Chapter 5 Betrayal and Desire

Caden's POV

I pushed the door open, my footsteps echoing through the silent house as I walked in. My mind was a chaotic storm of frustration and guilt, but I shoved it all to the back of my head. I wasn't in the mood to face anyone, least of all Chloe.

As I headed toward the stairs, I caught sight of her sitting in the living room. She looked up the moment I walked in, her eyes sharp, brimming with emotions I couldn't place.

"I need to talk to you," she said, standing up.

I stopped on the first step, exhaling impatiently. "What do you want to say?"

When she didn't hesitate, I knew she'd been rehearsing this moment in her head.

"I want a divorce."

The words hung in the air, sharp and unforgiving. For a second, I wasn't sure if I'd heard her right. But then, the weight of her statement hit me, and something inside me snapped.

I turned around slowly, my expression hardening as I looked at her. A laugh escaped my lips-cold, bitter, and devoid of humor.

"Divorce?" I repeated, descending the stairs one step at a time. "Did you just say divorce?"

Her chin lifted slightly, defiance flashing in her eyes. "Yes. I want out of this marriage."

I reached her in three strides, grabbing her wrist before she could step back. My grip was firm but controlled. Her eyes widened, but she didn't flinch.

"There's no escape for you," I said, my voice low and steady. "You don't get to make that decision. You don't have a say in this marriage."

"Why?" she shouted, her voice trembling with fury. "Why are you doing this? Why won't you let me go?"

Her defiance sparked something in me-something dark and unrelenting. I clenched my jaw, the anger I'd been holding in all day spilling out. "Because this marriage isn't just about you. And I won't let you destroy it."

"I want a divorce!" she screamed, tears brimming in her eyes as she pulled against my grip.

Her words cut through me like a blade, but instead of responding, I acted on instinct. My hand moved before I could stop it, and the sharp sound of the slap echoed in the room.

The moment it happened, time seemed to stop. She stumbled back, one hand flying to her cheek, her face a mix of shock and pain.

I froze, staring at her as a wave of regret crashed over me. What had I done?

Chloe's tears finally spilled over, but her gaze never wavered. She looked at me as if seeing me for the first time-a stranger, a monster.

The silence between us was deafening. I wanted to say something, anything, but no words came. So I did the only thing I could-I turned and walked away, leaving her standing there, broken and trembling.

I could feel her gaze burning into my back as I walked away. Each step I took felt heavier, like the weight of what I'd just done was dragging me down. But I didn't stop. I couldn't stop.

When I reached the door to the study, I slammed it behind me, needing some space-some air. The anger that had been building up inside me for days threatened to consume me entirely.

I ran a hand through my hair, pacing back and forth. What the hell had just happened? How had it gotten this bad, this quickly? I'd always told myself I could handle everything, that I could control my life, control her. But now... now I was losing control, and it terrified me.

What I did to Chloe was unforgivable. I knew it. I felt it. But I couldn't fix it. Not yet. Not when everything was so messed up. Not when I still had so many questions-so many emotions that I couldn't make sense of.

She wanted a divorce. The words kept echoing in my mind. Her voice had been so firm, so resolute. And yet, deep down, I knew she didn't fully understand what she was asking for.

There was no escaping this. There never had been.

I leaned against the desk, staring down at my clenched fists. I had to fix things. I had to make her see reason. She couldn't just walk away. Not like this. Not after everything she had done.

I shook my head, but the memories of the night before came rushing back. The way I'd been with her. The pain in her eyes. The slap-God, what had I done? She was right. I had no right. And yet, somewhere deep down,

But she brought this on herself. I shouldn't be feeling this way.

I'll make sure she pays for what she's done. This is only the beginning.

I've never raised my hand to any woman before. She's the first to make me do that.

And I don't regret it. I would have stop the wedding when I noticed but I know the consequences of that, and I know the damage it will cause.

The more I see her face, the more hatred I feel for her. I can't stand looking at her-it only makes me remember everything.

The way she stood at the altar, the audacity she had to lie to me-telling me she was my wife, that she was Clara. What did she think? That she could just walk in here and claim to be my wife?

I'll make her life miserable. I'll make sure she regrets ever coming into my life.

I stepped out of my room and made my way downstairs.

She was still in the same spot, exactly where I had left her. The moment she noticed me walking down the stairs, she lifted her head.

I saw the fear in her eyes. That's more like it.

She should know her place.