Chapter 4 Cecelia's Pov.

Cecelia's Pov.

"Breaking news! Cecilia James, a scorned wife, was seen exchanging words with Xander's new wife."

The words blared from the television as I sat there in my small room, my mind swirling with confusion and anger. I had heard rumors that the media was getting involved, but I hadn't expected it to happen so soon. My name, my very identity, was now tied to that label: "scorned wife." It felt as though everything I had fought for-everything I had tried to hold onto-was slipping away from me. It wasn't just a personal battle anymore; it had become public. And the worst part? It wasn't even accurate.

What had happened between Xander and me was private-something only he and I should have carried with us. But now, thanks to Amelia's malicious influence, it was out there for the world to see. And she wasn't stopping at just spreading lies about me; she was doing everything she could to paint herself as the victim, the innocent woman who had been dragged into a messy situation. It was all manipulation, designed to make her look good while she destroyed my reputation.

I had gone from being a woman scorned, misunderstood, and heartbroken to being painted as a villain in a story I didn't even recognize. And it was all because of Amelia.

I had been forced into a position where my every move, my every word, was scrutinized. The whispers started first. At the grocery store, at the coffee shop, even at the mall, people looked at me with pity, with judgment. They would turn their heads when I walked by, murmuring under their breath. Some would openly stare, making sure I knew they knew who I was. Others would whisper about how sad it was that Xander had "moved on" so quickly. I could feel the weight of their eyes on me, as though I was some kind of spectacle.

I had once prided myself on being strong, independent. But now, it felt like the ground beneath me had crumbled, and I was struggling to stay upright. I wanted to scream, to lash out at all the people who judged me without knowing the full story. But what good would it do? Amelia had already won. She had already shaped the narrative, and I was left to pick up the pieces of a life that was no longer mine.

I had always loved this city. It was my home. But now, every street, every corner felt like a reminder of how my life had been turned upside down. People I had known for years now looked at me with pity or disdain. The familiar faces that once brought me comfort now felt cold and distant.

I wasn't the only one who was feeling the pressure. My parents had always been there for me, but I could see the strain on their faces. My father, who had always been the strong one, now looked tired. My mother, usually the calming presence, was quieter than usual, her smile forced whenever we spoke. I could feel them walking on eggshells around me, not knowing how to help or what to say.

One evening, after seeing yet another report about me on the news, I couldn't take it anymore. I couldn't stay here, in this town, in this place that once felt like home. Every time I stepped out of the house, I was met with whispers, stares, and pity. I needed to leave. I needed to get away from it all, from the constant reminders of everything that had gone wrong.

I didn't know where I would go or what I would do, but I knew I had to leave. It was the only way to escape the suffocating atmosphere that had taken over my life.

The decision to leave came to me quickly, almost impulsively. But as I packed my things, a strange sense of sadness weighed on me. This city, my home, was all I had known for so long. I had grown up here, played in these streets, formed memories in every corner. The thought of leaving it behind felt like cutting a part of myself loose. It wasn't just the physical place that I was leaving-it was everything I had once associated with safety, with familiarity.

But then again, maybe that was the problem. It was too familiar. Too full of memories I wasn't ready to face yet. Every time I turned a corner, I saw echoes of my past with Xander. The places we had been together, the moments we had shared.

I tried to push those thoughts aside as I shoved my belongings into a suitcase. I needed to go. I needed to get away from all of it, from the accusations, from the whispers, from the life I had lost.

As I loaded my things into the trunk of my car, I could feel the weight of the city pressing down on me. I glanced at the house one last time, the house where I had grown up, where I had spent so many years of my life. But I couldn't stay.

The road ahead was unclear, but it was the only path I could take.

I drove for hours. The familiar roads blurred behind me as I focused on the road ahead, trying to push all the memories out of my mind. I didn't know where I was going, but I couldn't go back. Not now. Not after everything that had happened.

As I drove further away from the city, the weight in my chest slowly began to lighten. It wasn't gone, not entirely, but I could feel the tension ease ever so slightly. I didn't have a plan. I didn't know what my next step would be, but for the first time in a long time, I didn't feel completely trapped. I wasn't completely free, but I was getting closer.

It was late in the evening when I reached a stretch of highway I didn't recognize. The sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. The peacefulness of it almost made me forget about the chaos that had consumed my life. Almost.

I had my window rolled down, the cool breeze mixing with the fading warmth of the day, and I let out a sigh of relief. The city felt farther and farther away with each passing mile. I was free, at least for now.

But just as I was beginning to feel some sense of peace, a sound broke the silence-a loud screeching noise, followed by the bright headlights of a car speeding toward me. My heart raced as I tried to swerve, my hands gripping the steering wheel, but it was too late.

The car was coming at me too fast. There was no time to react.

I braced myself for impact, but my mind was a blur. It was as if everything had slowed down-like I was trapped in a nightmare, watching it unfold but unable to escape.

Before I could leave the road, the car hit me with full force.

The world exploded around me, and everything went black.