The answer slipped out before I could think. I ended the call quickly, before doubt could creep in.
That night, I packed quietly. For the first time in years, my hands were steady. I wasn’t afraid anymore. I was ready to leave.
The next morning, when I stepped into the house, Nikolai and Sabine were already in the living room, laughing over coffee as if nothing had happened. My jaw tightened.
“There you are,” Nikolai said coolly as he stood. “You need to apologize to Sabine.”
I frowned. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me,” he said sharply. “You hurt her. She’s important to me, Sienna. Apologize.”
Sabine crossed her arms, a smug smile tugging at her lips. “It’s only fair, Nikolai. After everything she’s done—”
“No,” I cut in.
Nikolai’s head snapped toward me. “What did you say?”
“I said no,” I repeated, my voice firmer. “Why should I apologize when she’s the one who started all this?”
His expression darkened. “Don’t test my patience, Sienna. You’ve already cost me enough — that business deal fell through because of your drama. You’ll do as I say.”
Then he grabbed my arm.
My hand moved before I could stop myself. The sharp sound of the slap echoed through the room.
“No,” I said coldly. “You don’t get to touch me anymore.”
He froze, shock written across his face. Then his eyes narrowed, studying me. Realization dawned.
“…You can see?”
A faint smirk formed on my lips. “Yes, Nikolai. I can see now. Nervous?”
He stepped closer, his anger dissolving into unease. “Love… why didn’t you tell me? I could’ve helped—”
I let out a bitter laugh. “Help? Like when you paid the doctors to keep me blind? Like when you lied about our marriage? Don’t bother pretending anymore, Nikolai. I know everything.”
He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
Behind him, Sabine’s face had gone pale, her lips trembling.
I turned to her and slapped her hard. Her head snapped to the side. “That’s for every lie,” I said quietly. “For smiling at me while sneaking around with my husband.”
Tears filled her eyes, but I felt nothing.
I slid the wedding ring off my finger, staring at it for a fleeting second before letting it drop. It hit the floor with a sharp metallic clang that echoed through the room.
“We were never married to begin with,” I said, my voice cold and steady. “There’s no legal record of us.”
“Sienna, wait—” Nikolai reached out, trying to stop me.