Burning the Fire of Hell in Marriage

“Why is there a damn thing like this?” I muttered in disbelief at what I found on my husband's desk.

Women's underwear!

I became so angry that I dropped the bouquet that I intended to give to my husband, Felix, as a birthday present.

“Mrs. Richard...”

I raised my hand to silence Hans, the man who worked as my husband’s secretary. I didn’t need an explanation from anyone else. What’s more, I was still too shocked to see the panties. Moreover, I was still too shocked to see the underwear that made me think bad things about my husband.

On the other hand, my brain also kept replaying the memory of my clothes. And I was sure that the underwear was not mine. Even if it was mine, I knew better than to leave such an item anywhere.

“Is this why you won’t let me into this room, Hans?” I asked, my voice trembling.

There was no response from Hans, who was staring intently at the floor beneath his feet.

Seeing his reaction, I assumed again. It was possible that some of the people working under Felix already knew about this affair, and they were getting paid more to keep it all a secret from me. That wasn’t impossible for a wealthy man like Felix Richard.

“All right, just tell me which women often come to this room?” I didn’t give up trying to find out, even though I wasn’t prepared to hear the bad news.

“I don’t know. I just...”

“Ah, you must be paid a lot to keep my husband’s affair a secret.” I lost my temper and cut Hans off.

“Where is Mr. Felix?”

There is no point in asking other people about my husband’s affair. I will ask Felix directly in a state of readiness not ready to hear the harshest thing. I don’t want our marriage to end this quickly.

“He left with a strange woman who suddenly came looking for him here.” Hans finally answered honestly.

Oh, so Felix’s affair was not with the woman who worked in his office.

The gravity around me seemed to disappear in an instant. I almost lost my balance hearing that. My heart, which was in full bloom to celebrate Felix’s birthday with a big surprise, was instantly shattered. Six months after we were married, Felix was already bored with me and having fun with other women.

Even though I was weak and felt nauseous, I would not remain silent. With the strength I had left, I took the lacy red panties and the bouquet and staggered with them out of Felix’s room.

I found several employees standing in front of my husband’s room door. Yes, they must have witnessed what would have happened to me if they had found out that my husband was having an affair. But I didn’t care what their response would be.

My nerves the nerves in my body that don’t accept the fact that my husband has betrayed me make me feel like my whole body has suddenly gone numb. I walked away, halfconscious.

“Let’s go home, sir,” I told my private driver.

“Madam, are you okay?” he asked worriedly.

I smiled bitterly. “No.”

My brief answer made my driver stop asking questions. He immediately drove the car home.

During the trip, I could only stare at the ultrasound photo of my pregnancy. That was the gift I had prepared for Felix’s birthday. I intended to give it to him along with the bouquet. But the unexpected happened. It wasn’t Felix who got the surprise, but me.

I had prepared all of that since the doctor told me I was pregnant a month ago. I have kept that secret because I'm waiting today.

The world that I was building, which was almost solid with the presence of the fetus in my womb, failed. I thought that after six months of our happy marriage, our relationship would be even stronger with the presence of the little angel that would be present between the two of us.

As it turned out, it was a dream that couldn’t come true.

When I got home, I immediately ran to my room to spend time alone. I needed to sleep to forget today’s events a few moments before Felix returned home.

But when I opened the bedroom door, I found my husband lying on the bed while hugging a woman who was also lying with her back to the door, so I couldn’t see who the woman was.

Felix was so comfortable with the situation that he was unaware of my presence.

“WHAT THE HELL, FELIX?!” I shouted, holding back the strong vibrations throughout my body.

“WHAT THE HELL, FELIX?!”

My outcry made Felix turn his head and finally realize my presence. He looked surprised and immediately released his grip on the strange woman. But then he put his index finger on his lips, signaling me not to make a fuss.

Has Felix gone crazy? She told me to be quiet when she saw my husband hugging another woman in our room. I just screamed, which meant I could still control my anger. I could have taken the scissors in the closet and stabbed her right then. At least I was still trying to be sane when my heart wanted to go crazy.

“You cheated on me in front of me, and you asked me to be quiet? Where are your senses, Felix?” My anger was starting to peak.

I could see Felix's face panicked at my presence. He left the bed carefully so his movements wouldn't wake the woman beside him. Ah, how caring that man was. But for other women.

Felix came over to me and immediately pulled me away from the room.

“Alice, Clara is sleeping. Please don’t scream,” Felix whispered.

Felix cut my heart by saying Clara, a name that was very familiar to me. I didn’t know how that woman suddenly came back into my husband’s life or if Felix had never really left Clara and was still in touch with her behind my back.

“Your exgirlfriend?” I asked, confirming with a raging feeling.

Felix nodded slowly, full of guilt. He held my hand to assure me there was nothing between them. The thing was, I had seen him hugging Clara. And the underwear I found at Felix’s workplace wouldn’t make me believe they were no longer in a relationship.

“Why marry me if you still love Clara, Felix?” I asked, full of hurt.

Our marriage was the result of an arranged match by Felix’s family. They never approved of Felix’s relationship with Clara, so they chose me to be Felix’s wife. Yeah, then their relationship broke up while they still loved each other.

“I don’t love her anymore.” Felix stared at me sharply.

“But you hugged her in front of me!” I raised my voice again.

Felix exhaled slowly. “Alice, lower your voice!” he reprimanded gently.

“Then what should I do? Should I join you two and hug you, too, Felix?” I couldn’t. My calmness was gone, and I only worried about losing Felix forever.

I hadn’t even had time to tell Felix that I was pregnant with his child.

Felix didn’t seem to understand what I meant. I didn’t know why he suddenly became so stupid. If only he could position himself as me and see me sleeping in our bridal room with another man, would he act calmly as if he hadn’t seen anything?

“I’m sorry,” said Felix, pulling his ear with his hands. His face did not understand my anger at all, but he apologized.

He gently rubbed my cheek. “I haven’t told you about Clara,” he continued, now showing a sorry face.

“What is it? Do you want to admit that you had an affair?” I replied quickly.

“Clara is pregnant with my child, Alice. She’s seven months pregnant.”

When I heard Felix's confession, I was struck like a lightning bolt. He said it without looking at me but gripped my hand tightly. Instantly, I pushed his hand away and walked backward, feeling a tightness in my chest.

Felix had never told me before that he had had sex with Clara. We had been together since we were children, and there had never been the slightest secret between us, except for my feelings for him, which had grown in the last fifteen years.

This time, I couldn’t say anything. I was so devastated to receive a gift that repeatedly hurt me.

“Alice, I didn’t expect anything like this to happen either.” Felix came closer again and tried to hug me.

“Let go!” I shouted at him in disappointment.

“I swear, Alice. I didn’t know about it until a few months ago when she came to me and told me about her pregnancy.”

“Then what business is it of yours? Clara has a husband, doesn’t she? It could be their child. Why do you believe that?”

Felix nodded in agreement. “But she got married five months ago. Meanwhile, she is seven months pregnant. Then, today, she met me at the office and said her husband divorced her. I felt guilty about that and...”

“And you intend to beat her to make up for your mistake?” I cut his word in quickly.

I never expected something like this to happen to me. I trusted Felix when he said that he could accept me and that he already loved me, even though, at first, he only thought of me as his younger sister. But what I saw Felix doing with Clara just now made me regret trusting him.

“No no, Alice. I’ll only be with her until she gives birth.” Felix denied my statement.

He gently wiped away my tears. But his tenderness meant nothing because he had already broken him.

“How will you take care of her? You have a family, too, Felix.” I brushed aside his rough hand.

“I’m not leaving anyone, Alice. You’ll stay with me. I’ll just let her stay here until she gives birth. I promise.”

Was Felix serious about what he said? Just seeing Clara made me depressed, let alone living with her. Maybe I would stay with Felix, but being between Felix and Clara was too painful.

“If Alice doesn’t allow it, it’s okay, Felix. I can go to a shelter or live on the streets.” Clara came over to us.

Felix turned and shook his head at Clara. “No, Clara. You’re going to stay here. This is my house, so don’t worry.” He calmed Clara down but didn’t calm me down.

“But Alice...”

“Alice is my business. Come on, I’ll take you back to rest.” Felix embraced Clara, and they left.

I sat on the floor, limp. Felix had said that he no longer loved Clara. But with Clara’s return to his life, I was confident that his old love would grow back. No way that wouldn’t happen.

Then, I would be the one to be cast away.

I glanced at the dining table, where Felix and Clara sat beside them while talking to their baby in Clara’s belly. And I was alone. Cooking for all of us was like being a maid watching my master’s intimacy.

“I can’t wait to see his face,” Felix spoke while rubbing Clara’s stomach.

“He’s a boy. He’ll be very handsome like you,” Clara replied, followed by laughter from both of them.

That was my dream, but Clara got it from Felix.

I admit that I was devastated to see that Clara always managed to attract Felix’s attention throughout the day in various ways. Felix even preferred to accompany Clara at night rather than me.

When Felix was with me for just a few minutes, Clara would call for Felix for various reasons, whether screaming in pain or calling for Felix to show that the baby in her belly was kicking.

I needed the same attention, too. There was never a good time for me to tell Felix about my pregnancy, and now my husband was ignoring me.

If it weren’t for our unborn child, I wouldn’t want to stay between the two of them. To hell with a short marriage!

After all, I don't want to live with a man who hasn't finished with his past. Felix also looks like he would happily live with Clara and their future son. His desire was very clear. Felix is ready for a family, but not with me.

I didn’t want my child to be born without a father.

“What are you cooking, Alice?” asked Felix, who came to me, rubbing my head.

“Don’t worry, I’ll make breakfast for you two,” I replied curtly.

Felix chuckled and kissed the top of my head gently. No matter how sweet he was, I wouldn’t melt down as long as Clara was in this house and Felix gave her attention.

“You seem still angry,” Felix teased.

“Hey, why do you care? I don’t have the money to pay for your concern.” I laughed, pretending to return Felix’s joke when what I said was my own opinion.

The smile on Felix’s face faded. He was offended by my words, but I didn’t care. I was also too fed up pretending to be nice to Clara, preparing everything for Clara’s comfort in this house. Instead of keeping it to myself, I thought it would be better to get what was on my mind out in the open.

But it’s so hard for me.

“Alice, if there’s a problem, just tell me,” Felix said, trying to comfort me.

“No, Felix. I’m just not in a good mood.”

“Are you sure?”

I nodded slowly. There were so many things I wanted to say, but my mouth couldn’t get them out straight away.

I wanted to say that I didn’t like Clara being here, that I didn’t like Felix acting like Clara’s husband and ignoring me, and much more. But I already know how Felix would react if I said all that.

It would disappoint me.

“Alice’s bad mood is because of me, Felix.” Clara joined in and got closer to me.

She then clasped her hands together and looked at me sadly. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said.

I took a long breath. “Please, don’t talk to me,” I replied, turning my back on her.

So far, I have managed to avoid talking to Clara because I am sure she has an evil plan to destroy my life by showing herself to Felix and me again. Several times, I saw her smiling triumphantly at me when she managed to get Felix to pay attention to her.

“Alice, please.” A heavy sigh was heard from Felix’s voice.

“Don’t be angry with her, Felix. I’m to blame for making her uncomfortable with my presence.” Clara spoke so sweetly.

“So, just go!” I sneered again.

Felix’s gaze turned gloomy, showing his anger at my attitude. Ah, I hate pretending to be nice to a cunning woman. But oh well.

“My goodness, you have such a big belly, Clara. You must be starting to feel overwhelmed.” I rubbed her belly like a neighbor who was happy that Clara was about to give birth.

But it was just an act.

I swear on my baby’s life, it was just acting.

I didn’t hate Clara’s unborn baby at all. However, my relationship with Clara has been full of disagreements since the beginning because Clara always started arguments with me.

Felix and I had a familylike relationship before. I considered him my older brother, and he thought of me as his younger sister. Behind that, I fell in love with him seventeen years ago.

“It’s difficult but delightful, Alice.” Clara stared at her belly. “Ah, Felix. Can you take me to the doctor for a routine checkup today?” Felix responded to Clara with a nod and a sincere smile. He reached out to stroke Clara’s stomach.

Felix smiled contentedly at my slightly gentle demeanor. “You guys continue talking. I have to take care of something for a moment.” Felix was gone a moment later.

I’m done with my acting. I ignored Clara and refocused on my cooking. But Clara followed with her big smile and her narrowed eyes mocking me.

“If I can’t get Felix, neither can any woman, Alice. Even if it’s you, I’ll make him leave you.” Clara threatened me as she grabbed the spoon of soup from my hand.

I looked into her eyes, which showed her seriousness about what she was saying. I did suspect that Clara wanted to take Felix away from me.

She’s cunning!

“Oh yes, one more thing. I’m telling you, this is not Felix’s child.”

“This is not Felix’s child.”

My body reflexively lost its balance, and I took a few steps back, surprised by what I had just heard. I had indeed suspected something about Clara coming to Felix and claiming to be pregnant with Felix’s child.

But I didn’t expect my suspicions to be true. And I didn’t know how Clara convinced Felix of that. Felix even seemed to love Clara so much at the moment, which meant that Felix was looking forward to the baby’s birth.

“Don’t be surprised, Alice. Haven’t you suspected it all along?” Clara laughed guiltlessly.

“I’m going to tell Felix about it,” I said with fiery eyes.

Hearing that, Clara laughed even harder. “Yes, just say it, Alice. You have no proof and will only feel embarrassed,” she retorted.

It was true that I had no evidence of what Clara had said. But I didn’t want Felix to get caught up in Clara’s evil plan. I knew Clara still loved Felix so much and was unwilling to let Felix be my husband.

“Do you think Felix will trust you?” I said irritably, emphasizing my words.

“Then, you think you are the one Felix trusts the most?”

I wanted to scratch the triumphant smile off her face. I have hated Clara ever since Felix first introduced me to her. She always has a way of getting under my skin, making Felix and I fight big time. But now I’ve learned a little of her cunning game.

“You’re just a lucky orphan loved by the Richard family, Alice. How sad!” she said, looking at me with disgust.

Yes, I confirmed her words even though it hurt. I was an orphan who grew up in an orphanage. That’s where I met and became friends with Felix because Richard’s family was one of the biggest donors to the orphanage where I lived.

From that moment on, I depended a little on Felix for my life, and Felix didn’t mind that either. But I never intended to take advantage of his kindness. It’s just that being so comfortable around Felix made me fall in love.

Our closeness became more of a concern for Richard’s family, and I began to be treated like an essential part of them. Felix’s parents selflessly bore the burden of my education and my life.

“You’re good at taking advantage of people, Alice.” Clara patted me on the shoulder several times.

I brushed her hand away. ‘Watch your mouth, Clara!’ I snapped at her, feeling resentful of her words.

“Oops! Did I hurt you, Mrs. Sycophant?” she taunted.

“Bitch!” I replied without hesitation to her taunt.

Clara’s mouth opened. I turned off the stove and prepared food, trying to ignore her. She was the one who started the argument with me, so I just served her. I also told her not to talk to me earlier. Clara herself couldn’t resist teasing me.

After all, what I said wasn’t entirely wrong if the baby didn’t belong to Felix; that meant Clara was also having a relationship with another man.

“How dare you!” Clara grabbed my shoulder and pulled me so I was forced to face her and...

SLAP!

A slap landed on my cheek. The sound of the blow was so loud that it echoed in every corner of the room until it made me feel like there was blood in my mouth.

It hurt a lot. But I wasn't caught off guard. I laughed out loud, making Clara look even more inflamed with emotions that she finally couldn't bear.

“Ah, that’s fun.” I took a deep breath to show Clara that the slap didn’t bother me. It wouldn’t even affect my life. I knew she was furious but was still trying to restrain herself so I wouldn’t tell Felix. But I was already having fun with this.

“I could kill you, Alice!” Clara threatened.

I stared into her sharp eyes. “Hmm... is that so?” I challenged her

However, it was my fault because I assumed Clara was bluffing. She suddenly pulled my hair very strongly and started the attack. I replied that I did not want to lose to her, so I pulled her long hair back. But Clara pushed me with all her strength.

My body was pushed hard, and my stomach hit the ceramic edge of the kitchen and then I sat sprawled on the floor as an intense pain spread throughout my stomach.

Meanwhile, Clara was laughing hysterically.

“Hey, you still don’t believe me, Alice? I never play around when I attack,” Clara said with a coldblooded, murderous gaze.

Scary!

“You could go to jail if you kill me, Clara,” I stammered in pain.

“I can turn the murder into something that looks like you committed suicide.”

Every step she took towards me scared me. With the pain continuing to eat away at my body, I got up and ran up the stairs to my room to escape. All I could think about at that moment was saving my unborn child. Nothing else.

Unfortunately, when I reached the top of the stairs, Clara caught up with me and tried to pull me back. I, who was still fully conscious, immediately held on.

“You’ve lost your mind, Clara!” I shouted.

Clara pulled me back. “You take everything from me, Alice! I hate you!” Clara shouted back.

I kept trying to avoid her, but the back of my shirt was gripped tightly by her, so I fell, and now, my stomach hit the stairs.

I screamed as the pain became unbearable. But simultaneously, I heard Clara scream, followed by a series of loud bangs. And when I turned around, I found Clara rolling down the stairs until she collapsed at the bottom.

I couldn’t bear to look at her, but I also didn’t have the energy to help. My vision started to blur as I realized blood was spilling out of my body, scattered on the floor.

I opened my eyes slowly because my body felt so sore and found myself in a white room with the sound of an electrocardiogram machine filling the room where I was lying. I didn’t see anyone around me when I realized I was in the hospital. Somehow, I got there.

My stomach still hurts, even though it’s not as painful as before.

“Ah, you’re finally conscious, Ma’am.” A nurse entered.

I replied with a weak nod, hoping to get good information from the nurse about my condition. I don’t know how long I was unconscious, but I remember everything that happened to Clara and me. I remember very well that Clara’s condition was not my fault. I didn’t push her at all.

“How long have I been unconscious?” I asked.

“One week, Ma’am,” the nurse replied while examining my condition.

Ah, I didn’t think it had been that long. But why didn’t Felix show up in front of me? He should at least be worried about our baby if he weren’t worried about me.

“My baby! How is my baby? He’s fine, right?” I just remembered that. I tried to sit impatiently, waiting to hear from the nurse, but my stomach felt even worse than I thought, causing me to collapse back on the pillow.

The nurse tried to calm me down, but I was not calm, of course. Maybe this is the right time to tell Felix I am pregnant with his child.

“Is there a family that can be contacted to discuss your condition and that of your fetus, ma’am?” asked the nurse.

“Family? So, there’s been no one to accompany me all this time?”

The nurse shook her head. “We tried to talk to your husband, but he didn’t want to.”

Instantly, my chest tightened at the sound of it. Felix wasn’t the slightest bit worried about me. He didn’t show the slightest concern and acted as if we were strangers. I felt that Felix was starting to consider me not as his wife.

I have been thrown away now.

“Then just tell me. What happened to me and my fetus?” I asked forcefully.

“You had a miscarriage, Ma’am. And we had to remove your womb immediately because if left in, it would be dangerous for you.”

My gaze was blank, and my ears suddenly deaf, unable to hear anything around me: silence but no calm in my mind. Yes, my world had collapsed. The womb that had been my reason for survival between Felix and Clara was gone. Then what was the point of living now? Everything was gone.

My heart was cracked, shattered, then turned to ashes. Everything was useless.

“Ma’am, are you okay?” Slowly, the nurse’s voice was heard again.

I just nodded uncertainly in response to the nurse’s question.

“It’s gotten so bad because you were late coming to the hospital. Otherwise, even if you had a miscarriage, it’s possible that you wouldn’t have had to experience fetal damage, Ma’am.”

“So?” I am weak, but I still asked it.

“You won’t be able to get pregnant again after removing the womb.”

I burst into tears. My pride in being a woman was being able to give birth to a child. Now it’s gone. I am a useless woman. Even if I reincarnate into life after this, I will feel worthless.

“What about my husband?”

“He came with his other wife and asked for an ambulance to pick you up at home.”

His other wife. It must be Clara. Felix was only worried about Clara, the cause of the destruction of my life.

Not only Clara but Felix is also guilty of what happened to me!

I didn’t ask Felix to prioritize me over Clara because I also knew how Clara was feeling at the time. But at least he took us to the hospital at the same time. He didn’t just come to take Clara without thinking about me.

The information the nurse said cut me to the core.

“Please contact your family to ask for their consent for the surgical removal of your womb.” The nurse ended the conversation.

I was still silent, full of anger, disappointment, sadness, and regret all at once. The pain in my stomach was unmatched by the collapse of my world in just a moment. Who should I share my sorrow with if even my husband is indifferent?

Besides, I have no family. Since I was a child, I lived in an orphanage because my parents had an accident and died. Felix was the only one after that. If I told my inlaws, I would be blamed, too. They would think I was making up stories.

All that was left was myself.

“Alice!” Felix shouted, suddenly coming and yelling at me.

I turned around with a feeling of resignation. “What is it this time?” I asked weakly.

“You killed my baby and Clara!” Felix snapped.

Ah, I see. Clara might have a miscarriage, too. But really, I didn’t push her in the slightest. Even on those stairs, I didn’t touch her. She was the one who tried to push me off. Yeah, I thought this would happen. Their love was so strong, and I was the culprit for them.

“But Clara is still alive, Felix. You can have another baby with her,” I remarked indifferently.

Yes, bland. There wasn’t the slightest desire to defend myself against such accusations. I was already immersed in a reality that hurt me so much. My body could move, but my heart was paralyzed.

“ALICE!” Felix shouted.

“DON’T YELL AT ME!” I replied, raising my tone even though my voice was trembling violently.

I pointed at his face while glaring at him. “You and your whore are the killers!” I snapped.

“What do you mean? You’re still alive.”

“It doesn’t matter if you believe it or not, but Clara tried to hurt me, and she fell herself.” I started to slow down my voice a little.

“It was your fault, Alice. You—”

“It was your fault! You only defended the whore who didn’t carry your child!”

Felix was instantly silent. He stared at me in disbelief. His gaze showed that he was not ready to accept the fact that the child Clara had conceived was not his. His desire to be with Clara again was extreme, as could be seen in his eyes.

It could be seen in his eyes; Felix never wanted me.

“It should have been you who died, Alice.” Felix cursed me and then left.

Felix's curse didn't come true that easily.

The womb removal operation was successful. After two weeks of recovery at the hospital, I returned to Felix's house. The person who hasn't shown up at all since he cursed me to death. I confessed to the doctor that I had no family, and I signed the operation consent letter myself.

I felt sorry for myself.

I hoped that while I was having surgery, there would be someone sitting outside the operating room waiting and praying that God would save me for them and that I could return to them in the best possible condition. But that was just the hope of someone without one in this life.

After postoperative recovery, I decided to divorce Felix.

I will return to Felix's house with a divorce letter and a large bag to transport all my belongings. After learning that he did not want me, I did not apologize and would not beg for his love again.

My sorrow has not been healed, but I want to get up for my life in the future. For that reason, I decided to release Felix from my life.

“Mrs. Richard, you're back!” Shouted my driver, who opened the front gate of Felix's house to greet me so warmly.

“Not Mrs. Richard. I'm Alice Jazellin.” I emphasized that I no longer had any relationship with Felix.

“What do you mean? Please don't go, ma'am. Mr. Felix will soon realize how much he loves you, Mrs. Alice.”

I gave my driver a small smile. I was glad that at least one person wanted me to be there. But after all, this was Felix's house.

“Why is it so quiet, sir? Where is Mr. Felix?” I asked.

The driver just bowed his head without answering. For that reason, I entered the house. And I found it beautifully decorated—with balloons, candles, flowers, and much more. In the middle of it all, Clara and Felix hugged each other, missing each other.

Of course, I was hurt to see the man I loved hugging his exgirlfriend. But there was nothing I could do. Felix looked so happy, comfortable, and calm with Clara. I saw that this was the umpteenth time Felix had fallen in love with Clara.

With the same great love. Unbeatable.

I stayed in place, trying to remain calm, waiting for them to finish and only then talk to Felix. But no! The fact was that I couldn't see the two of them any longer, and I decided to leave without being seen by them.

“Sir, why didn't you tell me a Clara was in this house?” I was angry with my private driver.

“I don't know how to tell you, ma'am.”

“All right. I'm sorry for scolding you,” I said guiltily.

I took some money from my bag and Felix's divorce papers. I gave it all to the driver.

“Thank you for your good work, sir. Please give this letter to Mr. Felix,” I said and left.

I shouldn't have to think about my belongings at Felix's house if I knew I would only get more hurt when I met Felix, who could never escape Clara. I admit that they are a lover who are compatible. Their love is equal.

I gave Felix up for Clara, I swear. But I can never forgive what they have done to destroy my life.

Now, I have no one but myself. Even if I die, there will be no family to mourn for me. For my miscarriage alone, I mourned alone, and my baby's father went back to his exgirlfriend. I would love to laugh at my unfortunate fate.

Beep... beep... beep...

My cell phone rang, and Felix's name was on the screen. I immediately answered the phone, curious what he wanted to say after days of not seeing me, not contacting me, not even knowing if I was still alive or not.

“Come home now!” his voice sounded commanding and firm.

I didn't answer immediately. Go home where? I don't have a place to live now, and I don't know where I'm going and what I will do in the future.

“Alice, do you hear me?” Felix began to raise his tone of voice.

“I'm on my way home,” I replied listlessly.

“Where are you going? I heard you went home, but go out again.”

“Can I ask you one last favor?” I ignored his question about my return.

I just stopped by earlier. I didn't go home because ever since I had the divorce papers in my hand, I had no place in the house or Felix's heart.

“What do you mean by last request?”

I was silent for a long time because my throat was choked. If I kept talking, my voice would sound trembling and sad. I didn't want Felix to know that I wasn't okay. Maybe he wouldn't care, but it's better to keep it that way than to ask about my situation after hearing my sad voice.

“Please sign the divorce papers that I left with the House Driver. Then, let's not contact each other and meet again,” I said finally.

There was silence for a moment. I didn't understand why Felix was silent after I had stated my wish. Either he didn't hear or was overjoyed that I had freed him from our friendship, brotherhood, and marriage. I released him from all his relationships with me.

“I don't want to,” Felix replied threateningly.

“Mr. Felix, I'm just asking for your signature.”

“I told you I don't want to!”

My steps stopped. "It's okay," I sighed.

The court has accepted my divorce lawsuit. Next is mediation and trial. And if Felix doesn't show up for those two things, it will be even easier for me to disappear from his life immediately. I'm not asking for anything from my divorce lawsuit. I want to let go.

“After I gave you everything, you want to leave?!” Felix shouted again from across. From his voice, he sounded like he had lost his temper.

“I didn't ask for it, Felix. You gave it to me.”

“Then you have to pay for everything. Don't expect to get away from me if you don't pay for it, Alice!”

My sadness grew.

The rain fell heavily, suddenly wetting the earth. The people passing by ran around looking for shade, but not with me. I let the rain wet my whole body, which was still petrified by what Felix had said. Not only could I not escape from Felix's life, but Felix also considered all his help a debt, and I knew it was not a small one.

I always refused his help; I just wanted to be with him because I felt safe. I didn't realize I depended on him for part of my life, but it was a form of security. I never wanted to rely on him or his family for my needs.

I never wanted to go to college, so I decided to work. But Felix convinced me not to think about any costs. I even quit my job after marrying him at his request.

From the speaker of my cell phone, which was still connected to Felix, I heard his lighthearted laughter.

“Give up, Alice, then come back here,” he said confidently that I would give up.

“Just tell me how much I have to pay. I'll pay it.” I doubt I can repay all my debts, but it's better than returning to him.

Felix's sigh was clear. He was probably calculating all my debts. I still have savings, although not much, and I can start working again. I don't know how long I will pay everything back, but I will try as hard as possible.

“It might be more than a million dollars, Alice. You won't have that kind of money in a week.” Felix mentioned the total.

“One week?”

“Yes. If you don't pay it within a week, I'm unsure what I can do either.”

No way. Even applying for a loan from the bank wouldn't be that quick. Yes, if the loan I applied for was accepted. The amount is too big for me, and I currently have nothing to offer as collateral.

“Give it a little longer, please,” I begged despairingly.

“You're the one who wants to leave me in a hurry, Alice.”

“But how could I earn that much in a week?”

“If you know that, why are you threatening me? Come back, and I won't bring up all my help. Oh, if you want to earn money quickly, you can become a paid prostitute for those rich men out there.”

The phone disconnected.

I dropped the cell phone, feeling so hurt by Felix's last sentence, which advised me to become a prostitute. I know myself, and I am not that low. I also never knew that Felix looked down on me so much that he didn't hesitate to say it.

My eyes were glazed as I stared at the street that was starting to empty of vehicles. The rain was still pouring down heavily, and my tears fell, covered by the rainwater that wet my face. But it wasn't sobs that came out of my mouth, but laughter so loud. My voice fought with the sound of rain splashing on the earth. My tears fell, but I laughed while beating my chest.

It felt like my whole life was falling apart; every part melted away.

I sat down and looked deep into the ground. How unfortunate I am. The person I love the most, the only person I rely on and give my whole life for him, hurts me deeply.

I took the small cutter I always carried everywhere in my bag, putting the sharpest part on my wrist. I lost my common sense. All I wanted was to get away from this cruel world, from the people who hurt me. I was desperate about everything, and my mind was stuck.

“Mr. Felix declared war. Why did you give up before attacking?”

Suddenly, someone snatched the cutter from my hand. And when I looked up to see who it was, it turned out to be a man in a very neat suit, holding a black umbrella and staring at me mockingly.

His face was familiar, but I didn't know who he was yet.

“Who are you?” I asked, wiping away my tears.

The man crouched to match my height as I sat on the ground. “Don't you remember me? I'm Philip John Charlos. The man that Mr. Felix Richard put in prison five years ago.” He introduced himself.

Ah, yes, I remember! This man before me is one of Felix's most hated business enemies. He was in prison because Felix reported him on charges of illegal arms smuggling. But three years later, I heard from the newspapers that Philip had escaped from his cell without a trace.

“I've heard about you being dumped by Mr. Felix.” Philip returned the cutter he took from me.

“Don't interfere!” I said bitterly.

“You had a miscarriage, lost your uterus, and Mr. Felix went back to his exgirlfriend. I know everything.”

I was surprised by that. “Yes, he's a famous company owner. The news must have spread quickly.” I tried to look uninterested in him.

I decided to get up and leave. Not only did I not want to deal with Felix's friends, but I also didn't want to deal with Felix's enemies. Everything about Felix had nothing to do with me.

“You're so stupid to want to die on top of Mr. Felix's happiness.” Philip was still shouting at me as I walked away from him.

“When you could have taken revenge first, at least what happens to you and your death later wouldn't have been in vain, Alice.” He didn't give up and started to follow me.

“Revenge also has a cost. I don't have anything,” I replied.

“I'll help you.”

My steps stopped at the offer from Philip. I turned around and faced him directly. His slightly greenish eyes radiated a light of enthusiasm and seriousness about his words. Hey, is he proposing to be my friend? But I can't just trust a stranger.

“Why do you want to help me?” I asked, still suspicious.

“Mr. Felix threw me into the hell of prison. I will make him feel hell, too. And you, you are the person Mr. Felix hurt the most. Don't you want him to feel as much pain as you do?” he explained bluntly.

All his words were true. I'm stuck, and I could die at any moment. But it would be pointless to let Felix be happy while I suffered alone.

“I agree.” I reached out to shake his hand.

Yes, I will make hell for the two people who destroyed my life. Of course, I will pay off all my debts no matter what. It's not worth risking my life for Felix all this time. Even though Felix always helped me because he had wealth, it doesn't mean I didn't reply to help him.

But it's all a debt. If I had to pay for his help, Felix would have to pay for what he did to me.

This has just begun. Slowly but surely, I will lead Felix to the hell of the world!