Chapter 1
Walking in and beholding a scene—the scene of my boyfriend passionately entangled with my best friend—I stood by the door, staring dumbly, my heart shattered. What struck me the most wasn't shock or anger at their betrayal, but the simple truth: I wasn't surprised. Somewhere deep inside, I had already known.
I had long noticed it—the little interactions between them that I dismissed, their corresponding absences every time I needed them both, the rumpled clothes whenever they were alone, the secretive messages, and so many other signs I chose to ignore.
When I received his message—"Pearl, I'm sorry I haven't spent much time with you lately. Can you please come over? I miss you."—I felt a flicker of hope.
So this was it? They finally decided to be obvious? To show me the truth in case I was still too blind to see?
I wasn't interested in their disgusting display and turned to retreat, but of course—the bitch had to play her role.
"Oh my God, Pearl! Tony! Your fiancée! I told you we shouldn't do it here—she'll misunderstand!" Anita cried out with a pitiful voice, pretending to panic.
"Who, Pearl?" Tony scoffed, turning to cast a disgusted look at me. "She's nothing but a dry log of wood. No passion. Always boring. I wonder what kind of infections she carries after sleeping around for money."
I stood there, transfixed. That last sentence struck like a blade. I turned to see Anita's smug expression and understood everything—crystal clear. My name had been dragged through the mud by those dearest to my heart. By someone I once saw as a friend, a sister.
I didn't waste my breath. It seemed like I'd been waiting for solid proof. Proof that this was it all. A final proof to let go of him—and now I had it. It hurt, yes, but it made letting go of our six-year relationship surprisingly easy.
Closing the door behind me, I didn't dwell on their surprised expressions. Maybe my silence didn't satisfy them. Perhaps they expected me to scream, cry, or confront them.
"I mistakenly texted her! I didn't mean to invite her! I'm sorry—please don't break up because of me!" Anita's voice rang out as I walked away from his apartment.
Accepting the truth can lift a massive weight off someone's shoulders.
I had defended them—even when the signs screamed at me. But it's okay. I had been thoroughly played.
Taking my time walking down to the bus stop, I couldn't help but reminisce about my past.
My teenage years revolved around Tony.
We met in our freshman year at university. His family was well-known and wealthy, while I was the typical goody-two-shoes—an orphan nerd who only knew how to study.
Life had been a living hell for me until Tony walked into it. He helped me with debts and school fees. I repaid him over time by juggling three to seven part-time jobs. At first, he was kind, helpful, and gentle. When he asked me out, I agreed. We started dating, and for a moment, everything felt right.
But not long after, things started to shift. He became controlling, possessive, harsh—and that's when things began to fall apart.
The crack in our relationship formed the night I introduced Anita to my boyfriend.
Anita was more of a social butterfly. I wasn't, but I was curious to experience life beyond my books. Tony didn't like that. He banned me from meeting others.
That pattern continued until we graduated. I started working in his company—the one he took over from his father. He never told his parents about us. He said I wasn't good enough.
Now I see it clearly—he never planned to marry me. He never wanted to introduce me to them. He had long lost interest and was merely keeping me around like furniture.
Taking a deep breath, I decided it was time to walk out of his shadow and start living for myself. I knew he hated me even more because I refused to sleep with him during our years together.
It wasn't about virginity. I wasn't obsessed with the idea. I had insecurities—that's why I was reluctant. But thankfully, I never slept with that bastard.
"This time around, I'll explore," I muttered, crossing the road—but the sudden appearance of a familiar car caught me off guard. In an instant, I was thrown into the air, landing hard. Pain exploded through my ribs as I lay in a pool of my own blood.
I watched, barely conscious, as Tony stepped out of the car—with Anita in his arms—and walked over to me.
"Did you really think your secret would stay hidden? That you could trick me for money? That you could become Mrs. Smith so easily?" Tony spat with venom in his eyes. "Thankfully, darling Anita told me everything. She exposed your little plan. It won't work. I don't need your existence anymore. Wiping you out will do the country a favor. People like you should disappear. And if I leave you alive, who knows what stunt you'll pull next? I won't let you taint my name."
"Pearl dear," Anita chimed in with a smirk. "I didn't mean to tell him about your schemes, but things were getting out of hand. I had to protect him. Besides, don't blame me. Since you couldn't satisfy your fiancé, I decided to share him with you."
"Don't worry. No one knows you. No one will ask about you. Enjoy your final moments," Anita added with a cold smile before turning to Tony and acting like the innocent damsel again.
"This scene is too much. Take me away," she whimpered.
And with that, they walked back to the car and drove off—leaving me behind, cold and broken.
I didn't feel hate.
I just regretted never truly living. I regretted being submissive. Letting someone hold so much power over me.
I wanted to live. Not just exist—but truly live.
As my vision blurred, I looked up at the sky, whispering my final thought:
"Please… I need another chance. Another chance to live. This time, I'll live it fully."