I noted how the lawyer kept referring to me by my maiden name, as if I and Taylor were already divorced.
I stepped out of the lawyer's office, clutching the divorce papers in my hand.
My heart sank as I realized that the only person I had to lean on was Sarah. I rummaged through my bag and pulled out my phone, dialing her number. The line rang once, twice, before her familiar voice finally answered.
"Nikki?" Sarah's voice sounded tense, worried.
"Sarah," I choked out, my voice thick with emotion. "I... I'm out. They dropped the charges, but..."
"Oh, Nikki, thank God!" Sarah said, her voice filled with relief. "Are you okay? I mean... I was so worried."
I took a shaky breath. "No. I'm not okay. Taylor... he sent his lawyer with divorce papers, Sarah. He wants nothing to do with me."
There was a momentary pause on the other end, just long enough to make my stomach twist with unease.
"Sarah?" I prompted, frowning.
A sigh drifted through the receiver, one so faint it was almost swallowed by the silence.
"I don't know what to say, Nikki. I mean... maybe he thinks it's best."
I felt the blood drain from my face, the doubt flooding back in. "What do you mean, 'best'? You don't believe me either?"
Sarah hesitated, her voice carefully neutral. "Nikki, oh, girl, I... didn't mean it that way. I'm with you on this, okay? Um... let me call you back please."
The call dropped. A chill ran down my spine. I lowered the phone from my ear, staring at it as if it had suddenly transformed into something foreign and unrecognizable. I didn't know what to think. Was my friend with me or against me?
I raised my hand to hail a taxi. As soon as one stopped, I slid inside, tossing a handful of bills at the driver. "The Fury mansion, please."
The taxi pulled away, and I clutched the papers tighter in my lap.
The realization that Taylor had sent a lawyer instead of coming himself was like a punch to my gut. He'd made this decision without a second thought, without even hearing my side.
How could he just throw me away?
The driver stopped at the mansion gates, and I hurried out, not caring how much I'd paid him. I took a breath, staring up at the house where I'd dreamed of building a future with Taylor. But now, I wasn't leaving until I forced him to hear the truth.
I made it halfway up the walkway when a broad-shouldered security guard stepped in front of me. "Sorry, ma'am," he grunted. "I have strict orders from Mrs. Fury. You're not allowed in."
I clenched my fists, trying to keep calm. "This is my home. I'm Taylor's wife. Let me through."
The guard raised an eyebrow, unmoved. "You're not welcome here, Mrs. Fury's orders."
Veronica. Of course. My heart pounded with anger, and I pushed past him, storming up the steps and into the house before he could react.
Inside, the entire Fury family was gathered in the living room. As I stepped in, all eyes turned toward me, filling with disgust and accusation.
"What are you doing here, you thief?" Shirley, Taylor's aunt, sneered.
"This woman really has no shame," scoffed Danny, Taylor's younger brother.
But I ignored their insults.
My gaze went straight to Veronica, who stood calmly in the middle of the room, her mouth curving in satisfaction as she took in my disheveled appearance.
"You set me up, Veronica," I said, my voice trembling with anger. "You twisted everything to turn Taylor against me."
Veronica's expression didn't waver. "My son doesn't want you here. Leave before you make it worse."
I shook my head. "I'm not leaving until I see Taylor."
Veronica raised an eyebrow, her smirk fading, but before she could respond, a voice cut through the tension.
"I won't have you speak to my mother in that tone."
My heart leapt as Taylor walked into the room, his face hard and unreadable. I rushed toward him, holding up the divorce papers, desperately trying to make him see reason.
"Taylor, your lawyer gave me these. He said you wanted a divorce, but this has to be a mistake. Tell me this isn't true."
Taylor's eyes didn't soften; they only grew colder. "There's no mistake, Nicole. This is exactly what I want."
The words hit me like a slap. I stumbled back, searching his face for any sign that he might listen. "Taylor, please. Veronica is lying. She's twisted everything. You know I'd never betray you."
He scoffed, his gaze filled with contempt. "Do you really think I want to stay married to a woman like you? You disgust me."
The weight of his words crushed me. I reached for his hand, trying to make him understand. "Taylor, please—"
But he snatched his hand away, his glare freezing me in place. "Don't touch me, Nicole."
I looked around the room, feeling the walls close in as each member of his family watched with sneering satisfaction. At that moment, I saw Sarah enter, my best friend, the one person I thought I could rely on. Relief flooded me, and I rushed toward her, gripping her hands.
"Sarah, please tell Taylor what really happened. I called you before this. You know I was suspicious. Tell him I'm innocent."
But Sarah's face turned blank, her gaze shifting away from mine. "Nicole, I'm tired of lying for you. You didn't call me."
Her denial was like a punch, leaving me breathless. "But… Sarah, that's not true. You know we spoke."
She pulled her hands from mine, her tone cold. "I can't cover up for you anymore, Nicole. Taylor deserves better than this."
The betrayal left me numb. I looked back at Taylor, but his face held nothing but anger and disappointment.
"Sign the papers," he said, his voice low and final. "And get the fuck out of my life."
"No!" The word escaped me in a broken cry, and I flung the divorce papers to the floor. "I won't sign. Taylor, we can work this out. You promised nothing would come between us. What happened to that promise?"
He gave a bitter smile, his voice laced with disdain. "That was before I knew I was married to a liar and a thief."
"Enough of this," Veronica snapped, her eyes blazing with impatience. "If she won't sign, we have other ways to handle her. Get her out."
The guard moved toward me, his grip strong as he reached for my arm. Panic surged, and I yelled out, my voice trembling with desperation.
"I'm pregnant!"