Chapter 4

Andrew rushed to explain himself the moment I got close.

"Alison, it's not what it looks like. She just slipped, and I was helping her up," he stammered.

His voice was shaky, and panic flashed in his eyes.

But Carrie just giggled, throwing shade as she taunted me.

"Alison, Andy's just worried about me. You're not really that petty, are you?" she said, acting all innocent, but her smugness was obvious.

I gave them a frosty glare, making sure every word hit home.

"Andrew, you really think I'd fall for that? When did you become someone I don't even know?" My words were cold as ice.

Andrew's face turned bright red. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

But Carrie just had to egg things on, fanning the flames.

"Alison, Andy loves me now. Why don't you just let him go?" she said, flashing a smug little smirk.

Seeing her so full of herself, I just snapped. The anger I'd been holding in finally boiled over.

I stepped right up to her, my hand raised to slap her, but Andrew caught my wrist just in time.

"Alison, cool down," he said urgently.

I glared at him, my voice sharp. "Andrew, are you seriously protecting her right now?"

His eyes flickered with hesitation, but then he steeled himself. "Alison, stop making a scene."

I stared at him in utter disbelief, as if seeing a stranger.

"Are you seriously calling me the one making a scene?" I choked out, my voice trembling with anger.

I went on, "So in your eyes, standing up for myself is making a scene, but her barging into our marriage is perfectly fine?"

Carrie just smirked, her eyes full of triumph. "See, Alison? Even Andy said so. Why don't you just take the hint and leave?"

I yanked my hand out of Andrew's grip, his touch making my skin crawl.

"Andrew, I'm done. We're getting a divorce," I said, my voice cold and steady.

His face went paper white, his eyes wide with shock as he stared at me.

"Alison, don't be so dramatic. Divorce? Seriously?" he sputtered, panic rising in his voice.

His voice was shaky, but to me, it was like nails on a chalkboard.

Carrie, pretending to be all worried, tugged at his sleeve.

"Andy, you should apologize to Alison. Looks like she's really disappointed," she said, acting all sweet and fake.

Her fake concern made me want to slap her right then and there.

I let out a cold, mocking laugh.

I said coldly, "Andrew, can't you see? This isn't about me overreacting. What we had is already gone.

"I really believed we'd grow old together, but now? Your heart belongs to someone else. There's no point in pretending anymore."

Andrew's hands dropped helplessly to his sides. He opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word.

Looking at how conflicted he was, all I felt was pure sadness.

The man, who once had eyes only for me, now couldn't even make up his mind between me and another woman.

"Alison, just give me one more chance." Andrew finally managed to choke out, his voice barely above a whisper.

I just shook my head.

I said, my voice steady but cold, "I've given you enough chances.

"Ever since you started messing around with Carrie, I kept choosing to trust you, over and over.

"But you? You just kept letting me down, over and over."

Carrie started sniffling, putting on her best act. "Alison, don't be so cruel. Andy really loves you."

I shot her a disgusted look. "Drop the fake tears. If you really believed he loved me, you wouldn't even be here."

I took a deep breath, trying to keep it together.

I said, "Andrew, I'll get the divorce papers ready soon. Just sign them when they arrive."

With that, I turned and walked away, not sparing them another glance.

Andrew shouted after me, desperate, but I never looked back.

This time, I was truly ready to walk away from it all and close this chapter of my life for good.