I sighed as I woke up bright and early the next morning. I did so every morning, to prepare a hearty breakfast for Brad.
But as I turned to call out to him, I saw him already dressed in his wine suit, his eyes fixed on his phone.&
“I have an important meeting at the company today,” he said, his voice distracted. “And pack meetings. I’ll be back later.”
I nodded silently.
His eyes flicked to me, his expression stern. “And Bella?”
Yes?”
“Make sure you don’t make trouble with Lydia. Make her feel at home,”
I felt a surge of resentment, but I bit my tongue. “Of course,” I responded in a tight voice.
His eyes narrowed, as if daring me to disobey him. Then, he turned and walked out the door, leaving me feeling frustrated and helpless.
Just then, Lydia walked into the kitchen, yawning and stretching. She was wearing Brad’s shirt, the one he had worn last night.
I felt that pang of jealousy, knowing that they had slept together in the same bed. Something I could only dream of.
She walked over to the coffee maker, pouring herself a cup. I tried to ignore her, focusing on cleaning up the kitchen. But she seemed determined to taunt me.
up.”2
“Sorry if we were a bit loud last night,” she said with that annoying, cruel smile of hers. “Did you hear us? I hope we didn’t keep you
I felt my face heat up with embarrassment, but I tried to keep my cool. Of course I had heard them. Her especially, screaming like a goddamned banshee.
“Good morning to you too, Lydia,” I said, my voice neutral__
She snorted a laugh. ‘Oh, come on, Bella. Don’t be like that. I’m just trying to make conversation.”
She walked over to the table, sitting down in Brad’s chair. Her eyes raked over me in a way that made me self–conscious.
“So, are you still a frustrated virgin? I mean, at 25 years old, you’ve never been touched. How do you survive, especially during heat?”
I felt my anger rising, but I didn’t want her gloating from getting under my skin.
“My life is none of your business,” I half snapped.
She just laughed again, clearly enjoying my discomfort. “Oh, but it is, darling,” she said. “After all, we’re practically family now, aren’t we?“I
She stood up and moved even closer. I could smell the faint scent of Brad’s cologne on her.
“I don’t have time for this,” I said, turning my back on her and walking away.
I stormed to my room, my heart beating fast with anger and frustration.
Opening my wardrobe, I began pulling out my clothes, shoving them into a suitcase.
I left a few clothes on the hangers, counting my days till I left that suffocating mansion.
After packing, I grabbed my phone and dialed the lawyer’s number. “Hello. I was wondering when the divorce papers would be ready.” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
“They’ll be ready in a few days,” the lawyer replied. “You’ll be finally free, Luna Bella.“Z
I felt a lump form in my throat as I hung up the phone. I was finally going to be free from all this bullshit.
Later that afternoon, I went into the kitchen to prepare lunch. I was rummaging through the fridge when Lydia strolled in, a smug look on her face.
‘I’m going to bake a chocolate cake for Brad,” she announced, heading for the mixing bowls.
I raised an eyebrow as I clearly didn’t want her in my kitchen. “You don’t need to do that.”
She shot me a smirk. “Oh, I want to. Besides, we’re housemates now. We share the kitchen.“!
I gritted my teeth, trying not to lose my temper. “Fine. But be careful.”
She rolled her eyes so far back. “Don’t tell me what to do. I can handle it.”
But she couldn’t. I turned back to the refrigerator, but a sudden crackling sound caught my attention. Whirling around, I gasped. Flames started licking at the edge of the counter, smoke rushing into the air.
“Lydial What did you do?”
Her eyes went wide, and she stumbled backward, bumping into the kitchen island. ‘I–I don’t know! The oven must have malfunctioned or something.”
The fire was spreading rapidly, the heat scorching my skin.
“We have to put this out!” I yelled, already grabbing for the fire extinguisher. “Don’t just stand there, help me!
But before I could blink, she was darting out of the kitchen, leaving me to face it alone. “Lydia, wait!” I screamed, my words lost in the roar of the flames.
Cursing under my breath, I tumed my attention back to the fire, desperately trying to aim the extinguisher. The smoke stung my eyes, making them water. The heat was becoming unbearable. Still, I pushed on, refusing to give up.
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3:46 PM
But then I got burned. I cried out, dropping the extinguisher with a clatter. Blisters were already forming on my palms. My skin was getting red.
I couldn’t breathe, the smoke choking me, filling my lungs. My vision started getting blurry. The world was spinning around like crazy.
Just as I fell to the floor, a deep voice pierced through. I snapped my eyes open.
Brad burst into the kitchen, his face in a worried frown. But it wasn’t me he rushed to. It was Lydia, who was standing in the doorway, her eyes wide with fear.
He swept her into his arms, cradling her like a child. “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice full of concern. She clung to him, coughing continuously.
I watched, stunned, as Brad carried her out of the kitchen, leaving me to deal with the fire. I was still trying to process what had just happened.
Tears trickling down my face, I started crawling on the floor. My lungs were burning and my skin blistering. In that moment, it was painfully clear that I was on my own.”
