Until Betrayal Do Us Part

Divorce Papers

*SEVEN MONTHS LATER.*

Two hundred and twelve days.

That was how long it had been since Tessa’s disappearance and Evelyn’s forced marriage to Caleb.

For two hundred and twelve days, Mrs. Hayes had not known peace.

She sat on the plush living room couch, flipping through yet another newspaper, her manicured fingers trembling as they turned the pages. It had become an obsession—every morning, every evening, she scanned the news, hoping for any clue about Tessa’s whereabouts.

The stress had taken a toll on her health, raising her blood pressure, but she didn’t care. She couldn’t afford to give up. Not when her daughter was still missing.

Then, her phone rang.

She glanced at the screen. The world around her seemed to freeze.

TESSA.

With shaking hands, she answered the call. “Tessa?!” Her voice wavered with a mix of relief and panic. “Where are you? What have you been doing all this time? Are you trying to kill me with worry?!”

“Mom…” Tessa’s voice came through, raw and broken. “I want to come home.”

Mrs. Hayes gasped, her throat tightening with emotion. “Oh, my child… What happened? Where are you?”

Tessa’s sobs grew louder. “Asher… He’s a liar and an abuser! I don’t want to stay with him anymore!”

Mrs. Hayes frowned. “Who’s Asher?”

“The man I ran away with,” Tessa admitted bitterly. “The father of my child… or at least, he was.”

Silence.

Mrs. Hayes sat up straighter, her heart pounding. “Explain everything, Tessa. Don’t leave anything out.”

Taking a deep breath, Tessa began, “After I left, I stayed with Asher, waiting for him to get his father’s inheritance. But it never happened. There was no money, no Hawaii—nothing. His father, knowing his reckless behavior, left everything to charity.”

Mrs. Hayes clenched her jaw. “Then why didn’t you come home?”

“I was ashamed, Mom. I knew I had made a terrible mistake. I couldn’t face you or Dad after everything I’d done. And then… Asher changed.” Tessa’s voice wavered.

Mrs. Hayes felt a chill crawl up her spine. “Changed how?”

“At first, it was just words,” Tessa whispered. “He blamed me for ruining his life. He’d call me worthless, a burden. Then, the insults turned into something worse. He started hitting me, Mom.”

Mrs. Hayes shot up from the couch. “He hit you?!” Her voice trembled with rage.

“Yes.” Tessa’s sobs grew louder. “Every time he was drunk or frustrated, he took it out on me. He… he hurt me so badly that I lost the baby.”

Mrs. Hayes felt as though the air had been sucked from her lungs. She clutched her chest, struggling to process the words.

“My body is covered in bruises, Mom. But worse than that, my heart is full of regret. I'm at my limit, Mom.”

Mrs. Hayes swallowed hard. “Tessa, listen to me. Come home. I will fix everything.”

“Mom, is that even possible? I ruined my own life. I left a good man for a monster. I lost everything. I wish I could turn back time, then I wouldn't have made such a mistake.”

Mrs. Hayes’ eyes gleamed with a dangerous glint. “No, my dear. You are coming back. And you will get everything back—your life, your dignity, and your husband.”

Tessa hesitated. “Mom… what are you saying?”

Mrs. Hayes let out a calculating smile. “Just trust me, child. Do exactly as I say.”

As she laid out her plan, Tessa listened, and by the time Mrs. Hayes was done, her daughter let out a wicked laugh.

“Mom, you’re a genius! The best mother ever!”

“Of course,” Mrs. Hayes said smugly. “Now hurry up and do what I told you.”

She ended the call, a triumphant smile spreading across her lips. Without wasting another second, she rushed upstairs to tell her husband the wonderful news.

—---------

*CALEB'S MANSION*

While Tessa had suffered at the hands of Asher, Evelyn had endured her own silent torment.

For seven months, she had lived in Caleb’s house—not as a wife, but as a shadow. A slave.

She cooked his meals, cleaned his mansion, and performed her wifely duties, only to be met with cold glares, harsh words, and cruel indifference.

And yet, she still tried.

This morning, like every other, she prepared his coffee just the way he liked it—piping hot. She placed the cup on a tray and carried it to his room.

She knocked. No answer.

The door was unlocked, so she pushed it open and stepped inside.

For the first time, Evelyn entered Caleb’s private space.

His bedroom was breathtaking. A king-sized bed with silk sheets, an elegant walk-in closet, a state-of-the-art home theater system, and a lavish white-marble bathroom. The luxury was overwhelming, but Evelyn didn’t allow herself to get distracted.

She walked over to the bed where Caleb lay sleeping. Setting the tray down, she sat carefully at the edge of the mattress.

For a moment, she simply… looked at him.

His sharp jawline, full eyebrows, perfectly sculpted lips—he was handsome. Even in sleep, he looked strong and powerful.

Somewhere along the way, Evelyn had developed feelings for him.

She had hoped—foolishly, desperately—that maybe, just maybe, if she kept trying, he would see her. That he would notice her efforts. That one day, he might care.

But then, he muttered a name in his sleep.

“Tessa…”

Evelyn stiffened.

“Tessa,” Caleb whispered again, his voice laced with longing.

The name cut through her like a knife. Seven months, and he had never once called her name with such tenderness.

She swallowed the lump in her throat and reached out, shaking his arm gently.

Caleb’s eyes fluttered open, groggy and confused. He blinked at her.

“Good morning. I brought your coffee,” she said softly, picking up the tray. “It’s still hot.”

For a brief second, he just stared at her.

Then, his expression twisted into rage.

In an instant, he grabbed the tray and flung it.

The cup shattered, and scorching liquid splashed onto Evelyn’s hands.

“Ahhh.” She cried out in pain, cradling her burned skin.

Caleb sat up, his face a storm of fury. “What the hell do you think you’re doing in my room?!”

“I—I just thought—”

“I've told you time and time again that you are not my wife!” he roared. “You will never be my wife! Only Tessa belongs here! Only she can bring me coffee. Not you!”

Evelyn flinched, his words hitting harder than the burn on her hands.

Caleb’s voice grew colder. “Stop trying to take her place. You are nothing more than a substitute. That’s all you will ever be.”

Evelyn bit her lip to keep from sobbing. She knelt at a corner of the room nursing her burnt hand and bruised self-esteem while her tears rolled down continuously.

But Caleb was far from done. “Clean up this mess, just like you've always done. You are more suited to being a maid than a wife so stop acting like one!”

Evelyn began to gather the broken pieces of the cup, cutting her fingers in the process, but Caleb didn’t care.

And then, His phone rang.

He answered, and the next words that came from his mouth shattered her completely.

“Tessa? Tessa! Where have you been? Are you okay?”

Evelyn froze.

Her face turned pale from shock.

“No, I'm not okay, Caleb. I don’t know where I am,” Tessa’s voice trembled through the speaker. “I think I’m lost.”

Caleb shot to his feet. “What happened, Tessa? Tell me everything.”

“They kidn*pped me on our wedding day, Caleb… They brought me to an unknown place and hurt me every day… I have bruises all over…”

Evelyn clenched her fists.

Caleb’s voice shook with fury. “How dare they! I swear, I’ll make them pay!”

“Caleb, I can’t talk for long,” Tessa’s voice trembled through the phone. “I managed to escape, but I have no idea where I am. They could be looking for me. Caleb, I’m scared.”

His grip on the phone tightened. “Don’t worry, Tessa. Just send me your location. I’ll send the chopper, or do you need an ambulance? I can send paramedics, the police—hell, the entire military if you want. Just tell me what you need, and I’ll make it happen.”

“I only need you, Caleb,” she whispered. “I don’t want anyone else. I miss you… Please, come get me.”

“I’m on my way,” he promised without hesitation.

“I’ll be waiting. Please, be fast.” Tessa murmured before the line went dead.

Caleb didn’t waste a second. He didn’t change out of his pajamas or even stop to grab a coat. With only his phone and car keys in hand, he rushed out the door, already dialing the police commissioner as he left.

Evelyn, still kneeling on the floor, picked up the shattered glass and cleaned up the spilled coffee in silence.

But as she worked, hot tears slid down her cheeks.

Seven months. Seven months of enduring his hatred. Seven months of trying, hoping, praying that he would see her—just see her. But one phone call from Tessa had been enough to erase her existence entirely.

No hesitation. No second thought.

Just Tessa.

A sudden knock on the door startled her. Quickly, she wiped her face and rushed to answer, half-expecting Caleb to have forgotten something.

But when she swung open the door, her breath caught in her throat.

It wasn’t Caleb.

It was Mrs. Hayes.

Her Stepmother. Tessa's mother.

Mrs. Hayes stood in the doorway, exuding wealth and power, her designer outfit pristine from head to toe. She carried herself with the confidence of a woman who always got what she wanted.

Without waiting for an invitation, she stepped inside, her gaze sweeping across Caleb’s extravagant living room.

The 64-inch plasma television. The state-of-the-art home theater system. The handcrafted mahogany center table. The Persian rug. The leather sofas. The stunning marble fireplace. The rare 19th century painting.

Everything screamed luxury.

Mrs. Hayes’ jaw tightened. This was what her daughter should be enjoying. Not this worthless, motherless girl.

Evelyn swallowed hard. “Good morning… Mother.”

Mrs. Hayes turned sharply, her expression twisting in disgust. “How many times must I tell you? Do not call me that.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am. It won’t happen again,” Evelyn murmured, lowering her head.

“Whatever,” Mrs. Hayes snapped, then reached into her designer bag, pulling out a document and a pen. With a flick of her wrist, she tossed them onto the center table.

“Sign it,” she ordered. “And get out.”

Evelyn hesitated, picking up the papers with trembling fingers. She skimmed the document, her stomach twisted into knots.

Divorce papers.

She looked up in confusion. “Who are these for?”

Mrs. Hayes scoffed. “Are you dumb? Sign the papers, Evelyn. Tessa, Caleb’s real wife, is coming back. I don’t want any complications. So do as you’re told and leave quietly.”

Evelyn’s hands clenched around the papers. “You forced me into this marriage,” she whispered. “And now that Tessa’s back, you’re just… throwing me away? Like garbage?”

Mrs. Hayes smirked. “What did you expect?”

A lump formed in Evelyn's throat.

“You were nothing more than a replacement,” Mrs. Hayes continued, her voice laced with condescension. “Did you actually believe Caleb would ever love you? That you could keep what never belonged to you?

“I bet you prayed every night for Tessa not to return,” she sneered. “Dreamed of keeping Caleb all to yourself. But your little fantasy is over. Tessa is back. And now, the imitation must step aside for the original.”

Evelyn stared at her stepmother, her chest tightening with anger, humiliation, and an unbearable sense of loss.

This was the same woman who had forced her into this marriage, claiming it was the only way to save their family’s reputation. And now, just as easily, she was tossing her aside, as if the past seven months had meant nothing.

Evelyn’s voice wavered. “Does my father know about this?”

Mrs. Hayes let out a dry chuckle. “Your father?” She folded her arms. “Even if he did, he wouldn’t stop me. He knows the truth—Tessa is Caleb’s rightful wife. And you? You’re just a placeholder.”

Evelyn’s vision blurred.

And then, reality crashed over her like a tidal wave.

She had been fooling herself all along.

She had spent months trying to hold on to something that was never real. Fighting for a place in a life that was never meant for her.

There was nothing left for her here.

It was time to let go.

With a deep breath, she picked up the pen and, without another word, signed her name at the bottom of the page.

Evelyn Hayes.

It was done.

She was free.

Mrs. Hayes snatched the papers from the table, scanning them with satisfaction. “Good girl. You finally did something right.”

She slipped the papers back into her bag and smirked. “As compensation for being Tessa’s stand-in, I’ve transferred three million dollars into your account. Take the next flight out of the country, and use it to build a life for yourself—far away from Tessa and Caleb.”

With that, she turned on her heel, laughing as she walked out the door.

The moment she left, Evelyn collapsed onto the floor.

The weight of everything crashed down on her—the pain, the rejection, the utter loneliness.

From the moment she lost her mother, her life had been nothing but misery. A father who never defended her. A stepmother who despised her. A stepsister who never saw her as family. A husband who treated her like she was invisible.

And now, she had lost even the fragile illusion of belonging. She was now a divorcee at the age of 22.

Sobs wrecked her body.

Evelyn had no choice but to leave.

She will walk away.

She will start over.

She will find someone who'll love her the way Caleb loves Tessa.

She will become successful.

And she will stay far, far away from these people.

Or so she thought...