I thought Marvin’s threats were empty, but he proved me wrong.
Just as I was discussing a welcome home party with my mother, Raelyn called.
After more than a decade away, my mother was eager for me to take over the family business. She’d been introducing me to Aeloria’s top business figures, ensuring I found my footing quickly.
To my surprise, Michael lived in the same villa district as us, just a few doors away.
“Stop what you’re doing! Check the news!” Raelyn’s voice sounded urgent on the phone.
Confused, I opened the message she sent.
It was a screenshot of Marvin’s Twitter post: [Fifteen years together, and I never expected you to betray me. But it’s okay. If you’re willing to come back, I’ll still be here waiting.]
The comments were full of pity for him, accusing me of being ungrateful and unworthy of love.
My head throbbed.
My teeth clenched as I took Marvin’s number off
my block list.
I knew what he was trying to do. He wanted to pressure me into submission, just like before.
Whenever we fought, I was the one to apologize first.
Marvin clearly thought this time would be no different.
When I called, he answered immediately.
“Ariadne,” he said, his tone noticeably softer than before.
“I’ve been thinking. This is my fault. I’ll keep my distance from Lindsay from now on. Mindy’s birthday is coming up. Can we stop fighting?”
He was actually apologizing, which was rare.
But that didn’t excuse the lies he had spread online.
My acquaintances had seen his post, and many had taken it as an opportunity to mock me.
Hearing his apology, I felt no relief, only anger.
“Do you even realize you’re slandering me?” I demanded.
“That’s not slander. Are you seriously denying you have feelings for that man? Lindsay was right, you’re not mad because you’re jealous. You’re in love with someone else, aren’t you? Ariadne, how could you do this to me?”
His voice grew indignant, twisting the narrative to paint me as the villain.
It was the first time I’d seen him act so shamelessly.
“Marvin, you know who cheated. If you don’t clear this up, don’t blame me for what happens next.”
For years, I’d been too tolerant of him. He kept pushing because I let him. However, I wouldn’t let that happen again.
“You’re threatening me? Just come back, and I’ll forget everything that happened.”
His words made my stomach turn.
The polite, respectful man I thought I’d known was a facade. Realizing I had been blind to his true nature for so long, I was furious.
“Go ahead,” I said coldly. “Test me and see what happens.”
I hung up.
The fallout from Marvin’s post was intense.
When I stepped away from the circle over ten years ago, many were eager to see me fail.
Now, the news of my supposed affair had given them more ammunition.
The story even made it to online forums, sparking a frenzy of insults and speculation.
That was my breaking point.
