Chapter 48
The moment Justin raised his hand, two bodyguards stepped forward and shoved me to the ground. I fought against their grip, but it was useless. All I could do was watch helplessly as Justin and Leah walked away.!!
Right before climbing into the car, Leah turned back, meeting my eyes with a slow, smug smile. Then she tossed her hair over her shoulder and got in, taking my amulet with her.
The bodyguards only let me go after the car disappeared down the road. By then, the rain had started to fall.
I pushed myself up, clothes drenched, hair sticking to my face. But instead of heading home, I knelt in front of my parents‘ graves. Cold rain mixed with the warmth of my tears and I whispered, “Mom… Dad… I’m sorry. I couldn’t protect what you left for me.“>>
My fists clenched at my sides. “But I promise you, this is the last time.“{
I stayed there for a while, letting the rain wash over me, before finally making my way home. By the time I stepped through the front door that evening, the divorce papers were signed and in my hand.”
And the first thing I saw was Justin and Leah. They were all dressed up, standing by the door, clearly about to leave.
Justin looked me over, his brows pulling together in irritation.”
“Where the hell have you been?” he snapped. “There’s a business dinner tonight. Go dry off and change, you’re coming with me.”
I didn’t argue. I just went upstairs, changed into something appropriate and followed him out the door.
But of course, the moment we arrived, Justin abandoned me completely. His wife.
Instead, he spent the entire night parading Leah around, pouring her drinks, introducing her to important people, making it painfully obvious who really mattered to him.
The murmurs started almost immediately.
“Lara’s got some patience, huh? Her husband tried to kill himself seven times just to leave her and she’s still here, pretending everything’s fine?”
“What choice does she have? She’s an orphan with nothing. She finally got herself a spot in the Stokes Family, of course she’s holding on for dear life.“>
“That’s harsh. Her parents died saving her and Justin. The Stokes Family owes her.“}
“And Leah? She’s not innocent either. Back in school, she was bullied all the time–Lara was the one who stood up for her. And this is how she repays her? By stealing her husband?“>
The whispers built, growing louder, until->
“Enough!” Justin’s voice cut through the room like a whip.
Every conversation stopped as he slammed his champagne glass down on the table, the crystal shattering on impact.
His chest rose and fell in quick, angry breaths, veins bulging at his temples. “I will be with Leah,” he snapped. “She’s done nothing wrong.”
His gaze swept across the room, daring anyone to challenge him.
“And if I hear one more word about her,” he added darkly, “don’t expect me to be friendly anymore.“>
Because of Justin’s constant suicide attempts over the years, I had been dealing with the same whispers, the same pitying looks, no
matter where I went.”
People knew. And they talked. And Justin? He knew, too. But he never cared.§
Yet now, the second someone said a few careless words about Leah, he was suddenly outraged, ready to burn bridges, pick fights, throw a tantrum like the world was against her.
It was pathetic, but it didn’t matter anymore.
I was leaving. I just had to get through this dinner, hand him the divorce papers and walk away for good.”
While Justin was in the bathroom, Leah sauntered up beside me, swirling a glass of wine in her hand.
She leaned in, lowering her voice so only I could hear. “You still want your amulet back?” she murmured, her lips curling into a smirk. “Drink this and I’ll give it to you right now.”
I took the glass from her, staring down at the deep red liquid. Something felt off.}
The color wasn’t right, too dark, too murky.
I glanced up, meeting her gaze. “What did you put in this?“}
Leah’s expression flickered, just for a second, before her smile sharpened. “What are you talking about?” she said impatiently. “Are you drinking it or not?“}
She reached for my hand, trying to push the glass toward my lips. But then, her eyes flicked past me, locking onto something behind my back.”
And in an instant, her whole demeanor shifted. Before I could react, she pressed against my hand, tipping the glass toward her own
mouth.”
The strong liquor burned its way down her throat and she barely had time to gasp before she collapsed.
“Leah!” Justin’s voice rang through the room as he rushed over, catching her before she hit the floor.”
Then, just as fast, he turned on me and slapped me hard. Pain exploded across my cheek, my head snapping to the side.
25.00
13:05 AMN
His voice was pure rage. “What the hell did you force her to drink?!”
He glared at me like I was some kind of monster. “How could you do this to Leah?!“}}
Leah clung to Justin’s chest, her voice soft and pitiful. “Justin… she forced me to drink an aphrodisiac… I feel so awful…“)
Justin’s expression darkened. “Don’t worry,” he murmured. “I’ll take care of you.”
Then, without a second thought, he scooped her up in his arms. Before disappearing into the private room, he tumed back to glare at me. “Lara, I’ll deal with you when I get back!”
I stood there, motionless. The sting of his slap still burned on my cheek, but it was nothing compared to the numbness settling in my chest.
Laughter rippled through the room. I didn’t have to look around to know people were watching, enjoying the spectacle of the humiliated wife being tossed aside.
I swallowed down the bitterness rising in my throat and forced a smile. Then, without a word, I turned and walked upstairs.” From down the hall, I could hear them. The muffled sounds of rustling sheets. Leah’s breathless moans. Justin’s low, hushed voice. I exhaled slowly, my hands shaking as I pulled out my phone. Through the crack in the door, I snapped a single photo of the chaos inside and sent it straight to Justin’s parents.”
[I’ve done everything I could for this marriage. If I can’t change him, I have no choice but to leave.]}
Justin, this is my last gift to you. I slid the divorce papers under the door and walked away.}}
By the time he saw them, I would be gone. A car was already waiting for me outside. I got in and headed straight for the airport.”
