Chapter 2 a finality that echoed in her chest

Mariana didn't look back as she walked out of the penthouse. The door clicked shut behind her, a finality that echoed in her chest. She could almost feel the weight of the life she had built with Felix slip from her shoulders. The past few years, all the moments of joy, the laughter, the love they had once shared-it was gone now, replaced with the cold, biting truth.

But even as the finality of the divorce settled in, a strange sense of liberation washed over her. She had finally taken control. Felix thought he had played her like a fool, but in truth, it was he who had been the puppet all along.

The elevator ride down to the garage was quiet, the soft hum of the cables the only sound filling the space. Mariana stood still, her hand gripping the edge of the railing as her mind raced through the events that had led to this moment. She hadn't expected it to be easy. She knew the consequences of confronting Felix, of exposing his betrayal. But there was no turning back now. This was a war, and she was no longer fighting with the naïve heart she once had.

Felix's face, pale with shock and confusion, flashed in her mind. His pathetic attempt to manipulate her emotions, to twist the truth and make her feel guilty-it had almost worked once. But not anymore. The years she had spent being a dutiful wife, the sacrifices she had made, the compromises she had endured, all of it had come to an end. Felix had crossed the line, and there was no going back.

As the elevator doors opened with a soft ding, Mariana stepped out into the dimly lit garage. She had already arranged for her driver to meet her. The sleek black car was waiting at the far end, its engine humming softly in the distance. She could almost feel the weight of her decision, the pull of the unknown that awaited her.

Her hand lingered on the cold metal of the car door as she paused for a moment. She didn't need to see Felix's face again. She didn't need to hear his empty apologies or his hollow promises. What she needed now was to take the first step toward reclaiming her life.

As the car sped through the streets, Mariana's mind wandered to the life she had once dreamed of. She had been young, naive, and full of hope when she first met Felix. He had been the charming, successful businessman who had swept her off her feet, promising her the world. She had believed in him, in them, in the idea of their future. But now, looking back, she could see the cracks in the facade, the lies hidden beneath the surface.

The first few years of their marriage had been filled with passion, excitement, and a sense of adventure. But somewhere along the way, Felix had changed. He had become distant, cold, and consumed by his own ambitions. The late nights, the unaccounted hours, the business trips that suddenly extended into weekends-Mariana had ignored the warning signs, convinced herself it was all a part of the life they had built together. She had told herself that love would fix it, that their bond was strong enough to withstand anything.

But love had never been enough. Not when it was built on lies, not when the person you trusted the most was the one who tore you apart.

Her phone buzzed in her bag, snapping her out of her thoughts. She pulled it out, her heart skipping a beat when she saw the name on the screen. It was Victor, her older brother, the only family she had left. He had always been protective of her, even when she didn't need it.

She hesitated for a moment before answering. "Victor."

"Mariana," his voice was calm but laced with concern. "I just got off the phone with Mom. She's worried about you."

Mariana's heart clenched. Her mother had always been distant, too consumed by her own life and ambitions to truly understand what Mariana needed. She loved her, of course, but it was always clear that her mother was more focused on appearances and social status than on the well-being of her children. Still, the concern in Victor's voice was enough to make her pause.

"I'm fine," Mariana said, trying to sound convincing. "I just needed some space."

Victor was silent for a moment, and she could almost feel him weighing her words. "Mariana, you don't have to do this alone. If you need to talk, I'm here. You've always been there for me, and now I'm here for you."

The sincerity in his voice caught her off guard. She had never asked for anyone's help, not when she was younger and certainly not now. She had always prided herself on her independence, on her ability to handle everything on her own. But right now, the weight of it all felt heavier than she had anticipated.

"I know," she whispered. "I just... I don't know what to do, Victor. Everything's falling apart."

"You don't have to fix everything at once. Take it one step at a time. We'll figure this out, okay?"

Mariana closed her eyes, letting the words sink in. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt the faintest glimmer of hope. Maybe she wasn't as alone as she had thought.

"I'll be okay," she said softly, trying to reassure him. "I'm just... I'm still processing everything."

"Take your time," Victor replied. "Just don't shut everyone out, alright?"

She nodded, even though he couldn't see her. "I won't."

The conversation ended, and Mariana placed her phone back in her bag. She leaned back in her seat, staring out of the window as the city lights blurred by. For the first time in months, she felt like she could breathe again. The worst was behind her now. Felix had no idea what he had done. He thought this was just a minor setback, a bump in the road. But for Mariana, this was the beginning of something new.

The car pulled into the driveway of her family's estate, the large gates opening with a soft creak. As she stepped out of the car, her eyes scanned the familiar surroundings-tall, imposing gates, manicured lawns, and the sprawling mansion that had once been her sanctuary. She had spent so many years here, so many memories, both good and bad, stored within these walls.

But tonight, it felt different. It was no longer a place of comfort. It was a reminder of everything she had lost, everything that had been taken from her. She wasn't the same woman who had walked through these gates years ago. No, now she was someone else. Someone stronger. Someone who knew her worth.

As she walked up the steps and entered the house, she made a promise to herself. She would rebuild her life. She would reclaim everything that had been stolen from her. And Felix-Felix would learn that there was more to her than he could ever understand.

The storm was far from over. In fact, it was only just beginning.