Go Away, My Dear Ex-Husband

"Who would want to hire someone who's been to prison?" Stephanie laughed, looking at Kayla like she was beneath her.

As soon as Kayla left for prison, Stephanie stepped right into the spot she had always wanted.

Kayla’s eyes stayed cold, her expression unreadable. "Really? What about you? Going out to meet a guy?"

Stephanie’s face went bright red. "What are you talking about?"

Kayla smirked, her gaze never leaving Stephanie. "Why the flush then? Have you been doing something you shouldn’t?"

Stephanie snapped. "Mind your own business! Even if I did, what could you do about it?"

She tried to walk away, but Kayla grabbed her arm. "No, you’re explaining this before you leave."

Suddenly, Stephanie collapsed, crying like she couldn’t control it. "Why did you push me? I was just trying to help you get a job! I know you have big pride, but you're not the same as before!"

Her crying was enough to get Lionel’s attention. He rushed over, picking her up without asking a word. He glared at Kayla, furious.

"Kayla! This is too much! Stephanie is just trying to help, but you’re treating her like this? I’m seriously disappointed in you."

Without another word, he carried Stephanie back to their room. Kayla watched them go, her heart sinking. It was clear as ever now—Lionel was no longer on her side.

She stayed there, still, as the pain hit her all at once. It felt like a needle prick, sharp and unexpected.

After a while, she finally went back upstairs, the cold air still making her skin prickle. Standing outside Stephanie’s room, it hit her. This wasn’t her place anymore.

Through the crack in the door, Kayla caught sight of Lionel massaging Stephanie’s feet, his hands working their way up her calves with oil.

It hit her like a slap in the face and she stood there, frozen for a moment, the sight making her stomach twist. A bitter smile formed on her lips as she turned to leave, but then she heard voices inside.

"Lionel, she’s starting to figure out that I’m framing her. What should I do?" Stephanie’s voice wavered, full of fear.

Kayla stopped in her tracks. She couldn’t believe it. This was the first time she had heard Stephanie admit it out loud.

"She’s been asking about the account books. Someone mentioned it to me today. What if she finds out? I’m scared," Stephanie said, sounding weak.

Lionel just pulled her into his arms. "What’s the problem? The evidence is solid. It’s not on us. If she’s gonna blame someone, let her blame her own bad luck. She should’ve stayed longer in prison."

His words hit Kayla hard, like a punch in the chest.

So, he knew all along. He and Stephanie were in this together, after her money and her position.

All the love he had promised her was all a lie. "Forever"? "Never parting"? Ridiculous. He knew exactly what she had gone through and not once did he care.

Soon, the sound of laughter filled the room. Kayla turned, walking back to her own space, the tears coming before she could stop them, her laughter bitter and empty.

That night, sleep didn’t come. She lay staring at the ceiling, the glow from the streetlights forming a dim, starry sky.

For the first time, she felt something shift inside her—like the emptiness she had been carrying was being filled with something new, something faintly hopeful.