Chapter 9
I stared at Victor, unable to hide my incredulity.
“Have you completely lost your mind? Why would I wait for someone like you?”
Victor’s face crumpled as he shook his head, disbelief clouding his expression.
“No, that’s not true! You said on our wedding day that you’d love me forever. You can’t just change your heart!”
I shoved him out the door, quickly locking it behind him.
Victor’s arrogance stemmed from the years I spent loving him unconditionally, a love that made him believe I’d forgive anything, no matter how deep the betrayal.
But why should I?
The next day, I went ahead with my engagement ceremony as planned. Friends, colleagues, and business partners sent their congratulations, and everything moved forward as if Victor no longer existed.
We soon set a wedding date, and life seemed to be moving in the right direction.
But Victor, apparently incapable of taking a hint, refused to give up.
After being thrown out of my apartment building, he began appearing at every possible opportunity, even going so far as to harass Elliot in public. Claiming to still be my husband,
he created scenes that quickly drew negative attention.
I knew I had to put an end to it before he ruined my relationship.
I met with Elliot at a café and laid everything bare–my entire tumultuous history with
Victor.
Elliot listened intently, his hand covering mine by the time I finished.
“This is my problem to deal with now,” he said firmly. “You don’t need to worry about him
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or anything else like this ever again.”
True to his word, a few days later, Victor vanished from my life.
I never asked what Elliot did. Victor had left scars, physical and emotional, that I carried as reminders of his cruelty. Whatever happened, I felt no sympathy..
On Valentine’s Day, Elliot and I registered our marriage.
As we exchanged rings, a deep sense of peace and joy filled me–a happiness I hadn’t thought possible.
Oddly enough, I owed this moment to Victor. His betrayals had taught me the meaning of real love, guiding me to the one who truly cherished me.
One evening, after closing a successful deal, parked my car and took a slow walk back
home.
Out of nowhere, a gaunt figure stepped into my path.
Victor.
His hollow cheeks and sunken eyes barely resembled the man I once knew, but his expression still carried that familiar bitterness.
“I didn’t think you’d thrive without me,” he said, his voice dripping with resentment. “And yet here you are, happier than ever.”
I sighed, irritation bubbling under my calm facade.
Victor’s desperation made him ramble.
“Listen to me. I’ve paid my dues. I’ve stayed clean–I haven’t been with another woman.
Don’t you think it’s time
think it’s time to forgive me? Ruby got what she deserved because of me! Doesn’t that count for anything?”
I rolled my eyes.
“This world doesn’t revolve around you, Victor. Justice was inevitable, with or without
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“This world doesn’t revolve around you, Victor. Justice was inevitable, with or without your so–called help.”
He
grew more frantic, trying to plead his case.
“Everything I did–it was for us! I was wrong before, but I’ve had time to reflect. I see it all clearly now. Ruby manipulated me, but it was always you. You’re the one I love!”
Tears welled in his eyes as he clung to some imagined version of a future where I would forgive him.
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