Chapter 2: The Sad Farewell.

With her arms folded over her chest as if to keep herself together, Sophia sat rigidly on the edge of the living room sofa. The dense, suffocating quiet hung between them. On the other side of her, Jacob was pacing uneasily beside the window, combing through his hair for the hundredth time.

At last, he whispered in a low, begging voice, "Say something."

Still red after a restless night, Sophia's hazel eyes stared at him with a coldness he had never experienced before. "I have nothing more to say."

Although she spoke steadily, she was racked with pain, rage, and something perilously near hate.

Jacob's emerald eyes widened in desperation as he stopped pacing and faced her. "I made a mistake, Sophia—"

Her voice rising, she said, "Stop calling it that." Jacob, that wasn't an error. Making mistakes is not a constant occurrence. How much time has passed? Weeks? Months?

She just needed his hesitation as an answer. Her chuckle sliced through the tension like a dagger, harsh and humorless. "I had that thought."

He stepped closer and whispered, "Please, Sophia." "I'd rather not lose you. I cherish you.

She felt her stomach turn at the words. She suddenly got up and moved across the room to give them more space. Her jaws were clinched as she responded, "Don't you dare say that to me." "After what you've done, you can't claim to love me."

For a brief period, Jacob's shoulders slumped, giving the impression that he was completely defeated. However, he straightened up and adopted a more assertive tone. "This is something we can resolve. We can chat to someone or go to therapy. Sophia, we're married. We vowed—

"Vows?" Sophia spun around on him, her tone full of disbelief. "You've been having affairs with my cousin, so don't even consider discussing vows with me! The instant you touched her, you betrayed those promises.

Jacob winced but kept his gaze fixed on it. "I was weak," he acknowledged. "I allowed myself to become enmeshed in something that I didn't comprehend." However, it had little significance. To me, you are everything.

She was incensed by the brazen bluster of his remarks. "Why wasn't I enough if I meant everything to you?"

She hated herself for allowing him to know how deeply he had wounded her, and her voice broke. She blinked back tears and looked aside, trying to gather herself.

Jacob took a step forward, his voice now quieter. "Don't discard this, Sophia. Together, we have experienced a great deal. Don't allow one error to destroy everything.

Her eyes were flaming as she whirled around. "Jacob, it wasn't me who wrecked everything. You did.

Her tone appeared to strike him like a physical blow since it was so definite. He started to reply, but she interrupted him.

She blurted, "I want a divorce," feeling as if it was her only option, even though the words were sour to her mouth.

Jacob paled as he froze. "No, Sophia. That's not what you mean. You're angry—

"I'm upset, of course!" she said, her poise faltering. But, Jacob, this is more than simply rage. This is treachery. I can't look at you without witnessing what you've done, and this is my realization. You and I cannot cohabitate. You are not trustworthy. And I refuse to remain in a lie-based marriage.

Her remarks appeared to hang heavily and oppressively on the room. With his hands at his sides, Jacob stepped back.

"Sophia," he whispered softly, as if pleading. "Consider what you're saying. Divorce is a complicated process. unpleasant. Are you really willing to endure that?

Her countenance hardened as she met his gaze. "Jacob, I didn't choose this. You did. You will now have to deal with the repercussions.

The ensuing hush was deafening.

---

Sophia sat at her lawyer's office two weeks later, her fingers twitching nervously in her lap. The room was crammed with shelves of thick legal volumes, and the air had a subtle scent of leather and paper. Her lawyer, Diane, a stern lady, was furrowed-browed as she leafed through a pile of papers across the desk.

Diane put the papers down and eventually stated, "This... isn't good."

Sophia felt her heart sink. "What do you mean?"

Diane leaned back in her chair and sighed. Jacob is well protected by the prenuptial agreement you signed. In essence, it guarantees that you will take with you everything you entered into the marriage in the event that it terminates.

Sophia knitted her brow in uncertainty and scowled. However, I have stood with him for years. While he was establishing his profession, I worked. Prior to the success of his company, I paid for the flat. How can he preserve everything?”

Diane looked at her pityingly. "I know it seems unfair, but you signed the contract legally. It's unassailable until we can demonstrate fraud or coercion. Jacob retains all assets acquired during the marriage, including the apartment and joint accounts.

The words were like a kick to Sophia's stomach. "So I receive... nothing?"

"Not precisely," Diane said cautiously. "Any personal assets you had before marriage are yours to retain. But you won't have much left since Jacob owns the majority of the investments and real estate.

Sophia reclined in her chair, her thoughts racing. She had devoted all of her time, love, and trust to this marriage. And now she had nothing to show for her efforts as she left.

She looked at the screen as her phone buzzed on the desk. Jacob sent a message.

"This is still fixable. You are under no obligation to follow through.

His nerves.

Her jaw tensed as she turned back to Diane and erased the message without replying. "When are we able to file?"

Diane paused. Are you certain you don't want to change your mind, Sophia? We can't go back after we file.

Despite her internal anguish, Sophia's voice remained firm as she agreed. "Never in my life have I been more certain of anything."

---

Sophia went back to the penthouse one final time that night to collect her belongings. The warmth and affection she had previously connected to the location were now tarnished by treachery, and it seemed empty and frigid.

When she entered, Jacob was waiting for her, his face tight. As she started packing a bag, he replied, "You don't have to do this."

Ignoring him, she concentrated on folding her clothing.

"Please, Sophia," he urged, taking a step forward. "Please, I ask you. Stay put.

She stopped, her hands on the suitcase's edge. She turned to him slowly, a silent power shining in her eyes.

"Jacob, I left already. You lost me the instant you decided on her instead of me.

He started to protest, but she stopped him with a hand gesture. "Remember to breathe." I've already decided.

She went to the door after zipping the bag and removing it from the bed. Jacob's voice was shaking as he said again as she went for the handle.

"You're going to regret this."

Sophia tightened her hold on the handle as she froze. She looked back at him intently. "No, Jacob. You are the only one who will regret this.

She then left, the door shutting behind her with a sense of finality that reverberated throughout the deserted flat.

She was crying, and she could hardly see the city lights outside. Her thoughts were racing as she gripped the handle of the bag.

When her phone buzzed once again, she took it out in anticipation of receiving another message from Jacob. However, it was a number she was unfamiliar with this time.

It was a short message, but it made her shiver.

"I can assist you. Give me a call. – A.K.

Sophia's heart was racing as she gazed at the television. Who was this? What were they looking

for?

Even though she still felt the sting of saying goodbye, a new mystery had entered her collapsing existence