me, right?” I said sweetly, “Honey?”

But the whole room froze.

Time stopped.

Sasha instantly became ashen and pale like the blood had been drained from her. “What?!”

Zane’s face dropped, the wine glass in his hand shaking.

Before the tension could settle, Melissa snapped, “Oh, come on, don’t be a liar. Why haven’t we seen signs?” She scoffed. “You’re just trying to hurt Sasha. Take the wine and let’s call a truce.”

“But you can drink it on my behalf,” I turned to my husband and pressed. “Right, honey? Melissa? Sasha? Anyone?”

Sasha dropped into a chair, clutching her chest.

“I don’t believe you one bit! You are arrogant—” Melissa lunged for me, but Zane stopped her.

“That’s enough!” he barked coldly.

I smiled internally. They hadn’t expected me to flip the table this easily and shatter them.

Zane downed his wine in one gulp furiously and then hurled his empty glass across the room.

Sasha was having a panic attack in her seat.

“Elenora, how long were you planning on hiding this from me? We’re trying to apologize, make peace, and make today a happy day for you—and you do this?” he snarled, stepping into my face, radiating fury.

“Why do you have to be so goddamn difficult?! Don’t embarrass your family and your name with this kind of behavior.”

He shoved the glass in my face. “Drink it. Don’t ruin the mood.”

I stared at the drink, then at the face of the man I had loved for five years. My heart no longer ached. I just pitied Zane for being such a terrible person.

“No,” I said coldly and turned to leave. But Zane wasn’t finished.

Before I knew it, he yanked me back forcefully and shoved me into a chair.

I gasped, stunned. He gripped my jaw with bruising strength, forcing my mouth open as he poured the wine down my throat.

I choked, struggling to break free from his iron grip.

No one stopped him.

No one helped me.

Some were recording.

Others watched, murmuring, amused at the spectacle.

My vision blurred.

Humiliation seared through me.

When he was sure the glass was empty and the contents had gone down my throat, Zane finally let go. I gasped for air, pushed him away, and bolted out of the lounge.

I stumbled outside, bent over, and shoved my fingers down my throat until everything in my stomach came up. My hands finally dropped limp at my side, exhausted.

Gasping, I wiped my tears and tried to fix my disheveled hair. I was a mess and looked like a wreck.

But instead of sadness, I chuckled bitterly. I knew tonight was a setup meant to break me.

Yet part of me had still hoped, after everything, he’d spare me some dignity. I’d been wrong—and terribly mistaken.

A deep breath escaped me, and finally, the tears I’d been holding back for days came rushing out. They were tears of freedom. I cried until my heart felt lighter.

Soon, another vehicle pulled into the driveway

“Look who it is. Elenora Kings. I was starting to think I’d never see you again,” a deep, velvety voice greeted me before the man shut his door and approached.

I offered a small smile. “Hello, Leon. I’m sorry for dragging you out here so abruptly after years of no contact.”

“It’s all good,” he shrugged, pulling me into a warm hug. “I missed you so much, Elenora. How have you been?” Leon’s voice was warm, smooth, and familiar.

“I’ve been… good,” I lied. “To make it up to you, why don’t I take you out to dinner tomorrow?”

Leon laughed. “Please. There’s no need. A gentleman knows not to pressure a lady. You’ve been busy, and I gave you your space.” He smiled. “Now, I assume this isn’t about catching up. Let’s talk about why I’m really here.”

I nodded and went straight to business. “Of course. I want to divorce my husband.”

Leon’s smile faded. “You’re serious about that? Do you want someone to talk to? I’m here to listen.”

I sighed, seeing the genuine concern in his eyes.

Leon and I had met through our fathers. His dad had been my father’s lawyer, and Leon took over after law school. We went separate ways after college—him finishing law school, and me getting married.

Now he had his own firm, and this lounge was one of his properties. He’d been happy to let me rent it out, and I saw it as an opportunity to reconnect and discuss the divorce.

“I’ve been having…” I paused with a small smile. “It’s fine. How quick can you start the divorce process?”

A low growl stopped Leon from talking. I turned.

Zane.

He looked furious, Sasha at his heels, eyes sharp with venom as they took in Leon beside me. “Are you cheating on me?!” he roared.

“I knew she was a cheap liar!” Sasha countered.

But I smiled and then, without a word, walked up to her. My hand snapped out and delivered a sharp, stinging slap across Sasha’s face.

Sasha gasped, stumbling backward, clutching her cheek in stunned silence.

Zane lunged toward me, eyes blazing, but Leon stepped in front of him, shielding me. “Step the fuck back, now!” he warned.

My husband froze, fists clenched, breathing hard.

Leon wrapped a protective hand around me and led me to his car without another glance at them.

As Leon drove away, I couldn’t help but notice the twisted rage on Sasha’s face— and Zane’s eyes burned with something darker.

They both screamed danger.

It was late as I checked out of my office.

The office building loomed behind me in darkness, only a few workers still stayed back. I was exhausted, drained from the forced smiles and congratulations thrown my way for signing a huge deal.

The parking lot was empty, my heels echoing eerily.

I slid into my car, tossed my bag into the passenger seat, and cranked the ignition. The engine purred to life. I reversed smoothly and turned onto the main road.

Blues played softly to soothe my nerves, a melancholic soundtrack to my solitude.

But something was off.

I looked in my rearview mirror. A car trailed me, its headlights too close, too persistent. I took a detour, but it followed.

I changed lanes, but it mirrored my movements.

I pressed the accelerator, trying to lose them, but the steering wheel jerked violently. My foot pumped the brake pedal to stop the car, but to my horror… it sank to the floor, unresponsive.

“No, no, no,” I pressed again, harder. Still nothing.

Panic seized me, and my eyes widened. “What the hell?” I gasped, my heart thundering loudly in my chest.

I saw the car gaining on me.

In fear, my foot slammed the pedal, speeding away from them. But then, a deer jumped into the road.

“Oh God!” I screamed and swerved.

I yanked the wheel, veering off the road, crashing into a thick patch of bush. Branches slapped against the sides of my car violently. A rough jolt had my car colliding with a tree.

“No…!"

My head whipped forward and struck the steering wheel, pain exploding behind my eyes.

Glass shattered. The air reeked of smoke and blood. The radio crackled with an unclear whoosh of signal.

Dazed, I pushed the door open and stumbled out into the night, falling to the ground as I tried to catch my breath. I dug my phone out of my pocket—it was dead.

The road was pitch black. Not a single soul in sight.

My hand came up to my head. Warm liquid.

Blood.

The horror made me bend over and puke, I was shaking and disoriented.

I crawled and struggled to stand, staggering onto the roadside, my legs wobbly. “Help!” I called out, voice raw. “Is anybody out there?” I cried in pain.

But then, I saw movement from behind me.

The car from earlier stopped, and two men emerged from the darkness. A knife glinted in the hand of one.

“Hey! Over here, please, I need help…” My voice faltered as they started rushing toward me.

But I froze when I saw the object in hand… a knife.

They weren’t rushing to assist. The intention in their eyes was clear.

One pulled out something shiny—a metal object glinting under the moonlight.

This wasn’t help. This was danger.

My stomach dropped.

“Stay away from me!” I shouted, picking myself up feebly. I began running.

They ran after me.

“No… please… HELP!” I screamed, my voice piercing the silence.

My heart thundered in my ears, blood dripping down my face, and tears streaming.

My legs were giving out as I used my last strength to run, my breaths came out in broken sobs.

Today was the day I was going to die.

“Somebody help me!” I cried again, desperately, the world spinning around me.

And then… headlights.

A sleek, black car screeched to a stop in front of me, kicking up dirt and gravel.

The door flung open. A tall male silhouette sat in the driver’s seat.

“Get in,” the stranger commanded.

I froze as the two men behind me shouted something I couldn’t hear.

They were running too fast now.

I hesitated. But the footsteps behind me were closing in.

Without another thought, I dove into the passenger seat, slamming the door shut behind me.

The car peeled off, the tires squealing as it launched back onto the road.

I gripped the door with white knuckles, panting, blood still seeping from my temple.

My eyes darted to the driver. He looked too calm. Composed. And… familiar?.

His knuckles were tight on the wheel, intensely focused as he sped away.

Not until we were miles away, the shadows of the forest long behind us, did the driver slowly glance at me, his face partially obscured by the darkness.

His voice was low.

“Finally, I found you.”