He Chose Her, I Chose Freedom

ir

he name felt ironic now. I was the one being called away, not the one doing the calling. The sun was barely kissi

the life I was about to dismantle. Keaton believed I was simpl

ke. The Clayton family was steeped in tradition, and a visit to our ancestral church before a major

cense hung heavy in the air, a stark contrast to the sterile, calculated world I inhabited.

, his voice soft, "I was s

wed to circulate, painting me as the barren, career-ob

my hands together, a picture of quie

ck. "God works in mysterious ways, my dear. Someti

tter laugh. New life wa

the while thinking of the next chess move. He didn' t realize he was merely a prop in my meticulously planned charade. My phone, discreetly vibrating

e lay a delicate diamond necklace, a wedding gift from Keaton. It symbolized everything I was leaving behind. With a steady hand, I opened the window overlooking the

mured that morning, seeing me off. "Mrs. Murph

ost marriage. She didn't know

nal, too heartbroken to fight back. He underestimated the cold, strategic mind tha

everywhere. I knew the exact address of the Hamptons estate, the security codes, the staff roster. I knew Kaylene's favorite brand of herbal tea

ad before me. My finger traced the winding path to the seclu

alm and steady. "We' re flying to the Hamptons. And make sure the lo

his personal assistant, a curt demand for a meeting. Not a request, a demand. He would come. H

e scent of fresh ocean air mixing with the faint aroma of Kaylene' s lavender ess

lat. "What are you doing here

ed an eyebrow, a sardonic smil

g around the room as if searching fo

"You think you can hide your pregnant mistress in my

snapped, his eyes flashing

nd wife? Your broodmare?" I challenged,

a dangerous whisper. "What do you want, B

l. "You think everything can be bought, Keaton? Is that what you learn

sed to shed a single tear.

e barely above a whisper. "All those years, all those

confirmed everything. Every doubt, every insecurity I had ever pushed a

ords heavy with contempt. "You

er of the room. My fingers grazed the polished keys, a silent lament

d, his voice laced with a subtle thre

ret wasting even a single moment with you. And as for pushing you awa

eaving him standing alone in the opulent room, a