Chapter 8

Norway had always been my dream.

Before we got married, Ethan promised he'd take me there.

But even after our divorce, that promise stayed broken.

So I went on my own.

I was lucky, the snow was falling when I landed, and I even got to see the northern lights with a few new friends. It was absolutely magical.

Ethan, of course, blew up my phone with calls and messages. I didn't bother reading them. Just blocked and deleted him completely.

For a few blissful days, I felt free.

Until I ran into them at the airport, right before my flight home.

Luna was curled up in his arms, laughing as she begged for a selfie. Ethan's face was unreadable… until he saw me.

He froze.

"Sophia?"

I frowned and turned to walk away, but he jumped in front of me, blocking my path.

"I knew you were just being dramatic. Ignoring my calls, blocking my number, was this another one of your tantrums to get me to chase you? What, did you follow me here? You've been keeping tabs on me, haven't you?"

He didn't even stop for air.

"Look, I regret what happened with the baby, okay? But you're the one who filed the divorce. Let's just call it even and go back to the way things were. Stop being so damn petty."

Behind him, Luna's expression shifted, sweet to sour in a second flat. Her eyes burned with jealousy until she forced herself into a sob, clinging to Ethan like some tragic heroine.

"I'm sorry, Sophia. This is all my fault. I just… love Ethan too much."

She sniffled dramatically. "I'll leave, I swear. You'll never have to see me again."

She started crying harder.

"My baby… could've been yours. If I hadn't come between you, you wouldn't have lost yours. Just take him, please. I'll give you my baby. Just… be kind to him. I'm begging you."

And then, because of course she did, she actually tried to kneel.

Ethan pulled her back, his jaw tightening as he turned on me with disgust.

"Sophia! Apologize! Why are you being so heartless? Luna didn't do anything wrong! Was losing the baby just another one of your twisted games?"

"Apologize to her. Now. Or I swear I'll never forgive you."

That's when I slapped him, hard enough to make his head turn.

Before he could even recover, I backhanded Luna, right across that smug, tear-soaked face.

Her eyes, glinting with smug satisfaction a moment ago, widened in stunned silence.

"Ethan, are you actually this brain-dead? Did I say anything? Did I touch her? No. But you didn't even wait, you just assumed I was the villain. Are you blind, or just plain stupid?"

"You're the one begging me to get back together. Did I stutter when I said divorce? Or are you just that desperate to keep me tied to you?"

"If you needed a slap to knock some sense into you, you're welcome."

Then I turned to Luna, voice ice-cold.

"And you, you sad little homewrecker. All you ever do is cry. Are the tears supposed to make people forget you're a snake? You're ruining the northern lights with your drama."

"If you're going to be the mistress, at least own it. 'True love'? Please. You couldn't even wait to heal before dragging yourself here to show off your 'win.' You reek of desperation."

"Honestly? You look like you might drop dead at any minute. And if you do, don't expect me to catch you."

With that, I walked away, calm, unbothered, and absolutely done.