You Broke Me First

Chapter 2

Kaycee hadn't even finished unpacking her small bag when she heard footsteps behind her.

She didn't turn around.

She already knew who it was.

Five years.

Five years had passed, yet she could still recognize Ethan Morales by the sound of his footsteps.

"You're back."

His voice was deeper than she remembered.

Kaycee folded one of her clothes and placed it neatly inside the drawer.

"Clearly."

Silence followed.

She could feel his eyes on her.

Slowly, Kaycee turned around.

For the first time in five years, she stood face-to-face with her husband.

Ethan hadn't changed much.

He was still tall, composed, and frustratingly familiar.

But Kaycee felt nothing.

That was the strangest part.

Once, just seeing him had been enough to make her heart race.

Now, she looked at him as though he were nothing more than a stranger.

Ethan seemed to notice.

His brows furrowed.

"You're different."

Kaycee smiled faintly.

"Five years tends to do that to people."

His expression hardened.

"I didn't ask for your attitude."

"And I didn't ask to spend five years in prison."

The room fell silent.

For the first time, Kaycee saw something flicker across Ethan's face.

Guilt.

It disappeared quickly.

"I didn't come here to argue."

"Neither did I."

She reached into her bag and pulled out a folded document.

Ethan stared at it.

"What is that?"

"Divorce papers."

His eyes immediately darkened.

Kaycee placed them on the table between them.

"I've already signed my part."

For several seconds, Ethan didn't move.

Then he laughed.

A short, disbelieving laugh.

"You came back from prison and the first thing you want is a divorce?"

Kaycee tilted her head.

"Is there something surprising about that?"

"You're my wife."

"Only on paper."

His jaw tightened.

Kaycee crossed her arms.

"You stopped being my husband five years ago."

Ethan stared at her.

Something about her words clearly irritated him.

Good.

"You can't just walk back into this house and demand a divorce."

Kaycee's expression remained calm.

"Watch me."

Before Ethan could respond, another voice entered the room.

"Ethan?"

Isabella.

Kaycee didn't even bother turning around.

Isabella appeared beside Ethan, her eyes immediately falling on the divorce papers.

Her lips curved slightly.

Kaycee noticed.

Of course she was happy.

Isabella had probably waited five years for this.

"What's going on?" Isabella asked innocently.

Kaycee almost laughed.

Almost.

"Nothing that concerns you."

Isabella's smile stiffened.

Ethan looked between them.

"Kaycee wants a divorce."

Isabella's eyes widened in poorly hidden satisfaction.

"Oh."

Just one word.

But Kaycee understood everything behind it.

Isabella slowly moved closer to Ethan.

Close enough for her arm to brush against his.

A deliberate move.

A test.

Five years ago, Kaycee would have reacted.

She would have felt jealous.

Hurt.

Humiliated.

Today?

She simply picked up her bag.

"Sign the papers when you're ready."

Ethan grabbed her wrist before she could walk away.

Kaycee looked down at his hand.

Then slowly looked back at him.

"Let go."

Something in her voice made him pause.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Then Ethan released her.

Kaycee rubbed her wrist absentmindedly.

"Don't touch me."

Ethan's expression darkened.

"You're still my wife."

She smiled.

"Not for long."

She walked toward the door.

But before leaving, she stopped.

Without looking back, she spoke.

"Oh, and Isabella?"

Isabella straightened.

Kaycee finally turned toward her.

"If you're trying to make me jealous, don't waste your energy."

Her eyes briefly moved toward Ethan.

Then back to Isabella.

"I already gave him up five years ago."

The silence that followed was deafening.

Kaycee smiled politely.

"Enjoy him."

Then she walked out.

Leaving Isabella speechless.

And Ethan staring at the divorce papers.

For the first time in five years, Ethan Morales felt something he hadn't expected.

Fear.

Not because Kaycee had returned.

But because she truly seemed ready to leave him behind.