Scars and Lies

Later that evening, I sat in the sterile quiet of my hospital room, staring at the photo Alyssa had sent me. It was a picture of Dillon, leaning over her hospital bed, pen in hand, his expression tender and focused. The caption beneath it twisted the knife further: [Your husband is quite the romantic,] she had written. [He actually wrote me a hundred love letters. He stayed by my side all night and didn't even close his eyes. The servants only told him you were waking up and that's when he finally left to see you.]

Her next message came almost immediately, each word dripping with calculated cruelty: [Mia, you'll never be able to surpass me. If you have any sense, you should just step aside.]

The pain in my chest was sharp and unrelenting, but I refused to give her the satisfaction of seeing me break. My fingers hovered over the screen, trembling with restrained anger, but before I could type a reply, the door to my hospital room creaked open.

A man in a crisp black suit entered, his demeanor professional and impersonal. He barely glanced in my direction before turning to Dillon, who stood near the window, his hands in his pockets.

"Mr. Dillon," the man began, his voice low and deferential. "As per your instructions, we've prepared everything for the press conference. The transfer of Knight Holdings to Mrs. Alyssa can proceed as planned."

My heart sank as the words registered. I turned my gaze to Dillon.

But Dillon's lips curled into a satisfied smile as he nodded. "Good," he said, his tone calm and measured. "If my wife asks about this, just tell her that Knight Holdings suffered a major financial crisis and went bankrupt."

He turned to me then, his expression shifting into one of feigned urgency. His hands moved swiftly, signing with exaggerated concern, "Honey, something urgent happened at the company. I have to handle it. Wait for me here."

For a moment, I simply stared at him, my mind reeling. His performance was flawless. If I hadn't regained my hearing, I might have believed every word. But now, the truth was as clear as the air in the room.

I nodded silently, watching as he left without a second glance. The door clicked shut behind him and the silence that followed felt suffocating.

I stared at the empty space where he had stood, my hands curling into fists. The realization hit me like a wave—there was nothing left to hold onto. No love, no trust, no future.

Rather than endure the humiliation of lingering in his world, I decided it was time to leave it entirely.

With a steady hand, I pulled a divorce agreement from my bag, the papers creased and worn from the hours I had spent deliberating. I placed it neatly on the bedside table, the stark white pages a symbol of my resolve.

Before leaving, I took out my phone and deleted every trace of them—Dillon, Alyssa, even my parents. Each press of the delete button felt like a small release, a severing of ties that had only brought me pain.

***

At the press conference, the room buzzed with excitement as Dillon stood on the stage beside Alyssa, a triumphant smile on his face. Cameras flashed and reporters scribbled furiously as he announced the transfer of Knight Holdings to her.

"This marks a new chapter for our family," Dillon declared, his voice steady and confident.

The crowd erupted into applause, their cheers echoing through the hall. Among them, my parents beamed with pride, clapping enthusiastically as they celebrated Alyssa's success.

As the event concluded, Dillon offered to drive Alyssa home himself. She clung to his arm, her smile radiant, but just as they reached the entrance, a familiar figure stepped into their path.

"Long time no see, Dillon," Nathan greeted, his tone light but pointed. "Taking your niece-in-law out again? Why didn't you bring your wife along? I wanted to ask her about her ears—whether she still has difficulties hearing."

Nathan's words hung in the air like a thunderclap. Dillon froze, his expression shifting from surprise to disbelief.

"What did you say?" he asked, his voice low and strained. "Mia... she can hear now?"

Nathan blinked, confused by his reaction. "What's with that look? Her hearing recovered yesterday. Didn't she tell you?"