Chapter 5: Demanding What’s Mine

4

Melissa never expected that I would know about this.

She’d always thought I’d stay quiet, head down, never causing a fuss. But something inside me had snapped. Enough was enough.

In her mind, even if I did know, I had my own pride and would never go to her, as that would be admitting defeat.

She thought I’d never confront her. She was wrong. This time, my pride wasn’t going to keep me silent.

Because if I went to her, it meant admitting that I was less important than her in Charles’s heart.

That truth stung, but it also set me free. I’d wasted too much time worrying about where I stood with him.

After all, I was Charles’s wife, but he only cared for Melissa.

Let everyone see it now. Let them whisper and gossip. I had nothing left to lose.

Now that I confronted her directly, Melissa was caught off guard.

She stared at me, searching for the right words, but I could see the fear in her eyes. The neighbors were watching, and there was nowhere left for her to hide.

I no longer cared about what happened between Melissa and Charles.

Let them have each other. I was done fighting for scraps.

But what belonged to me, I would take back every penny.

I was done apologizing for wanting what was mine. If I had to fight for it, so be it.