Chapter 4

Serene’s POV

I pressed the green button on the screen, and Aliyah’s irritating voice immediately resonated.

“Hey, girl, what’s up?”

I was happy to hear her voice. But sadness immediately filled my chest at the thought of leaving this house. A place that was a witness to Theo and my love.

I smiled bitterly, sobbing.

“Babe, are you crying? Shhh, it’s gonna be alright!” Her words were soothing.

“Ali, I don’t know what to do,” I said sadly.

“Shhhh, hush. Let’s meet outside. Pack all your stuff because you’re leaving, whether you want to or not,” she said firmly.

“He’s kicking me out. He told me he didn’t want me in his life anymore. All my things are packed. I have no choice.”

“Alright! Then grab your bags and leave. I’ll get you here,” Aliyah replied.

We said our goodbyes before I hung up. I closed the zipper of the suitcase and weakly dragged it down the stairs. I arrived at the door of our house and glanced at the sad and dark mansion. All our memories were here, and I would miss them. I wiped my tears, and just as I was about to lock the door, my husband’s loud and angry screams echoed.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

What was wrong with him? Wasn’t he the one who had said I should leave? I turned to him; he was at the top of the stairs.

“Leaving,” I answered him without emotion.

“In the middle of the night?”

“It’s none of your business.”

He was surprised by my answer, but I just ignored it. I was tired, so tired. He quickly approached me and was about to grab my arm, but I immediately moved away. I hoped he would say something, but I turned my back on him.

“I signed the divorce papers. You’re free now. Go chase your new moon. I still love you even though you can’t give back the love I wanted,” I whispered softly, knowing he was the only one who could hear.

After that, the tears fell, and I felt exhausted. I walked away, hoping he would follow me to stop me, but I was just disappointed. I smiled bitterly.

“I am setting you free now.”

I exited through the gate, hoping that Theo would follow me. I couldn’t help but wonder why I was still holding onto hope; it felt foolish.

Loving you, Theo, is truly exhausting.

As I gradually distanced myself from our mansion, I couldn’t help but shed tears. I had no idea how to start anew without him. I had lost him, and despite all the pain I endured, I couldn’t bring myself to be angry with him. I still loved him.

Who would cook for him now? Who would take care of him when he was sick? These questions plagued my mind. I had a feeling that there was someone new in his life, someone who would bring him happiness and understanding.

“I hope you become happy,” I whispered sadly.

My cell phone rang, and it was Aliyah texting me that she couldn’t pick me up due to an emergency at her company. She didn’t mention who would be picking me up.

As I continued to walk, engrossed in my phone, I failed to notice an oncoming car.

“Shit, that girl!” a voice exclaimed from the car.

I continued walking while still looking at my phone, completely oblivious.

“Beeeppp…”

I still didn’t notice the approaching car; I closed my eyes, bracing for impact.

“SERENE, ARE YOU GOING TO DIE?”

I was startled by the man’s scream. The voice sounded familiar.

I snapped back to reality, and there he was, Aziel.

“A-Aziel?” I stammered, surprised.

“Yes, it’s me, love,” he replied.

I was still gaping in disbelief that one of my best friends was standing before me. In fact, there was a time when Theo had made Aziel jealous, and had I not been committed to our friendship, I might have developed feelings for Aziel. Instead, I had chosen Theo, and now I was reaping the consequences.

I couldn’t contain my emotions and sobbed when I saw Aziel’s worried face. It had been so long since we last met because he had been working as an architect in another country.

“Missed me?” he asked, grinning.

I nodded, breaking away from the hug and hitting him playfully on the arm. “You didn’t even tell me when you were coming home.”

Suddenly, his expression turned serious, and the smile vanished from his lips. I noticed his clenched fist, and I couldn’t help but wonder if I had said something to upset him.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, concerned.

“Aliyah called me. She told me that your bastard husband is hurting you, so I booked a flight just to give him a punch,” he said, his jaw tense with anger.

He was staring at me with a look that made me nervous. I knew Aziel had been very protective of me ever since high school; he didn’t want anyone to hurt me.

“No, he’s not,” I protested. “Let’s go.”

I took his hand because I knew he was itching for revenge against Theo, and I couldn’t let that happen.

“You’re denying it, huh?” he said. “You know I won’t let anyone hurt you. If something’s wrong, I’ll know it’s that man’s fault.”

I was startled by his shouting. I held onto his hand and smiled, assuring him that everything was fine, even though I knew it wasn’t entirely.

He took a deep breath and, at the same time, lifted my chin to make me look up at him.

“He will never hurt you again. I swear, the moment I see your husband’s face, I will kill him,” he said calmly but menacingly.

“He’s not my husband anymore. He’s my ex-husband; he filed for an annulment, and I signed it,” I replied, tears in my eyes.

Aziel, ever the joker, tried to lighten the mood. “Then, you must be turned on already?”

I glanced at him, and he was just mesmerized while staring at my lips.

“Stay away, silly!” I warned, knowing his charms but reminding myself of Theo’s handsomeness.

He bit his bottom lip while grinning. “You look stressed.”

I felt my face heat up in annoyance.

“Tsk, tsk,” he continued, irritating me further.

I glared at him and pinched his side, hearing his playful laughter.

“How cruel is your love?” he teased.