Chapter 5 LENA

CHAPTER FIVE:

Lena's Pov.

One month.

That's how long it had been since Harrison walked out and I signed those divorce papers. A whole month of trying to breathe normally again.

I tried to pick myself up every morning and act like I was okay. I told myself I didn't need him. I told myself he wasn't worth my tears.

I even had a wild night with atranger. I didn't remember his name again, I didn't care. I just wanted to forget. I wanted someone else's hands on my body, someone else's lips against my skin. I thought maybe, just maybe, it would erase the memory of Harrison's touch. It helped for a moment.

And I didn't think things could get worse.

It was a rainy Tuesday. The kind of day that already made your bones feel heavy. I was curled up on the couch, knees tucked to my chest, sipping lukewarm tea. The kind that had lost all warmth, like everything else in my life. I was trying to focus on a book, but I had read the same sentence seven times and still had no idea what it said.

That's when my phone rang.

My father's assistant. Her voice was cold and sharp, like always. No warmth, no kindness, just clipped words like she was reading off a script.

"Mr. Wallace requests your presence at the mansion this afternoon. Four o'clock sharp."

My stomach twisted. I hadn't heard from my father in weeks. Not when the divorce hit the papers. Not when the photos of Harrison and Nora started spreading like wildfire. Not a single call. Not a single word. And now he wanted to see me. Just like that.

I didn't know what to expect. A part of me, a small, desperate part hoped he finally cared. Maybe he realized I'd been suffering. Maybe he regretted the silence. Maybe he wanted to be there for me. Maybe, for once, he would act like a father.

I dressed slowly. I didn't want to look weak, even if I felt it in every bone of my body. I chose a simple navy-blue dress. Something elegant. Something that made me feel like I still had a little dignity left. I put on low heels and touched up my makeup. Just enough to cover the tiredness under my eyes. Just enough to look like I was still standing on my own two feet.

The drive to the mansion felt longer than usual. The sky was gray and heavy, and raindrops slid down the windows like tears.

When I arrived, the gates opened like always. But nothing felt the same. The mansion looked colder. Quieter. Like it already knew I wasn't welcome anymore.

I walked in and one of the house staff led me straight to my father's office.

And the second I stepped in, I couldn't breathe.

Nora was there.

Harrison was there.

And sitting comfortably in the armchair, like it was her house, was Nora's mother, Deborah.

Nora looked radiant. She wore a soft pink dress, the kind that made her look delicate and sweet. Her blonde hair was curled into soft waves, her makeup perfect, like she'd stepped out of a magazine. And her smile-God, that smile-was the kind that made your skin crawl. She looked thrilled to see me.

Harrison stood beside her, casual, like he belonged there. His hand rested lightly on her lower back. The same hand that used to hold me. The same hand that used to trace circles on my skin when I couldn't sleep.

I froze in the doorway. My eyes moved to my father. He was behind his desk, his face blank, his hands folded neatly in front of him.

"Sit down," he said. His voice was flat, hard.

I sat slowly. My legs felt weak, like they didn't trust the ground anymore. I gripped the hem of my dress, trying to steady my hands.

"They're engaged," he said.

No warning. No kindness. Just the words.

I stared at him. My mind couldn't catch up. My heart slammed against my ribs.

Nora lifted her hand, her smile widening. A diamond ring glittered on her finger. My mother's diamond. The one my father swore he'd keep safe.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" she said like it was nothing. "Daddy thought I should have it."

My mouth went dry. My chest hurt.

"You're marrying my husband," I whispered.

"Ex-husband," she corrected with a soft, fake smile. "And it's not like you were making him happy."

I turned to my father. Desperate. Hurt. "Dad, how can you let this happen? Harrison cheated on me. With Nora!"

He didn't even blink.

"Nora makes Harrison happy. That's all that matters now."

His words hit harder than I thought they could.

"What about me?" My voice cracked, no matter how hard I tried to hold it steady. "What about how I feel?"

He leaned back in his chair, eyes hard. "You? You humiliated this family. You walked out of your marriage like a drunk. Slept with God knows who. You let the media tear us apart."

Tears burned behind my eyes. "I was heartbroken. I didn't plan any of it."

"You're a disgrace," he said, cold as ice.

I gasped. The word felt like a slap.

He reached into his drawer and pulled out an envelope. He placed it in front of me like it meant nothing.

"What is this?" I asked, barely able to breathe.

"Legal transfer documents. All my company shares are now under Nora's name. She deserves it. She's responsible. Composed. She'll carry the Wallace legacy forward."

My heart stopped. "You're cutting me off?"

"I'm cleaning up your mess."

I couldn't move. Couldn't speak. My whole body felt numb. My skin burned from the inside out.

I wanted to scream. I wanted to throw something. I wanted to make them all feel the way I did.

But I didn't.

I stood up. Slowly. My knees wobbled beneath me. I looked my father in the eye.

"You really mean it," I said.

He didn't flinch. "You're no longer my daughter."

Just like that.

Nora smirked like she'd won.

Harrison didn't even look at me.

Deborah chuckled under her breath like it was all a game.

I turned around and walked out.

I didn't cry until I got to my car.

Then I broke.

I clutched the steering wheel, pressing my forehead to it, and sobbed until I couldn't breathe. My body shook. My throat burned. My heart felt like it had split open and no one cared.

I had lost everything.

My husband.

My family.

My place in the world.

And the worst part?

Not a single person in that room loved me.