TWO DAYS LATER.
I sat in the small cell of the police station, my gaze fixed downwards as thoughts of the incident two days ago swirled in my mind.
It felt surreal—arrested for punching Adrian. But honestly, I didn't regret it. The satisfaction of finally standing up for myself outweighed the consequences.
Despite the nagging thought that no one would bail me out, I tried so hard to push it away.
A few minutes later, an officer approached my cell, eyeing me with disgust.
Slowly, and with a sense of arrogance, the officer unlocked the gate and gestured for me to step out.
I hesitated, confused. What was happening? I was sure no one from that family would bail me out, not even Nora. So why was he telling me to step outside?
"Step out," the officer said, his voice flat. "You're being released."
I blinked, still processing what was going on. Was this a joke? Or a setup? I thought to myself. But slowly, I stepped outside, bracing myself and getting prepared for whatever was to come next.
"This way," the officer said, directing me to the counter to retrieve my belongings.
After they handed me my phone, keys, and wallet, the reality of my situation began to hit me. I was really being released, but by whom?
As I walked out of the station, I spotted my best friend, Josh, leaning against his car. My heart sank in realization. It was him who had bailed me out.
But that thought made my heart sink deeper. Josh was an Uber driver, barely scraping by himself. How could he afford to bail me out?
"You didn't have to do this, man," I said, shaking my head as I approached him.
"It's okay," he replied, a determined look in his eyes. "I can't let those jerks treat you like a nobody."
I frowned, curiosity gnawing at me. "Wait, how did you find out? And how did you even know I was here?" I asked.
He chuckled lightly. "I saw it on the news—everything, even the part where you punched that dude Honestly, Ethan, I'm damn proud of you," Josh said, a grin breaking across his face.
I smirked, shaking my head at the absurdity of it all. Josh always had a way of making me feel better, especially in the midst of trouble.
I got into the car, the familiar scent of his worn-out interior enveloping me.
I whipped out my phone from my pocket, checking to see if i had any text messages or missedcalls, but i had none.
——————
As we pulled up in front of The Mansion—Nora's mansion—I hesitated.
I was back—back to reality, back to a world I felt increasingly alienated from.
I stepped out and turned to Josh. Concern was etched on his face, but he quickly masked it with a smile, one that felt forced.
"Bye, Josh. I owe you one," I said. He chuckled, shaking his head.
"You've done far more for me, bro. Just take care of yourself," he replied, waving as he drove away.
As I approached the mansion, I noticed the guards whispering and laughing among themselves as they spotted me.
"Look who's back!" one of the guards yelled mockingly.
"Next time you take an action, be ready for the consequences to come," the other chimed in. And they both giggled.
I ignored them, walking past as I entered the compound.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come.
I knew Nora would be furious with me for punching her cousin. But could she really blame me? I couldn't just stand there and take their insults anymore.
I opened the entrance door and stepped inside, noticing an unfamiliar scent.
Maybe she had purchased a new perfume, but why did it smell so masculine?
I walked up the stairs, my steps slow. But just as I reached the top, I overheard something that sent shockwaves through me.
"Hmmmn, yes! Arghhh! Fuck me baby!" I overheard her screaming.
Was this a joke? with my heart racing, I hurried my way to her bedoom where the sound was coming from, pushing the door wide open i saw Nora, hovering above her was Mr Hans--One of the most successful CEO across the state.
I could recall him at Nora's grandmother's birthday party, he was among the people who laughed at me.
They were both staring at me now, none of them remorseful, just surprised.
"E--Ethan, how did you get out?" Nora asked with a frown, cluchting the bedsheet to cover her naked body.
"So it has come to this?" I chuckled bitterly, struggling to hold back my threatening tears.
She didn't even seem concerned about cheating; her focus was solely on my release, as if she never wanted me out.
"Dude, what were you expecting? You clearly have nothing to offer her. She needs a man who can take care of her and give her the luxury she deserves," Hans said. I nodded, glancing at Nora, who wouldn't meet my gaze.
I turned around to leave when I heard her call out to me.
"Hey, Ethan!" I paused, clenching my fists as I turned back to them. The sight of both of them was unbearable, and I needed to get the hell away.
"On your way downstairs, there's an envelope on the coffee table in the living room," she said. I frowned, confused as to why she would mention an envelope in this situation.
"What am I supposed to do with it?" I asked, my voice filled with rage and anger. It took her a few seconds before she responded.
"It's our divorce papers. I'm getting married to Hans; he proposed,"She said, raising her hand to show me her ring…