After the Last Tear: Rising from the Ashes of a Broken Marriage novel Chapter 65

The air was thick with the heat of summer, heavy and stifling. But I—standing there, listening to her words—felt nothing but cold seeping into my bones.

Nina's voice was smooth, deliberate. Every syllable she spoke was like the careful edge of a knife, meant to cut clean and deep.

"She knew all along, Pax. She knew exactly who you were. She was only with you for the money."

For a moment, Pax just stood there.

Motionless.

As if the accusation had stolen the breath from his lungs.

His brows drew together, eyes searching mine, desperate for something—denial, maybe. Reassurance.

"You… knew?" His voice was quiet, cautious, like he wasn't sure he wanted to hear my answer.

I met his gaze for a fleeting second before lowering my eyes.

Yes.

I knew.

I had found out just yesterday.

But the truth didn't matter anymore.

Because Pax didn't believe me.

A sharp, breathless laugh escaped him, bitter and hollow. He ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head as if trying to piece together something that no longer made sense.

"Cecilia, I have to admit—you're a damn good actress."

The irony nearly made me laugh.

He was the one who had lied.

The one who had spun an entire world of fiction, played a part so flawlessly that even I had believed it.

And yet—he was the one who was angry?

"You were with me… for money?" His voice was hoarse, weighted with something thick and unreadable.

Every meal he cooked, every dime he counted, every carefully constructed illusion—he had played the part so well.

And I?

I had never once asked for more than he gave.

Nothing more. Nothing less.

A quiet chuckle broke through the tension.

Nina, still resting lightly against Pax, tilted her head at me, amusement curling at the edges of her mouth.

"Poor people," she mused, shaking her head in mock sympathy. "They're always selfish. Always greedy."

Then, as if something about the scene before her was deeply entertaining, she turned to Pax, eyes gleaming.

"Are you sure, Pax?" she asked, her voice soft, lilting, dripping with quiet mockery.

"Are you sure she's the one you want to be with?"