lia

y gut. I stared at Blake' s elegant signature, a grotesque reminder of how easily he could sign away a

ion of the dreams Blake had systematically crushed. I had to leave. Not just the house, not just Blake, but this entire city, this entire l

Its screen lit up with a notification. It was Blake' s social media

plete. Blessed by the universe." Beneath it, a flurry of congratulatory comments. "So happy for you, Blake!" "Chyna looks incredible!" "Those b

ave of dizziness, the room spinning around me. They were perfec

lake's heavy footsteps. He was home. My heart leaped into my throat, a primal fear s

e and the open social media page on my phone. His brow furrowed. "What are you d

greement tighter behind my back. My voice wa

world. "Leaving? With these trinkets? You think you can just walk out of here, Amelia?" His eyes lingered on a small, hand

r" to him. My throat tightened, the sting of tears threatening to overwhelm me. How could I have ever loved this man?

om the hallway. A baby. My bre

to a doting smile as Chyna appeared in the doorway, cradling one of the twins. "My

s he showered Chyna and the baby with the affection I had once craved, the affection he had

"What do you want, Blake?" My voice was barely audible, trembling with a m

is is simply how things are now. Chyna and the boys will be moving in. Permanently.

play happy family with another woman and children I should have had? "You exp

You can be a wonderful influence on the boys. An aunt figure, perhaps. Or even..." He paused, a strange,

, mothered by the woman who had helped betray me? Th

charine. "Oh, Amelia, I'm Chyna, though I'm sure you rememb

ix. O

the quiet intimacy of our bed, the names I had chosen for our children, the

tumbled back, shaking my head violently. "I will not adopt them! I w

ment. You will accept it." He took a step towards me, his presence suddenly menacing. "You are my wife, Amelia. You

al a divorce would cause to his carefully curated life, to his family's pristine reputation. I saw it the

y nodded towards Chyna, who swiftly retreated with the babies. He then turned to the door, his voice echoing with chilling finality. "