CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
SHATTERED.
ALICE’S POV
“I said sign it!”
“Now that all this is officially over and I’ve gotten what I want, get your sister and you both should get out of my house”
“I said get out of my house!” Liam’s words kept replaying in my head, and my heart kept shattering at every remembrance.
“We’re here, ma’am,” the cab driver informed, snapping me out of my daze. I blinked, gathering my thoughts, before murmuring, “Thanks.” I slowly unlocked the door and stepped out, gripping my travel box as if it were the only thing tethering me to reality.
As I looked up at the familiar house, a wave of emotion crashed over me. This place had always been my refuge, a sanctuary where I could release my burdens and tears. But today, it felt different-heavier somehow, as if the very air around it knew what had happened.
I took a deep breath and began walking toward the door, the wheels of my box scraping against the pavement, echoing in the quiet night. My heart pounded in my chest as I reached the door and rang the bell. Silence. I rang it again, the sound more insistent this time, as if willing her to open up and let me in. Still nothing. I could feel frustration bubbling up inside me, a tight knot in my chest that threatened to unravel. Just as I was about to give up, the door swung open so suddenly that I nearly stumbled back.
“The heck is wrong with you?” Elena snapped, her voice sharp. “I ignored the doorbell on purpose-can’t you take a hint that I’m… Alice?” Her tone shifted abruptly as her eyes widened in recognition.
“Oh… I didn’t know you were busy,” I whispered, suddenly feeling like an intruder.
“I thought it was someone else…” she stammered, the irritation melting into something softer, more concerned. She chuckled awkwardly, but I could see her trying to piece together what I was doing here at this hour, with a suitcase no less.
But none of that mattered right now-I just needed a place to feel safe. “Can I come in?” I asked, my voice small.
“No… um… I mean, yes,” she fumbled, trying to find the right words. “Of course, Alice. Why would you even ask? You know my home is your home.” She forced a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. Something was off.
I hesitated for a moment, but then I rolled my eyes, pushed past her, and stepped inside, dragging my box along with me. The warmth of her house contrasted sharply with the chill I felt inside.
“Wait a minute… why do you have your box with you? And it’s late-why are you here at this hour?” she asked, the concern in her voice deepening. “You know how hot-tempered your husband can be. If he finds out you’re out of his house, and worse, that you’re here, we’ll both be in trouble!” Her voice wavered with worry.
Ignoring her questions, I made my way to the nearest chair and sank into it, the exhaustion of the day catching up with me all at once. “He won’t do anything to either of us. Can I stay here, please?” I asked, looking up at her with tired eyes.
She stared at me as if I had grown two heads, then shook her head slowly, confusion and fear etched across her face. “No, you can’t stay here. I love my life too much, and I’m not willing to lose it because of your cold-hearted, vengeful husband. I…”
“I don’t have a husband,” I interrupted, my voice flat, devoid of any emotion.
“What do you mean you don’t have a husband?” she asked, biting nervously at the edge of her nails.
“He divorced me,” I said, the words slipping out before I could stop them. My voice was barely above a whisper, yet they seemed to echo in the room.
For a moment, she stood completely still, staring at me as if I had just told her the world was ending. Then, in the next breath, she exploded. “What?! He did what?!”
“He divorced me,” I repeated, more to myself than to her, as if saying it again would somehow make it real.
Elena’s eyes flashed with anger as she ran her hands through her hair, her feet stomping on the floor in frustration. “That… that bastard!” she cursed, her voice trembling with rage. “How dare he?!”
Her reaction didn’t shock me. Elena had always been fiery, and when she was hurt or angry, she didn’t hold back. “He’s such a coward! I feel like punching him right in the face right now. That… that…” She struggled to find the words, her fists clenching at her sides.
Suddenly, she stopped mid-rant and turned to me, her eyes softening with concern. “But… how are you?”
I tried to smile, but it felt wrong, forced. I could tell she saw right through it.
“Am I your friend or your enemy?” she asked, crossing her arms and giving me a look that dared me to lie.
“Friend,” I mumbled, avoiding her gaze.
“Then don’t give me that fake smile. I can see it written all over your face-you’re not okay, and you’re doing a terrible job of hiding it. Now, you’d better start talking, or I swear I’ll make you…”
“Fine, I’m not okay,” I admitted, my voice trembling. “Does that answer your question?”
“No,” she sighed, sitting down beside me. “What happened?… Why did he ask for a divorce?”
The concern in her voice, the genuine care in her eyes, it was too much. The lump in my throat grew, threatening to choke me as I swallowed hard, trying to keep the tears at bay. But it was no use-the floodgates had opened, and there was no closing them now.