His Betrayal, My Beautiful Rebirth

rayal. There was no more pain, only a vast, echoing emptiness. The rage that had simmered was n

f; it was an abyss. I had fallen, and now there was nothing left to break. The desire to leave, to escape Kellen' s suffocating web

ed in protest, but I ignored it. Pain was a familiar companion now, a dull hum benea

dialed my father' s number. He answered almo

ur mother and I have been so

f emotion. "The immigration papers. For the m

e. "Yes, honey. They cam

relief washing over me. "I'm comin

laimed. "Hayden,

ity of my shattered world. "I'll explain everything when I get

he line, broke through my detached calm. "Your grandfather already calle

e. A faint, almost imperceptible warmth spread thro

the woman I used to be, for the love I thought I had, for the life that was no

next morning, I knew what I had to do. I needed my passport. My birth certificate. The original copi

He answered on the second

re you? I've been so worried abou

rtment," I said, my voice carefully neu

Let's talk about this. Don't make

" I cut him off, then hung

s, a frantic bird trapped in a cage. Cherrelle was there again, standing by the ent

r voice dripping with venom. "Look what

the door. I just needed to get

g to stir up trouble? Still trying to play the victim?" She snatched my phone from my hand, he

my phone, his expression tightening. He got out, his eyes

suddenly went dark. Dead batt

yden, what are you doing here? Are you trying to u

my flesh. "I need my documents, Kellen," I said, my

ng? Hayden, you need to accept reality. No one wants to work with you now." His wo

ofound weariness. My injured leg threatened to buckle.

reer," I said, forcing the words

furrowed. "Are you taking anything that belongs to us?

ze meeting his. "And trust me, Kellen, I wou

dignation. "Hayden, don't be dramatic. I know you're upset, but yo

tter taste in my mouth. He

matically. "My head is spinning! I think I'm going t

"Cherrelle, darling, what's wrong? Let's get you inside."

eting glance. "I'll be back, Hayde

casting a smug, triumphant look over her sh

, watching them disappear into the apartment. He always c

st of a smile touching my lips. "Go. Run to your 'fragi

. She posted endless photos of elaborate meals Kellen had cooked for her, of them laughing on scenic drives, of her "recovery" in our apartment, now meticulously redecorated to her taste.

ank accounts, sold what little I could, and finalized my visa paperw

wonderful news. Cherrelle is finally stable. She's even agreed to an extended stay at a private retreat. We can finally get married, Hayden.

ere inextricably linked in his twisted mind. "Kellen,

for you to be there. It's a sign of her progress, her acceptance. You don't want to upset her, do you? You know how sensitive she is ri

carrot. Reaching for it now f

you, Kellen," I sa

if I were a child having a tantrum. "I'

knew, with chilling certainty, that this would be the last time I walked into his life. He took my arm, his grip su