Chapter 47
ROSALIE
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The morning light filtered through the blinds, but it did little to chase away the emptiness I felt. The house was too quiet, too cold without Damien. I had slept fitfully, waking several times during the night to the oppressive silence. Now, as I stood in the kitchen staring at the coffee I’d brewed but hadn’t touched, the reality of my situation weighed heavily on me.
This house, this life–everything felt hollow.
I sighed, running a hand through my messy hair. I couldn’t sit here drowning in these thoughts. I needed to do something, anything, to distract myself. After tidying up the kitchen and folding the laundry I had been ignoring, I decided to see my family. Maybe being around the familiar face of my mother would help ground me.
The drive to my parents‘ house was uneventful. I tried to shake the nervous energy bubbling in my chest. I wasn’t sure what I was looking for–comfort, advice, or just someone to remind me I wasn’t losing my mind. When I pulled into the driveway, the house seemed unusually quiet. I knocked on the door, but no one answered. I tried again and waited, my heart sinking slightly.
Finally, the door opened, and Charlotte stood there, looking surprised. “Rosalie? What are you doing here?”
“I came to see Mom and Dad,” I said, stepping inside. “But it looks like they’re not home.”
“They’re out for the day,” she replied, closing the door behind me. “Something about a charity event. I wasn’t really listening.”
“Oh,” I said, unsure what to do now. I hesitated for a moment before deciding to stay. “Mind if I hang out for a bit?”
Charlotte shrugged. “Sure. You look like you need it.”
We settled in the living room, the silence between us heavy. Charlotte lounged on the couch, scrolling through her phone, while I sat stiffly on the edge of an armchair, my thoughts racing. I didn’t know how to bring it up, but I couldn’t hold it in any longer.
“I’m not doing so great, Charlotte,” I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper.
She glanced up, raising an eyebrow. “What’s going on?”
“It’s Damien,” I admitted, my hands fidgeting in my lap. “Things have been… bad. Really bad.”
Her expression shifted slightly, though I couldn’t quite place what it meant. “Bad how?”
I hesitated. “We’ve been fighting a lot. He’s distant, angry all the time, and I… I just don’t think this is working anymore.” Charlotte leaned forward, her phone forgotten. “Wait. Are you saying you’re thinking of leaving him?”
I bit my lip, nodding. “I’ve been thinking about it a lot. I can’t keep living like this, Charlotte. It’s draining me. I don’t even recognize myself anymore. I really need that divorce. Could you help me out? Help me get a lawyer? Anything that can be useful. I just don’t know how to go about all of this.”
She blinked, her lips parting in what looked like genuine shock. “Divorce? Rosalie, are you sure about this?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted, my voice cracking. “I just… I feel so trapped. I’ve tried everything to fix things between us, but nothing works. He doesn’t trust me, and I can’t live under his constant scrutiny.”
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Chapter 47
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Charlotte sat back, crossing her arms. “Wow. I mean, I knew you two were having problems, but I didn’t think it was this bad”
“It’s worse than you think,” I said, my voice trembling “I feel like I’m losing myself, Charlotte. Every day, I wake up and wonder if it’s worth it”
She was quiet for a moment, studying me. “Look, I get it. Marriage isn’t easy. But divorce that’s a big step, Rosalie. Are you really ready for that?”
“I don’t think I have a choice,” I said, tears welling up in my eyes. “I’m miserable, Charlotte. And I know Damien is, too, Staying together isn’t fixing anything”
Charlotte sighed, leaning forward to rest her elbows on her knees. “I can’t say I’m thrilled about this, but… if you think it’s what’s best for you, then maybe it is.”
I looked at her, surprised. “You think so?”
She nodded slowly. “Your peace of mind and happiness are important, Rosalie. If you’re not happy, and if Damien isn’t willing to meet you halfway, then maybe it’s time to let go. You deserve to feel like yourself again.”
Her words hit me hard. I hadn’t expected her to be so supportive, but it was exactly what I needed to hear. “Thank you,” I whispered, wiping at my eyes. “I was so scared you’d judge me for even thinking about this.”
“Judge you?” Charlotte said with a small laugh. “Rosalie, you’re my sister. I might not always understand you, but I’d never judge you for doing what’s best for yourself.”
I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me. For the first time in weeks, I felt like someone was on my side. I leaned forward and hugged her tightly. “I don’t know what I’d do without you,” I murmured.
She hugged me back, patting my shoulder. “You’ll figure it out. You’re stronger than you think, Rosalie.”
When we pulled away, she gave me a small smile. “So, what’s your plan?”
I hesitated. “I’m not sure yet. I need to think things through. But I feel like I can breathe a little easier now.”
“Good,” she said, standing up. “Whatever you decide, just know I’m here for you.”
“Thank you, Charlotte,” I said sincerely.
As I left the house, a small part of me felt lighter. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I had a bit of clarity. But as I drove back home, I couldn’t shake the lingering doubt. Divorce was a big step, and no matter how much I tried to convince myself it was the right thing to do, the thought of ending my marriage still filled me with dread.
CHARLOTTE
As soon as Rosalie’s car turned the corner, I couldn’t help but let out a low chuckle. The look on her face when she poured her heart out to me–it was almost pitiful. Almost. I locked the door and leaned against it for a moment, savoring the silence of the house. Poor Rosalie, always so naive, so trusting. She actually thought I was on her side. How sweet.
Reaching for my phone, I pulled it out of my pocket, the weight of my carefully crafted plan sitting comfortably in my hands. “Let’s see how the masterpiece is holding up,” I murmured, scrolling to my gallery.
The video was right there, a bold little thumbnail just waiting for me. Damien and his secretary, wrapped up in a kiss, their faces too close for it to be innocent. I tapped on it, letting it play, and my lips curled into a satisfied smile.
I could still remember the moment I recorded it, clear as day. I’d been on my way to drop off some company alliance
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The door to Damien’s office had been slightly ajar, and as I approached, I heard low voices Ouro. 1 perend in finto the gap, and there they were–Damien and his little assistant. The kiss had been brief, but it was enough to conform whic already suspected,
“Oh, Damien,” I muttered, watching the video again. “So careless, so predictable”
I’d pulled out my phone without hesitation, angling it perfectly to catch the moment. It had taken everything in meet t laugh at how perfectly it all played into my hands. Timing was everything, and this? This was grÁA.
“Rosalie thinks her marriage is falling apart because of some random misunderstandings,” I said, duking my head an 1 were talking to her right then and there. “She has no idea I’ve been the one pulling the strings. 1 uploaded the frien pictures of her online, paid the biggest blogs to push it further, ruining her reputation and now thist
I closed the video and stared at my reflection in the dark screen of my phone. For a brief moment, quis sed to come in but I brushed it away like an annoying fly. Rosalie didn’t deserve Damien. She didn’t understand what it meant to hold onto someone like him. She didn’t know how to play the game, and that was her biggest mistake.
“I’m just speeding up the inevitable,” I said, as if to justify my actions. “Better me than some strangrt
The thing about Rosalie was that she was too soft, too trusting. She wore her heart on her sleeve, and it made her vulnerable Damien needed someone who could match his strength, someone who wouldn’t fall apart at the first sign of trouble. Someone like me.
I turned the phone over in my hands, considering my next move. The video had done its job so far, creating a rift between them. But I couldn’t stop now. No, this was just the beginning. Rosalie was already questioning her place in Damien’s life, and I was going to make sure she questioned it even more.
“She’s already thinking about leaving him,” I whispered, smiling to myself. “I just have to give her a little push”
I walked over to the couch and sat down, crossing my legs as I opened my messages. The temptation to send the video to someone else, to spread the chaos even further, was almost overwhelming. But no, that would be too reckless. I needed to be strategic.
Besides, Rosalie was already cracking under the pressure. It wouldn’t take much more to break her completely. And when that happened, Damien would finally see her for what she really was–a weak, undeserving wife who couldn’t handle the weight of being by his side.
“You think you’re winning, Rosalie,” I said, staring at the blank screen of my phone. “But you’re not You’re just another piece on the board, and I’m the one making all the moves.”
I leaned back against the cushions, letting out a deep breath. This wasn’t just about Damien, or even about Rosalie. This was about me, about proving that I was the one who truly deserved to be in Damien’s life. I was the one who could stand beside him, not behind him.
Rosalie might not see it yet, but she was already losing. And soon, she’d be out of the picture entirely.
