Chapter 9

I was so surprised, how could my picture be on Nicholas' cell phone?

"You still don't want to admit it? Isn't your face in the woman's photo? You still want to avoid, huh? I regret marrying you. It seems my mother was right, Amanda is much better than you. She might have cheated on me, but at least she's not a slut who sells her body for money!"

"But I'm not a whore either!" I shouted at Nicholas.

A marriage that was only in its third month was already going through such an ordeal. I hadn't expected that someone would hate me so much that he would manipulate a photo to make it look like I was sleeping with two men. I clearly saw three people on the bed, two men and a woman, and the strangest thing was that the woman making love was me. I was sure it was an edit, but I couldn't prove it myself.

"I'm pretty sure this picture is fake, you can check by asking someone for help! Maybe someone hates me and sent it to you just to provoke us, don't you think so? I thought we're fine! "

"My mom doesn't like you, but I'm sure she wouldn't do such a thing. My mom has power, she found out about you and she got it."

"Your mom? So it was your mom who sent you the picture?" I asked again to be sure.

"Yes! My mom sent it and that's what I should have done before I married you! I gave you money for your father's expenses because I thought you were a good woman. But I was wrong! You're worse than garbage!"

"Nicholas! You better find out about this first, come on, you are not so stupid to just believe it, are you?"

I know Mrs. Anderson doesn't like me being married to her son, so maybe this is her way of keeping me and him apart. I don't want to be widowed when we've only been married three months.

"Don't try to tell me what to do. I think it's better for us to separate, Sofia. I don't want my good name tarnished by marrying a prostitute like you. Let's divorce, Sofia.”

Nicholas turned to leave, looking very disappointed in me. Just a few days ago he had begun to be kind to me like a husband, and now our marriage was in danger of dissolving. I was contractually married to him, but Nicholas never knew that I truly loved him with all my heart. Behind his arrogant demeanor, he cared deeply for me and was so protective when I was with him. I had hoped that he would love me in our marriage. But it all fell apart because of slander from people who didn't like me. Inevitably, I can only accept Nicholas' decision to separate.

***
In the morning, as usual, I tried to wake Nicholas. I called his name repeatedly from the doorstep, but he didn't answer.

"It's 7 a.m., Nick. You're gonna be late." I knocked again, but it was still quiet. I dared to open his door and found it empty.

"Maybe he's already at the office?" I muttered as I walked into the kitchen for breakfast.

I saw a paper taped to the fridge door. I smiled, knowing that Nicholas had only been angry for a moment, the proof being that he'd left me a note because he didn't want to wake me up. I took the note and read it.

"Sofia, let's get a divorce. I hope you'll leave when I get home from work, I don't want to see you again for the rest of my life! I regret marrying you, and you don't have to pay back the money for your father's operation, just consider it our divorce settlement. Nicholas."

A moment later, I couldn't move. Nicholas' handwriting broke me. He was serious about divorcing me just because of that doctored photo. Why didn't he trust me at all, considering the money he had, he could have easily investigated. But why did he choose not to, and chose to divorce me? This marriage is not a game, I think marriage is for life, even if it was all unintentional in the beginning. Nicholas and I were married and God is the witness. How could he want a divorce easily?

I crumpled up the paper and threw it away. My chest felt tight, sadness, anger, and disappointment all rolled into one. I couldn't breathe, I was hurt because I loved him so much. But why did he do this to me? Did he not think of my feelings when he wrote on that little piece of paper? God, it was so painful to be forced to part when the feelings of love had just grown.

I don't know how long I cried, but finally, I decided to get up and pack my things. But before I left, I wanted to see Mrs. Anderson and ask her directly what she meant. I also took off the diamond ring that marked our marriage. It was really hard, but I had to take it off. If someone wants to leave, it's useless to ask them to stay. Let's hope he doesn't regret his decision once he knows the truth. I only packed the things I brought with me when I first came to this apartment, the cell phone she gave me was also on the table.

As I walked out to lock the apartment door, I saw two men and a woman kissing right in front of the door. I ignored them and continued walking, but after only a few steps I was surprised to hear what sounded like a fire alarm coming from my room. I quickly turned around and rushed in to press the code, ignoring the two people who were also surprised. But strangely, the situation inside was safe, there was no sign of fire. I went out and locked the door. The two people who had been kissing earlier were no longer visible, maybe they were residents of the apartment next door, but I didn't pay much attention to them.

***

The taxi that took me had just arrived at a very large penthouse. This was the second time I'd been here and I was sure I wouldn't get a good reception from the owner. I took a deep breath before I rang the bell and entered the house.
.
"Good morning, Ms. Sofia. Mrs. Anderson is expecting you."

A maid suddenly appeared as soon as I rang the bell. It seems that they already knew that I would come to this house. Well, I'll meet them before I leave this fake life.

I followed the maid who led me to a room. As soon as the brown door opened, Mrs. Anderson and a woman stood in front of me. I wasn't surprised because I think she was the one who disliked me the most when I married Nicholas.