Starting Over After My Husband's Lies

RACHEL: "How are you holding up?" Daniel asked after picking up on the first ring. It has been a day since I left Austin's office. And right now, I needed a distraction. I needed comfort from the hollow ache in my chest lest it gets worse. "Fine," I hesitated. "You don't need to lie to me, Rachel. I know you're not fine," Daniel said, his tone soft. I signed, sinking into the couch. "I just didn't expect him to sign the papers without a second thought. He didn't even read anything in it. Is that how much he doesn't want to be with me any more?" There was a long pause before Daniel responded. "You knew he was going to act all insensitive." "Yes. But it doesn't mean it hurt any less," I had to say. "What can I do to get your mind off all of that for now?" "Just talk to me." And that was what we did. The conversation completely shifted from the divorce to work and then to very random conversations. I found myself laughing for the first time in weeks and for a fleeting moment, I let myself believe I could move on. Reality wasn't that kind though. Because tell my later in the evening, my phone buzzed with a notification from an Instagram post which tagged my name. And when I clicked it, it had to be Chloe tagging me. Yes, Chloe. The same Chloe that Austin has been spending time with. Although I was initially skeptical about viewing the content of what she tagged me to, I eventually did only to see her leaning into Austin, a smugness plastered on her face accompanied with a sly smirk. The caption to the post read 'Mine now'. How creative. This was what I got for stupidly following her in return after she followed me some weeks back. I could have just ignored it but now I was letting myself suffer. And the comment section didn't help matters. "Pathetic," I muttered, tossing my phone away from me. I didn't want to keep looking at it. I needed to erase Austin completely from my life I wanted to be free of him. I couldn't jeep a trace of him around me if I wanted to close this chapter of my life. So I ventured to looking for his things. Anything that belonged to him needed to be discarded as fast as possible. This was for my healing. "Ma'am, are you alright?" I was startled by that and I had to quickly turn around to see Miriam, my housekeeper, standing at the entrance of my bedroom with a concerned expression. I didn't even hear her come in. "Oh yes, I am," I said, forcing a smile. I was certain my words hadn't been entirely convincing. "Do you have something to tell me?" She didn't push even though concern was still etched on her face. "I just came her to tell you that dinner was ready," she said. "Thank you. I'll be down in a bit." She nodded and walked out of the room. I exhaled slowly immediately she did. It was a hard job trying to stay calm at this point. I continued with what I was doing and before I knew it, I had a pile of Austin's things waiting in the hallway and ready to be discarded. Only then did I head down to get dinner. __________ "A private auction in Paris..." I read out the most important part of the invitation I received from Austin earlier this morning. The universe wasn't done testing me, was it? When I thought to find a way to clear this man's existence from my life, I had to receive this from him. I would have ignored it if the organizer of the auction hadn't caught my attention — the very powerful Mr. Langley, a man I had admired for years. He only hosted private auctions for the elite and I had always dreamed of attending one. This would be a way to get in touch with him and get him to collaborate with my plans to strength Daniel's company. Even though Austin's invitation wasn't out of kindness, I needed to use it to my advantage. "You can't be serious," Daniel said when I called him to tell him. "You know it's a setup." "I know," I admitted. "But it's a chance to meet Langley. Think of the opportunities we could get from this." "It's not about the opportunities, Rachel. There's Austin you need to worry about." "I don't care about Austin," I hissed. "What are you going to do when you meet him there?" "I know he plans to humiliate me. And it doesn't change the fact that I still want to go. Look, I need to do this for our best interest." "While ignoring your personal interest. Great move there." I didn't miss the sarcasm in his voice when he said that. "I'll be fine, Daniel. Trust me." Although I said that with conviction, I didn't believe it. Still, I was willingly stepping into an inevitable storm.

RACHEL: The moment I stepped off the plane in Paris, I felt the weight of my decision. The city, although with its timeless beauty and intoxicating charm, was another battlefield, one which I had brought myself into out of my own will. Austin's driver was waiting for me at the airport. I wanted to decline the ride at first but it would seem like I was holding grudges so I accepted it, sliding into the back seat of the car with a bit of composure. That composure faltered when I arrived at the hotel I was to stay in. Right there, I saw Austin and Chloe together in front of the same hotel. Chloe leaned toward him, her fingers brushing over his arm as they spoke. As soon as the both saw me, their expressions switched to something different. I was indifferent and would be in order to not give them the satisfaction of a reaction. "You're staying here?" he asked. There was disdain in his tone, making it seem like the idea of me existing in the same space as him was an inconvenience. I remained unbothered as I responded: "It's a free country." Chloe let out a mocking laugh which actually infuriated me. "Of course, darling. It's definitely a free country, isn't it?" she said. I was going to say something that would have most likely damaged by indifference until someone stepped in. "Sorry, I'm late," the person said and I turned to the side to see that it was Daniel. The surprise that filled up my expression was actually swift. But I didn't let it linger for long as relief flushed my system. He had such an impeccable timing in his perfectly tailored suit and I was grateful for it. "Shall we?" he asked, offering me his arm which I took immediately. My gaze landed on Austin whose expression darkened. Clearly, he wasn't enjoying the scene. As soon as we were a distance away from them, I couldn't help but ask Daniel: "How come you're here? You never mentioned you were coming to Paris." He smiled. "I couldn't let you do this alone. As much as you think this is for you alone, I'll have to remind you that it's for both of us." I guess he was right. ______________ The auction was indeed a grand affair. The hall was adorned with magnificent golden chandeliers and velvet drapes and was as exactly as I had imagined it to be. The elegance, the sophistication, the power... It was perfect. Daniel followed me to grace the occasion and I had to do my best to focus on the event. I wasn't going to get consumed by thoughts of Austin and Chloe's presence. Especially not this night. I didn't miss the signs of them planning to torment me. From Chloe making pointed comments whenever I was within hearing, to Austin standing too close to her as if she was everything to him. Austin took things a bit too far when he body on an exquisite diamond necklace. It was a necklace I recognized immediately because it was a piece I had once admired. Was this his way of getting back at me? I guess it is. When the hammer fell and the anchor called out that it was 'sold', I almost lost it all. Austin just had to capitalize on my hurt by turning to Chloe and fastening the necklace around her neck. "Do you want to leave?" Daniel whispered into my ear while I watched with a glass of champagne on my lips. "I'm fine," I said even as the knot in my stomach tightened. I wasn't going to run from this. I was going to face it head on. I knew why I came here and that was going to be my main focus. During a break, Chloe just had to walk to me and corner me close to the balcony. "I really don't know why you're here, Rachel. But if you don't get it, Austin is mine now. So stop making a fool of yourself and just leave," she said, swirling the champagne in her glass as she smiled in a way that disturbed me. I looked at the necklace fastened around her neck and then back to her face. "Who's making the fool of herself if not you who's so bothered about someone that just came to enjoy the night? Desperation really suits you, Chloe." My words got to her. And I saw it from the flash in her eyes. What I didn't expect was for her to raise her hand and slap me. The sound echoed and gasps instantly filled the air. I could feel my cheek burning but I didn't give her the satisfaction of a reaction. I held back the will to hit her back. And that was when Austin suddenly stepped forward, placing himself between us. "That's enough, Rachel!" he barked coldly, making it seem like I had provoked the attack. I was no longer able to hide my expression. My breath caught as I realized how much I had lost this man. How pathetic.

RACHEL: Chloe's slap burned on my cheek but it was nothing compared to the sting of Austin's words. "That's enough, Rachel!" He had barked. And it wasn't to Chloe but to me. Me. I was frozen on the spot as my heart hammered against my chest. Hearing Chloe whimpering like she had been wronged while she stood behind Austin only made me irritated. That irritation was mostly clouded by the pain I was feeling from Austin's action. The worst part about it all was that he didn't push her away. Even as she gripped his arm possessively, he didn't turn her away. He instead patted her hand as if to console her. "Austin?" My voice couldn't let me speak as coherent as I should but I managed to. "Are you really going to do this?" His jaw tightened as his demeanour became even colder than it was before. "Am I going to do what? Watch as you pick on Chloe?" Pick on Chloe? What is he talking about? "She just slapped me and the only thing you can say is that I'm picking on her?" I asked, mostly surprised than hurt. "If you hadn't provoked her, she wouldn't have done that. I would suggest that you leave it, Rachel. Walk away now," he said. I wanted to scream. I wanted to lash out at him and demanded answers but what was the point? What answers do I want to get from a man who had chosen his side and it wasn't me? I was still contemplating what to say next. My thoughts were mixing up with the murmurs from the crowd around as they focused on the center of attention which was us. How much I hated it. Daniel suddenly appeared by my side, his presence bringing forth a sort of comfort I needed at that moment. "Let's go," he murmured into my ear and placed a firm hand on my back. I didn't protest as he began to guide me out of the hall. My body was numb as we did so and I had to force myself not to look back at Austin and his lover. I didn't need to because one thing was certain — Austin wouldn't come after me. _____________ The flight back to New York was awfully quiet. Daniel insisted on going back with me and so I had him sitting beside me on the plane. I could hear his fingers drumming against the armrest occasionally. I knew he was waiting for me to speak but I didn't. I couldn't bring myself to as my thoughts were tangled. It was the same way I hardly said a word to him last night as well as he drove me to the hotel which I stayed in. My head kept replaying every moment at the auction over and over again, mostly focusing on the one scene that had ruined my mood. How Austin had been so quick to defend Chloe even though I was still his wife. How did we end up here? How did the man who once chased me relentlessly suddenly decided not to have any affection for me? Is that how the whole love thing works? Nothing could make the hurt I felt any less. I couldn't even take the thought off my head and neither could I get answers to my questions. I was going to head straight for a taxi when we landed until Daniel held me back by the arm. He turned me around to face him and I noticed the hint of hesitation on his expression. "Stay with me tonight," he said, finally breaking the silence between the two of us. My brows were instantly raised. "What? Why?" His expression was unreadable. "It's just for tonight. I don't want you to be alone and it's going to eat me up so bad if I let you be all by yourself," he said, concern lacing in his tone. I wasn't sure whether to say no or accept his offer as tempting as it was. I don't need to be taken care of but there was a part of me that actually wanted that treatment. A part that was exhausted and was barely holding itself together. "Just for tonight," I said, reiterating his last statement as I agreed to his words. As soon as I took a step forward to leave with him, my phone buzzed with a notification. I wanted to ignore it but then I found myself glancing at the screen of my phone. It was a post from Chloe with Alexander sitting beside her. 'Finally some peace' was the caption and I felt a bile rising in my throat. It didn't shock me to see that Austin already liked the post. I sighed, putting my phone back into my bag. I guess I was just practice to him.

RACHEL: Closure. That was what I was here for when I decided to show up at the house which once felt like a home. Deep down I knew it was wrong timing but I still turned up nevertheless. I stood at the entrance for such a long time while contemplating on whether or not to get in. In my hand was the small velvet box which contained the sapphire pendant that Austin's mother had given me then to welcome me into the family... A family I had no place in again. Eventually, I stepped into the house, the eerie silence hitting me. My heels clicked softly against the polished marble floor as I began to find my way to the study where I intended to drop the small box with me. Memories of the moments I once shared here with Austin slowly built its way into my head and I found myself longing for his presence. I was longing for what we once shared and I missed every moment of that. I shook off the nostalgia that had hit me right when I reached the study. Immediately, I placed the small box on the wooden desk, turning around to leave as soon as I was done. "You are back." I knew that voice too well, so much that I stiffened when it hit my ears. I turned around to see Austin standing by the doorway to the study. He was leaning by the doorframe with an exhausted expression. As exhausted as it was, it still looked unreadable. As much as I would want to know what was going on with him due to his disheveled appearance, I had to act like I was indifferent and that was what I showed in my expression. "I only came to return this," I said, gesturing toward the box on the desk which his gaze dropped to. A flicker of recognition hit his face before his jaw suddenly tightened. "You don't have to," he said. "I do," I responded immediately. "You really don't, Rachel." "It was given to me as a member of your family. I would soon desist from being a member again so why bother keep it?" I was sure I made a good argument there because the silence between us stretched for a long time after I said that. We both simply stood in our positions with our gazes not leaving each other. Austin eventually let out a sigh and stepped closer to me. "I know I hurt you, Rachel. I am not denying the fact that I did. But you're making this bigger than it needs to be," he let out the most ridiculous thing I must have heard him say in such a long time. Bigger than it needs to be? The audacity from this man. I couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh. "You let your mistress slap me in public. You defended her while she humiliated me. You've always chosen her over me, your wife. And you think I'm actually making this bigger than it needs to be?" I asked, my voice loud as I did. "I was only trying to make things right." "Make things right?" I repeated. "At the expense of my dignity?" "We were in a place with dignified personalities. You didn't expect I let the situation longer on. It would have cost me a lot and I cannot afford that," he explained but it sounded like bullshit to me. And what he continued to say didn't even make sense to me, "I even wanted to fix things between us. Look, I got you something." My brows were raised. "Something?" Right at this moment, getting something from him was the least expected action. Not after I just returned the most important item I had with me which was given to me as a gift years back. He walked over to the side desk and picked up a velvet box which was similar to the one I returned. He opened it to reveal a stunning diamond bracelet. I blinked, looking from his face to the diamond bracelet which he held in his hands. "You really think jewelry is going to fix this problem between us? Is that how materialistic you think I am?" I asked in between disbelief and rage. "I was only trying to—" "Austin? Where are you? Are you ready?" That question cut him off. It drifted from the hallway and it was a familiar one. Chloe, no doubt. Just in time, Chloe came into the study well dressed in a silk gown that clung to get curves, accentuating her figure. She noticed me and the smirk on her face was instant. "Oh... You got her the same one?" Those were the first words she uttered and I had to look at the bracelet on her wrist and then back at the one Austin was holding. I shook my head. Nothing was different with this man. "And you really thought jewelry could fix this," I said in a rather shaky voice.

RACHEL: I really didn't want to celebrate my birthday this year. Each year, I always got to play the role of Austin's wife as he invited the most elite guests from all over the city to grace the occasion while dressing me up in something that would always turn heads. Probably why I didn't want the crowd or anything else for that matter if it hadn't been for Daniel's insistence to make it as grand as possible. The penthouse used was that of his apartment and right now it was filled with music and laughter as guests drank and danced under the soft glow of chandeliers. I tried my best to enjoy myself. To at least forget about everything and reel in the moment. But a part of me ached. I was waiting for someone that would not show up and I didn't know why. I guess I was just not used to doing this without having him around. Maybe I missed him because tell me why my heart stupidly skipped a beat when he walked in. The moment the doors swung open, I noticed something different about Austin. It wasn't the fact that he was with Chloe as usual, it was the way he was rather wobbly as his arm draped over her shoulders. He was drunk. No one needed to tell me. And his presence actually caught the attention of people. "Do you want me to kick them out?" Daniel's voice was right in my ear as he asked that question. I forced myself to remain composed as I took in the sight before me. "No," I responded, swallowing hard as I did so. I had a glass of champagne in my hand which I took a sip from as I fixated my gaze on the two people looking a bit like a mess. "Rachel—" "I said no!" I snapped but not in a way that would scare Daniel off. Kicking them out would mean that they got to me. I wasn't going to give them that satisfaction. With my champagne glass still in my hand, I plastered a smile and walked slowly toward them. "Austin," I called his name in the coolest way possible. "I didn't expect you to come." I watched as struggled to focus on me. How much exactly did he have to drink? "It's your birthday," he said. "You do remember something about me?" I asked, rather surprised that he did. Chloe, letting out a soft laugh, responded on his behalf: "Of course he does. He just needed a little encouragement to show up." "Is this the encouragement?" "What do you mean?" I ignored her and locked eyes with Austin. "You're drunk," I pointed out. "Maybe," he said, shrugging as a lazy smirk tugged at his lips. I wanted to express my disappointment but that would mean I was revealing an emotion so I sucked it up. "Enjoy the party. But don't do anything stupid," I said lightly and then turned to leave. "Wait!" Chloe's voice rang out, halting me on my tracks. I took my time before glancing back at them. "What?" "I think he's had a not too much. Can you help take him upstairs so he could rest?" I knew what she wanted to do. The widened smirk on her face said it all. Even on my birthday, she didn't want me to have a time to myself. Perhaps she thought me the weak woman who would take anything thrown at her. I wasn't. Still, I smiled sweetly and said, "Of course." I stepped forward, grabbed Austin's wrist and then led him toward the stairs to find an empty room. I didn't miss the look that Daniel had on his face when I passed by his side. "You shouldn't have come," I said plainly to Austin as soon I closed the door behind us to an empty room I found. "I didn't plan to." I watched as he rubbed his temple as if to soothe off a throb. "Then why did you? Are you planning to make things even worse?" "No, no," he muttered after a long silence. Something in my chest tightened. I hated that he still made me feel this way. Hated that he made me feel like there was still something when there was none. It was a good thing I knew better than to dwell on that. "Get some rest. I'll have Daniel send you home," I declared, straightening up my posture as I turned to leave. "Do you love him?" I froze when his voice stopped me. That was sudden and definitely unexpected. Slowly, I turned back. "What?" "Daniel," he said, barely above a whisper. "Do you love him?" I sensed the raw feeling attached to that question. How he wanted to know something. But I wasn't buying into that. "It doesn't matter." Those were the only words that mattered.

RACHEL: "This is beautiful," I muttered to myself as the fireworks lit up the sky, exploding into bursts of gold and crimson. Cheers erupted around me and I could hear the sound of glasses clinking as the party carried on. This grand elegance was made by just one man — Daniel. It was the perfect moment for me. The right atmosphere. I didn't know how much I needed to have myself lingering in this feeling until this happened. It was for me and me alone. Daniel made sure that everything that happened in the past year didn't get to me. He only wanted to make me happy and he was doing a great job at that. "Rachel..." I heard my name and turned only to see Daniel down on one knee. Immediately, the world around me faded. I knew what was about to happen. And right now, I wasn't sure how to feel. Overwhelmed? Excited? Hell, I don't know. "Rachel," Daniel called my name again, his voice steady despite the anticipation in his eyes. "I don't just want to be the man who helps you forget your past. I want to be the man who builds your future." This was never the plan. Never ever. My heart clenched. I could feel my mind racing as different things went through it. This was a proposal. And not just any proposal, it was a grand one. When I said this wasn't the plan, it was bent on the fact that I had promised myself that I wouldn't let another man dictate my happiness. I promised myself that I wouldn't fall into someone else's plans before I had finished making my own. Standing here and staring down at Daniel, doubt crept in. Daniel had always been there for me even though we started off as business partners. He stood by me during all of the drama with Austin. He has been like a rock for me. The word left my lips before I could stop it: "Yes." I couldn't believe I just said that. I really couldn't. But why did it feel so true? Why was I certain of that response? A roar of applause suddenly erupted around us, consuming the rest of my thoughts in the process. Daniel slipped the ring onto my finger and then pulled me into his arms as he stood up. The embrace was warm and I felt safe in it. Safer than I've always been. Maybe it was because I was sure that Daniel wasn't going to hurt me. I just knew he wouldn't. For now I was going to linger in this moment of happiness. I knew my decision was the right one. _________ I should have known the happiness wouldn't last for long. Austin would always find a way to ruin it no matter what. I returned home the next morning to the apartment i got for myself. It was a decision I acted on as soon as I got back from Paris. I didn't want to be around Austin anymore and so I got myself something small for a start. When I got down from the taxi that dropped me off, I looked up to see something strange. Austin was sitting on the walkway into the apartment, his gaze boring into me as soon as he saw me. How did he find this place out? I kept it hidden from him as much as possible but it still managed to reach him. My breath hitched as I took a few steps closer. "What the hell are you doing here?" I asked. I was far from being cool with him and I had to disclose my true feelings. His eyes burned with something dark but I ignored whatever it was. "You moved out," he stated. "So I thought to pay you a visit in your new place." "How did you find this place out?" He stood up from the walkway. "I guess all I had to do was just a little finding. It was easy." He paused and then asked, "Why did you leave?" I folded my arms across my chest. "I had no reason to stay." "You didn't tell me." "Since when did I owe you explanations, Austin?" The conversation we were having was mostly confusing than infuriating. What exactly was he doing here? What does this man want from me? "I saw him propose to you," he said, breaking the silence. I knew what he was referring to "So?" Then he stepped closer to me. "Do you love him?" This was the same question he asked me last night. The very question that threw me off. It was getting dangerous at this point. "What's it with you?" I had to ask. "You're still mine, Rachel. Mine!" "No!" I snapped. "That ended the moment you chose your mistress over me. I'm not yours, Austin. Not now... Not ever!"

RACHEL: Austin stared at me like I had just shattered something between us. And for the first time, he didn't look as smug as he always us. Instead, all I could see was something in between regret and desperation. He was trying to be careful not to reveal too much but I was seeing beneath the mask. The storm was brewing in him already. "You're really going to marry him? You're going to just end everything between us like that?" His voice was lower than usual. "This isn't just ending now. You already put a pen to it yourself. The papers were signed weeks ago and the only thing left is to finalize it. Trust me when I say it's just a matter of time." I refused to let my resolve waver. He was going to feel just how much I wanted out of this. And I don't care if he was having second thoughts about it. It was already too late and I wasn't going to comply to anything. He ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his attitude. "I thought..." He began to say but cut himself short. "I thought you just needed time to think things through." "Time?" I spat out in rage. "You had time, Austin. Time to prove that I meant something to you. But what did you do? You spent it with her. You forgot I was supposed to be your wife and instead decided to treat me like a stranger. This isn't a negotiation. We're done." Silence suffocated us as soon as I let out my feelings. God knows how long I've been bottling that up. I had more than that to say but that was the only thing I decided to just let out for now. "So there's really nothing we can do about this?" he asked, his voice calmer now. "Nothing. I'm engaged already so there's really no point trying." "Where will you stay? Surely you can't keep living here." There was concern laced in his voice as he looked around at the apartment. I could tell that he wasn't okay with the place but what was his business? "Don't worry about it. Daniel has it all sorted out," I said. The mention of Daniel must have affected him because his expression changed. "Of course, he does." I refused to engage in another argument about Daniel. I wonder why Austin thought he had the right to care about my choices or what I did. He was not even supposed to find here in the first place. "I hope you and Chloe find the happiness you couldn't find in me," I said, forcing neutrality into my tone. I wanted this to be over so I could head in and find the rest I needed. He didn't look too pleased by the mention of that. But before be could respond, someone else did. "Oh, we will be." It was a familiar voice. And when I turned around, I saw Chloe just behind me. She had the usual smug smile plastered on her face and she looked like she had triumphed in a battle. "Why is she here?" I directed the question to Austin who didn't even know how to answer. "Why are the both of you even here?" Chloe went to Austin's side and placed a hand oj his arm. She was doing her routine of staking her claim but it wasn't even a battle for me. "I'm glad you're finally accepting reality, Rachel. Austin and I are meant to be and that's how it's going to be." I didn't flinch when I met her gaze. "If I didn't accept reality, I wouldn't have handed him those divorce papers." "Good. Then you won't mind that I would be moving into the villa with Austin." Austin immediately stiffened beside her as if she just revealed too much information. "Chloe—" he tried calling her name but she continued to speak. "I already talked to the staff," she continued. "They are preparing everything and maybe by next week, I should be well settled in." I really had no idea why she was sharing such details with me. Was I supposed to care? Was I supposed to worry? I really couldn't tell why she was doing that. "You certainly wasted no time," I simply said. Chloe shrugged. "Why should I? You wanted out and the only thing that has to happen next is that we move forward. It's just that simple." "And I wish you two the best," I said. "Now if you would excuse me... I have to get inside. You are both in my way." They paved the way for me to get in and I walked in between them to get to my front door. I unlocked the door and just before entering, I turned around to face them one last time. "Do me a favor, you two. Don't ever come back here."

RACHEL: 'Meet me in New Orleans if you want it back.' That was what the message I received from Chloe read. And in the message was a picture of a pocket watch in her palm attached to it. It was a bright morning when I received the message. It was most certainly unexpected and I really wanted to ignore it just as I've been ignoring her posts for almost two weeks now. I had no idea what game she was trying to play with me. And maybe I shouldn't have fallen into her game plan by opening that message. However, I couldn't ignore the content of the message because the pocket watch wasn't just any pocket watch. It was the last thing my grandmother had given me before she passed. The only thing I cherished the most on this earth. I had searched the house when I wanted to leave but didn't find it. I guess she got to it first before I could. 'What is the meaning of this?' I typed back to her. 'You wouldn't want this to be in the river, would you? So do as I say. I'll text you the address.' I should have just ignored her completely. But I knew what she was trying to do. She wanted to prove that she had control over mr and I wasn't going to let her pull that off. ___________ That very evening, I found myself standing on the bridge of the location she had texted me. Trust her to choose the bridge of a river where she could do what she wanted so easily. The city light reflected on the water's surface as I looked into it from above. The air was crisp and the wind carried the faint sounds of traffic from the streets behind me. I should have told Daniel before coming down here. I don't know why I failed to mention it to him. Chloe arrived and stood a few feet away. She was holding the pocket watch between her fingers as her lips curled into a smile. I began to approach her She stood a few feet away, holding the pocket watch between her fingers. Her red lips curled into a smile as I approached her. "You actually came," she mused. "I didn't think you would be so sentimental." "Give it back this instant!" I said, clenching my fists. "Why should I?" she taunted by twirling the chain of the watch around her finger. "Because it doesn't belong to you!" I barked. "Neither did Austin. But that didn't stop you from clinging on to him for so long." I sucked in a breath. I had to keep telling myself not to react. That was what she wanted. "Austin was never mine to keep. Just like he would never be yours to keep. You want to know why he's with you? It's because I walked away. Now imagine I didn't." The smile on her face immediately faltered. But it didn't for too long because she was back to her annoying self. "Whatever helps you sleep at night," she said. "Enough of this. Hand over the watch and let me go." She held up the watch nonchalantly. "Fine. Here you go," she said. Relief flooded me as I extended my hand. But just as my fingers were about to close around it, she let the watch go. I gasped as the watch fell and landed straight into the river with a soft plop. My eyes widened in disbelief. "Oops." Chloe let out a laugh. Before I could think, my hand swung, connecting with her cheek and resulting into a sharp slap. That reaction from me caused her to stagger back, shock evident on her face. The next thing I knew, she lunged at me and that was when I pushed her back with all my strength. I didn't realize that my act of defence would result into a big mistake as I grabbed her slip and then fall off the bridge and into the river. Panic set in as I watched as the icy water swallowed her whole. This wasn't what I anticipated and neither did I know what to do. All of a sudden, I saw a man jump into the river, swimming to save Chloe. I looked at the face properly to see that it was Austin. In no time, he had her wrapped and began to pull her to safety. I quickly ran down to approach them. Chloe was sobbing while shivering and it made me guilty. "You can't even let us be in peace. The next thing you want to do is kill her, isn't it?" Austin asked without even sparing me a glance. "It was an accident," I said in my defence. "She tried to attack me and I—" "You have no excuse, Rachel. None at all. You're just so evil." Those words stung my heart. How could Austin talk down on me like that? I was still supposed to be his wife but he wasn't even acknowledging me. Sadly, I turned around. And without another word, I walked away. This time, forever. I won't be back again.