Chapter 1 Let's Get a Divorce
1292 Words
Adelyn's POV:
"Just you wait, Adelyn! Your husband will soon be mine!"
Up on the second-floor balcony, Brooke Farrant was caressing her barely noticeable baby bump, edging closer to the staircase.
My name was Adelyn Barnett, and right now, I was at the heart of a swanky socialite gathering thrown to welcome my husband's uncle.
In front of me was Brooke, my husband's first love. After years abroad, she came back out of the blue and recently announced that she was pregnant with my husband's child.
I had almost died in an accident when I was little, and Randal Barnett had saved me. Since then, all my love had been his. Despite his coldness over the past five years, he had stayed scandal-free, and I believed in him.
I really didn't want to deal with Brooke. She was too unhinged, having lost all her marbles.
Brooke ran her fingers through her long hair, her thick eyebrows arching menacingly as her icy blue eyes glared at me. Then, she moved closer to the staircase edge.
"I'll throw myself down these stairs and see if Randal blames you!"
I leaped up, desperate to pull her back from the brink, trying to steady her. "No matter how much you hate me, you shouldn't do this. Your baby is innocent."
"Hate you? Oh, Adelyn, you're so naive. If I hadn't left Randal, you'd never have been his wife!" she hissed mockingly. As I approached, she shoved me back forcefully, sending me stumbling several feet.
I stood frozen in disbelief, my hands trembling as if a freight train was barreling towards me. I should have stepped away, but my heart was frozen.
Then she started her pitiful act. "Oh, Adelyn, please, don't hurt my baby!"
I instinctively reached out to grab her, but it was too late! Brooke had already taken a harsh tumble down the stairs.
"Ah—" She landed on the ground, a pool of blood spreading between her legs, staining her white dress.
And she wasn't done overacting. "It hurts so much! Randal, save our baby!"
My mind went blank, overwhelmed with pain.
My body heated up, dizzying me further. It felt like I might pass out.
All eyes were on me, my hands still extended in a futile gesture. I looked guilty of causing Brooke's miscarriage, despite my innocence!
Suddenly, Randal burst through the crowd.
Relief washed over me seeing him. If my husband believed me, Brooke's scheme would fail.
I opened my mouth to call out to him, but he didn't even glance my way, not even a flicker of attention.
His usually gentle, honey-brown eyes were filled with anger, and his teeth gritted as he growled, "Call an ambulance!"
Then, looking at me with eyes full of contempt I'd never seen before, he said, "Adelyn, if anything happens to Brooke's baby, I'll never forgive you!"
"No, Randal, I didn't touch her. She fell on her own. I tried to stop it, really! I didn't want any of this to happen."
"Enough! The facts are right before you, and you still lie to my face! That's two lives at stake!"
Others began to mutter accusations, their looks of disdain and disgust piercing my heart, each one bringing a sharp pain.
My heart raced uncontrollably. I wanted to cry out loud and scream at the top of my lungs, but I was too numb to feel anything.
"It's true, Brooke and I have had our issues, but I would never harm her child. You're my husband! Why can't you believe me?"
Randal's voice was icy. "I never thought you could be so cruel. I told you I would handle things once the baby was born, but you couldn't wait to strike at Brooke!"
I kept explaining, "I didn't. I wouldn't hurt anyone."
Brooke moaned in pain, and Randal immediately scooped her up, looking at me as if I were trash.
Watching him protect his mistress so naturally made my breathing laborious again. My mind went blank while I was being assaulted by the bystanders' accusations and my husband's distrust and disgust. Now, I had to face this heartbreaking reality.
I was branded a murderer!
Trying to gasp for air, I found my breaths becoming more labored, as if I was drowning.
My asthma flared up!
I frantically reached for my inhaler in my bag, but my strength was gone. The inhaler slipped from my fingers and rolled away.
I groaned, unable to stop the pain from suffocating me, biting my lip, trying to signal to Randal for help. "Help..."
But Randal had already carried Brooke to the ambulance. When I realized my husband's heart was lost to another, my last shred of hope and love shattered.
I could no longer bear the inner torment. It felt like someone had stabbed my lungs, and the physical pain merged with emotional turmoil, sending wave after wave of agony that overwhelmed me.
Yet all attention was on Brooke. I hovered at death's door, tears tracing my cheeks.
Suddenly, I caught a faint scent of sandalwood—it wasn't Randal's. Then, a strong embrace lifted me from the ground, pressing an inhaler to my lips as my consciousness faded.
Thank goodness, I was saved!
I inhaled deeply, clinging to the cross dangling from my rescuer's neck as if he were my lifeline.
But once I recovered, he turned and walked away. I barely caught a glimpse of brilliant blonde hair before he disappeared.
Lying on the ground, relieved at my narrow escape, the memories of pain rushed back. I couldn't accept Randal's betrayal. He was no longer the man he had been, and I could no longer deceive myself.
Wiping my tears, I saw my own reflection in a nearby window and couldn't help but gasp in shock.
My mid-length golden hair was frizzed, and my usually flawless complexion was now haggard.
Though the purple dress made me look stunning, my collarbones jutted out disgustingly. My blue eyes were clouded with pain and betrayal, and the corners of my mouth drooped in a sad, ridiculous curve.
Seeing the blood on the ground, I wiped the tears from my eyes, my resolve hardening.
"To hell with it, I won't let you hurt me anymore!"
The party's atmosphere had heated up, thumping pop music pounding against my eardrums as people danced wildly in the center of the venue.
As I stepped down, whispers spread about me, but I was too exhausted to care.
I grabbed a cream cake from a table, locking eyes on Randal, who had just returned from the ambulance. Without hesitation, I smashed the cake onto his stupid face!
Randal screamed in horror, "Are you crazy? What are you doing?"
His howls only made him look more pathetic. I looked at his cream-dripping face and smiled for the first time that night. "Randal, you cheated during our marriage and even framed me for hurting your mistress! I'll use this cake I made with my own hands to end our rotten marriage! Let's get divorced. I'm done with you!"
The party fell silent. Everyone looked at me in confusion as if I had done something scandalous. After all, the old me had loved Randal so pathetically.
"See you at the courthouse at nine tomorrow morning!" With that, I turned around without sparing him another glance.
As I walked away, Randal's furious voice came from behind. "Stop! Adelyn, do you even know what you're talking about?"
Oh, of course, and I meant every word.
After leaving the villa, I called my family, whom I hadn't contacted in five years. I was going back to my life!
Soon, a luxurious Lamborghini pulled up in front of the villa.
The driver bowed respectfully and said, "Welcome home, Ms. Eaton!"
- Writer
