On the day of Erika's wedding, she hadn't known then that she would be passing through the gates of Hell instead of a new home.
She sacrificed everything she possibly could for Adrian, all in hopes that her love would be reciprocated. Her family — the Walters — had tried to persuade her to change her mind and not be involved with Adrian. They had warned her that she was only going to be hurt by him.
It was true. Even before their wedding, Erika had caught signs of her fiancé's infidelity. At that time, Erika hadn't listened to her family. She thought that Adrian would change for her.
On the day of their wedding, her soon-to-be husband was an hour late. She hadn't missed the odd stares they gave her, nor the low murmurs between the guests. Erika was indeed the star of her wedding. Alas, it was not because she was the bride.
It was because she was a laughing stock.
They hadn't openly mocked her solely because Grandma Elizabeth had been present. Even so, their hushed gossip and subtle laughter could still be caught by the keen eye.
When Adrian had finally arrived, he strode to the altar coldly. He hadn't even spared his bride a second glance before they finished the entire procession, and in less than two minutes, Erika was officially Mrs. Hart.
Adrian left right after, leaving the same way he entered— coldly and quickly as though Erika carried a contagious disease. Only the Hart family's matriarch had congratulated her while the other members of the family — and even the guests — snorted and left.
With the way things went, they knew that the marriage wouldn't last. There was no point in staying to celebrate a loveless union. If anything, the moment Adrian and Erika were pronounced husband and wife, they were already eagerly awaiting the day of their divorce.
The Hart family was one of the biggest and wealthiest families in California. With their strong influences in the business and political world, many businessmen could only hope that their daughters could marry into the family so as to help progress their own businesses. As such, Erika's marriage to Adrian was seen as nothing more than a thorn in their sides.
Erika lay on the ground as she reminisced those awful memories. Her wedding day had been so long ago, and back then, she had been hopeful. Now, all that those memories left was a bitter taste in her mouth and a cold, empty feeling in her heart.
All the torture that she had experienced in this god-forsaken house had all felt like salt rubbed into her wounds.
She regretted it. She regretted not listening to her family back then when they told her to stay away from Adrian.
Erika abruptly sat up and shook her head. This was a nightmare and the only way to wake up was if she went through with the divorce. She knew that she couldn't continue like this.
She had made up her mind.
After a long shower, Erika took out the divorce agreement that was kept near the bed, read it, and signed it with a flourish. It had always been kept near their matrimonial bed, a sore reminder that Adrian had always pushed for their separation. The thought of it made Erika's heart ache, though she waved it off.
She couldn't think about that now.
It was stated in the divorce papers that she would be given an alimony of fifty million dollars, along with a house. Erika needed to talk to Adrian about this term; she was worth way more than that, especially all that his family had put her through.
With the papers signed, Erika returned to bed. She wasn't dumb enough to head back downstairs where the mother and daughter duo were. Mary and Juliet would only find more ways to cause her trouble. She had decided that she would only head down when it was time for dinner.
Even though the Harts had hired dozens of servants to tend to their needs, Erika was the one who was responsible for most of the household chores. Even the servants didn't respect her, emboldened by the poor manner their masters treated Erika.
This was the last time Erika would help out in the house. No more after.
Erika had unknowingly fallen asleep and had awoken to the sound of the bedroom door opening. In stepped Adrian, the man she had once called her husband. Erika merely glanced at him, unmoving, an action that stumped even Adrian due to how clingy she usually was on a normal day.
He frowned, curious and displeased by her sudden coldness until he finally noticed the divorce papers by the side table, signed with her name.
His heart skipped a beat and he turned to her to ask, "What is this?"
"What?" Erika snapped. "Can't you recognize your most prized possession when you see it?"
He was stunned, his eyes wide and lips parted in surprise. Her tone was cold and sarcastic, a stark contrast to how she had always spoken to him. She had always been sweet, timid, and shy, a good wife who would never get mad no matter what Adrian did.
Erika continued, "I know that you've always wanted a divorce. That's the entire reason why you've always kept the papers in the bedside drawer, right?" She looked him straight in the eyes and added, "Let's get this divorce registered. Then, you and I would both be free."
Adrian blinked dumbly, wondering what it was that had caused Erika to change her mind. She had been so insistent on staying married. Then, his expression darkened. This was surely just another trick she had up her sleeve.
"Whatever," he said before leaving for the shower.
Erika paid him no mind. She climbed off the bed and headed downstairs to the kitchen where the butler was waiting.
"Good evening, Miss Erika," David greeted with a warm smile.
Her heart warmed. "Good evening, Uncle David." In this house, only he and Grandma Elizabeth treated Erika with respect. There was no need to be hostile towards an ally.
Together, they got to work to prepare dinner. None of the servants bothered to help. This would be the last time Erika would be cooking for her 'wonderful' family anyway.
***
When Adrian left the shower, Erika was no longer in the room. Yet, the sheet of divorce papers remained right where she had left them— out in the open for him to see.
He didn't know why but the sight of it made him frown.
"Is she serious?" he wondered out loud to himself.
The moment he entered the dining room, everyone was already seated. Mary and Juliet were chatting while Adrian's father, Adam, was on a call. Grandma Elizabeth wore a warm smile as her gaze followed after someone else. Adrian looked in the same direction just to find Erika busying about, bringing the dishes to the table so that everyone could eat.
His confidence, previously shaken by seeing Erika's signature on the divorce papers, surged back.
'There's no way Erika would agree to a divorce,' he thought to himself. 'She wouldn't want to make Grandma upset.'
But as soon as that thought entered his head, he frowned. Hadn't a divorce been what he had wanted for the last three years?
Once the dishes were served and everyone sat down, Adrian found himself unable to tear his eyes off his wife. If she was serious about the divorce, surely she would bring up the topic.
As if she had read his mind, Erika suddenly declared to no one in particular, "Adrian and I are getting a divorce."