Chapter 3 A Broken Heart in the Rain

Tears streaked down Mia's face as the horrifying scene replayed in her mind like a broken record. Ethan, her husband of five years, had discarded her like she was nothing. Her chest heaved as sobs racked her body, each one ripping through her like a sharp blade. She sat frozen in the center of the living room, surrounded by the remnants of the life she thought she had-a life that had turned out to be a cruel illusion.

The event planners shifted uncomfortably, their eyes darting between one another. One man, the lead organizer, hesitated before speaking, his voice soft but nervous. "Ma'am, should we continue with the decorations, or-"

"Are you daft?" his colleague hissed, smacking his arm. "Can't you read the room? Let's pack up and get out of here."

Before they could move, the door creaked open, and Jenna sauntered back into the room. Her heels clicked against the hardwood floor, the sound sharp and deliberate, like the ticking of a clock counting down Mia's demise.

"There's no need to pack up," Jenna announced, her voice dripping with arrogance.

Mia remained rooted in place, her vision blurry from the tears clouding her eyes. She didn't even flinch at Jenna's audacity.

Jenna smirked, tilting her head slightly. "My husbanf said to turn this into a romantic dinner instead of a wedding anniversary. You know, something... intimate."

Hearing Jenna refer to Ethan as "My husband" snapped something inside Mia. Rage bubbled up, boiling over in an instant. She stumbled to her feet, her voice raw with fury. "He's not your husband!" she shouted, her hands shaking as she made a desperate lunge toward Jenna.

Jenna stepped back, unfazed. "Oh, really?" she said mockingly. With a flourish, she raised her hand, flashing a glittering 12-carat gold band on her finger as she moved aside the invisible strand of hair. The diamond sparkled cruelly under the chandelier's light. "This says otherwise. Face it, Mia-you're not Mrs. Ethan Stone anymore. I am."

Mia's breathing became erratic. Her chest heaved violently as waves of emotion crashed over her. Anger, despair, humiliation-it was too much. Her knees buckled, and she stumbled back, clutching her chest.

Jenna's smirk widened. "What's the matter, Mia? Feeling a little lightheaded?"

Suddenly, Jenna grabbed Mia's hand and then let out a dramatic cry before she collapsed to the floor, clutching her stomach. "Ahh! My baby!" she wailed.

The staffs witnessed the scene with slack jaws.

Ethan's voice boomed from upstairs. "Jenna?"

Within seconds, he was bounding down the staircase, his face etched with worry. He rushed to Jenna's side, ignoring Mia entirely.

"What happened?" he demanded, cradling Jenna in his arms. "Are you alright?"

Jenna whimpered, pointing a trembling finger at Mia. "I just wanted to sympathise with her but- but s- she... she tried to attack me. I think she wanted to hurt our baby."

Ethan's gaze snapped to Mia, his eyes blazing with fury. "What the hell is wrong with you?" he bellowed.

Mia shook her head frantically, falling to her knees. "No, Ethan, I didn't-" she stammered. "You can ask them," she pointed at the staffs who looked away.

"Save it," Ethan cut her off coldly. "You're pathetic. I gave you everything, and this is how you repay me? By trying to harm my wife and child?"

"Your wife?" Mia choked out, tears streaming down her face. "She's not your wife! I am!"

"Not anymore," Ethan said, his tone devoid of any emotion. He shoved a hand into his pocket, pulled out a pen, and pointed it at her like a weapon. "Sign the papers, Mia, or you'll regret it."

Mia froze, her mind racing. "What... what do you mean?"

Ethan's face darkened. "If you don't sign, you'll be signing your mother's death certificate instead. I'll cut her off. No surgery, no treatment. It's your choice."

The mention of her mother hit Mia like a freight train. Her mother, the one who had warned her against this marriage. Her mother, who was clinging to life in a hospital bed.

Mia collapsed fully, her forehead touching the floor. "Ethan, please," she sobbed. "I have nowhere else to go. I gave up everything for you."

Ethan sneered. "Not my problem. You've overstayed your welcome." He turned to the housekeeper. "Call the driver. Get her out of my house."

The housekeeper hesitated, glancing at Mia's crumpled form. "Sir, it's storming outside. Perhaps we could wait until tomorrow-"

Ethan's glare silenced him. "Who's paying you?"

The housekeeper lowered his head. "I'll call the driver."

Within minutes, two burly men arrived, grabbing Mia by the arms and dragging her toward the door. She kicked and screamed, her cries echoing through the grand hallway.

"Ethan, please! Don't do this!" she begged, her voice breaking.

Ethan didn't even spare her a glance. He carried Jenna up the staircase, his voice low and soothing as he whispered to her.

The men shoved Mia into the back seat of a black car like she was nothing more than garbage. The car sped off into the storm, the rain pelting against the windows like shards of glass.

When the car came to a screeching halt on a deserted road, one of the men opened the door and yanked her out. She stumbled, falling to the muddy ground.

"Get lost," the man growled before slamming the door.

Mia stood there, drenched and shivering as the car's taillights disappeared into the night. Her fear of the dark clawed at her, threatening to pull her under. Hugging herself tightly, she forced her trembling legs to move.

Each step was a battle as she trudged through the storm, her mind a chaotic mess of memories and pain. Ethan's betrayal, her mother's desperation, Jenna's smug smile-it all swirled together, suffocating her.

After what felt like hours, a luminous hotel sign came into view. Her legs wobbled, her vision blurred, and her breaths came in shallow gasps. She took one step, then another, before her body gave out.

The last thing she saw before darkness consumed her was the warm glow of the hotel lights, a beacon of hope in her stormy nightmare.