Chapter 16: The Trap
I should have walked away.
I should have turned around and left him there.
But something made me stay.
Maybe it was the years of humiliation I'd endured.
Maybe it was the need to see him truly broken.
Or maybe I just wanted to hear him say it one more time.
"Get up," I said.
He didn't move.
"Andrew, get up."
"Not until you forgive me."
"This isn't a movie. Get up."
He stood.
Slowly.
His eyes were wet.
"I mean it, Mariana. I'm sorry."
I stared at him.
For a moment, I almost believed him.
And then Victoria stepped forward.
"Andrew, we should go."
"Not yet."
"She's not going to forgive you."
"You don't know that."
"Look at her face."
Andrew looked at me.
Really looked.
And I saw the moment he realized I wasn't going to break.
"Goodbye, Andrew."
I turned.
Walked away.
Behind me, he started screaming.
"This isn't over! I'll destroy you! I'll take everything!"
I didn't look back.
But I knew he was telling the truth.
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He wasn't done.
And neither was I.
