eam, Laxus had been standing in my room, his presence as real as the air I breathed. I jolted upright, my e

uestion hung in the air, unanswered. I tried to recall the events of the previous night, but my memory wa

of confusion and the unsettling aftertaste of my dream. After I'd dressed, I

n. Tyler's head snapped up, his eyes widening in surprise. He bolted, ru

er brow furrowed with concern.

, his voice strained, his eye

er gaze settling on me. I nodded, trying to que

aching for the door handle. I stepped in front of him, stopping him dead in his track

voice sharp with suspicion. Tyler's eyes dar

sorry-" he started

arcasm. "He wants my help, and as his brother-in-

in-law anymore, Tyler. I signed the divorce papers."

?" he asked, his vo

m come after me. You're disrespecting your sister."

acing. I needed to talk to Trisha and Joana, ge

h disbelief as I recounted the events. "He's really a hard-

me?" Trisha asked, her br

found myself in my room." I tried to piece together the missing pi

amusement. I sighed, agreeing with her. Maybe it was time to take a break from

ginning. As a thank you for their support, I treated Trisha and Joana to lunch, the clinking of s

?" Trisha asked as we

ermined glint in my e

laced with warmth. "And you need to heal." I

d, grabbing the bill a

onto the sidewalk wh

she said, excusing hers

spered, her eyes following Trish

her a lesson," I said, a m

steel. "I'll make sure he doesn't do it again." I smirked

ssion a mix of apology and

curiosity. Trisha's lips curved into a

nvited us to a party," she sa

e of apprehension washing over me. T

oice firm. Joana, sensing my r

ana said, her tone light. Trisha, however, con

have other friends. You don't need to be with us all t

she said, pulling us b

appearing down the street. I turned to Joana

, my voice quiet. "Are you going

said, her voice weary. I nodded, under

r off, I headed to a nearby cafe for a much-needed dose of caffeine. As

oice tinged with a

sked, her voice filled

d, turning onto the familiar

e said, her words making my stomach clenc

trained. The call ended, leaving

eart skipped a beat as I recognized the Villafuertes' vehicle. I parked my car and

eady settled on the couch. I greeted them with a forced smi

te said, pulling me into a tight hug. "Laxus got the

lurted out, my voice laced wit

my drawer, my fingers desperately seeking the brown envelope containing the divorce papers

"He was here last night?" I asked my Mom, my voice trembling. She n

e soft. I sank onto the couch, the reality of the situati

ng last night," I said, m

" Mrs. Villafuerte said, her voice tinged with a hi

in my eyes. I couldn't bear to look at them,

go to my room, my feet moving on autopilot. As I reached the doorway, a hand reached out

soft but firm. I took a deep breath, my

trees. I hadn't realized how much her garden had grown, how vibrant and lush it had become.

gesturing towards the sprawling garden. M

d, her voice filled with quiet satisfaction. I looke

ing her lingering gaze. She shook her head, her

isper. I paused, my heart heavy with the weight of her questio

my voice choking with emo

d to apologize, honey," she said. "If you think leaving will help you move f

hese conversations with my Mom, the kind where we could talk about anything, where her wisd

nce this kind of thing," she whisp

who decided to marry him. But I realized I didn't know him at all." Mom

urs, the gentle rustle of leaves and the soft fragrance of flowers a soothing balm to my tro

m asked, her voice filled with concern.

her touch lingering on my shoulder for a moment. "See you la

ts scattered and confused. I was lost in a haze of introspection when I heard a car pull up outside th

a car I recognized all too well. A wave of annoyanc

with exasperation. He remained silent, his gaze fixed on me as he walked towards

," he said, his voice low and mea

y tone sharp. He remained si

?" he asked, his voice laced

I demanded, my patience wearing thin. He co

" he retorted, his voice a challenge. I

k towards the house, my footsteps heavy with anger. But before I cou

fixed on the ground. "My lawyer is processing the papers now

y, but he caught my arm again, his fingers digging into my skin. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to face hi

over me. I found myself kissing him back, the familiar taste of his lips, the warm

with each step. We ended up in my room, the door slamming shut behind us. A

e helped me out of my clothes, his kisses trailing down my neck, his fingers caressing my thig

I turned my head, my heart skipping a beat. Laxus was sleeping soundly beside me, his arm thrown across my

ain," I whispered, running

my legs feeling shaky, and started towards the bathroom. As I reached the door, I heard the sou

clicking of the doorknob. Panic surged through me. I scrambled to push Laxu

eart pounding in my chest. "Don't make any noise," I hissed, my

ar composed. Tyler stepped inside, his gaze sweeping across the r

ced with concern. "Are you alright?" he asked, his eyes searc

said, my voice stiff. He just smirked, his ex

said, his smirk widening. My heart sank.

arted towards me, but I raised my hand, stopping him in hi

d to him," he said, his voice sharp with accusa

y voice rising in frustration. But he ins

room?" he asked, his voice laced with disbelief. Sweat t

ke this? I hadn't d

this," Tyler said, tu

I started to protest, but

g on me," a voice s

mixture of surprise and confusion. Lax

imed, his voice lace

is voice confident, h

der my breath, my head spinning with a