Chapter 2
He texted: [Farrah, come back. Let's talk this through properly. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have kept this from you. Let me explain everything.]
I turned off my phone and hailed a cab. "To the nearest hotel."
The driver glanced at me through the rearview mirror. "Miss, are you alright?" he asked.
I nodded my head, unwilling to speak.
The cityscape outside the window whizzed by, neon signs glowing in the night.
This city was so vast, yet there was nowhere for me to belong.
The receptionist smiled politely. "How many nights will you be staying with us, Ms. Mckenzie?"
"I... I don't know," I replied.
I paid for the room and got the key card.
The room was small but spotless.
I sat on the edge of the bed, my mind reeling.
Three years of marriage were built on lies.
I remembered the first time I met Raphael.
It was at an ordinary café where I first saw him—dressed in a plain shirt and jeans, looking every bit the average office worker.
He told me he was just a software engineer, making only 3 thousand dollars a month and struggling with mortgage payments.
We bonded over being transplants, both struggling to build a life for ourselves in this city far from home.
After a year of dating, we rented a small apartment and moved in together.
Another year went by, and we tied the knot.
Our wedding was a simple affair—just a small dinner with a few friends.
I remembered even pouting because Raphael couldn't afford a diamond ring for me. He promised that once he made it big, he'd buy me the biggest one.
Now that I thought about it, our whole marriage was just a charade.
To him, a million-dollar diamond ring was just pocket change.
And there I was, completely in the dark like a fool.
My phone rang again. It was Mom.
"Farrah, what took you so long to answer?" my mom asked, concern in her voice.
"Mom, I just got out of the shower," I said, forcing my voice to sound steady.
"Where's Raphael? Why isn't he saying anything?" my Mom asked.
"He's working late and hasn't come home yet."
She sighed, "That poor boy works too hard. You should take better care of him."
I couldn't even imagine the look on Mom's face if she found out Raphael was actually a scion of a wealthy family.
"Mom, I'm a bit tired. I'll hang up now," I said.
"Alright, get some rest, dear," my mom said gently.
After hanging up, I lay in bed, but sleep just wouldn't come.
I couldn't stop replaying today's scenes in my head.
The sight of Raphael and Alisha locked in an embrace and Alisha's words kept replaying in my mind.
Alisha said, "Raphael is just going through a phase."
So, in their eyes, I was just a mistake Raphael made while he was finding himself, a mistake that had no right to exist.
The very next morning, I got an unexpected call from a law firm.
"Ms. Mckenzie, this is Mr. Morgan's attorney calling regarding the divorce application you filed..."
I exclaimed, "Wait, when did I ever file for divorce?"
"Ms. Mckenzie, Mr. Morgan instructed us last night regarding this matter. He has agreed to the divorce and is willing to pay you 15 million dollars in compensation."
Fifteen million dollars? That was unbelievable.
To him, 15 million dollars really bought off three years of marriage.
I said coldly, "I don't want any money. All I want is a divorce."
"Ms. Mckenzie, this is already a very generous offer. Are you absolutely certain you don't want to reconsider?" the man said.
"Absolutely." I hung up, my hands trembling with anger.
It wasn't about the 15 million dollars. It was pure rage.
Did he really think money can fix everything?
Did he really think 15 million dollars could just erase three years of our love?
I hurriedly freshened up, changed into formal attire, and headed for city hall.
The moment I stepped out of the hotel, a black Rolls-Royce sat waiting at the entrance.
Raphael stepped out of the car, still in his signature designer suit.
"Farrah, we need to talk," Raphael pleaded.
"There's nothing left to say," Farrah retorted coldly, stepping around Raphael to leave.
Raphael blocked my way and said, "Farrah, about the settlement..."
Farrah said coldly, "I don't want your money."
"Then what do you want?" Raphael demanded.
I stared at him, the man I once thought I'd gone through thick and thin with.
I said coldly, "I want you out of my life. For good!"
Raphael's face clouded over with distress. "Farrah, must it really come to this?"
"You were the one who started the deception."
"I never had a choice," Raphael said with a hint of resignation. "My status meant I could never live an ordinary life."
"Then why did you lead me on?" My voice rose sharply. "You knew I was just a regular girl, so why did you still marry me?"
Raphael opened and closed his mouth, at a complete loss for words.
He never intended for us to last in the first place.
I was just a pawn in his little social experiment.
The divorce process was surprisingly efficient.
Half an hour later, I held the divorce certificate in my hands.
From that moment on, Raphael and I were nothing but strangers.
As I stepped out of city hall, the sunlight felt almost painfully bright.
I squinted at the sky, suddenly feeling an immense weight lift off my shoulders.
My phone buzzed. It was a call from work.
"Farrah, why didn't you come to work today? There's a crucial project that needs your follow-up," my manager said.
"I need to take a few days off," I said.
"Time off? Now, of all times?" the manager exclaimed, clearly incredulous.
"Sorry, something urgent came up that I need to handle."
After hanging up, I wandered aimlessly down the street.
I had lived in this city for three years, yet I'd never truly seen it until today.