Drowning Him In Regret

The room went still the moment Jude's offer left his mouth.

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Casey slammed her palm against the desk and shot to her feet, her voice filled

with indignation. "Seriously? You'd throw your wife under the bus like that -for her?"

Vivian flinched like she'd been hit, instantly curling into Jude's chest like a frightened kitten, her body trembling slightly.

They looked perfect together, really. A picture of passion and drama.

Out of all the women Jude had entertained over the years, Vivian was clearly his favorite.

I couldn't help thinking about what she'd said earlier-the unloved one is the real homewrecker-and the absurdity of it made me laugh, a soft, mirthless chuckle escaping my lips.

Casey turned sharply toward me, alarmed, her eyes wide with concern. "Ada... are you okay? You're scaring me."

Wiping away tears—of laughter–I shook my head, still grinning faintly. “I'm fine. Sixty thousand? Sure."

Pulling out my phone, I held up the payment QR code toward him like I was handing over a receipt, my tone casual. "Scan away."

Jude just stared, frozen, like he couldn't quite process what was happening, his eyes wide with disbelief.noveldrama

That confusion gave way to something else-disappointment, maybe-but it all settled into raw, impotent fury.

He shot to his feet so quickly that Vivian nearly toppled over, his voice booming with anger. "So that's it? It's always about money with you, isn't it?"

*To you, love means nothing unless there's a dollar sign attached. Is that it?" he roared.

I stayed silent, watching as the officer tried to calm things down, as Vivian clung to him with tears in her eyes, and as Casey murmured curses under her breath like she might throw something, her face red with anger.

And for once, I didn't feel like saying anything at all.

Once, I might've told him, You were my whole world. But that version of me didn't exist anymore.

Pushing my phone toward him again, I kept my voice low, a hint of steel in my tone. "Keep talking, and it won't just be sixty grand anymore. Scan it.”

He scanned. My phone chimed with the transaction notification, and with that little sound, it was done.

i stood up slowly, letting the moment settle, a sense of finality washing over me.

Jurning to the officer, I said simply, my voice matter-of-fact, "This is over. I won't be filing anything."

I looked at Casey. "Let's go," I commanded softly.

With the money secured, there was no reason to stay and watch their romantic performance.

But Vivian wasn't ready to let me leave just yet.

She stepped in front of me, arms crossed, lips trembling, her voice laced with venom. "I get it. You don't like me. But deep down, you know you've already lost. You're the failure in this relationship."

"As a wife, what exactly have you done besides beg Jude for money?" she sneered, her eyes flashing with contempt.

"Let's see... I've confronted the mistress and filed a police report. Not bad," I retorted, my voice cool and collected,

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I looked at her sarcastically, wondering where she got her confidence.

I tilted my head, eyes locked on hers, my gaze unwavering. "Thing is, he chose to give me that money. But you? You stole from me."

Reaching over, I snatched her handbag, dug through it, and pulled out the jewelry I'd been missing, a satisfied look on my face.

Funny, I'd almost forgotten about it.

Grabbing a plastic bag off the desk, I calmly dropped the pieces inside individually.

"These are mine," I said, turning to the officer again, my tone firm. "I assume I'm allowed to take back my own property?"

Before he could answer, Jude stepped in, voice low. "You're still Mrs. Carson. That jewelry was always yours."

"As long as you stop acting out, that title won't change. No one can take your place," he added, his eyes fixed on me.

Vivian's eyes welled with tears, but Jude didn't even look at her. His gaze was still fixed on me, as if he was trying to burn some kind of message into my

skin.

I rolled my eyes. Was this his idea of being romantic?

Just as I reached the door, Vivian's body crumpled behind me.

I turned my head just in time to see Jude scoop her into his arms.

What a show.

The scorned wife tearing apart the star-crossed lovers. I guess that made me the villain.

1 turned back to Casey. "Let's go. We still had stuff to pack," I said, my

voice

weary.

I didn't want to stay with them.

Even in the car, Casey couldn't let it go.

Her hands clenched the steering wheel. "That bastard's brain must be broken. What the hell was that?

"And Vivian? Ada, don't tell me you didn't notice-she's been copying your style from college. The hair, the way she talks-everything."

"It's disgusting" she ranted, her voice rising in pitch.

I listened to her complaints in silence and tried to soothe her.

"You're not even mad?" she asked, baffled, her eyes darting to me.

"What's there to be mad about? I got the money. That'll cover my treatment, won't

it?" I replied, my voice steady.

I glanced at her, confused. "I want the money, not the man. That's a win in my

book."

She didn't know how to respond to that. Just bit the gas and let the silence stretch.

Back home, I packed quietly. Dropped the jewelry onto the coffee table without so

much as a glance, my movements mechanical.

I didn't need any of it. I just didn't want Vivian jo have it.

Then, I changed the lock code and sent the new one to Jude.

Everything in its place, I turned to Casey./"Let's go," I said again.

17:01 Thu, 8 May

"You'll stay with me," she said, her tone insistent. "I rented a new place. Easier to

take care of you that way."

"I've got another apartment," I replied, flashing her a wink, a glimmer of mischief

in my eye.

She blinked at me. "You what? When?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with

surprise.

Texplained, my voice softening. "Not mine my mom's."

Before she passed, I bought it under her name.

It was a tiny place, but it was my home because my mom was there.

Casey didn't love that idea. She worried I'd spiral being back there alone.

After some back and forth, I promised her I'd just go check it out, clean up a little, and then decide.

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We arrived to find the place abandoned by time. Dust covered every surface. One step inside, and we were both coughing, choking on the thick layer of dust

Casey yanked me back out, her voice filled with concern. "No way. I'll get someone to clean it. You're staying with me tonight."

I nodded, but my eyes lingered on that cramped little space, a sense of nostalgia washing over me.

It was dusty and small, sure. And for now, it was where I felt safe.

But it was where my mother had spent her final days. Maybe it could be home

again.

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