The Day I Stopped Being the Nice Wife - Chapter 4: Chapter 4

The car pulled up close to the house, and Jane stared through the window at the place she'd called home for two years. Tears threatened to spill, but she clenched her jaw—she wouldn't break. Not here.
Caleb sighed and gently turned her face away from the window, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Listen to me," he said, his voice low but firm. "However much this hurts, you don't let them see it. Not in public." He studied her reaction before continuing. "Cry all you want later, but out here? You show them nothing." His tone left no room for argument, and Jane nodded. She understood.
"I'd go with you," he added, "but this is something you need to do alone."
Jane managed a shaky smile, her eyes glistening. "You're right. I have to face this myself. But thank you—for everything." She wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. "No way in hell I'm letting that bastard see me fall apart."
"Here." Caleb handed her a thick brown envelope. Jane took it, her fingers steady now. "Everything's in there. Once you give this to him, he loses all power over you. Then you're free."
For the first time in days, a real smile touched her lips. "I can't wait to see his face when I shove this in his hands and walk away."
Caleb grinned, leaning back in his seat. "I'll be right here when you're done."
Jane stepped into the living room, her eyes scanning the changes. "Two days," she said dryly. "That's all it took for you to redecorate? Couldn't wait to erase me, huh?"
Marcus nearly tripped over his own feet when he saw her. "What the hell are you doing here? How did you even get in?"
She scoffed and sank onto the couch, crossing her legs like she still owned the place. "Maybe lock your doors if you don't want uninvited guests. Just a thought."
His face twisted in anger. "You don't belong here anymore. I could call the cops—this is trespassing."
Jane laughed, the sound rich and unburdened—the first real laugh she'd had since he'd thrown her out. "Oh, please do. I'd love to explain how you illegally kicked me out before the divorce was even finalized."
His face paled. She smirked. "What do you want?"
Jane leaned forward and dropped the envelope on the coffee table, not bothering to look at him. "A gift. Consider it your freedom, just like you wanted." At his confused frown, she clarified, "Signed divorce papers. Have your lawyer email mine the finalized copy by the end of the week. I'd hate to come back."
She stood and headed for the door.
"Wait—that's it? You're just... signing?" Marcus sounded stunned.
Jane almost laughed. "You made it clear I wasn't wanted. Why would I stay where I don't belong?"
Without another word, she walked out, the weight lifting off her shoulders with every step. It felt like winning the damn lottery.
Caleb was leaning against the car when she stepped outside, and despite everything, her pulse jumped at the sight of him. She wasn't in love with him—no, definitely not—but damn if his presence didn't make things better.
"All set?" he asked, opening the car door for her.
She grinned. "Done. Now I just need my things."
"Drive," Caleb told the driver as he slid in beside her.
An hour later, Jane hesitated outside Abigail's house. Maybe, just maybe, her cousin wouldn't be home. She could grab her stuff and avoid the confrontation entirely.
No such luck.
"Jane!" Abigail rushed toward her the second she walked in, face plastered with fake concern. "Oh my God, where have you been? I've been worried sick! Did you go to Marcus? Are you two... back together?"
Jane stared, silently applauding her cousin's Oscar-worthy performance. Might as well play along.
"Actually, yeah," she said, feigning excitement. "He apologized—said some woman tricked him, and he regrets everything. Begged me to come back." She tilted her head, watching Abigail's reaction.
Her cousin's jaw tightened. Her fists clenched. A flicker of panic flashed across her face before she forced a smile.
Jane smirked. "Wow, Abby. You look like you're about to pass out. And you're sweating."
"Me? No, no, I'm—I'm just shocked!" Abigail laughed nervously, fanning herself. "This is great news! Who knew he'd come crawling back after tossing you out like trash, right?"
Jane's patience snapped. "Who knew, right? Guess he finally realized his new woman is a lying, manipulative snake."
Abigail's smile didn't reach her eyes. "You're so lucky." She moved to hug Jane, but Jane stepped back.
"Cut the crap, Abby. I know it's all an act."
Abigail blinked. "I don't know what you—"
"Save it. I saw you. In his office. Yesterday." Jane's voice was ice.
For a second, Abigail faltered. Then her mask dropped. "Fine. You really wanna hear it?"
"Three years, Abby. Three years you've been screwing my husband behind my back!"
Abigail rolled her eyes, grinning like this was all a joke. "Okay, truth time. I met him first. We were in love. But we needed you—your brains, your connections. So I let him marry you." She crossed her arms, smug. "Now that the company's set, you're useless. Time to go."
Jane staggered back like she'd been punched. "You... used me?"
"Yep. So sign the damn papers and disappear."
Jane's hands shook, but her voice didn't. "You'll regret this." She turned to leave, then paused. "Oh, and the papers are already signed. Congrats on your upcoming wedding, you backstabbing bitch."
Abigail smirked. "Bravo, cuz. Bravo."
Jane packed in a daze, holding herself together until she was outside. Then the dam broke. Tears streamed down her face as she stood frozen on the sidewalk, the weight of the betrayal crushing her.
Caleb was at her side in seconds, taking the box from her hands and gripping her wrist. "Come on," he said softly. "Let's go home. It's over."
Wordlessly, she let him lead her to the car, her tears falling in silence.