Ex-husband's Regrets Worth Nothing

FAITH’S POINT OF VIEW

Three years ago…

I locked the door of my bedroom before sitting on the edge of my bed. In front of me were hung photos of me and Atlas. With silence filling the room, I gazed at each of them.

A series of knocks sounded on my door.

“Faith? Sweetheart? Why is your door locked?” My mom’s voice softly echoed from outside.

“Are you okay, honey?” she asked again.

I hugged my legs and remained staring at the photos, not wanting to answer her.

“F-Faith? Honey?” she worriedly said. I could hear her raising her voice already. When she didn’t hear any reply from me again, she started pounding on the door.

I lazily got up and unlocked the door. When I opened it, my eyes immediately met my mother’s concerned ones.

She heaved a deep sigh of relief before squeezing me into a hug. “You made me so worried, Faith! Why did you lock your door?” she scolded.

I cleared my throat and looked away.

“Uhm… Sorry, Mom. I didn’t notice it. Sorry that I made you worry,” I replied hesitantly. I looked at her and saw that she was studying my face.

“Sweetheart, are you okay? Is something bothering you?” she worriedly asked in her soft voice before cupping my cheeks. I gulped and forced a smile.

“I’m okay, Mom. I think I’m just really sleepy,” I sheepishly told her, making her smile in return.

“Okay, sleepyhead.” She softly caressed my cheeks. Suddenly, her eyes widened as if she remembered something. “And, oh, I forgot to tell you,” she started.

“Dave and Kate invited us for breakfast next door so get dressed quickly.”

She turned around and left me alone in my room again. I quickly closed the door before she could see the tears falling from my eyes.

I rested my hand on my chest, pressing it as I felt it hurt.

How would I be able to face them after the betrayal they just did to me?

My parents and I entered the Williams’ home. The first person we saw was Atlas.

“There you are, Atlas! Look at you now! You’ve become a man! I’m so proud of you!” Dad told him with enthusiasm.

“Congratulations on your marriage, by the way. I’m kind of hurt that you didn’t invite us, though,” Dad joked as he patted Atlas’ back. The latter just gave him a smile.

“Don’t worry, Uncle. I’ll make sure to invite you to our wedding soon. We only had a civil wedding, so we might plan to have a big wedding soon,” Atlas said and wrapped his arm around Melissa’s waist.

I pursed my lips and looked away. I hoped they wouldn’t hear my heart shattering to pieces right now.

Kate, who appeared from the kitchen, approached me. “Let’s go sit at the dining table, shall we? Faith? Come on, sweetheart.” She sweetly smiled at me and caressed my back.

I forced a smile and slowly went to the dining table. I sat down on my chair without looking at anyone.

“So, Atlas,” my dad started. “How was New York?”

“It was actually good. I kind of had a hard time at first, but it was all worth it. Becoming a CEO changed my life for the better,” Atlas replied in his deep voice. Even just his voice could already make my stomach flutter.

“Faith? Why are you so quiet, darling? Normally, you are always the talkative one here. Are you okay?” Kate suddenly asked me in worry. I nervously glanced at Atlas who was staring at me with a blank expression.

I looked back at his mother. “I’m fine, Aunt Kate. I’m just really sleepy since I didn’t sleep well last night. I was so busy watching TV series,” I lied. Everyone laughed at my answer except the newlyweds sitting opposite me.

“Yeah! My sister’s too addicted to that newly-released TV series. Look at her red eyes,” Nate, my second older brother said with a chuckle. I forced a laugh and stared at my food, trying to hide the discomfort I was feeling from someone’s piercing gaze at me.

“By the way, should we expect to be grandparents soon?” Kate teasingly asked the couple. Atlas and mine’s parents laughed. My brothers hooted in unison. Melissa blushed profusely. They were too busy with their reactions that they didn’t notice how I froze in my seat.

Atlas, on the other hand, smirked and wrapped his arm around Melissa’s shoulders. Our gazes suddenly met. Without leaving his eyes on me, he kissed his wife’s ear and smirked.

“Soon,” Atlas answered. The whole table erupted in cheers while I could only hear my heart breaking once again.

I stood up. “I’m actually not hungry. Excuse me,” I muttered before leaving the dining room in a rush. I walked to the guest room and when I saw that it was empty, I entered and closed it.

I leaned my back against the door as I burst into tears. I held my hand over my mouth, so no one would hear my sobs.

Seeing him with her was killing me. It hurt to see them together.

Why was Atlas doing this to me?

I sat on the bed, still crying. My heart clenched in anger, betrayal, and sadness. All of a sudden, I heard the door being opened. I raised my head to see who it was.

“What are you doing? Why are you… crying here? Shouldn’t you just be happy for us? After all, it’s not like you had nothing to do about this,” Melissa hissed.

I stood up and walked toward her. “What are you talking about, Melissa? What have I done to you? Why the hell are you doing this to me? Why?” I burst out.

Melissa glared at me. “Because you hurt him! You hurt my friend. You broke his heart! A great person like him doesn’t deserve a fake witch like—”

Before she could finish her statement, I already slapped her across the face.

Melissa held her cheek and looked at me in shock.

“I thought that you were my sister. I thought that you were my best friend! But today, you only proved to me that people like you can never be a family,” I told her with anger.

She rolled her eyes and scoffed. “You’re right, Faith. We’re no longer friends. I can’t be friends with you after what you did to Atlas.”

I stared at her in confusion. “What did I do, Melissa? Why can’t you just tell me? What did I do to deserve this?”

“You’re well aware of what you did, Faith. I don’t want to waste my time telling you stupid things,” Melissa replied before turning away. She was headed to the door when Atlas suddenly came in.

“There you are! I was looking for you everywhere. Why are you he—” Atlas immediately stopped when he saw me.

He looked at Melissa and noticed the red mark on her cheek. He gently caressed it while his jaw clenched in anger.

“Did she do this to you?” Atlas asked in a menacing tone. My heart started beating rapidly.

“Just leave it, Atlas. Let’s go.” Melissa tried to pull him away but he didn’t move.

“Answer me,” he commanded. Melissa just stared at him.

Atlas removed his eyes from her and looked at me. I could clearly see anger in his eyes.

“How dare you hurt my wife, huh?” he asked with a cold tone, making me flinch.

“She started it, Atlas. She deserved it,” I firmly answered.

He continued glaring at me. I softened my expression and took a step closer to him.

“A-atlas,” I sobbed. “Why are you doing this to me? What did I do? Please, tell me. I-I love you so much. I know that you don’t love her. I—” I couldn’t finish my sentence because I felt a sting on my cheek.

I froze in shock when I heard a gasp behind him. My trembling fingers slowly found my throbbing cheek.

“I love my wife, and she’s the only woman I’ll love in my entire life. The love I once had for you died long ago, You’re nothing to me now, Faith. Hear me? You’re nothing but a piece of trash to me,” Atlas muttered menacingly.

“You won’t imagine what I can do to you the next time you lay your hand on my wife. Remember that.” Then, he held Melissa’s hand and pulled her out of the room. I silently watched them leave me here. All alone while crumbling to pieces.

I stood on my spot, still speechless. Tear after tear fell out of my eyes. My knees started to shake, making me fall to the ground.

Atlas slapped me.

He just hurt me.

How could he do that to me?