The house was quiet but Rina knew their kind of quiet. Luis and Bianca thought she didn't see the way they looked at each other when they thought no one was watching. She had learned how to be silent in her past life. That silence saved her now.
One night she heard soft laughter from Luis's study. She moved closer the door slightly open. Inside Bianca was sitting on his desk her arms around his neck her lips pressed to his. Luis whispered her name like a secret. Rina's eyes stayed cold. She took her phone out and hit record the camera catching their shadows against the wall. Every sound every word every touch. It would be useful later. She didn't cry this time. She only smiled and whispered quietly into the dark keep going you'll both pay soon.
The next morning she went downstairs like nothing happened. Luis sat at the dining table scrolling through his phone. She smiled and poured herself some juice then said casually I need your card.
He didn't even look up What for
She tilted her head Just for a few things. You said I could use it anytime right
He nodded distracted so she walked away hiding her smile.
By noon she was gone. The city lights reflected in her sunglasses as she walked into the luxury dealership. The staff recognized her from before and rushed to attend to her. She ran her fingers across the glossy cars before stopping at a sleek white sports car that looked fast and wild just like the new version of her. She didn't hesitate she bought it on the spot.
After that she went shopping again. This time it wasn't gowns or diamonds. It was bold outfits short bum shorts that shaped her hips perfectly crop tops that showed her toned stomach and a pair of two million boots that made every step sound expensive. She didn't care about looks or whispers. This was her freedom.
When she returned home the car keys jingled in her hand and the bags followed behind her. Luis saw the message on his phone first the debit alert that made his heart jump. He rushed downstairs just as she was admiring her new car.
Rina where the hell did all my money go
She looked up with a calm smile Oh that I bought a car and some clothes.
He stared at her speechless You spent that much in one day
She shrugged lightly You said I could use the card.
Luis opened his mouth to shout but stopped. The look in her eyes was different not scared not sorry. He didn't know what to do with that.
That night she dressed for the club. Her shorts shimmered under the light the crop top hugged her chest her hair pulled into a high ponytail again. The boots clicked on the floor with every confident step.
Luis tried to ask where she was going but she only smiled and said Out.
The club was alive with music and lights. She moved through the crowd graceful and calm drawing attention without trying. She walked straight to the bar and ordered a drink.
Then she felt someone beside her. She turned slowly and there was Alex in a dark shirt his sleeves rolled up his eyes already fixed on her.
Rina he said quietly you look different again.
She smiled a little I'm just living Alex.
He looked at her for a long moment then said softly I can see that.
The music thumped around them the light catching her skin as she lifted her glass. For the first time in a long time she felt alive not as the woman Luis betrayed but as the woman who finally started taking her world back.
The night at the club stayed in her mind long after she got home. The way Alex looked at her not with pity but with quiet respect made something warm settle in her chest. But she didn't let it distract her. She had a plan and she wasn't going to stop until she was free completely free.
The next morning the sky was still gray when she left the house. Luis was asleep Bianca nowhere to be seen. Rina drove her new car to the law firm downtown. The receptionist recognized her right away and offered her a seat. She sat with her legs crossed calm and patient until a lawyer came to meet her.
Mrs Rina Luis he greeted her politely what can we do for you today
She smiled gently Please drop the Mrs. I came to file for a divorce.
He blinked surprised You're certain about this
Very certain she said her voice steady.
They went over the papers carefully. She didn't rush she wanted every line to be perfect every signature to mean something. The lawyer told her it would take about three months for everything to be finalized. She nodded and signed without a second thought.
When she walked out into the sunlight the wind hit her face and she smiled a little. It wasn't over yet but it was a start. The beginning of her real freedom.
Back home Luis still had no clue. He greeted her like always asking if she wanted to eat if she wanted to go somewhere with him. She only smiled softly and said I'm fine.
At night she stood by her window watching the city lights and whispered quietly Three months that's all. Three months and I'll finally be done with you.
She went to bed peaceful for the first time in years. The papers were hidden safely in her drawer and no one knew but her.
Luis old self was back the charm the attention the way he used to hold her like she was the only woman in the world it was all back again he started buying her gifts and talking to her softly again but she didn't burge she stayed calm like she was done with every of his tricks she smiled when she needed to smiled spoke when needed to speak but deep down her heart was quiet she already knew what she wanted her papers were already being processed she was just waiting for the right time
He tried making her laugh cooking for her sometimes even coming into her room pretending to ask questions just to stay around her but Rina didn't fall for it this time she had learned her lessons the new her was calm and different she didn't fight she didn't nag she didn't argue she just looked at him with that soft smile that made him feel uneasy
Sometimes she would walk past him in her nightwear and he would freeze remembering what it felt like to touch her but she would just greet and walk away like nothing was wrong Luis couldn't understand what was happening it was like he was losing her all over again and this time she wasn't coming back