Fake Husband, Real Affair

Chapter 6

"But now, I'm giving it back," I said, my voice steady. "I just want you to know, you'll never find anyone better than me. You never deserved me. Not then, not now, not ever."

The door shut behind them, and for the first time in what felt like forever, the room was silent. I sank to the floor, knees trembling, and began gathering my mother's ashes with trembling hands. Bit by bit, I returned her to the urn, choking back sobs as fury and grief tangled in my chest.

They had desecrated this place. Right in front of her. I couldn't forgive that.

The rage boiled over, I slapped myself hard across the face.

That night, I didn't hold back the tears. I cried until there was nothing left, and made a silent vow: I'd never walk down the aisle again.

I moved to a new apartment. It was expensive, far more than I should've spent, but it had tight security and restricted access. I needed the peace of mind.

Ellie Camper, my closest friend, noticed how shaken I'd been lately and insisted we hang out. Over coffee, I finally confessed, "Ellie… I've been thinking about going back to school. Maybe get a graduate degree in medicine. But I'm not sure..."

She practically slammed her hand on the table. "That's amazing! Your old advisor adored you. You have such a gift, Krystal. You only quit because of that asshole, " She paused, catching herself as she saw my face shift. "Sorry. Forget I said anything. All I'm saying is, I support you, one hundred percent."

Then she added with a grin, "Hey, did you hear Cedarwood University just brought on a new medical mentor? Caleb Young. Ever heard of him?"

I blinked. "Caleb Young?"

"Yep! Heir to the Younglive Group, worth billions. Plus, he's stupidly handsome, like movie star-level. My junior told me every grad student wanted him as an advisor this year, but he didn't take a single one!"

I raised an eyebrow. "So he's not taking students at all?"

Ellie made a face. "He said he's waiting for a 'fated student.' Can you believe that?"

I chuckled. "Sounds like a drama. I'll probably just ask my old advisor instead."

After dinner, Ellie insisted on walking me home, saying she wouldn't relax until I was safely inside. We hugged goodbye outside my complex gate.

But just as I turned to go in, someone grabbed my wrist.

I spun around, and immediately recoiled.

"Sean?" I snapped, yanking my hand back. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

The security guards rushed over, pulling him away as he tried to lunge toward me again.

"Krystal, please! Just hear me out, give me a chance to talk!"

Another guard stepped in to help restrain him. I folded my arms, jaw tight. "We have nothing to talk about."

Sean, visibly shaking, pulled a small velvet box from his suit pocket.

"Krystal, look… it's the ring. The one Mom gave you. I'm giving it back. Come home with me. Let's fix this. That bitch Mischa, she just wanted to ruin us. I never loved her."

"Honey, I swear… it took losing you to realize I've loved you all along."

I stared at him, dumbfounded. The desperation in his voice, the way he clung to those words like a drowning man, it was pathetic.

In two years of marriage, he had never once called me "honey." Just Krystal. Always cold. Always distant.

This man, on his knees, pleading, was unrecognizable. I'd spent our entire marriage humbling myself for his sake. Now the roles had reversed.

I took the ring from his hand, running my fingers across the diamond, holding it up to the streetlight.

"You really want to give this back to me?" I asked quietly.

"Yes," he whispered. "It's always belonged to you."

I gave him a soft smile.

Then, without breaking eye contact, I tossed it into the trash can beside us.