DEAR HUSBAND, I'M DONE

Elena sacrificed everything for the sake of her marriage to Adrian. She left her job and her family behind just to put up with his manipulative mother, all in the name of protecting their marriage.  Yet that still didn’t stop Adrian from betraying her. Worse, he didn’t even bother to hide his affair.  When Elena finally had enough, she asked for a divorce, determined to rebuild her life and chase her dreams. But will her ex-husband and his toxic family ever let her live in peace? CHAPTER 001 ELENA’S POV “Damn it!” The curse tore from my chest as I stared at the television. The news banner flashed across the screen. “Rising star and supermodel Danielle spotted walking arm in arm with CEO of Hudson Tech, Adrian Hudson.” Before I could stop myself, I hurled the coffee cup in my hand. It slammed into the screen with a sharp crack, shattering into pieces as dark liquid splashed across the glass. I stood there, breathing hard. I had seen headlines like this before. But this one cut deeper. That useless husband of mine had promised he would be home for my birthday. And yet, there he was, not just late, not just absent but publicly parading another woman. Not just any woman. Her. Danielle. His ex-fiancée. The woman he was never supposed to still have. The woman I had spent four years silently competing with. My gaze drifted slowly toward the dining table. Candles burned low, their wax melting into uneven pools. The food I had spent hours preparing had gone cold. The cake sat untouched, its icing beginning to sag at the edges. A birthday dinner for two, in the end reduced to nothing. My hands trembled as I picked up my phone. A notification blinked on the screen. It was a video from Danielle. My stomach twisted. Don’t open it. I should have ignored it. I knew I should have. But I didn’t. My fingers moved before my mind could stop them. The moment the video played, my entire body went rigid. It was them. Adrian and Danielle. In a luxurious hotel suite, tangled together without shame. Her voice filled the room, soft, breathy, deliberate. His face was relaxed, familiar in a way I hadn’t seen in years. My chest tightened so painfully I thought I might collapse. How dare she? How dare they? My breath caught in my throat as reality crashed over me. I had been a fool. My friends had warned me. Over and over again. They told me Adrian never let Danielle go. That I was walking into a marriage where I would always come second. But I didn’t listen. I thought love could fix it. I thought I could fix it. I gave up everything, my family’s approval, my comfort, my pride, just to be with him. I was a naive young girl who thought that the love I had for him was enough for both of us. Adrian had been a total dreamboat when we got together. He was rich, handsome and definitely every woman's choice. Even though he hadn't really shown me that he loved me, he made sure I lacked nothing. From clothes to jewelry to money, he provided. Most times, I consoled myself and let myself believe that he really cared about me. But when Danielle returned, even though he told me not to worry, I saw the love in his eyes for her. The same gaze I wanted more than anything else. He was giving it to her. At first, I let myself think that I was overreacting. I thought I was just being jealous. And he reassured me that nothing was going on. Worst part, I had believed him. And now I saw the truth. I hadn’t just lost my dignity. I handed it to him. Without hesitation, I exited the video and typed a message. “I’ve seen the video. I want a divorce.” My finger hovered for only a second before I hit send. The phone rang almost immediately. Adrian. I declined the call. It rang again and again. Finally, I answered. “What is your problem?” Adrian’s voice snapped through the line, sharp and irritated. I let out a quiet, humorless laugh. “My problem?” I repeated. “You’re going to make a big deal out of this?” he continued, clearly annoyed. “I told you I had business with Danielle. She just returned from abroad and her parents asked me to take care of her. That's all. She doesn't have anyone else here, that's why I'm with her. Yes, it’s your birthday, but you need to stop acting like a child. Not everything is about you.” Something inside me went still. “I’m not making a big deal out of anything,” I said calmly. “I’m ending this marriage.” There was a pause. Then a scoff. “Elena…” he said, his tone dropping into something cold and dismissive, “stop being dramatic. I’ll be home soon.” The line went dead. I stared at my phone for a long moment. Dramatic. Of course. To him, this was nothing. I ended the call and slowly lowered my hand. Then I turned away from the ruined dinner and began clearing the table. There was no reason to keep any of it. That night, I didn’t sleep. By the time dawn crept through the curtains, I was already awake, packing. From my clothes to my documents and then my essentials. Just enough things I would need for a while before the divorce was finalized. I moved through the house like a ghost. This place had never truly been a home. Not really. It was just a beautiful shell filled with empty promises. My reflection stared back at me in the mirror, puffy eyes, pale skin, exhaustion written all over my face. I barely recognized the woman looking back. When did I become her? My phone buzzed again. Adrian. I ignored it. Then another call. His mother. I almost didn’t answer. But I did and regretted it immediately as her harsh voice flowed through the phone. “Where are you?” her sharp voice came immediately. “Do you enjoy embarrassing this family? You were never right for my son. I warned him, but he refused to listen. Honestly, this marriage should have ended long ago.” For four years, I had endured her words, her judgment and her rejection. But today, they meant nothing. “You’re right,” I said quietly. “It should have. That's why it's ending now.” And then I hung up. I was zipping up my suitcase when the bedroom door slammed open. Adrian. He stood there, slightly disheveled, anger written all over his face. His eyes swept over the room, the open wardrobe, the packed bags and his expression darkened. “What is this?” he demanded. I didn’t stop packing. “What does it look like?” I replied calmly. He let out a short, incredulous laugh. “You’re leaving?” he asked. “Because of the news?” I finally turned to face him. “Not because of the news, Adrian,” I said. “Because of everything.” He scoffed. “Elena, don’t start this again.” “I’m not starting anything,” I said, my voice steady. “I’m ending it. I want a divorce.” Silence fell between us. For a moment, he just stared at me. Then, he laughed. “You’re unbelievable,” he muttered, shaking his head. “You always do this. Throw a tantrum, say things you don’t mean…” “I mean it.” His eyes hardened. “No, you don’t.” I walked over to my bag and pulled out the photos. Then I handed them to him. One by one, his expression changed. Confusion. Then shock. Then anger. Every photo captured him and Danielle being intimate. The evidence was undeniable. “This…” he clenched his jaw. “Where did you get these?” “Does it matter?” I asked. “Yes, it does!” “It doesn’t,” I cut in sharply. “What matters is this, if you don’t agree to the divorce, these go public.” The room went still. His gaze snapped back to mine. “You wouldn’t dare.” “Try me.” For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then Adrian’s lips curled into a cold smirk. “You’re bluffing,” he said. “You love me too much to do something like that.” Something in me broke. Not painfully, not loudly. Just quietly. “That’s where you’re wrong,” I said. He stepped closer, his voice low and firm. “I’m not agreeing to a divorce, Elena. So you can stop this nonsense right now, unpack your things, and calm down.” I let out a soft breath. Then I met his eyes, truly met them for the first time in years. “Our marriage is over.” The words landed between us like a final verdict. There was no anger in my voice, no desperation. Just the truth. Adrian’s expression flickered for just a second but it was enough. He wasn’t used to this. He wasn’t used to this version of me. Too bad. Because I wasn’t going back. CHAPTER 002 ELENA'S POV I didn’t need a single cent, not from Adrian. Not from his family. Not from the life I was walking away from. All I needed was an end to the bondage I had trapped myself in. When I told him I wanted a divorce, he had scoffed, convinced I was just being dramatic as usual. He didn’t believe I would actually leave. And even if I did, he probably assumed I would crawl back the moment I realized what I was giving up. What he failed to understand was simple. I had never depended on him. Not for money. Not for status. Not for survival. I had built myself long before I ever became Elena Hudson. And I would rebuild again. When I returned to the mansion to retrieve the rest of my belongings, I hadn’t expected to hear laughter. But I did. It drifted from the living room, sharp, amused and familiar. I slowed my steps as I recognized the voices. It was Danielle and my mother-in-law. Of course. I stood just outside the door, listening. “She claims she wants to divorce my son!” my mother-in-law scoffed loudly. “As if that selfish woman would ever walk away from this family’s wealth.” A soft, practiced sigh followed. “It’s really unfortunate,” Danielle said gently, her voice dripping with fake sympathy. “If things had turned out differently… I could have been your daughter-in-law instead.” “Oh, don’t say that, darling,” Jane replied warmly. “Elena and Adrian were never a good match. You and my son? You would have been perfect together.” Something inside me snapped. I pushed the door open. The laughter died instantly. Both women froze as I stepped inside, my gaze sweeping across the room I had spent four years trying to make a home. A bitter smile curved my lips. How ironic. I built this place with my effort, my time, my patience only for them to sit here and enjoy it like I had never mattered. “Oh,” my mother-in-law said sharply, recovering first. “You’re back.” Her eyes narrowed. “Where were you? I told you to be here by 7 a.m. to prepare for today’s gathering. Or did asking for a divorce suddenly make you forget your place?” I didn’t respond. She continued, her tone turning colder. “Don’t deceive yourself. Someone like you, who climbed their way up, will never be on our level. Now go into the kitchen and start cooking. If you embarrass me today, you will regret it.” For a moment, I just stared at her. Every gathering, every single one, I was the one forced into the kitchen while guests laughed and dined. No servants were allowed to help me. It was her way of reminding me that I didn’t belong. That I never would. Before I could speak, Danielle stood, her expression soft and concerned. “Auntie, isn’t that a bit too much for Elena to handle alone?” she said sweetly. “Let me help her. I wouldn’t want your guests to think I’m useless in the kitchen.” My mother-in-law immediately pulled her back down. “You? Help her?” she scoffed. “Don’t be ridiculous. That’s what she’s for. But you…” her tone softened instantly, “you deserve to be treated like a queen.” Danielle lowered her gaze modestly. “But I’d feel guilty just sitting here…” “Don’t,” my mother-in-law said with a smile. “She won’t be here much longer anyway. Once she’s out of our lives, you’ll take her place. After that, she won’t even be allowed to step foot in this house again.” That was it. I had heard enough. “Are you two done?” I asked, my voice calm but sharp enough to cut. Both women turned to me. My mother-in-law’s expression hardened immediately. “How dare you interrupt me!” she snapped. “Get into that kitchen right now!” I didn’t move. Instead, I crossed my arms. “Let me make something clear,” I said. “Your son and I are about to get divorced.” The words landed heavily in the room. “I don’t owe this family anything anymore. Not my time. Not my effort. Not my respect.” Danielle’s smile faltered. My mother-in-law let out a cold laugh. “About to?” she repeated mockingly. “Do you really think you can just walk away like that? My son will never allow it.” I met her gaze without flinching. “That’s between him and me,” I said. “But one thing is certain, I’m done playing the obedient wife in this house.” Silence followed. Then I turned and walked past them, heading toward the bedroom. I wasn’t staying here any longer than necessary. I had just reached the hallway when footsteps sounded behind me. “So you really think this is over?” I turned. My mother-in-law stood there, blocking my path. I held her gaze. “It will be,” I replied simply. She scoffed. “You’re more delusional than I thought.” I stepped past her and pushed the bedroom door open only to freeze. Adrian stood there. His presence filled the corridor like a storm waiting to break. His jaw was tight, his eyes dark with anger. But he wasn’t looking at me. His gaze went straight past me to Danielle. “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice suddenly soft. Something inside me twisted. Before I could react, he shoved me aside. Hard. I stumbled, crashing into the edge of a cabinet. Pain shot through my side, but I barely felt it. Not compared to this. Not compared to watching my husband rush to another woman while I stood there like I didn’t exist. “What’s your problem?” Adrian snapped, turning on me as if I were the one at fault. “What did you do to her?” A sharp laugh escaped me. “Me?” I shot back. “You shoved me into a cabinet and you’re asking what I did? Take a good look, your precious Danielle is perfectly fine.” His expression darkened. Then he pulled out his phone and shoved it toward me. “Explain this.”I glanced at the screen and saw that it was an article. A brutal one at that. It exposed Danielle’s past scandals in vivid detail, every mistake, every secret dragged into the light. I blinked in surprise. I hadn’t done this. But judging from the way Danielle’s face had gone pale, it was all true. I lifted my gaze slowly. “Every word in that article is accurate, isn’t it?” I said calmly. Danielle’s lips trembled. “If even one part is a lie,” I continued, “I’ll walk out of here and throw myself into traffic. But if it’s true then maybe it’s finally time you face the consequences.” “Adrian…” Danielle whispered, clutching his arm. He immediately pulled her closer, glaring at me. “You’ve always been vicious,” he said coldly. “If you want to ruin yourself, go ahead. But don’t drag an innocent woman down with you.” I laughed. “Innocent?” I repeated. “Danielle?” I shook my head slowly. “You really are blind.” His patience snapped. “Get out,” he snapped. “If you’re so desperate to self-destruct, do it somewhere else.” Something inside me settled completely. The last piece of whatever I felt for him was gone. “You’re pathetic, Adrian,” I said quietly. “I wasted four years of my life on you.” His expression flickered. But I didn’t stop. “I’m done. With your lies. Your arrogance. This entire joke of a marriage.” I stepped back, meeting his eyes one last time. “Whether you accept it or not, my marriage to you is over. I'll send the divorce papers to you. Sign them quietly and free me from this sham.” CHAPTER 003 ELENA'S POV I stood there, watching the man I once loved show his blind loyalty to Danielle, and I couldn’t help wondering how I had been so foolish for so long. I had no wish to stay in their messy drama any longer. Just as I turned to leave, not bothering to grab my things, Danielle’s voice stopped me. “I would never admit to something that isn’t my fault! Why can’t you trust me? Do you honestly believe I destroyed your marriage just to hurt you? I’ve barely spent any time with you both. I’m only here for a film project. Why are you accusing me?” Although she spoke to the whole room, it was obvious her words were meant for me. I almost laughed at how ridiculous this had become, one man blindly in love, one woman scheming for her own benefit, and Adrian burning with misplaced anger, ready to snap at me at any moment. Adrian faced me, his voice sharp with hostility. “If you didn’t plan this, then who did? Who else would target Danielle like this besides you?” I sighed, already too exhausted for this nonsense, and looked straight at Danielle. “If you’re so certain I did it, then where is your proof? Without it, you could be facing a false accusation lawsuit.” Her eyes widened nervously as everyone’s gaze shifted to her. Even Adrian’s mother paused, doubt flickering across her expression. After all, who would risk everything on a revenge scheme without solid proof? Tears filled Danielle’s eyes as she turned to Adrian in desperation. “You trust me, don’t you? We were almost family once. You saw how hard I tried. How could you think I would do something like this?” Adrian, still caught in his lingering feelings for her, softened. He had always carried guilt about what happened between them, and that regret kept him tied to her no matter how much it hurt me. “I don’t believe you did this,” he said. “But we need evidence to prove your innocence. Do you remember where you were that day?” Danielle’s face fell at his half-hearted defense, and tears streamed down her cheeks. “So you still don’t believe me? Just because Elena said something, I’m suddenly the suspect now? Fine! If you want evidence, I’ll give it to you. I’ll die right now, and then you’ll see how much I care about proving my innocence!” Before anyone could stop her, Danielle dashed toward the sharp edge of a hardwood cabinet. With the force of her movement, the impact could have been deadly. Adrian’s face went pale, and even his mother let out a terrified scream. I stayed where I was, knowing Danielle was too calculated to actually hurt herself. This was just another one of her dramatic stunts. But Adrian lunged forward, catching her wrist just before her head struck the corner. Still, her forehead scraped against the edge, leaving a cut that trickled blood down her face. Danielle trembled, shaken by her near fall. Adrian wrapped his arms around her, his voice unsteady. “Danielle, what were you thinking? How could you be so careless?” Her voice quivered as she whispered, “Now you believe me, right?” Lost in the moment, Adrian nodded without hesitation. Clearly, she was innocent in his eyes. Who could doubt her after she had just put herself in danger to prove it? Watching their ridiculous display, I almost laughed. It was a perfect performance worthy of applause. But I had no intention of staying for the next act. I turned toward the door, ready to walk out for good, but Adrian’s voice stopped me. “I said, stay right there!” I paused, my patience completely gone, then turned back to face him. “What now? What do you want?” “You shoved her! Don’t you have anything to say about it?” Adrian accused, his voice filled with anger. I raised an eyebrow. “Are you serious? I didn’t tell her to smash her own head into a cabinet. That was her choice. How is that my fault? If she had actually gone through with it, would you call me a murderer?” I crossed my arms, utterly fed up. “You really need to think before you speak. And if you’re accusing me of hurting her, where’s your evidence? If you don’t have any, the only thing I can do is call an ambulance for her.” Without waiting for a response, I pulled out my phone and dialed emergency services. Adrian and his mother froze, panic flashing across their faces. “The ambulance will take an hour to get here!” Adrian shouted, his voice filled with urgency. “She might not make it by then!” I clenched my fists, frustration rising. “What exactly do you want me to do?” I snapped. “Drive!” Adrian barked, lifting Danielle into his arms as he rushed toward the door. I stood frozen for a moment, stunned by the chaos, until Adrian’s mother shoved me hard from behind. “Move! If anything happens to her, I can’t wait to see how you explain yourself,” she sneered. “It’s always misfortune whenever you’re around.” I glanced at her, catching the bitterness in her tone. It was obvious she didn’t truly care about Danielle. No one who genuinely cared would complain about their luck in a moment like this. Shaking my head, I grabbed the car keys, a small part of me curious to see how this entire farce would unfold. On the way to the hospital, Adrian was already on the phone, making sure Danielle received the best treatment available. I had to stifle a laugh. It wasn’t even a serious injury. Yet here he was, pulling every string he could for what was likely just a minor cut. If we had waited, it probably would have healed on its own. When we finally arrived, doctors were already waiting at the entrance. They rushed Danielle inside as if it were a life-or-death emergency, lifting her onto a stretcher. I raised an eyebrow, quietly entertained by the drama. CHAPTER 004 ELENA'S POV Three hours later, Danielle came out of the operating room, and the doctor’s uneasy expression caught my attention. Adrian was too worried about Danielle, and didn't seem to notice. “How is she? Will she be alright? “The doctor coughed lightly before speaking. “Her wounds are not severe. We’ve closed the cuts and are running some tests. She’ll need to stay here tonight for monitoring, but she will be okay.” I couldn’t help but smile to myself. Just as I expected, the whole situation had been exaggerated. The medical staff looked a little embarrassed by all the commotion, stretching out the process to hide how small the injury really was. Adrian felt relieved and rushed after Danielle’s stretcher. He didn’t spare me a glance. I stood there watching him go, a deep ache growing in my heart. The man I had loved for years didn’t even notice me anymore. I wanted to shout, but I kept silent, letting the sorrow sink in. My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I went still when I saw who was calling. I ignored it and let it go to voicemail, my heart beating fast. When it rang a second time, I inhaled deeply and answered. “My elder brother,” I murmured. “It’s time for you to come home,” he said firmly. My chest clenched at the sound of his voice. After three years without hearing from my family, his words shook me deeply. Tears filled my eyes, and I struggled to hold back a cry. Okay,” I said. I cast one last glance at the hallway where Adrian had disappeared with Danielle. It was time I chose myself. With that final thought, I walked away. THIRD PERSON'S POV Meanwhile, Adrian stayed close to Danielle until she finally regained consciousness. “Where’s Elena?” Danielle asked weakly. Adrian frowned. “She has nothing to do with this. Can’t you see that?” Danielle exhaled . “I get it, but can you please talk to her? She hasn’t done anything bad.” Adrian’s frustration grew. ‘Why are you still standing up for her? If she’s really innocent, why did she walk away after the accident? His anger flared when he realized Elena had already left the hospital while he was taking care of Danielle. To make things worse, his phone buzzed with new headlines and more harmful rumors about Danielle’s career spreading online. Adrian clenched his fists. He was certain Elena was behind it all. Danielle gazed at him, speaking gently. “Even if she's responsible, I would forgive her. This is all my fault anyway. If I hadn’t returned to your life, none of this would have happened.” Adrian shook his head, refusing to hear her out. “Stop defending her. She’s guilty, and that’s final.” Danielle didn’t argue anymore, quietly satisfied. Adrian’s anger towards Elena only worked in her favor anyways so why bother? Adrian’s expression eased. “Rest for now. The doctor said you should stay for monitoring. I’ll take care of everything. Your career won’t be affected by this, I promise.” Danielle’s eyes shone with gratitude, but Adrian quickly averted his gaze. He mumbled something about business and exited the room. As soon as he left, Danielle’s sweet expression disappeared. Her eyes turned fierce with anger. She needed to clear her name before anyone connected the scandals to her. If Adrian discovered the truth, her carefully built mask would fall apart. And she wouldn't ever let that happen at all. ELENA'S POV Coming back to my childhood home after four years filled me with emotion. The door I believed would never open to me again was right in front of me. I felt silly for ever thinking I wouldn’t come back. I stopped at the entrance, wondering if I should go back. Before I could make up my mind, someone pushed me roughly from behind, forcing me in. “What are you just standing there for? Do you know we’ve been waiting for you to return for four years? If my brother hadn’t stopped me, I would’ve pulled you home myself!” a voice I recognized said. I turned around and saw Jacinta, my childhood best friend. We had always been inseparable, sharing every secret and dream. She was the first person I told about my feelings for Adrian. But Jacinta had strongly disagreed, which caused a fight that involved our families. I blamed her for revealing my secret, and for four long years, we hadn’t spoken, even though we still had our contacts. Seeing Jacinta now made me tear up. I never believed we’d reconcile after all this time. Jacinta held my hand, tears welling up in her eyes. “Let’s go, Uncle and Martins have been waiting for you. I couldn’t find the words, so I nodded and let Jacinta lead me into the house. When I stepped inside, my brother, Martins, and my dad, Calvin, were on the couch, waiting. The sight of them made my lips tremble. My father stood up with a gentle smile on his face. I couldn’t hold back, I ran into his embrace with tears streaming down my face. My dad had always looked out for me, always spoiling me and taking care of my every need. Now, I could see how much the years had worn him down, he looked older. My heart hurt with guilt. I had caused them so much pain by leaving. Martins didn’t say a word, quietly watching the reunion unfold. “Dad…” I cried, my father wrapping me in a tight embrace. When my tears finally dried, I turned to Martins, feeling uneasy. “I’m sorry, Martins. I was so stubborn back then, but I’m home now. Forgive me.” I braced myself, thinking Martins would still be mad about our last fight, when he’d said he’d disown me if I married Adrian. But surprisingly, he was the one who had called me back. Martin's smile warmly. “The important thing is that you’re back. We’ve been waiting for you.” Relief flooded through me. No matter how far I had gone, my family welcomed me home with love. I knew now how foolish it had been to carry all my burdens alone for so long. “I won’t ever leave again,” I promised. Martins playfully ruffled my hair, just like when we were small. “It’s okay. Your second brother loves you. He’ll come around, even if he’s a bit angry. You just have to nudge him a little.” I knew it. I had always been very close to my second brother, but our fight right before I left had been painful. The thought of seeing him now made me nervous. Martins smiled warmly at me. ‘Whatever happens, you’ll always be our kid sis.” His words warmed my heart as I smiled softly.” Later, I went to my old bedroom. Apart from a few new clothes and pieces of jewelry proof that my family still cared, the room looked just as I had left it. Tears welled up in my eyes again. I couldn’t find the words to express how sorry I felt. My phone rang, pulling me out of my thoughts. I frowned when I saw Sophie’s name on the screen. “Where are you? I heard you are divorcing my brother. And where’s the necklace he gave me? You criminal! I don’t care what excuse you have, stealing is illegal! If you don’t return it, I’m calling the police!” I frowned, trying to recall the necklace Sophie was talking about. I couldn’t remember it. But her hostility didn’t surprise me. When I was with Adrian, I had been generous to my in-laws, giving them expensive gifts. Now, it seemed like the perfect time to collect on those “gifts” and set things straight. I had been far too kind before. It was time for that to stop. I ended the call without another word, shutting out Sophie’s sharp accusations. Not wanting to deal with them anymore, I blocked all their numbers and switched to a new phone, cutting off every way they could reach me. They had never tried to understand me, so it was time to break ties for good. I asked my brother to help me get divorced documents and then I signed them and sent a copy to Adrian's house. My family fully backed my decision and helped me cut ties completely. To my surprise, Adrian signed the divorce papers and sent them back, releasing me from my misery. After two days of rest, I started to feel my energy return. When Jacinta saw the latest news about Adrian and Danielle, she was furious. “Why did you give up being our family heiress to live with that man? It’s so maddening!” Though I felt satisfied seeing Adrian face public backlash, it still hurt to remember my own pain. “I was young and naive back then, but I understand now. Are you going to keep blaming me for my mistakes?” I responded. Jacinta was surprised by how calmly I accepted it. She cleared her throat and tried to change the topic. “Alright, since you admit your mistakes, I’ll drop it this time. But that bracelet Adrian is wearing, doesn’t it look familiar? Isn’t it from the family necklace Auntie gave you?” I examined the photo and realized it was true. The bracelet came from my family’s valuable jewelry. I didn’t care about recovering the other gifts from my past, but this necklace was special. My mother had left it for me, and Adrian had no right to show it off. The thought of that bracelet being near Danielle disgusted me. “If you have time this afternoon, could you come with me to collect my belongings? I left a few valuable things there and I need to get them back.” Jacinta was hesitant at first because she already had plans, but she quickly agreed when she realized there might be some drama to watch. “Sure, let’s go now. I led the way in my sports car, and Jacinta drove behind me in hers. When we stopped in front of a luxury three-story townhouse, Jacinta stared in shock. “Wait, you actually lived here the whole time? To many, the townhouse looked very luxurious, but to me it felt quite ordinary. Jacinta couldn’t understand why I had chosen such a difficult life for someone who didn’t deserve it. But maybe that was the madness of love, a painful lesson she was glad she had never experienced. Jacinta urged me to hurry, clearly annoyed by how dull the place looked. I wasn’t sure if Adrian was home, but I opened the door with my key and walked in. Jane was relaxing on the sofa and let out a scream when she saw me unexpectedly. “So the divorcee finally dares to show up!” Jane yelled. “My son told me you didn’t collect anything in the settlement. Are you here now to ask for your share? Not a single cent of his money will go to you.” Ignoring Jane’s shouting I reached for the red gemstone necklace around her neck. My movements were quick and precise, before she could even react, I unclasped it and took it from her. Jane’s eyes went wide with shock, and she stumbled back, her face frozen in disbelief. This was a family heirloom my grandmother had specifically given to me. And I had given it to Jane as a sign of good will. But now, I was taking it back because she didn't deserve it. I calmly dodged her desperate attempts to snatch it back while she fumed. “How dare you snatch from me, you worthless fool!” Jane shouted, her voice trembling with anger. “You’ll never come here again! And don’t even think about making peace with my son! Her words dripped with bitterness, but I stayed calm. I turned and handed the necklace to Jacinta, who had been quietly watching everything. Jacinta took it and gently placed it into a silk-lined jewelry box she had brought along. “This necklace,” I said , “was given to me as a wedding gift by my grandmother and I gave it to you because you asked me to lend it to you. I didn't bother taking it back then. Now I’m taking back what belongs to me. It’s clear that I was never truly welcomed or valued here, and I won’t pretend anymore.” I stood my ground and spoke calmly. I was simply stating the truth and reclaiming what belonged to me. There was nothing to debate. Jane’s face turned red with anger. “You gave those things to me!” she yelled. “So now you want them back? That’s crazy! Once you give something away, it doesn’t belong to you anymore!” Jane refused to return anything. Even though she never liked me , the gifts had boosted her reputation. The red gemstone necklace, in particular, had brought her a lot of attention over the years. Jane was very concerned about what others thought of her. When people complimented the necklace, it made her feel proud. That’s why she became furious when I asked for it back. I wasn’t surprised. I had endured their selfish behavior for years. But today, I was set on getting my belongings back. They didn't deserve these things, and I wasn’t going to leave without getting what belonged to me. “You ungrateful fool! I’ll make sure you regret ever being born," Jane hissed, tossing the necklace to me as she stormed away. I couldn’t stop feeling pleased with myself for giving that witch a taste of her own medicine. I grabbed the rest of my things and then I walked out with Jane. The next morning, just as I was about to eat breakfast, the doorbell rang. I opened it to find two police officers standing there. “Elena, you’re under arrest.” I stared at the officers in disbelief. "On what charges? “Theft and breaking and entering.” A single thought flashed through my mind. This was all Jane. CHAPTER 005 *ELENA* She must face the full force of the law!” Jane’s voice kept ringing in my ears as we arrived at the station with the police. I was right after all. Jacinta shot her a deadly glare, and if looks could kill, Jane wouldn’t be alive. Somehow, I felt grateful and relieved that someone who truly had my back was here with me to face the predators in Adrian’s family. “She entered my house and stole from me!” Jane was shouting. Jacinta responded to her, but I quickly took her hand and whispered, “Ignore her for now, Jac. We’ll deal with her when the time comes.” For once, Jacinta obeyed. We stayed calm and let Jane scream and rant. Not long after, Adrian walked in with Danielle. I didn’t even notice their arrival until Jacinta nudged me. Just take a glance at them," Jacinta said sharply. "They look awful together. I wonder what man in his right mind would ever want to be with a woman like Danielle. But of course, it had to be that revolting ex-husband of yours. As she spoke, I gazed at Adrian and Danielle, and I understood instantly that Jacinta was talking from a place of fury, because there was no way anyone could argue that Danielle looked radiant. She always did. I mean, what else would have been expected from a fast emerging star who has her captivating face displayed in several magazines. Glance away, Jac. If they notice you are looking at them, it won’t be good," I whispered to Jacinta, hoping she would listen. But instead, Jacinta kept looking at them until they reached where we were sitting. Danielle’s expensive perfume filled the room, and Jacinta wrinkled her nose in dislike. But then again, it was all fake, she simply couldn’t stand Danielle. Jacinta would even say Nicki Minaj looked ugly if she didn’t like her, so I wasn’t shocked. Adrian and his baby doll went to the yelling Jane to try and calm her. Their efforts worked, because Jane eventually settled down-though she still warned, “Make sure she faces the consequences. Adrian turned to me in anger and strode over to us in several steps. I watched the movement of his legs in his joggers and I swallowed hard, because I knew the power of those legs during our time together... I shook my head to clear the image that was slowly forming. It’s all in the past now, and if Jacinta could see my heart, she would definitely freak out.. "You just can’t leave my family alone, can you?" Adrian said in anger. "You want to be part of my family so badly that you keep coming back, huh?” I was done being their doormat, and this time, I wouldn’t let Jacinta fight for me. When I was madly in love with Adrian and foolish, I let him take advantage of me-but not anymore. I stood tall with pride and confidence, facing Adrian as if he had never meant anything to me at all. “Have you forgotten that I was the one who walked away from you?” I asked him. Adrian blinked, visibly shocked by my newfound boldness and courage. I smiled inwardly, savoring the feeling. I wanted Adrian to feel hurt, just as he had made me feel all this time. Then what were you doing in our house?” Adrian shot back. “To take back what belongs to me, Adrian. You didn’t think I would let go of something that is rightfully mine for your family to show off and enjoy the attention that comes with such luxury, did you?” I asked, staring Adrian straight in the eyes. Now that we are divorced, it was clear that he wasn’t that special. My love, respect and adoration for him had made me worship him, and now I regret it. Adrian never supported me. He never highlighted me the way he flaunted Danielle, and somehow, deep inside, I still felt that pang of hurt and jealousy. “We’re already divorced. Move on, Elena,” Adrian spat. I laughed in disbelief. Why wasn’t he mentioning that what I claimed was rightfully mine, and not a case of stealing as Jane had been putting it. “Sure, I will, as soon as your family hands me back what is rightfully mine,” I told Adrian. Let her go, Adrian. We don’t need this chaos. She’s only acting because she’s upset and hurt,” Danielle said kindly from behind Adrian. I felt like clawing her face for sounding like a purring cat. It drove me crazy that Adrian and his mother still fell for her charade, but right from the first time I met Danielle, I know who she was. She could trick everyone else, but certainly not me. “You keep protecting her, Danielle. How is she supposed to learn the hard way? If we keep pampering her, who knows what she might do next?” Adrian asked Danielle. “They looked like the perfect couple, completely complementing each other, and it hurt so much to watch them. To make it worse, Jacinta kept sighing angrily behind me. We shouldn’t even be here," she whispered to me. I wanted to tell Jacinta I agreed with her, but there was no leaving until we sorted this out. Soon we were led into the grand office to deal with the matter, and perhaps detain me as Jane had hoped, but little did they know I was prepared for all of them.” "Ms. Elena, you are accused of theft and breaking and entering. This is not a minor offense to overlook," the policeman said. "How is that possible, when I simply went into the house to take what is rightfully mine?” I asked, dropping the proof of ownership in front of the officer and everyone present. "The happiness that filled my heart as Jane and Adrian looked on in shame would stay with me forever.”