After the Last Tear: Rising from the Ashes of a Broken Marriage novel Chapter 49

I woke to cold, empty sheets beside me – as if no one had slept there at all.

With my departure only days away, I resigned from my job. There was no point in prolonging the inevitable.

While handing over my donation bags to the courier, I noticed a commotion across the hall.

Moving men were shuttling new furniture in and out of the apartment.

Through the chaos, I spotted Luke immediately. He stood with his arm draped around Mandy's shoulders, directing the workers.

It was so typical of him – this attention to detail. He'd been just as meticulous when we first moved in, taking time off work to oversee everything.

That was his vision of making a home, he'd always said.

Now, he barely seemed to live in ours anymore.

"Miss? Your tracking number?" The courier's voice snapped me back to reality.

The commotion must have carried, because Mandy bounded out moments later.

"Yvonne! Luke bought this place for me because of my nightmares. We're going to be neighbors!"

She leaned in with that affected innocence of hers, eyes wide and eager.

Something about her just made my skin crawl.

As I turned to leave, Mandy suddenly stumbled backward as if pushed.

She collided with a worker carrying a cabinet, the corner catching her lower back. Her cry of pain pierced the air.

"Like you haven't pulled stunts like this before?" Luke spat.

I let out a bitter laugh.

He'd always believe whatever version of events suited him.

Mandy raised a weak hand in protest. "Please, it's fine. Don't fight because of me. I'm just clumsy."

Luke took her hand gently, but his eyes, blazing with anger, stayed fixed on me.

"I never knew you could be so bitter, so petty."

His words cut deep, each one like a knife to my heart.