Chapter 6
Henry's movements froze mid-air.
He stared at the glowing red dot on my phone screen, the madness on his face instantly congealing.
Cold sweat slid down his temples.
That reckless, do-or-die ferocity drained away in an instant.
He was terrified.
He finally realized I was no longer the obedient wife he could manipulate at will.
Now, I was calm, rational, and holding every piece of evidence that could destroy him.
The venom in his eyes faded, replaced once more by fear.
He slumped back down with a heavy thud, even more wretched than before. "O-Olivia, I was talking nonsense just now.
"I lost my head for a moment. I was completely out of my mind.
"Please, don't take it seriously. You can't really think I'd threaten you, right"
He began slapping himself across the face, over and over.
The sharp sound echoed through the living room.
His cheeks quickly turned red and swollen.
He cried out, "I'm scum. I'm worse than an animal.
"Olivia, give me one more chance, just one last time."
I watched his performance with cold indifference, feeling nothing inside.
He should have known it would come to this.
I put my phone away, not bothering to look at him again.
"Get out," I spat out. "This is my house. I don't want to see you again until you hear from my lawyer."
Henry dropped down hard, his body jerking in disbelief as he stared up at me. "Olivia, you're seriously throwing me out?
"Where am I supposed to go at this hour?"
I laughed. "That is your problem.
"You can go to your Mia White, or you can go back to your parents' so-called 'investment property' bought with my money.
"Either way, get out of this house."
Despair crashed over Henry like a rising tide.
He knew there was no turning back.
The pleading look on his face twisted into resentment.
He rose slowly, staring at me with venomous eyes. "Olivia, you're ruthless.
"Fine, I'm leaving.
"You'll regret this."
With that, he stormed into the bedroom.
Soon came the sound of drawers being pulled open and slammed shut.
Before long, he emerged dragging a suitcase.
As he passed me, he stopped and spoke in a voice low enough for only the two of us to hear. "You think you have won?
"The White family has power beyond your imagination.
"You have pushed me to the brink, and they will not let you get away with it."
That was his last threat. His final card.
I didn't bother to raise my eyelids. "I am waiting."
Henry's face turned livid. He forced the words out through clenched teeth. "We will see."
With that, he dragged his suitcase out and slammed the door shut without looking back.
The thunderous slam of the door marked the final chapter between us.
The whole world went quiet.
I walked over to the couch and collapsed onto it, completely spent.
All the tension I'd been holding in all night finally unraveled.
Exhaustion crashed over me like a tidal wave.
I buried my face in my knees, and at last, the tears I'd been holding back spilled out.
I wasn't crying over Henry.
I was crying for myself.
For the five years of youth I'd lost.
For the love I poured out, only to see it crushed and made worthless.
Just then, my phone rang.
It was an unknown number.
I wiped my tears, sniffled, and answered the call.
"Hello, is this Olivia?" A sharp, biting voice of a middle-aged woman came through the line.
I recognized it instantly.
It was Henry's mother, my mother-in-law, Mary Cole.
"Yes, it's me," I replied, my voice a little hoarse.
"You shameless woman. What have you done to my son?" Mary began with a barrage of insults.
"He called me bawling, saying you, you heartless witch, are kicking him out of the house. And you're even threatening to sue him.
"Olivia, have you no conscience?
"What did our family do to you? From the day you married in, I spoiled you like my own daughter.
"My son's out there working his fingers to the bone to support this family, and you're living it up at home, never satisfied. And now you've got the nerve to sneak around with some random guy behind his back."