Delphinia closed up her suitcase with a quick zzzip, the sound cut through the silence like it was nothing. Her heart felt light, but her face remained calm, almost expressionless. A newly signed divorce agreement sat neatly on her now-empty nightstand—a symbol of the life she was leaving behind. The name on the dotted line, "Kai Robinson," no longer had the power to shake her.
Delphinia glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Her brown eyes, usually lost in thought and misery, now had a bit of fire in them. She adjusted a loose strand of her silky black hair behind her ear. This wasn't the face of a woman devastated by her husband's betrayal. No tears ran down her cheeks, and her hands stayed firm. She wasn't a victim, nor did she intend to be one.
"This marriage, which feels like nightmare," she said quietly, "is over."
Her lips curled into a small smile. If only she could erase the past year entirely. It had been a prison sentence disguised as matrimony, forced upon her by her family for the sake of business alliances. She dragged the suitcase off the bed, the wheels banging as they hit the floor.
Delphinia didn't care if she left something behind. The Robinson mansion, with all its fancy decor, and its residents had never felt like home. Whatever belongings she forgot could rot here with the rest of the family.
Pulling the suitcase toward the door, Delphinia cast one last glance around the room. Cold and distant, just like her soon-to-be ex-husband. She pushed the door open, the hinges creaking as if announcing her freedom.
As she descended the grand staircase, all she could hear was laughter and talking. The Robinson family was gathered in the living room, their voices practically shouted how proud they were of themselves.
Delphinia's jaw clenched. The nerve of them to be so merry when they'd just discarded her like an unwanted piece of furniture. But she wouldn't shrink away; she straightened her posture, holding her head high, the suitcase trailing behind her, the wheels clicking on the marble steps.
The moment she stepped into view, the noise died down. Six pairs of eyes turned toward her: Kai's parents, Gregory and Marissa Robinson; his older siblings, Sandra and Leo; and most nauseatingly, Kai himself, standing too close to her.
Adalaine.
The woman he'd been fooling around with, and he didn't even seem embarrassed about it.
Delphinia's gaze locked onto the woman who had wormed her way into her husband's bed—and apparently, his family's good graces. Adalaine stood in a figure-hugging red dress, her manicured nails resting lightly on Kai's arm. Her laugh, which had been ringing moments ago, faded as her gaze met Delphinia's.
"Ah, Delphinia," Marissa's overly sweet voice broke the silence. "We didn't realize you were there."
Delphinia's lips twisted into a half-smile. "I didn't mean to interrupt your… festivities."
Kai smirked, his arms crossed. "I see you're all packed. Finally ready to leave?"
Adalaine's perfectly painted lips twisted into a mocking smile. "Oh, Delphinia, darling, you're not going to cry now, are you? Or beg for a second chance?"
Delphinia let out a soft laugh, stepping closer. She faced Adalaine, keeping her cool, but there was something biting in her gaze. "Cry? Beg? Why would I? You're delusional if you think I'd shed a single tear over leaving Kai. Honestly, this is the happiest I've been in months. If anything, I should be throwing a party, but I guess you beat me to it."
Adalaine's smile faltered at that.
Delphinia turned her attention to Kai, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "And you, Kai. You must be thrilled. No more pretending to be a husband. You're free to do whatever you want—and whoever you want. Though, I have to say…" Her gaze flicked to Adalaine with disgust. "…your taste in women is questionable at best."
Adalaine's cheeks flushed, and she stammered, "Excuse me?"
Kai scowled. "Watch it, Delphinia."
"Oh, I'm just being honest," Delphinia said with a shrug. "Honesty is important in a relationship, isn't it? Speaking of which…" Her tone turned sharper as she looked back at Adalaine. "Kai, you might want to stock up on some protection. Adalaine's been busy, hasn't she? Sleeping around with half your friends. Wouldn't want to catch something nasty, would you?"
The room went dead silent, broken only by Sandra's stifled giggle. Adalaine's face turned scarlet, and Kai's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"And if she ends up pregnant," Delphinia added with mock concern, "do yourself a favor—get a DNA test. You don't want any surprises."
Marissa shot to her feet, her face twisted in anger. "Enough! Get out of this house, you ungrateful little—"
"Oh, don't worry, Marissa, I'm leaving," Delphinia interrupted smoothly. "I can't stand the sound of your voice any longer. But before that, one little advice. If I were you, I'd stop frequenting those seedy bars. They're no place for an old lady like you."
Sandra's laughter turned into a loud snort, and Marissa's face turned beet red.
Delphinia shifted her gaze to Sandra. "And you, Sandra. I'd advise against those breast and butt implants you've been talking about. But I suppose it can't be helped—you've always been jealous of mine, haven't you?" She smirked as Sandra's smile disappeared. "Still, if I were you, I'd focus more on fixing that nasty attitude of yours. Men aren't into spoiled, temperamental divas, you know."
Sandra glared at her but said nothing, her fists clenching at her sides.
Delphinia then turned to Leo, Kai's older brother, who had been silently sipping his drink. "Leo, maybe try actually managing the company instead of leeching off Daddy's money. Unless you want to send Gregory to an early grave with a heart attack when it goes under."
Leo blinked in surprise, his glass hovering mid-air.
Finally, Delphinia's gaze landed on Gregory Robinson, the patriarch of the family. She offered him a cold smile. "And good luck finding another daughter-in-law who's richer than the Harringtons. You'll need it. Though, given how you've treated me, I doubt any self-respecting woman would put up with you lot. And don't worry, Gregory. If you ever get tired of Marissa, you can always follow Kai's example and trade her in for a younger model."
Gregory's face turned an alarming shade of purple, and he opened his mouth to argue, but Delphinia didn't give him the chance.
She turned on her heel and marched to the front door, her suitcase following her. With one swift motion, she pulled a pair of oversized sunglasses from her pocket and slid them onto her face. She paused in the doorway, turning back to face the fuming Robinsons one last time.
"Just so you know, I'm not mocking you," she said with a big smile. "I'm just stating the facts. It's not my fault you can't handle the truth."
And with that, she stepped out into the bright afternoon sun, the door slamming shut behind her. As she walked down the driveway, her suitcase bumping along the pavement, she felt a weight lift from her shoulders.
The Robinsons had underestimated her, thinking she'd just crawl away in shame. Instead, she'd walked out with her head held high, with her dignity in place, and her freedom reclaimed. For the first time in a long time, Delphinia felt like herself again.
She smiled wider, savoring the taste of victory. This was only the beginning.