CHAPTER 4
1218 Words
Vanessa's POV
Dr. Cortez stopped his car in front of the house that once felt like home. I sobbed as I stared at it through the window.
He soon came around and opened the door. “We're here, right?” His hand reached out to help me, and for a moment I thought about refusing… but my legs weren't as strong as they used to be. So I let him help me down, my crutches clicking against the floor.
He guided me to the doorstep and stopped.
“I'll wait here,” he said with a low voice. “I won't go in unless you need me.”
I nodded, though I didn't look at him. My heart was too loud, my thoughts were too crowded. And the door in front of me used to open even before I knocked… when I was the lady of this house… but now I stood there like a guest, unsure whether to knock or just walk in.
It didn't feel like home anymore. But I entered anyway. Two maids stood near the living room, whispering something before they noticed me. Their eyes widened in shock… one even dropped the towel she was holding.
“Mrs… I mean… Mrs Vanessa?” one of them stammered.
I didn't reply. I just kept moving, my eyes scanning the space. The curtains were new. The furniture has been changed. There were framed pictures on the wall… Braxton and Nancy smiling in each other's arms. I swallowed my own saliva.
It hadn't even been that long. So, how fast could someone replace a whole life?
The maids exchanged uneasy glances and hurried away. But I stood there, feeling lost, until I heard the sound of heels behind me. I don't need to turn to know who it was.
Nancy's voice came through. “Well, look who decided to visit.”
I turned my head slowly. She stood at the end of the door, dressed in a mini skirt and a single, her lips curved in that mocking smile. She walked closer, her perfume reaching me before she moved closer.
“Vanessa,” she said in a way that infuriated me. “I was so worried about you. I wanted to come to the hospital, but I've been so busy with preparations lately.”
I didn't answer. I just couldn't.
Her gaze dropped to my crutches and the smirk she tried to hide broke through but not too evident. “You poor thing,” she said softly, pretending to pout. “I hope you're managing well. It must be… difficult.”
I clenched my jaw, gripping the crutches firmly. “Where's Braxton?” I questioned.
She raised her brows, pretending to be surprised. “Oh? You came all the way here for him?”
I didn't move. “I came for my husband.”
I guessed the word ‘husband’ I mentioned caught her off guard. I could see the amusement cross her eyes. She turned slightly and called Braxton toward the stairs, telling him he had a visitor.
In no time, I heard footsteps and my heart started racing. Then I saw him.
Braxton descended the stairs one step at a time. His eyes met mine halfway down. He stopped at the last step, his hands tucked in his pockets.
“Vanessa,” he said with a low voice.
I swallowed hard. “I had to see you.”
“You shouldn't have come. You're supposed to be resting.” He nodded once. “I planned to come check on you but I've been busy… and your legs… I'm sorry you had to go through it.”
I took a shaky breath. “I needed to know if it's true.”
He didn't speak. And he didn't need to. He already knew what I was talking about and his silence was more than enough to serve as an answer.
Nancy stood behind him, her arms folded, pretending to look concerned. “She's still recovering, Braxton. Maybe you should take her to the guest room to rest before she leaves.”
The way she said those words made my blood boil.
“Don't tell him what to do… and I'm not leaving,” I said, turning to her. “This is still my house.”
She laughed softly. “Oh, dear, I don't think that's true anymore.”
I looked back at Braxton, hoping… just hoping he would stop her and defend me. But he didn't. He just stood there, his eyes avoiding mine.
“Braxton,” I said, my voice breaking. “Tell me this isn't what it looks like. Tell me you're not marrying her.”
He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly. “Vanessa, you've been through a lot. You're not in the right state of mind right now…”
“Answer me!” I shouted.
The sound startled even me.
His face hardened. “Yes,” he said finally. “I am.”
It felt like someone had punched me in the chest. I blinked, hoping I'd misheard, but he didn't take it back. He just looked at me with that same cold expression that didn't belong to the man I love.
Nancy's hand brushed his arm. “Braxton, maybe she should leave now before this gets worse,” she looked him in the eyes, though I could see the satisfaction behind her words.
I felt the tears rising within my eyes, but I refused to cry in front of her, I turned back to him, though my voice trembled. “After everything I went through… after losing our child, you still chose her?”
But he kept mute and Nancy smiled again.
“Say something!” I yelled again. “Say you still love me!”
He took a step closer but stopped halfway. “Vanessa,” he sId quietly. “It's over.”
The words shattered me. Nancy's mirk grew as she slipped her hand into his. “He's moved on, Vanessa. You should too.”
“Don't,” I snapped, my eyes burning with fury. “Don't touch him.”
Nancy stepped back slightly but didn't let go of his hand. “You don't get to tell me what to do in my house.”
I laughed bitterly through the tears. “Your house? You think replacing the curtains and the furniture makes this yours? You'll never have what we had.”
She tilted her head, still smiling. “Oh, I already do.”
Before I could speak again. Braxton moved forward. “Enough,” he barked and his tone made me flinch. “You shouldn't have come here, Vanessa. Just go back to the hospital… I'll come check you.”
I shook my head, tears falling freely now. “You really don't care anymore, do you?”
He looked away and said, “I'm sorry.”
That was all. Two words that meant nothing.
I turned, leaping with one leg and started toward the door, my hands shaking as I leaned on the crutches. Nancy's voice followed me. “Take care of yourself, Vanessa. You'll need it.”
I stepped out the door and shut it behind me. But then, I fell, more like collapsed. But I knew he caught me before I could reach the ground.
- Writer
