I'm Done Playing the Substitute

"Hello, Mrs. Robert. My name is Violet, Mr. Robert's assistant."

Her voice was smooth and self-assured, a honeyed facade that only deepened my disdain. I didn't even glance at her, keeping my eyes locked on Jonah. His posture was rigid, his jaw clenched, as if bracing for my next move.

"Hurry up and sign the papers," I said, my tone cold and detached. "Before coming here, I've packed my things and moved out of the house. My lawyer will handle the rest."

Each word was delivered with finality and I watched as Jonah's expression shifted from disbelief to simmering rage. Without waiting for his response, I turned on my heel, ready to leave the suffocating office.

But Jonah's hand shot out, gripping my wrist tightly. His strength caught me off guard and I stumbled slightly as he blocked my path. "Sasha," he growled, his voice low and threatening, "what on earth has gotten into you? If you want a divorce, at least give me a reason! Haven't I treated you well enough? Do you even realize how many women would kill to be Mrs. Robert?"

I yanked my arm free with a sharp motion, the sting of his grip lingering on my skin. The fire that had been burning inside me erupted as I raised my hand and slapped him across the face. The sharp crack echoed in the office, silencing even the subdued hum of the city outside.

Jonah staggered back slightly, his cheek reddening with the imprint of my hand. His eyes widened in shock, more at my audacity than the pain. I met his gaze, my voice trembling with anger but steady in its resolve.

"Jonah, you've got no shame. Do you really need me to spell it out for you? For the past year and a half, who is this Rosa you keep calling out for? And who is the rose tattoo on your chest really meant for?"

The corner of his lip curled into a sneer as he tilted his head, his tongue pressing against the inside of his cheek. "So you know?" he said, a mocking lilt in his voice. "I was wondering what this was all about. Sasha, let me tell you something—being a stand-in for Rosa is a blessing. You should be grateful! Otherwise, who do you think you are? How could you ever compare to her?"

If I had heard these words before I was reborn, they would have broken me. But after everything I had witnessed—the lies, the betrayal and the humiliation—they now only fueled my resolve. I let out a short, bitter laugh, shaking my head at his audacity.

Without another word, I turned to leave. The anger emanating from Jonah was palpable, but I didn't care. As I reached the doorway, I paused, an idea forming in my mind. Slowly, I turned back to face him, my lips curling into a cold smile.

"Jonah, do you know what makes you truly revolting? You think Rosa would be moved by your devotion, but it's nothing more than a play you direct and act out for your own gratification. Do you think she, up in heaven, would enjoy watching you degrade yourself with another woman?"

His expression darkened, his body tense as if ready to retaliate, but I didn't wait for his response. I walked out, letting the door close behind me with a soft but resolute click.

Barely a few steps down the hall, I heard the sound of glass shattering inside the office, followed by an enraged yell. I smirked to myself, though the satisfaction was fleeting. Men like Jonah were all the same—proud, entitled and blind to their own flaws.

***

Jonah's one redeeming quality was his efficiency. After the mandatory cooling-off period, we finalized the divorce without any further drama. The ink on the papers had barely dried when I boarded a plane to the United States, leaving Brookside and its painful memories behind.

In my past life, I had let myself be swept up in Jonah's whirlwind romance, dropping out of school and sacrificing my dreams to become his dutiful wife. This time, I wasn't making the same mistake. I had a second chance and I intended to live it for myself.

***

Five years passed in the blink of an eye. During that time, I immersed myself in my studies, earning degrees and certifications that I once thought were out of reach. Staying in the United States after graduation was an easy decision, as the opportunities here were boundless.

With the foresight granted by my second life and a sharp eye for investments, I quickly established my own company. My experience from two lifetimes allowed me to navigate Wall Street with unparalleled precision, picking winning ventures with almost supernatural accuracy. Soon, my name became synonymous with success, my firm a formidable presence in the financial world.

Despite the long hours and cutthroat competition, I found myself at peace. For the first time in decades, I was truly free—free from expectations, free from betrayal and free to define my own happiness.

I thought my life would continue this way, a steady climb of success uninterrupted by the past.

That was until I received an email from Brookside Business Association. The message was polite yet persistent, inviting me to return to England to support local enterprises through investment.