She stumbled into Sally, who clutched her newborn tighter like I was some wild animal.
Maybe I was.
Because at that moment, I wasn’t just mourning. I was done.
My gaze locked with Darren’s. He looked shocked. Furious. “What’s gotten into you, Eliana?”
I smiled. Cold. Deadly. “Clarity.”
Then I walked out. Ignoring his voice calling after me. He didn’t follow.
My hands shook as I dug into my pocket and pulled out my phone. The lawyer’s name glowed across the screen.
“Eliana,” his voice was steady, professional, “I’ve begun processing the divorce papers. You’ll hear back within forty-eight hours.”
“Good,” I whispered, my throat raw. “The sooner, the better.”
I ended the call. Slipped off my wedding ring. Held it for only a second—then hurled it into the trash bin beside me. The metallic clang echoed like a gunshot.
I made my vow. Low enough for only the night to hear:
“Darren Centineo, you just buried the wrong child. And when I’m finished with you, the whole world will know it.”
ELIANA
I had barely turned from the bin when footsteps followed me. Darren's tall frame filled the doorway, Janine close at his side like a shadow.