Wendy heard a buzzing noise. Did Stanley just suggest finding her a man or two?

He had made his choice.!

Without hesitation, he had chosen Jessica.

It felt like a blade had pierced Wendy’s heart, twisting deeper and shredding her to pieces. Trembling, she struggled to regain her

voice.

“Stanley, I’m still…your wife…”

Stanley, now immaculate in a black shirt and matching trousers, had reverted to his usual composed and aloof demeanor, as if the chaos of moments before had never happened. His voice was cold and detached as he extended something to her.

“This is for you,” he said.

Wendy glanced down. It was an eight-figure check.

Above her, his magnetic, unfeeling voice could be heard. “Wendy, this is your divorce settlement. Let’s end this.”

Stanley placed the check on the bathroom counter and strode out, leaving Wendy frozen in place.

He was going to Jessica.

Just like her mother had done years ago.

Wendy’s eyes turned red, tears welling up until they spilled over. Once again, she had been abandoned. No matter how much she tried to hold on-whether it was

her mother or Stanley-they gave all their love to Jessica.

No matter how hard she tried, it was never enough.

Soon, voices came from outside.

One of Stanley’s men had arrived, speaking with Mathilda. “Mr. Hawk sent me.

I’m here to see Mrs. Hawk. Where is she?”.

“She’s in the bedroom. Follow me,” Mathilda replied.

Their footsteps approached.

Panic-stricken, Wendy turned pale. She couldn’t believe Stanley’s efficiency-he’d already sent a man.

The irony stung.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

The footsteps were just outside the door now.

+20 Bonus

Wendy acted fast and opened the window. It was the second floor, but she didn’t hesitate. After climbing out, she jumped.

She landed hard on the lawn below, feeling sharp pain in her ankle. It hurt so much, it felt unbearable. Ignoring her disheveled

state, she fumbled for her phone and dialed Cecelia.

The call connected, and Cecelia’s voice came through. “Wendy? It’s late. Where are you? Having fun somewhere?”

Hearing Cecelia’s voice broke Wendy’s fragile composure. Tears she’d been holding back streamed down her face, one after

another, hot and bitter.

At 1996 Bar, Jessica sat at the counter, her beautiful face flushed from the drug’s effects, making her even more alluring..

The tall man beside her, unable to resist her charm, draped an arm over her shoulder. “Hey, gorgeous. Thirty minutes are almost up. Looks like your boyfriend isn’t coming. Guess that means you’re mine tonight.”

Jessica ignored him, her attention on the timer on her phone.

“Relax,” she said. “There’s still five seconds left. He’ll be here. Five, four, three, two, one…”

The moment she said “one,” the weight on her shoulder vanished.

The man’s hand had been seized by another-a strong, calloused hand with defined knuckles. With a swift twist, there was a sickening crack.

“Ahh!” the tall man screamed as his wrist fractured.

Jessica turned around to see Stanley.

He was here.

Stanley’s broad shoulders carried the chill of the night air, his presence sharp and imposing. Without so much as a glance at the man writhing in pain, he shoved him aside with enough force to send him crashing into the bar.

The man let out another cry of agony.

Jessica stood, a radiant smile spreading across her face. She wrapped her arm around Stanley’s, beaming sweetly.

“I told you,” she said brightly. “My boyfriend would come for

me.”