Rachelle's POV
In the ride back home, I couldn't help but hate myself.
Every breath felt heavy, guilt pressing on my chest until I could barely move.
I pitied my life — the life I once dreamed of.
My fairytale wedding, my perfect love, my peaceful forever with Luis… all gone.
All shattered in one cruel twist of fate.
And the worst part? He was suffering because of me.
The moment I stepped into the room and the door shut behind me, I broke down completely.
The tears came fast, harder than before, soaking my trembling hands as I sank to the cold floor.
Luis's face haunted me — the heartbreak in his eyes, the disbelief.
Then my father's disappointment… and Xavier's cold, unreadable stare.
All of it blurred together until I could barely breathe.
I gasped for air, clutching my chest as if that could stop the ache.
"Why me?" I screamed into the emptiness.
"Why did you come into my life just to ruin it , Xavier Stones?"
My voice cracked, echoing through the silence. For a moment, I sat there trembling.
Then something in me snapped.
I wiped my tears roughly. No more crying. No more running from the truth.
If he wanted to destroy me, then he would have to face me first.
With that fire burning inside, I stood up, straightened my dress, and stormed out of the room — heading straight for his study.
---
Xavier's POV
The lights were off. I liked it that way.
Darkness made everything easier — quieter.
It hid the things I didn't want to feel.
My fist throbbed from where I'd slammed it into the wall.
Blood trickled down my wrist, slow and steady, but I barely noticed.
The sting was almost comforting — a reminder that I was still alive, still capable of pain.
But that kiss…
That damn kiss wouldn't leave my mind.
Her lips trembling against mine — the warmth, the fear, the confusion — it all haunted me.
It made me furious that she reminded me of something I had buried long ago.
Someone I had sworn no one could ever replace.
I cursed under my breath, gripping the desk edge until my knuckles turned white.
Then — the door creaked open.
She stood there.
Tear-streaked. Shaking. But not backing down.
"Get the hell out of here, Rachelle," I snapped, my voice sharp and low.
She didn't move.
Instead, she took a step closer, her eyes red but unflinching.
"Why me?" she whispered, her voice trembling yet strong enough to slice through the dark.
"What did I ever do to you? Why did you ruin my life? Is this your kind of game — watching people break?"
Her words hit deeper than I wanted to admit.
I felt the rage rise again, burying everything else — every doubt, every unwanted thought.
"You want to know why?" I hissed.
"Because you were his dream, Rachelle. Luis's everything."
I paused, the words bitter on my tongue.
"So I took you."
Her lips parted — disbelief flashing across her face — but I didn't stop.
"I hate him," I said, my tone cracking at the edges. "And I'll do whatever it takes to make him suffer… even if it means using you."
I forced the words out colder this time, like knives.
"You're nothing to me but a pawn — a move to break him."
The room fell painfully silent.
She just stood there, eyes wide, her breath trembling.
"Now leave," I said finally, my voice soft but merciless.
"Before I lose my patience."
She didn't argue.
She turned and left — silent tears tracing down her face, each one cutting deeper than she knew.
And then, the door closed.
The faint trace of her perfume lingered in the air.
I looked at my bleeding hand, at the small red drops staining the floor.
And for the first time, I wondered —
Was revenge always meant to feel this hollow?