Chapter 17%
I screamed. I didn’t even know I still had the strength to do that, but I screamed so loud my throat tore raw. My arms flailed, grabbing anything I could find–a bedpan, the metal IV stand, anything to put between me and the woman who had haunted every corner of my life But jus
as the cold flash of steel came for me, a hand shot out and grabbed her wrist
“Stop,” a voice growled
I knew that voice.)
Kevin.
Jasmine’s body jerked in surprise as she turned toward him. The knife clattered to the floor. For a heartbeat, the world stood still, Her eyes flicked from Kevin to me and back again. Her lips curled, her expression warping into something inhuman.
“You–why are you stopping me?! You still love me, don’t you?” she shrieked. “She’s the one ruining everything! I was supposed to be the one beside you! Me!”
Kevin stood frozen for a moment, his face unreadable. Then he pushed her back hard–into the far wall–and stepped in front of me like a
shield
“Don’t come near her again,” he said, each word sharp and trembling. “Don’t you dare.“I
That was when the door flew open.8
Troy burst in first, his eyes going straight to me. I saw his panic twist into fury the moment he spotted Jasmine, and then his gaze landed on Kevin, standing protectively by my side.
Behind Troy was my stepfather, Lucas, pale and breathless.
And then–uniforms. Shouting, Flashlights. The police poured in
“Don’t move!” one officer barked, his weapon drawn. “Hands where we can see them!”
ai
Jasmine’s body shook as two officers tackled her, pinning her arms behind her back. She let out a wild scream, twisting like a trapped
animal
“You can’t do this to mel I’m the one they love! I’m the one they should’ve chosen!“”
Her eyes locked onto me. “You were always second best! You were the mistake! You should’ve died in that fire! In the hospital! Tonight!”
I couldn’t breathe. My chest was tight, my vision blurry.
She kept screaming even as they dragged her from the room.
“I’m perfect! I’m better than you! I’m the one who belongs with Kevin! With all of you! I’m the one who should be loved!”
The door slammed shut behind her.8
Silence fell, broken only by the beeping of my heart monitor and my erratic breathing.X
My hands trembled violently. The cold metal bedrail dug into my palms. I stared at the spot where Jasmine had stood just moments ago. -where death nearly came for me in a nurse’s disguise.
Then Kevin turned to me. Slowly, Hesitantly,
“Isabella…” His voice cracked. “1–I didn’t know. I swear I didn’t know she would do that I never wanted this. I never wanted you to get hurt
“Don’t” I whispered, unable to hold the tears back.
He stepped closer, eyes filled with guilt, remorse, maybe even regret. Tm sorry. Im so sorry. For everything. For not protecting you. For not believing you. For all of it“:
And then he knelt beside my bed
“I lost you, and I deserve it. But please… just give me a chance to make things right. Please, Isa.”
His hand reached for mine
I slapped him.
The sound cracked through the room like a whip.
Kevin’s face turned to the side, stunned. He didn’t move. Didn’t react. He just let the sting settle in his skin.
“You don’t get to be here,” I said, voice low, shaking. “You don’t get to cry now. You don’t get to kneel. You don’t get me.”
His eyes glistened, “I didn’t know-“}
“No, you refused to know,” I snapped. “You chose her every time. You mocked me. Let her destroy every piece of me. You married me and made me feel like dirt. And now you’re here, crying over the mess you created?”
“I know I failed you he choked out. “But never stopped loving you. I didn’t realize until–until you were gone, and-”
“Enough” My voice cracked. “You let her break me. Over and over. And you stood there, Kevin. You let her. Don’t tell me now that it meant
nothing”
Troy stepped forward, Quiet, steady. His presence grounded me. My body relaxed as he gently placed his hand on my back.
“She doesn’t owe you anything.” he said to Kevin.8
Kevin stood slowly, his fists clenched.
“I’m not letting her go,” he said quietly, his voice trembling. “Not again.”
“She already left you. Troy said. “You just never realized she wasn’t coming back.”
4:16 PM
THE 19 Ungne ya, ime suru quinty, Ins volue Demping. NUL Dydir &
“She already left you” Troy said. “You just never realized she wasn’t coming back.”
Kevin’s jaw tightened. “You think you deserve her?”
Troy met his glare. “No. I respect her.”
That was all it took.
Kevin lunged.
the wall beside my bed. I screamed, pressing
Fists flew. A chair toppled. The two of them collided with a violent crash, slamming
ing into the w myself back against the headboard as security rushed in again.
Kevin struck first, but Tray fought back harder.
“You don’t get to act like a man now!” Troy growled. “Not after what you did to her!”
Kevin’s knuckles were bloodied, Troy’s lip split–but neither of them backed down
“Stop!” I cried. “Just stop! All of you!”
Security pried them apart, forcing Kevin back as Troy breathed hard, still standing between me and the man I once loved. Kevin’s eyes locked on mine.l
“I’m not done,” he said hoarsely. “You’re still my wife.”
I stared back, cold and hollow. “Not anymore, my ex–husband
416 FMI
