Chapter 2 Starting Over in Seryne.

Valenticia's POV:

I sank to my knees, as I clung to Dmitri's leg. My trembling fingers tightened around his trousers. "Please, Dmitri... please don't do this." I sobbed "I love you. I've always loved you. I-I know our marriage started as an arrangement, but it doesn't have to end this way. We can make this work."

He looked down at me. "Valenticia, let go."

I shook my head. "Just give me a chance. I can make you happy. I promise. You said you'd try. You said-"

His hand wrapped around my wrist, and yanked his leg free. I tumbled forward, my palms scraping against the floor. "I said nothing of the sort." His voice was devoid of warmth. "I tried to be civil, but you've made this impossible. Leave."

"Dmitri, please-"

He moved quickly. One moment, I was pleading; the next, I was shoved out of his room. "You need to be gone by evening." He commanded. "I've given you enough time." He said, tossing a pen at me then he slammed the door shut.

I sat there, my back against the closed door. My world was crumbling, and I was powerless to stop it.

I didn't know how long I remained there, minutes or maybe seconds. But after a short while, the door creaked open, and Dmitri emerged.

I scrambled forward, clutching the hem of his trousers once more. "Don't go... please. It's our anniversary today. I wanted to make it special. I-"

His leg moved, and the force of his kick sent me sprawling. Pain shot through my ribs, as he stepped over. "I just sent you two million dollars, it should sustain you for a very long time." He began. "And I expect you gone by the time I return."

I just sat there, watching him descend the stairs, then he walked past Maria who was eager to serve his breakfast and stepped out of the house.

Tears burned my cheeks, but underneath the sorrow, I was determined to not be discarded.

I was already rejected but I would not allow him the satisfaction of throwing me out.

With trembling limbs, I signed the divorce papers. Then I left it there, right in front of his door.

Slowly, I made my way to my room to pack my things. I didn't pack much-just a suitcase, a handful of clothes, and a few important documents.

I moved through the house, packing only the essentials, ignoring the expensive gowns that he had bought for me, and the Jewelries that had once made my heart flutter.

I left the anniversary breakfast on the dining table, untouched and by afternoon, I was gone.

The bus ride to Seryne was a blur. I was lost in thoughts, throughout the whole ride. And when I stepped out, I placed a phone call to the landlady I found online.

She directed me to a small, run-down apartment on the edge of town. The walls were peeling, and the heater barely worked, but it was mine.

It was freedom.

I spent days glued to my laptop, applying for jobs, scouring listings, and sending out my résumé. Each rejection email chipped away at my confidence, but I refused to give up.

One morning, I stumbled upon an opening at Sledger Inc. The position was a simple clerk role-but it was something. I filled out the application, triple-checking every detail before hitting 'send'.

When I received the interview invitation, a surge of hope filled my chest. This could be it.

On the day of the interview, I left early, clutching my worn handbag as I rushed out of the house and hailed a bus.

The cab ride was smooth until traffic brought us to a halt. I glanced at my watch-fifteen minutes until my interview.

Panic seized me. "Can you let me off here?" I called to the driver, who barely spared me a glance.

I forced my way through the crowded aisle, paid my fare, and stepped into the busy street. My heels clacked against the pavement as I ran, dodging pedestrians.

I was nearly at Sledger Inc. when I saw them-two teenagers harassing an elderly woman.

My steps faltered. I could just keep going, pretend I didn't see it. But...

"Hey!" I shouted, my voice stronger than I felt. "What do you think you're doing?"

One of the boys, a lanky teen with a buzz cut and a sneer that curled his lips, turned to face me. "Mind your business, lady."

I squared my shoulders. "I am making it my business. Let her go."

The second boy, shorter but stockier, rolled his eyes. "Look, we don't want trouble. Just keep walking."

The elderly woman whimpered as the shorter boy tightened his grip on her purse. My gaze narrowed. "You're hurting her. Let her go now."

Buzz Cut laughed. "Or what? You gonna call the cops?"

"If I have to." My hand slipped into my bag, fingers brushing over my phone. "You think I'm bluffing?"

The shorter boy's gaze wavered, but Buzz Cut nudged him. "She's not gonna do anything."

I took a step forward. "Try me." Then I turned to the elderly woman. "Are you okay, ma'am?"

Tears welled in the woman's eyes. "They... they took my purse."

My anger spiked. "You heard her. Give it back."

The shorter boy muttered, "This is dumb, man. Let's just go."

"No." Buzz Cut held his ground, his chest puffed out. "I said, back off!"

He lunged forward, shoving me hard. I stumbled but regained my balance. "Is that all you've got?" I spat, more bravely than I felt.

"Oh, you want more?" He advanced, but his friend grabbed his arm.

"Dude, seriously. This isn't worth it."

Buzz Cut glared at Valenticia. "This isn't over." He threw the purse to the ground, the contents spilling out onto the pavement. "Let's go."

But before he ran off, he reached out and pushed the old woman. She stumbled, and time slowed as I watched her crumple to the ground.

They turned and ran away, their footsteps echoing in the alley.

My instincts took over. I rushed to her side, kneeling on the rough pavement. "Are you okay?"

Her frail hands trembled as she clutched mine. "Thank you, dear. I... I think I'm fine."

"Do you have someone you can call?" I asked, gently.

She nodded, her eyes watery. "Yes. They're on their way."

Relief washed over me. "Okay. Stay here. Help is coming." I said, helping her to a bench,

Then I brushed off my skirt and ran. My lungs burned, and my feet ached, but I couldn't afford to stop.

I turned the corner, and something hard slammed into me.

The impact stole the breath from my lungs, and

the world spun as I hit the ground.