Chapter 3
That night, we did something we shouldn't have.
The next morning, I woke up to Dennis sleeping right next to me, and my mind was all over the place, panicking and totally lost.
But when he woke up, the first thing he said wasn't to make excuses or run away.
"Leila, I'm here for you. I'll help you get that divorce, and I'll make sure you and the baby are taken care of," Dennis said.
That was the moment I saw the sincerity in his eyes and finally decided to go through with the divorce.
"Leila?" Dennis's voice snapped me back to reality.
He reached out and gently wiped away the tear at the corner of my eye.
"Were you thinking about the past again? It's all behind you now. From now on, you've got me," Dennis said softly.
His fingertips traced my cheek, so tender it felt like his touch could melt right into my skin.
"I promise, I'll never be like him. I'll make sure you never have to go through anything like that again," Dennis said, his voice steady and full of resolve.
It was the third day since Mike stormed out, and I was busy packing up his stuff around the house.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
Peering through the peephole, I saw Mike standing outside with that girl, Julian.
I frowned, but still opened the door.
Mike didn't even wait for me to say a word; he just walked right in.
His eyes swept over the packed boxes in the living room.
"What is it this time? Honestly, I'm at my wit's end with you. Have it your way. I brought Julian here so she can apologize," Mike said.
Julian timidly stepped up to me.
"Leila, I know I caused you a lot of trouble before. I got you this as a peace offering. Please don't stay mad at me, okay?" Julian said.
As she spoke, her eyes couldn't help glancing at my belly, which was starting to show.
She didn't even bother to hide the smug challenge in her gaze.
I didn't take her gift and just gave her a cold stare.
I replied, "No need for apologies. Mike and I are divorced. Whatever happens between you two, it's got nothing to do with me.
"But you're so young, and you still choose to wreck someone else's marriage. Aren't you worried karma's gonna bite you back?"
Julian's face went ghostly pale. She spun around and threw herself into Mike's arms, starting to sob dramatically like she was the one who'd been wronged.
"Mike, I just wanted to apologize to Leila. How could she say something so mean to me..." Julian whimpered.
Mike already thought I was just throwing a tantrum about the divorce.
Seeing Julian cry only made him even more furious.
"Leila, you're really pushing it. Julian came here to apologize, and if you don't want to accept, fine, but you have to bully her too?" Mike snapped.
Barely holding back my anger, I let out a mocking laugh.
"She's the one who came between us, and now somehow it's my fault?" I shot back.
"Still got the guts to talk back," Mike snarled.
Humiliated and furious, Mike raised his hand as if to slap me.
I instinctively closed my eyes, bracing for pain, but it never came.
When I opened them, Dennis was standing protectively in front of me, holding Mike's wrist in a vice grip.
"Mr. I replied, , how could you try to hit her?" Dennis said.
Mike was pinned by Dennis's grip, his face pale with fury.
Mike snapped, "Dennis, mind your own business! Whatever happens between me and Leila has nothing to do with you.
"Don't forget, you wouldn't be where you are today without me and Leila."
"Yeah, I know who helped me out," Dennis shot back, his voice steady, "but what sticks with me most is how Leila's always been the one making sacrifices for you all these years."
Mike tried to break free, but Dennis's grip was unbreakable.
Dennis said coldly, "And Leila's not your wife anymore. You have no right to lay a finger on her.
"If you ever try to hurt her again, you'll have to answer to me."
Seeing Mike losing ground, Julian stopped crying altogether.
She stepped forward and grabbed Dennis's arm, trying to pull him away.
"Let go of Mike. This is between us. You're just an outsider, stay out of our business," Julian snapped.
Dennis shot her a glare, and Julian immediately fell silent.
He released Mike's wrist, moved to shield me behind him, and said to Mike, "Take her and get out. And don't come back here to harass Leila again.
"Otherwise, I won't hesitate to let everyone know about your dirty secrets."
Mike glared at us, so furious he was practically gasping for air.
Mike snapped, "Fine, just great! Leila, I was actually going to give you a way out, but I didn't expect you to be so ungrateful.
"I'll give you three more days. If you don't apologize to me yourself, then we're really done, divorce for real."
With that, he yanked his hand free from Dennis, grabbed Julian by the wrist, and dragged her out the door.
Julian staggered after him, barely keeping up.
As they passed the entryway, she threw me a hateful glare, her eyes full of spite.
As soon as the door slammed shut, Dennis immediately turned and caught my arm, steadying me.
He placed his hand gently on my belly, his voice thick with concern.