Owned by the CEO

The room was muted, very silent. I sat on the opposite side of him; my fingers twisted in my lap. I didn't want to look at him because I was very heartbroken, instead, I looked away. The divorce papers were on the table between us, clean like there was never part of something once called love. Alessio didn't even say a word to me. He just pushed the papers towards me, slow and stiff. No warmth, no emotions, and no explanation. Not even to look at me. I looked away quickly, blinking fast because I didn't want to cry.

"You got what you wanted, Leah," he said, with no emotion, like he didn't care.

"You're free."

Free?

The word felt wrong, like a bad joke with no reason to laugh. I stared at the papers. My name sat at the top, bold and final. Leah Carter De Luca, it didn't feel like my name anymore. I didn't shed a tear. I couldn't. I had exhausted all my tears long ago, during the nights he arrived home late, on mornings when he looked at me as if I were not important to him. I grabbed the pen. My hand trembled, the paper in front of me blurred as my eyes filled with tears, I tried to breathe, but my chest felt tight. He didn't move or blink.

"I didn't ask for this," I whispered.

Still, he said nothing.

I signed. As the ink spread, it felt like something inside me was breaking. Three years of marriage. Erased with a signature.

I stood, holding the folder like it might break in my hands, my hands shaking. I didn't look at him. If I did, I might fall apart again, but as I turned to leave, I felt him behind me, his breath of warm air touched the back of my neck.

"Don't make the mistake of thinking this means you're not still mine."

I stood still like my body had stopped working. The way he spoke, quiet and sure, cut me deeper than anything else in that room.

I walked out anyway. The doors shut behind me. It sounded like an ending. A closing chapter, I kept walking, but it felt like his words were still tearing at me. Each step felt like I was leaving a part of myself behind. People moved past me, but I didn't see them. Everything around me turned into a quiet, empty sound.

I pushed through the glass doors and stepped into the cool air. That's when it hit me. Not the breeze, not the silence, but the nothingness. He left me. Just like that, and the world didn't stop for my pain. My knees gave out as I reached the curb. I dropped to the edge of the sidewalk, clutching the folder against my chest like it could hold me together. I wasn't free.

I was thrown away, like I was nothing.

And worse... I still loved him, I didn't cry; instead, I just sat there, staring at the cracks in the pavement, wondering if I had become one of them, broken and unnoticed. My phone buzzed in my bag; it was a message from him.

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.

I failed to sleep that night. I couldn't. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw that message. Then the photo. Then the second message. You always choose the wrong man, Leah. This time, don't. And that last line, tell Alessio he's not the only one who wants you back. I asked myself questions I couldn't answer.

I sat on the floor with my phone on my lap, with the hope that the screen wouldn't light up again, praying that it would. I was not sure about what I wanted anymore. Late at night, I moved from the floor to the bed, not to sleep. I stared at the ceiling with a heavy chest and an empty stomach. My body ached in a way that sleep couldn't fix. I felt trapped between heartbreak, fear, and now, confusion. By morning, I pushed myself to take a shower. The water was hot, yet I still felt cold. I dressed slowly, my hands shaking, and looked at myself in the mirror, I couldn't recognize myself anymore.

"You will be okay", I whispered.

But I didn't believe it. I left the apartment to get some fresh air, walking down the street with my hood up. I didn't want to pass by the café. I didn't want to risk being seen again. Instead, I went to a corner store and bought bread I wouldn't eat and tea I wouldn't drink. On the way back, I stopped when I saw a black car parked a little too close to my place. It wasn't Alessio's. Or at least, I didn't think it was. Still, I walked close to it just, curious to see who was in it, but the windows were tinted. I went to my place and locked the door and slid the chain across.

My phone buzzed. I jumped. It was Unknown Number: You're smart to be scared. I stared at the words until my vision blurred.

I typed back: Who are you? No reply. I threw the phone on the couch and screamed into my hands. Not the quiet kind of cry. It came from somewhere deep, raw, and broken. My shoulders shook. I hated how afraid I'd become in such a short time. A knock came at the door.

I panicked again. My heart dropped into my stomach. Another knock.

I checked the peephole. Alessio. Of course, it was him again. What does he want? Why does he keep bothering and scaring me Really, he is the one who divorced me. I didn't want to open it, but I did. He walked in like he owned the place, like he still owned me.

"I saw your car from the window," I said quietly.

"Then why did it take you so long to open the door?"

I didn't answer. His eyes scanned my face. "You haven't eaten," he said.

"I'm not hungry," I replied

He stepped closer. "What's wrong with you?"

"What's wrong with me?" I snapped. "Why are you here, Alessio?"

He tilted his head. "You sound upset."

I laughed bitterly. "I am upset! I'm terrified. And it's not just you anymore."

He narrowed his eyes. "What does that mean?"

I hesitated, then walked over to the couch. Picked up my phone. Showed it to him.

"Read it."

He took it. Scrolled. His jaw tightened, and he acted shocked.

"Who sent this?" he asked with a soft voice.

"I don't know."

"Did you tell anyone where you went yesterday?"

"No."

His fingers clenched around the phone. "Did someone follow you?"

"I... I don't know."

He handed the phone back and told me to block the number. I was confused because I thought he was the one following me and the one who took pictures of me, but it looked like it wasn't him. They used another one. And another.

"They're watching me, Alessio."

He stared at me for a long second, then pulled out his phone and started dialing.

"Who are you calling?"

"Security."

"Security?" I gasped.

He nodded. "You're coming with me."

"No, I'm not," I replied

"Yes, Leah. You're not staying here. You're not safe."

"I'm not your responsibility anymore."

"I don't care."

I folded my arms, trying to look stronger than I felt. "You don't get to control me."

"This isn't about control, it's about your safety."

I laughed again. "That's all it's ever been with you."

He didn't answer that. Instead, he looked at me in a way that made my skin itch, part concern, part ownership.

I backed away. "I don't want your help."

He stepped forward. "Too bad."

I shook my head. "You don't love me. You just hate not owning me."

He didn't deny it.

"You ruined me," I whispered. "I'm trying to get better. But you keep pulling me back."

He dug into his coat. My heart pounded once again.

He stretched the ring.

"Keep it," he said.

"I'm not interested in it."

Then get rid of it yourself. But don't pretend that I didn't exist.

With shaking fingers, I picked up the ring and let it fall to the ground.

You, see? "Gone," I said.

He didn't respond.

He said, "I'm going back to my place." "But I'll have someone keep an eye on the building."

"No."

"It's too late."

He walked towards the door after turning.

I came in along. "Don't come back."

At the doorframe, he paused. "You're still mine, Leah."

"Not anymore," I whispered softly.

He looked at me one last time. chilly. Furious. As though he had lost something important. Then he left. I closed the door. Once more. Take advantage of a deadbolt. chain. Everything. I took a seat on the ground. Once more. My eyes were burning with tears. No more. I told myself. Again, and again. No more. It buzzed on my phone. I jumped. Unknown Number: Stay away from accompanying him. He will only cause you more harm. Leah, I can keep you safe, I already am. I went cold. My heart was racing. Another buzz, a photo. I opened it slowly, It was a picture of Alessio's car taken from behind a bush, taken just now. My breath caught. My skin turned cold.

Whoever this was... They were still watching. My heart hammered like a drum in my chest. The room felt suddenly too small, too silent-like the walls were closing in on me. I didn't know who sent the photo, but one thing was clear: I wasn't safe. Not anymore.

My fingers trembled as I stared at the screen. Was it Alessio? Or someone worse? Someone who wanted to pull me back into a nightmare I thought I had escaped. The phone buzzed again. Another message appeared. "Run while you still can, Leah."

And just like that, the cold fear settled deep inside me-paralyzing, real, and impossible to ignore.