FALLING FOR A FAKE OMEGA

The views in the city of Azura were breathtaking, and nothing could beat the crunch of the leaves beneath her feet as she walked, and it seemed that the huffing wind was too lazy to scatter the leaves. One of these days, she planned to go on a countryside tour with her husband, Kenneth McBride to enjoy the breathtaking scenery. Autumn was a season for a fresh start or new beginnings, and it was just one of the reasons why Sabrina Hart loved autumn so much.

Temperatures began to fall after the intense heat of summer, and trees that were once green burst into brilliant gold, red, and orange hues.

Yes, she loved autumn but after marrying Kenneth three years ago, she wasn't able to enjoy her favourite season. She was dripping wet from head to toe as she stood in the garden and she was shivering in the cold but nobody paid attention. Several servants were passing by but she doubted if they ever noticed her! They were focused on the man dressed in a white coat who was standing at the entrance of the villa.

She played no significant role in the household and no one would pay attention to her, despite the fact that she was an heiress of her family's fortune. It was embarrassing and painful to admit, but the dog that was raised by her husband's sister was more important to the family. In addition to her misery, she was nothing compared to her sister-in-law, Isabelle Ortega. She and Isabelle were worlds apart, and everyone in the family adored Isabelle, including her husband. Yes, that's right. Kenneth McBride adored Isabelle and treated her like a precious gem.

Speaking of Isabelle, Sabrina's eyes widened in surprise upon seeing Isabelle at the pool. She ran towards her sister-in-law and grabbed the woman's wrist. "What are you doing? You're not fit to do it," she reminded Isabelle that jumping to the pool could be dangerous to her pregnancy. The doctor suggested bed rest for the woman because of cervical insufficiency. "Stop!" She urged Isabelle to stop wiggling her wrist.

Isabelle smirked and said, "Then, stop me."

Sabrina lost her balance when Isabelle pulled her, and together, they both fell into the water. The deepest part of the pool was only 1.5 meters in depth but it was scary for Sabrina. She was not an adept swimmer unlike Isabelle, so she was struggling to get out of the water. When he saw her husband jumping into the pool, she was relieved. However, he saved the other woman, instead of her. She could only bite her bottom lip as she watched her husband carrying Isabelle.

Kenneth didn't even notice how much she struggled to get out of the water. With Isabelle in his arms, he ran back to the villa without turning to look at her. She gather all of her strength and courage to get out of the water but as she entered the villa, she heard that Kenneth requested the most qualified medical professional in Azura to check on Isabelle.

Sabrina watched how everyone in her husband's family encircled Isabelle Ortega. They all looked worried for her sister-in-law, while she was regarded as nothing more than worthless trash. Once again, she was hurt and disappointed at their treatment. Silently, she made her back to her bedroom. Her body was exhausted, and her heart was broken several times! After three years of receiving maltreatment from Kenneth's family, she should get used to it, but no, it wasn't the case! She was hurting every single time they would ignore her like a nobody!

Inside her room, Sabrina finally let her sadness and disappointed rolled down her cheeks, and then she walked toward the bathroom. After stripping all of her clothes, she turned on the shower and placed her body under the flowing water. She scrubbed herself clean before going out, then she went to the closet to choose a pajama. After rummaging through her closet, she donned an outgrown set of pajamas.

After drying her hair, she climbed onto the bed and slipped her body under the comforter. Her body and heart were so exhausted, so she dozed off without realizing it, and didn't wake up until someone ordered her to open her eyes.

"Wake up!"

Sabrina suddenly became aware of a chilly voice in her ears. Then she slowly opened her eyes, and then the blanket that had been draped over her body was suddenly taken away. She just woke up and was disoriented. She had to squint her eyes to see him clearly. When she finally recognized her husband, she instantly blushed.

"How is Isabelle doing?" Sabrina inquired as she got out of bed. Then, she rubbed her temple as she noticed that Kenneth seemed to be in a foul mood. When the realization hit her, she immediately shook her head to deny something, and said, "I didn't push her!"

Kenneth regarded her with cold eyes. Then, he scowled at her and ordered, "Get dressed and follow me to the ancestral hall!"

After listening to his words, Sabrina was worried. She stared at her husband, but she was too stunned to speak! She took her time in speaking what was inside her head, but after mustering the courage to ask, she demanded to know the reason. "What do you mean I have to go to the ancestral hall?"

Kenneth narrowed his eyes at her and said, "You should apologize." After saying that, he didn't even bother to spare a glance in her direction. "Are you going to get dressed now or I'll have to drag you in that outfit?"

When Sabrina heard his words, she was taken aback and surprised. It was the same as if she had been submerged in a basin of icy water in the dead of winter and soaked from head to toe. "Listen," she tried to explain but then he decided to drag her out of the room and into the hallway. It looked like he was dragging something filthy behind him. It looked like he was dragging a bag of garbage!

On the other hand, Kenneth refused to engage in a conversation with Sabrina. Isabelle's body was weak, and his wife knew too well about Isabelle's condition. After rescuing her from the pool, he didn't hesitate to call for medical assistance; however, the unborn child in her womb did not survive, and his brother was devastated by the loss of his only offspring. He blamed Sabrina for everything and he decided it was pointless to continue talking about it! His family was grieving for the loss of his brother's unborn child, and being Sabrina's husband, he was partly blamed! He hated Sabrina because of it!

"Kenneth, please listen to me! I didn't push her!" Sabrina continued to explain her side but he didn't listen. He refused to listen to her. He refused to give her the benefit of the doubt and continued dragging her body to the ancestral hall.

The ancestral hall of the McBride family was a dangerous place. There was a rumour that the person who was dragged to the hall recently never came back, and that person was presumed to be dead! Sabrina shivered at the thought of being punished for something she didn't do!

"I assure you that I didn't push Isabelle into the pool! In fact, it was her, who pulled me into the pool!" She made a valiant effort to free herself from Kenneth's grasp but failed. Even as the pain turned her pale, he held onto her even tighter.

"If you have anything to say, please communicate it to my family," he said.

Sabrina stumbled after Kenneth. She looked at his profile and noticed how well-defined it was. Due to the attractiveness of her husband, she was willing to jeopardize her relationship with her family in order to marry him. She compromised a lot because of him, but in the end, he could never give her the love that she deserved. How ironic! Since they had been married, he had never done anything nice for her, but she endured the pain for three, long years!

It was stupid of her to believe that she could melt the ice in his heart. She was under the impression that she could make him a better person, and she also believed that he would develop some feelings for her, but she was completely wrong! He had no interest in anyone else but Isabelle Ortega!

She was under the impression, for a period of three years, that no matter how icy his heart was, she could make it feel better. However, she was utterly wrong. He had no interest in anyone else but Isabelle Ortega. Kenneth just used her to hide his true relationship with Isabelle. He has totally given his heart to Isabelle, and there is no more space for her!

"Let me go!" Sabrina shouted while using all of her strength to get away from him. Kenneth narrowed his eyes to study her expression, and he was probably shocked to see her chilly smile. "I can walk to the hall," she said, and her voice was uninterested and flat.

When Kenneth looked at her, his dark eyes flashed with disgust and he turned away. He clamped his lips together and tried to stifle the rage that was rising up in his chest. After that, he got to his feet and started walking in the direction of the ancestral hall.

Sabrina Hart did a complete about-face to confront him. She was convinced that the previous three years had all been an elaborate hoax. She was dressed in nothing but a nightgown that reached her knees and barefoot. She moved cautiously toward the brightly lit ancestral hall while making small steps.

Her eyes darted towards the shoes that was provided, and she recalled that two days earlier, Kenneth had knelt down in front of Isabelle and assisted her in putting on socks and leather shoes before she went out. In addition to that, he was constantly harping on the fact that she had to keep herself warm and look after herself.

Sabrina Hart gave Kenneth McBride a mocking smile. The idea that she wanted to stay with his family was a joke. Then, she looked around and saw that all of his relatives were waiting for her arrival.

"Get on your knees!"

She heard the command to kneel in front of the elders. The eyes that lay hidden beneath the brows of the elderly man were as ferocious and ruthless as a knife, and they stabbed right through Sabrina's heart. Because the discomfort was so great, she had difficulty breathing. As her temperature rose, Sabrina's face became flushed with a bright red colour.

She looked around the room with a quick glance. Everyone was under the impression that she was the devil! Then she met everyone's eyes because she was completely blameless! Why was she compelled to kneel before him? She remained standing there while adamantly proclaiming that she wouldn't kneel before them! When Kenneth's father saw her defiance to accept defeat, he was enraged and hurled the cup that he was holding to Sabrina's feet.

"Sabrina, get down on your knees!" Kenneth yelled furiously.

She heard Kenneth's order, however, her attention was focused on the broken pieces of the porcelain cup. They stabbed her feet, and because of the pain, she was unable to breathe normally.

"Sabrina, get on your knees and offer an apology this instant!"

The screaming voice of Gabriel McBride reverberated at the entire ancestral hall but she had no plan of obeying the old man. Sabrina ignored the pain she was experiencing at the moment and forced herself to straighten her back. "I did not push my sister-in-law!" She declared while squinting her eyes towards Gabriel McBride. "Therefore, I won't be grovelling or apologizing in any way."

Gabriel clenched his jaw and glared furiously at Sabrina. "Can anybody here make her kneel?" He asked everyone who was present at the ancestral hall.

"Undoubtedly, Sabrina Hart has exceeded acceptable behaviour! Not only did she hurt Isabelle's child, but she also refused to acknowledge the fact that she had done so!"

"That is exactly right. Who can predict the awful things she'll do if we don't teach her a valuable lesson?"

"Poor Daniel, he has lost the baby even before the child was born!"

Sabrina heard several evil comments about the incident, and everyone looked at her as if she was a vile woman or a monster that they had never seen before. Their gaze gave the impression of slicing her apart into pieces. However, she maintained her composure as she stood in front of them. Amongst his relatives, the only person who was concerned about her was Lorraine, her mother-in-law.

Lorraine felt sorry for Sabrina after seeing her bleeding feet and spoke to Gabriel McBride. "Sabrina is still young and I can see that she's already feeling regret for doing it. Why don't we-"

Gabriel immediately glared at Lorraine and warned her. As a result, Lorraine clammed up and never opened her mouth again. However, she couldn't ignore Sabrina's bleeding feet and she went to talk to her son. "Son, your wife is injured, why don't you take care of her?" She asked Kenneth.

Kenneth's eyes darkened with an icy expression. He glowered at Sabrina who looked unrepentant for hurting Isabelle and her baby. "I don't have a vicious wife!" He exclaimed loudly, mocking Sabrina altogether.

Upon hearing Kenneth's declaration, Sabrina stared at her husband but she was too stunned to speak. He tilted his head to the side and gazed intently into her eyes. "Kenneth...," she whispered his name.

"Sabrina, from this point forward, you can only count on yourself!" He said it coldly, and hatred was clearly visible in his eyes. He was furious at Sabrina for causing Isabelle's miscarriage! As he recalled how she reduced his brother's child into a pool of blood, his eyes were burning with hatred towards Sabrina Hart.

Tears started to well up in the corner of Sabrina's eyes but she refused to cry in front of her husband. He dared to publicly shame her and favoured another woman! As she looked at Kenneth's face, a dull pulsing pain crept inside her heart, intensifying with each second. She clutched her head and covered her eyes. She was desperate for relief from the sharp, head-splitting pain caused by his rejection. Then, she took a deep breath, and considered a feasible solution for her suffering, weighing each option and attempting to find the best one.

"Make her kneel, Ken!" Sanya McBride suggested to his brother.

Sabrina and Sanya have always been at odds with one another, and the rivalry had been going on since she married Kenneth. Kenneth's sister was spoiled-rotten, and she was cruel to her. She saw how Sanya stared daggers at her, so she immediately assumed an alert posture, especially when she witnessed how the woman kicked Kenneth's leg with her high heels. Sanya would probably do the same to her and she wouldn't allow it to happen!

"What are you waiting for? Kneel and apologize!" Sanya ordered while glaring at Sabrina. "Grandpa wants you to kneel down!" She already lost her temper but Sabrina continued to defy her order. She then raised her head and sneered at her. After that, she repeatedly kicked Sabrina in the knees. Because Sabrina Hart was continuing to be defiant, she moved closer to her and gave her a slap across the face. "Kneel!" She screamed angrily.

Sabrina's knees bore the imprints of Sanya's high-heeled shoes, which were visible on the back of her knees. Like her broken heart, there were bloodstains and bruises, but nothing compared to the pain of Kenneth's betrayal. The physical pain from Sanya's outrage was nothing compared to Kenneth's obvious display of affection towards Isabelle.

She frowned at the discomfort, however, she decided not to kneel. She would just be kneeling on a floor that was covered in shards of porcelain and other broken chinaware. No, she couldn't do it! When she looked around, she saw Sanya sneering at her. She was disheartened at the fact that no one wanted to help her.

Sanya stepped back and crossed her arms while looking at Sabrina's disheartened face. Then, she smiled triumphantly as she raised the corners of her mouth. She watched Sabrina's downfall like her favourite show. She enjoyed watching Sabrina's distressed appearance, and then her eyes darted towards Kenneth.

On the other hand, Kenneth watched his wife carefully. Sabrina was distressed and hurt at the same time. At this point, he anticipated that she would acknowledge her mistake, but then Sabrina slowly straightened her back and acted proudly as usual. She was beautiful with her almond-shaped eyes, but before he would notice all her beautiful features, he gritted his teeth in annoyance. The woman caused an incident and it was humiliating! When Sabrina pursed her lips stubbornly, everyone noticed it, including his grandfather, Gabriel McBride.

"What a callous and spoiled brat! Take her outside and make her kneel! I want her to get down on her knees until she realizes the mistake she made!" Gabriel ordered angrily, then he cast a glance towards Kenneth. "Try to find someone who can keep an eye on her for you, and do not permit her to stand until she will apologize for her wrongdoings!"

Sabrina was about to explain herself when Kenneth suddenly raised his hand and placed it on her shoulder. As soon as he used his force to subdue her, Sabrina was forced to kneel. She looked up at her husband but he didn't sympathize with her.

"Kneel or let's get divorced," he declared.

"Kenneth...," she whispered in a barely audible voice.

She was already aware that Kenneth wouldn't protect her against his family, but still, she was disappointed and disheartened when he exerted some force to make her kneel. Then, she laughed at her own stupidity. She risked everything for him! She defied her family because of him! She went against her family and disobeyed them because of her love for Kenneth. She wanted him so much, and she used to believe that Kenneth would eventually fall for her in the long run, however, it didn't happen. He has changed into a different person after their marriage, and he never bothered to hide his affections toward Isabelle. He was an insensitive brute who tortured her emotionally for three long years!

Sabrina was so furious at her wrong decisions in the past, and she wanted to correct her destiny! She endured the excruciating pain in both of her knees. However, nothing could compare to the anguish that was currently present in her heart. Years of pent up anger fueled her to endure their punishment for something she didn't do!

Then, she glanced at her husband, who has been standing next to her. Under his thick brows, she could see the ruthlessness and coldness in Kenneth's eyes. His tightly pursed lips were like a sharp knife, piercing right into her heart.

She gathered all her strength and mustered the courage to speak up the truth. "I didn't push Isabelle into the water. God knows how much I tried to stop her from jumping the, but it seemed that she planned it beforehand. Why don't you ask your precious sister-in-law Kenneth? Go and ask her why she wanted to kill her baby," she continued and Kenneth clenched his fist.

"Shut up, Sabrina! How dare you accuse Isabelle of something evil!" Kenneth screamed at her.

Sabrina just smirked at her husband, and this time, she didn't want to explain further. She rested her case but when Kenneth slapped her so hard, she just looked at him with disgust. "I am fully aware that you are not going to believe me, so let's just -"

"Say it!"

"Divorce. I want a divorce."

Everyone who heard Sabrina's announcement about divorce was shocked. It was a mistake to marry Kenneth McBride and she paid a lot for her wrong decision. His relatives gasped in unison, and then they looked at her. Sabrina smirked when they looked hopeful she would change her statement. She had enough of their maltreatment and manipulation!

For the last time, Sabrina observed the entire hall. Magnificent braziers encircling each of the twelve marble columns illuminated the hall, and bathe it in a dancing orange glow. The unadorned stones on the terraced ceiling danced in the flickering light, while sculptures peer down the shining floor.

A teal rug ran down the centre of the room, looping back from both the left and right, while pennant banners with emblazoned sides covered some of the walls. Between each banner was a small altar filled with candles, almost all of which have been lit. Veils in the same teal as the banners enveloped the modest windows.

The curtains have been embellished with decorative tips and intricate needlework, and there was a stately onyx throne sitting behind a lavish gate of gilded wood where Gabriel McBride was sitting. Gabriel McBride was a conservative old fox, and he demanded Sabrina take back her words. She refused. In the end, Gabriel dismissed the gathering in the ancestral hall and ordered Kenneth to talk to her.

"Let's go," Kenneth said as he assisted her to stand up.

Sabrina groaned in pain and winced upon seeing her blood feet. She let her husband help her this time, but she has made up her mind. She wanted a divorce. Earlier, when she announced divorcing her husband, her mind was already set. Actually, she should have done it a long time ago.

In their bedroom, Kenneth faked his kindness by applying medication to her injured feet. He talked to her about the divorce, but Sabrina knew him better! The only reason why he didn't divorce her a long time ago was because of his grandfather. Gabriel McBride would be furious if Kenneth would drag their name into a scandal, and for the McBrides, a divorce would mean a scandal.

"I understand why you are upset, Sabrina, but please think about it carefully," he said as he covered her wounds with a gauze pad.

"About what, darling?" She teased him a little. "Oh, the divorce? Didn't you mention about getting a divorce when I refused to kneel?" After reminding him of the incident earlier when he exerted some force to make her kneel, Kenneth suddenly became uncomfortable.

"Things wouldn't be so complicated if you apologized immediately," he stated.

"And why should I apologize for something I didn't do? Come on, Kenneth! Don't you know how cunning Isabelle is?"

Stop! Don't you dare speak ill about Isabelle!" He defended the woman, but he immediately realized that he was not in the position to defend another woman when his marriage was about to be ruined. "Look, I know you are upset now. I will give you enough time to think it over."

Sabrina expressed a deep sigh of relief when Kenneth leave her alone, and then she shook her head in disbelief. How on earth did she end up with an insensitive and heartless man?

Since she was injured, she had a perfect excuse not to join the family during meals. For the entire day, she just requested a servant to deliver her meals straight into her bedroom. The servant didn't complain, and she used it to her advantage. She also instructed the woman to make her something delicious. She wanted a meal to soothe her body and a broken heart.

In the evening, Kenneth didn't show up, but she stopped wondering about his whereabouts. He could spend his evening with Isabelle or another woman, and she wouldn't give a damn! She totally cut him off from her life!

The following morning, Sabrina woke up early. She had several things to accomplish during the day, and she had to do it quick! She met Kenneth during breakfast, and the man must have expected her to apologize. He got nothing! Instead, she has petitioned the court for a divorce!

From the breakfast hall, Sabrina turned around and walked away. She walked slowly because her knees were swollen and painful. Her feet were also painful because of the blisters and wounds. Aside from that, her fever had skyrocketed as a result of the rain that had soaked her on the day of the incident. Every single move that she made was extremely difficult, nonetheless, she pretended that nothing was wrong with her.

Soon after, Sabrina arrived in her room. She clenched her teeth as she typed a message for her friend, Heather Middleton. Then, she hurried to stuff her belongings into her suitcase after the message was sent. Although she was not feeling well, she didn't waste her time and drag her suitcase downstairs.

However, she ran into her husband. Her eyes widened in fear in case Kenneth would try to alert his family, but he didn't! He looked bewildered but he didn't question her. The man must have been probably shocked about her petition, or maybe, he was really glad that she initiated the divorce. She walked past him and continued dragging her suitcase away.

Outside the massive gate of the McBride's family home, she took a deep breath. She was relieved, but her vision suddenly became blurred. Fortunately, her friend Heather arrived on time and saved her before passing out.

"Sabrina!" Heather exclaimed upon seeing her friend stumbled along the road while holding her suitcase. During that moment, she wondered if Kenneth McBride has died. She jumped out of the car and hurriedly helped her friend. She stuffed the suitcase into the trunk, and then she assisted the unconscious woman into her car.

Then, she was shocked to find out that Sabrina was burning with fever! She was too stunned to speak after touching Sabrina's skin because it was extremely hot! She became irritated and enraged by the situation, and then she whispered an assurance to Sabrina's ears that everything would be fine.

"I'll take you to the hospital now, Sabrina," she said even if Sabrina has lost her consciousness.

The woman who was leaning against the passenger seat looked pitiful, and she felt bad for her friend. She wanted to call Kenneth to ask about Sabrina but she realized that she didn't have time for anyone in that dreadful household! She pressed the accelerator, and they arrived at the nearest medical facility in less than twenty minutes.

The staff immediately assisted them and transferred Sabrina into a stretcher. Heather followed the staff into the emergency room, and a few moments later, her friend was transferred into a private ward.

However, due to her high fever, Sabrina fell into a coma and didn't wake up until the following day. She squinted her eyes before opening them, and she immediately recognized Heather who was dozing off in a chair beside her bed. Sabrina was completely stunned! She recalled what had happened, and she was depressed just by thinking about them!

Sabrina clenched her teeth to keep her sobs from waking Heather, who was sound asleep. Her tears streamed down her cheeks as she stood up. She was completely wrong about Kenneth, and it was a mistake for her to believe she could win his heart. He had only Isabelle Ortega in his thoughts and heart since from the beginning, and she was just wasting her three years in that household!

She recalled how Isabelle called her a stupid chit, and it seemed that her sister-in-law was right. She was not only stupid but also foolish! It's very unlikely that was another woman in the entire world who could match her stupidity, and she shook her head in disbelief!