Chapter 5

I headed to the airport. I was leaving the country. There was nothing here for me anymore. My friend was never really my friend. My beloved never truly loved me. I had no job either, since I'd resigned.

Thanks to my father, he'd managed to get me a position as an assistant to one of his close associates — but it was in the United States. So, what did it matter?

I boarded the plane and left to start a new life. Far from the pain, the lies, and the betrayals. Despite everything, I was taking something precious with me — the fruit of my love.

I was on my feet before I even realized it.

"What the hell do you mean she resigned?! Why didn't you stop her, James?!" I snarled. He looked at me, unfazed,"and replied calmly." Why would I do that? Evangeline's been through enough lately. The last thing I want is to drag out her suffering.

I wanted to hit him. My wife had vanished and this guy was acting like nothing had happened? Asshole.

"Why do you even care?" James continued. "You cheated on her to her face, asked for a divorce, and she gave it to you. Now you're upset because she quit? Stop being such a piece of shit, Daven!" He snapped.

I was about to respond, but Caleb chimed in.

"Yeah, man, why so worked up? The love of your life is back, and now you know why she left. You should be at home screwing her brains out, not wasting time on a harpy like Evangeline." Hearing him talk about her that way made my blood boil. Evangeline was no harpy. Even so, I didn't defend her.

I checked my phone, hoping that maybe — just maybe — Evangeline had left me a message. But there was nothing from her.

Only countless texts from Marizza and nude photos of herself.

I turned off my phone and leaned back in my chair, replaying everything that had happened.

I knew Evangeline had always been in love with me, but I never imagined she'd paid to have Marizza held captive on our wedding day. The thought infuriated me, but then my rational side kicked in.

If Evangeline paid to have Marizza detained so she wouldn't make it to the wedding... then why did Marizza come back after two years instead of right after she was released?

I had so many questions and no answers. I was trying to find closure but didn't know how. I thought about how I'd treated Evangeline at my parents' house, how I'd kissed Marizza in front of her, and I couldn't help feeling like a complete bastard. Because regardless of everything, she was still my wife. Now I'd turned myself into a cheating piece of shit.

That day replayed in my mind over and over. Evangeline had tried to explain, but I wouldn't listen. The rage I felt was too overwhelming.

That day, before I'd told Evangeline about the dinner, I'd been working when Marizza burst into my office in tears, begging for forgiveness. Blake was at her side.

"What's going on?" I asked, and Marizza only sobbed harder. "Your brother has something to tell you!" She cried, and my eyes shifted to Blake, who held my gaze as if daring me.

"On your wedding day, Marizza didn't show up because Evangeline paid men to hold her." It felt like a bolt of lightning had struck me. I narrowed my eyes. "Where's the proof?"

"The men who kidnapped me that day are here to talk to you!" Marizza cut in, and sure enough, there were men there "men who claimed Evangeline had paid them two years ago to detain Marizza."

"I never wanted to leave you at the altar, my love. It was Evangeline's fault! She wanted to take my place because she was obsessed with you!" She wailed through her tears, pressing herself against my chest. I pushed her away immediately, but I couldn't deny the seeds of doubt those confessions had planted.

I left my office and drove to my parents' house, wrestling with who I should believe. When I got there, Blake and Marizza conveniently arrived right behind me. She latched onto my arm, and the moment my eyes met Evangeline's, I felt rage.

I didn't care whether it was true or not — I had doubts now. My chest ached, and I wanted her to feel the same pain I was feeling.

When I said all those cruel things, my heart was screaming. The voice in my head was telling me to stop. Watching her face crumble in tears tied a vicious knot in my throat, but I kept going.

And as if I were being controlled by some greater force, I leaned toward Marizza and kissed her. She welcomed it eagerly. Her lips, her taste, her presence — it all pulled me back to the past, to when she was mine.

I melted into the kiss, my hands roaming every part of her body. I didn't want it to end. When I pulled away, I was panting with desire, and all I wanted was to take her right then and there. My eyes sought Evangeline's, and when I saw that hollow, vacant look in them, it was like being punched in the gut.

I watched as she signed the divorce papers and left, leaving me with Marizza.

Marizza tried to kiss me again, but I pushed her away. I got in my car and went to James's place. I needed to think. I thought Evangeline would call, try to change my mind — but she didn't.

When I saw her walk into the courthouse, I felt an enormous pressure in my chest. As if something inside me was warning that I was about to make the worst mistake of my life.

And when the judge said she didn't want anything of mine, I couldn't take it. I stood up and tried to go to her, but the guards held me back.

When we walked out, I tried to talk to her, but Marizza threw herself into my arms and kissed me.

I looked at Evangeline, but she got in her car and drove away.

I arrived at the company that day and found James holding a resignation letter.

"You got what you wanted. She's gone." He handed me the envelope and walked away.

What the hell had I done?

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