Chapter 2 The Silence After Storm

The room was quiet, but my chest wasn't. I wasn't okay, I hadn't eaten since yesterday. I didn't want to. I only drank water, and even that made my stomach hurt. My head hurt. My eyes were dry, not because I didn't want to cry, but because I had already cried my eyes out.

I got up slowly and walked to the window. The city outside was busy, cars honking, people laughing, buildings glowing. But inside this tiny apartment, everything felt frozen. Alessio had made it that way. He took everything with him when he walked away from me: my name, my heart, and the small parts of myself I didn't even know I had given to him.

I should've known, Men like him don't love, they want to control. I put on a shawl and went outside; the sun was warm, but I still felt cold. There was a café down the street. Small, I needed air. I needed to breathe without thinking of him. Without hearing his voice in my head.

"You're free now, Leah."

Free.

He made it sound like a gift. Like, I should thank him for destroying me. I reached the café and sat by the window. I ordered tea I wouldn't drink. My hands trembled when I touched the cup. A man sitting nearby reminded me of Alessio, strong jaw, dark hair, dressed too expensive for a Sunday morning. I looked away quickly. It wasn't him. Of course it wasn't. But I couldn't stop myself from checking the window behind me again and again as if I was expecting him or worse, hoping he would come by. My heart raced, and I felt a mix of fear every time I looked outside. A small part of me believed he might still show up, even though I knew he would not.

When I finally got home, I stood at the front door for a second. My keys shook in my hand. I didn't know why. Maybe I was tired and weak. I pushed the door open and froze, He was there... Alessio. Leaning against the hallway wall like he had been waiting for a long time. Wearing black. Silent. Cold. I blinked, thinking it was a dream or a trick, but he stepped forward.

"I didn't give you permission to disappear," he said, voice low.

My heart jumped. My hands tightened into fists, even though I had no strength left.

"You gave me the papers," I said, trying to stay calm. "You said I was free."

He raised one brow. Then reached into his coat and pulled something out.

A ring.

My wedding ring.

"You forgot this."

I didn't reach for it. I didn't move.

"You kept it?" I asked, my voice too soft, too shaky.

He stepped closer, closing the gap between us.

"You think you can just erase me, Leah?"

I looked up at him. His eyes were colder than yesterday. Or maybe I just saw them clearly now.

"You erased yourself," I whispered. "When you walked away. When you let her into our bed."

His jaw tightened. But he didn't say no. Instead, he leaned closer.

"You're still mine," he said, keeping eye contact. "Even if you run. Even if you burn these papers. That won't change."

I could smell his cologne. I hated how familiar it felt, the memories it gave me, and how my body still reacted even when my heart was breaking.

"I don't want to be yours," I said with a shaky voice, but it didn't sound strong. It sounded broken. He stepped back slowly, putting the ring back into his pocket.

"Then prove it," he said, turning away. "Don't shake next time you see me."

And just like that, he walked down the hallway, out of sight. I stood there for a moment, frozen. Then I closed the door hard and locked it. I slid down to the floor, heart racing. My hands covered my face. Why was I still scared of a man who had already let me go? Why did a part of me still want to believe he came back for love, not control?

I closed my eyes. I wanted to heal. I wanted to forget. I wanted peace. Alessio didn't just walk out of my life. He left pieces of himself behind. In my bed. In my breath. In the mirror, I couldn't look at myself anymore. I tried to breathe. One deep inhale. One broken exhale. That's when the buzz came.

My phone lit up on the floor beside me, screen glowing in the dim room. Unknown Number. He's not the only one watching you now. My stomach dropped.

I looked at the message, reading it repeatedly. My hands trembled as I touched the phone, heart racing. I didn't recognize the number. No name. Just those words. I suddenly felt cold. I looked at the door, still locked. I checked the windows, still closed, I was alone... right?

My breath came out in short, panicked bursts. My fingers hovered over the screen, unsure whether to reply, delete, or throw the phone across the room. then, another message came in. You looked sad at the café. But still beautiful. I dropped the phone. The café? I hadn't told anyone where I went today. I hadn't spoken to anyone. I hadn't even looked at anyone long enough for them to remember me. Except-

My mind raced back to the man in the corner. Strong jaw. Expensive suit. Quiet eyes.I thought he reminded me of Alessio. But what if... he wasn't just some stranger? What if he followed me? Was it him? Was it Alessio? Or was this someone else entirely? Questions raised in my head.

My hands shook harder now, this wasn't healing. It was hell in disguise. I grabbed the phone again and typed fast: Who is this? No answer. Minutes passed, still nothing. I stood up, my knees weak beneath me. My whole body felt numb and Cold. I walked to the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face.

I stared at my reflection. Hollow eyes, pale skin, hair so frizzy. Who was I now? A woman divorced by a man who still acted like he owned her. A woman watched by someone she doesn't know. A woman trying to move on when everything kept pulling her back. I dried my face and returned to the living room.

My phone buzzed again. This time, it was a photo, I didn't want to look. But I had to. It was a picture of me sitting in the café. Head down. Holding the untouched tea. This picture was taken from inside the café, from the same room, I felt a slight tingling sensation on my skin. I was being watched... up close.

I backed away, looking at my phone, heart beating fast, another message followed. You always choose the wrong man, Leah. This time, don't. And below it... one final line. Tell Alessio he's not the only one who wants you back.