“I’m drafting the divorce papers,” I said, my voice calm though my hands shook. “Five days, Johan. Let’s part ways then.”

Johan blinked, as if I had spoken another language. “What are you saying?” His voice was incredulous, a mocking laugh following. “In five days? That’s our anniversary, Danica. Didn’t we promise to celebrate it like before?”

I laughed, but it came out hollow, bitter. “Like before?” I repeated. “You mean the last five years when you never showed up? When you sent flowers and cards from god-knows-where while you were out celebrating business?”

He froze, his jaw tightening.

I didn’t stop. “I used to tell myself it was business—that you were busy keeping Father’s company afloat. I made excuses for you, for every late night, every unanswered call. I believed in you. But now I know better. You even spend more time with Ella!”

He ran a hand through his hair, his tone rising with irritation. “You’re being ridiculous, Danica. You’re angry, fine, I get it. But don’t bring divorce into this again. I can definitely make it up for it. This is ridiculous. And Ella? You know she’s my secretary. You told me to hire her! So why are you bringing her into this?”

“I should bring her into this,” I snapped. “She’s been in our lives since the beginning. She was supposed to be my best friend, and yet she’s the one you go home to, isn’t she? You’ve been fooling me, both of you.”

Johan laughed under his breath—cold, dismissive. “So that’s what this is about? You’re jealous?”

“No,” I whispered, my heart breaking at the sound of his voice. “I’m done. I don’t love you anymore, Johan. So let’s divorce.”

His laughter grew louder this time, almost cruel. “Divorce me? You’re serious?” He leaned closer, his eyes darkening. “No, you can’t do that. Where would you even go? You’re an orphan, Danica. You don’t have anyone or anything without me. Do you expect me to hand you money after you walk away?”

My hands clenched into fists. “I don’t need your money.”

He snorted, grabbed my hand, and shoved the wedding ring back into my palm. “Don’t be ridiculous,” he muttered. Then he pulled a sleek black card from his wallet and dropped it onto the table. “Here—my black card. Buy yourself something nice. That’s better than talking nonsense about divorce.”

I could only laugh, but it came out broken. “You think money fixes everything?”

He stepped back, already looking bored. “I won’t be home later. I have a meeting—”

Before he could finish, the sting of my palm cracked against his cheek. The sound echoed across the room.

For a second, everything froze.

Then his expression shifted, rage replacing shock. His hand shot out—and for the first time, Johan slapped me back. The impact sent me stumbling, my cheek burning with humiliation and pain.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” he shouted, his chest heaving.

But before I could even speak, a small voice broke through the tension.

“Bad!”

We both turned. Little John stood by the doorway, clutching a small toy car in his hand. His big brown eyes—Johan’s eyes—were wide with confusion. “Why are you slapping Daddy?”

My stomach twisted. I had always let the child call Johan 'Daddy' because Ella told me his father didn’t want him, as it was from a one-night stand. I pitied him. I loved him in my own quiet way, thinking I was helping a friend’s child heal. But now I realized the cruel truth.

He wasn’t fatherless. He was Johan’s son.

Before I could say anything, Ella’s voice drifted from the hall. “Oh… sorry.”

She appeared beside the boy, her face painted with concern, her tone dripping with practiced sweetness. “Is it a bad time? John wanted to visit. He misses everyone. But… I guess we should go.”

“No,” Johan cut in quickly, brushing past me. “We’re going out. Without her.” He threw a sharp look at me. “How dare you even think of divorce?”

Ella put a delicate hand to her chest. “Danica, why would you do that? Did something happen?”

“Don’t act innocent,” I hissed.

She blinked, feigning confusion. “Did Johan upset you again? Should I scold him for you?”

Her tone made me sick. I used to confide everything in her—every fight, every pain. She knew me better than anyone, or so I thought. And yet she had been smiling in my face while betraying me behind my back.

“Stop pretending you care,” I snapped. “You know the reason I’m doing this.”

Ella tilted her head. “Oh, is this about that guy you told me about?”

“What?” Johan turned sharply. “What guy?”

I froze. “Ella, what the hell—”

Is she using the cheating card even if it’s not true?

“Wait,” he said, glaring at me. “Are you cheating on me?”

I stared at him in disbelief. “You’re accusing me?”

Ella raised her hands innocently. “No, no, she didn’t say anything serious—”

“Shut up!” I shouted, my voice breaking. “You traitor! That is not true.”

Johan’s face darkened. He grabbed my arm roughly and dragged me toward our room. “You want a divorce so you can cheat on me? Is that it?”

“Let go of me!” I struggled, but his grip only tightened.

“No,” he growled. “You’re not leaving this house until you come to your senses.”

He shoved me into the room and slammed the door, the lock clicking in place. I heard his footsteps retreating, then the front door closing as they left—Johan, Ella, and their son.

The silence that followed was suffocating.

I sank to the floor, my chest heaving, my palms trembling. My reflection in the mirror looked like someone else—someone broken, betrayed, and bleeding on the inside.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I pressed a hand to my stomach. “I’m sorry, baby,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “But I have to let you go now. Your father doesn’t want you.”

Outside, the sound of their car engine roared to life, fading into the distance. And I was left alone—locked away, clutching my belly, and praying for strength.

“Five days,” I whispered to myself, closing my eyes. “Just five days… and I’ll be free.”

The next morning, I was woken by the sound of soft knocking. My eyes were swollen from crying all night, my throat dry from screaming into the emptiness of the locked room. I didn’t even want to open the door—but then I heard her voice.

“Danica… it’s me.”

Ella.

My whole body stiffened.

The door creaked open, and there she was—my best friend, the woman who had betrayed me in the most unforgivable way. Her eyes were red as if she had been crying, but I didn’t buy it for a second. Without asking, she stepped inside and hugged me tightly.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered against my shoulder. “I didn’t mean to do it, I swear. You know how things just… got out of hand.”

I froze, my hands still at my sides. “Got out of hand?” I echoed bitterly, pulling back.

“Yes,” she rushed out. “I thought you were just talking about Brendon, that’s all. You told me once you remembered him—your first love. I thought maybe you reconciled, and that’s why you were asking Johan for a divorce.”

I stared at her, dumbfounded. “Seriously?” My voice rose. “That’s your excuse? You thought I was getting a divorce because of Brendon? Not because you’ve been sleeping with my husband for years?”

Her lips parted, pretending to be offended. “Of course not! You’re my best friend, Dani. I would never—”

The sting of my hand connecting with her cheek stopped her words cold.

Her head snapped to the side, her palm flying to her face. “What the—?”

“Do you think I’d be a fool not to know?” My voice trembled with rage and heartbreak. “You’re sleeping with my husband, Ella. And John—your son—is his son, isn’t he?”

For a moment, her face was a portrait of fake innocence. Then it cracked. Her lips curled into a faint, mocking smile, and a quiet laugh escaped her.

“Oh, God,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m so tired of acting.” She met my eyes, her tone dripping with venomous amusement. “Good to know you finally figured it out.”

My stomach twisted, but I stood my ground.

“So what now?” she continued, smirking. “Are you going to leave him?”

I swallowed hard, forcing the tears back. “He doesn’t want to divorce me,” I said, each word deliberate. “So you better do something about it.”

Ella tilted her head and chuckled. “Don’t worry. I will. Just make sure you actually go through with it.”

“Fine,” I said, taking off my wedding ring. The gold glinted under the morning light as I held it out to her. “Here. Wear it. Be happy. You’ve already taken everything else.”

She hesitated for a second before taking it, her smirk softening into a mock pout. “Well, thanks, Danica. Thank you for giving me your husbandi,” she murmured as I brushed past her.

I didn’t answer.

As I stepped out of the room, a small voice called from the living room. “Auntie Dani!”

It was John. He was clutching a toy car, his face lighting up the moment he saw me. “Look! Daddy fixed it!”

For a brief second, I froze. I used to adore this boy. I used to hold him, feed him, even read him bedtime stories when Ella was too busy pretending to work. He used to call me “Auntie” with such sweetness that I forgot the pain of losing my own son.

But now, every time I saw his face, all I could see was betrayal.

“I’m busy, John,” I said quietly.

He frowned. “No! Please, Auntie! Look, it can move now!” He pushed the toy toward me eagerly.

I stepped back, shaking my head. “Not now, John.”

But he followed me, tugging at my dress, insisting. “Please, Auntie! Just look!”

Something inside me snapped. My voice broke as I tried to pull away. “I said I’m busy!”

He stumbled, and before I could catch him, he fell to the floor, the toy shattering beside him. His small body shook as he started to cry—loud, heart-wrenching sobs that pierced the silence.

Within seconds, Ella rushed into the room, horror written on her face. “What did you do?!”

“It was an accident,” I said quickly, but she was already cradling her son, glaring at me like I was a monster.

“What’s going on here?” Johan’s voice boomed from the doorway. His gaze darted from me to the crying child, and his expression hardened.

“Seriously, Danica?” he hissed. “This is why you don’t deserve to be a mother. You can’t even take care of a child properly!”

I felt my throat tighten.

“This,” he said, gesturing toward John, “is why we’ll never have another child. I’m giving my heir to him. I’ll adopt him officially. He deserves it more than you ever will.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. My voice came out soft, almost calm. “Okay. Do whatever you want.”

He blinked, thrown off by my indifference. “That’s it? You don’t care?” His voice dropped. “Is it true then? Are you seeing another man?”

“What?” I whispered, incredulous.

He turned to Ella. “She said something about a guy. Who is it?”

Ella raised her hands again, feigning innocence. “Johan, enough. Please don’t hurt her. She’s my best friend, remember?”

He looked between us, jaw tight, then sighed. “Be thankful Ella’s kind, Danica. Now apologize to John.”

I clenched my fists, but I couldn’t bear another fight. I knelt down, my voice trembling. “I’m sorry, John. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

He sniffled, nodding. “It’s okay, Auntie. We can play later?”

“Sure,” I said softly. “We’ll play later.”

But I knew there would be no later.

As soon as I got to my room, I locked the door and sank onto the bed. My mind was spinning, my heart breaking all over again.

Brendon.

The name echoed in my head. The man I’d once loved. The one I’d left behind for Johan—because my father had begged me to marry into a powerful family that could “protect” me.

Maybe Ella’s gossip about him wasn’t so wrong after all. Maybe I could use it to my advantage.

My hands trembled as I picked up my phone and scrolled through my contacts. My heart raced when I saw his name—Brendon Castillo.

I hesitated for a moment, then pressed call.

The line rang once. Twice. Then—

“Hello?” His voice was deep, familiar, and gentle.

“It’s me,” I whispered. “Danica.”

There was a pause. “Danica?” He sounded stunned. “After all these years…”

I took a shaky breath. “Are you still a bachelor?”

He laughed softly, surprised. “I… yeah, I guess.”

“Good,” I said. My voice wavered, but I steadied it. “Because I need to ask you something important.”

“What is it?”

I closed my eyes, my heart hammering in my chest. “Do you want to marry me?”

The silence on the other end stretched long enough for me to hear my own heartbeat. Then came a quiet laugh—soft, familiar, and edged with disbelief.

“Marry you now?” Brendon said, amusement lacing his tone. “After you broke my heart back then? It’s been seven years, Danica. What happened to your perfect husband—Johan?”

I swallowed hard, staring at my reflection in the mirror—pale, hollow-eyed, the woman I barely recognized. “He betrayed me,” I said, my voice trembling but steady enough to carry the truth. “He killed our son. And I can’t live with him anymore.”

There was silence again. Then a sigh. “Danica…”

“Forget it,” I said quickly, my throat tightening. “If you don’t love me anymore—if you’re married or happy now, that’s okay. I shouldn’t have called.”

I was about to hang up when his voice stopped me.

“Who says I don’t love you?” His tone softened, warm and sure. “Seven years didn’t change that. You might’ve hurt me, but I never stopped caring. If you really want to do this, then fine—let’s see each other again. I’ll pick you up, and we’ll get married.”

I froze. For the first time in so long, I felt something crack through the numbness—a glimmer of hope or madness, I didn’t know which.

“Is there anything else you want me to do?” he asked gently.

“Nothing,” I whispered. “Just… don’t make me regret calling you for help.”

And before he could say another word, I hung up.

I stared at the phone in my hand, my chest rising and falling rapidly. The room felt smaller somehow, my heart heavier yet lighter all at once. I exhaled shakily. That’s better now.

After all, Brendon had once been my entire world.

I sank onto the edge of the bed, memories flooding back—his laugh echoing through the empty classroom, his hand brushing mine under the bleachers, his promise that someday we’d see the world together.

We were high school sweethearts—two dreamers who thought love could conquer everything. He’d even saved enough to buy a ring back then, cheap and simple, but it meant the world to us. We were supposed to get married after college.

But life had other plans.

When my father got sick, everything fell apart. My father’s company was in debt, and his business partner—Johan’s father—offered help. The price? My hand in marriage to Johan.

Brendon begged me not to do it. He promised he’d work hard, that we’d make it somehow. But I was scared. I was young and lost. I thought marrying Johan would keep me safe.

And for a while, I tried to believe I was happy. I learned to love him, or at least I thought I did. But now, looking back, it all felt like a carefully woven lie.

I snapped out of my thoughts and stood abruptly. I couldn’t stay here any longer—not in this house filled with memories that weren’t even real.

I opened my closet and began to pack, one item at a time. Dresses. Shoes. Photographs. Each thing I touched felt heavier than the last. My wedding gown was still hanging at the far end, wrapped in plastic. I stared at it for a long moment, then tore it down.

By the time I finished, I was shaking. I gathered everything Johan had given me—the gifts, the jewelry, even the letters—and carried them to the backyard. The night air was cold against my skin. I struck a match, watched the flame catch, and tossed it all into the fire pit.

The gold bracelet he’d once clasped around my wrist melted into the flames, turning black. I watched until everything turned to ash, until there was nothing left of us.

The doorbell rang just as I turned back inside.

I frowned, wiping my tears quickly before opening the door. A man stood there holding a box.

“Delivery for Mrs. Johan Valdez,” he said, handing it over.

“Delivery?” I echoed. “I didn’t order anything.”

“It’s prepaid,” he said, then left before I could question further.

Curious, I opened it. Inside was a limited-edition Audrey Hepburn figurine—elegant, poised, and delicate. My breath caught. I loved collecting them. Johan used to tease me for it.

For a moment, I thought—maybe, just maybe—it was an apology gift. That perhaps he remembered something that mattered to me.

But then I heard footsteps behind me.

“Don’t touch that.”

I turned. Johan stood in the doorway, dressed sharply in a suit, his expression cold. He snatched the box from my hands.

“This is for Ella’s birthday,” he said flatly.

I blinked. “What?”

“I won’t be here the next few days,” he added. “Business trip.”

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. “Of course. Business trip.”

“Danica, come on,” he sighed, rubbing his temple. “Are you mad again? Okay, I’m sorry.” He reached into his pocket, pulling out something small—a cheap replica of the same figurine—and handed it to me. “Here, to make it up to you.”

The fake one. Of course.

He leaned in to kiss me, but I turned away. “Never mind,” he muttered, straightening up. “Just do whatever you want.”

Before I could reply, a loud, frantic knock echoed from outside. Then a voice.

“Johan! Help! Please—something’s wrong!”

It was Ella.

Johan’s expression changed instantly, panic flashing across his face. “What happened?”

“It’s John,” she sobbed. “He’s sick again! Please, come quick!”

And just like that, he was gone.

I stood there, staring at the empty doorway, the silence pressing in like a suffocating blanket. Once again, I was left alone—forgotten, dismissed, discarded.

I pressed a trembling hand against my stomach. The tiny life growing inside me didn’t deserve this.

Tears blurred my vision as I whispered, “I’m sorry, baby… but I have to let you go now. Your father doesn’t want you.”

That night, I went to the hospital. I signed the papers with shaking hands, the nurse’s words barely reaching me as the tears fell silently.

“This procedure… are you sure, ma’am?”

“Yes,” I said, my voice breaking. “I’m sure.”

As the anesthesia started to pull me under, the last thing I whispered was a promise to the child I’d never meet—

“I’ll find peace. Even if I have to burn everything to get it.”