Three Years Paralyzed, Watching Him Love Her

Chapter 11

"Did you do this?"

The words left my mouth, sharp and accusing. Ruslan froze, his face twisting into a mask of confusion and guilt, but he didn't answer.

The silence that followed only made my blood boil even hotter.

"Ruslan, are you even human?"

That wasn't just some thing. It was a life. A real, living, breathing life. And the worst part? It was his own flesh and blood.

His eyes reddened, his voice shaking as he replied, "Didn't you say if I gave up the child, I could be with you? I gave up both. So why are you still acting like this?"

"I never said that!"

My temper flared, a fire I couldn't control. His warped understanding of everything left me speechless.

But as the anger started to settle, a different thought began to take shape in my mind. The letters, the photos, everything started to connect.

I didn't waste a second. I pulled out my phone, the coolness of the device a sharp contrast to the storm inside me.

Ruslan, still lost, asked, "What are you doing?"

"Calling the police," I said, calm as ever.

Before I could hit send, the door slammed open, and in came Thea, rushing at me, knife glinting in her hand, her face twisted in pure rage.

"Call the police? Don't even think about it!" she hissed, fury practically dripping from every word. "Go to hell and apologize for that unborn child!"

Her voice sliced through the air like a blade.

I barely had time to process before I saw the panic flash in Ruslan's eyes. Without thinking, he stepped behind me, instinctively trying to shield me.

I didn't back down. I didn't even flinch.

Instead, I planted my feet and, with all the power I could muster, threw a right hook. The knife flew from Thea's hand, spinning across the room.

A swift kick followed, and she went down hard, crashing to the ground.

I pinned her there, my chest rising and falling with adrenaline, while I could feel the fury in her eyes burning through me.

Ruslan just stood there, paralyzed, watching me, his expression a mix of shock and disbelief.

I had never once thought I'd have to rely on anyone, least of all a man.

When I left Ruslan, I knew one thing for sure, I was the only person I could count on.

So when I moved abroad, I didn't waste any time. I found the best boxing coach I could. I knew I needed to protect myself, and American boxing had everything I needed. I threw myself into it, technique, discipline, strength. All of it.

Ruslan finally snapped back to reality. "Aurelle, I was just acting on instinct."

I didn't even look at him. Instead, I turned to the officers who had arrived, finally, helping to restrain Thea and push her into the patrol car.

As they shoved her in, she screamed, her voice ragged with fury. "You'll pay for this! I swear, you'll pay with your life!"

I stayed calm, my voice even. "Have you figured out who really hurt your son yet?"

A flicker of doubt passed through her eyes.

I looked at Ruslan, my gaze icy.

"So, this is what you call love? You want me to take the knife for you?"

The words hung in the air, sharp and unforgiving.

"If this is your version of love, then it's horrifying."

That word hit him like a punch to the gut. His face went pale, and I could see the full weight of everything that had happened crashing down on him.

For the first time, I realized that without Ruslan, my life was already so much better.

He stood there, speechless, before finally muttering, "Okay... I get it."

That was it. I knew it was over.

I went home, faster than I expected, and I had only one thing on my mind: filing for divorce.

When those divorce papers came through, I allowed myself a small smile, one I had held back for far too long.

Before I could even savor the moment, Ruslan wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into him. He was shaking, sobbing like a child.

"Aurelle, maybe... maybe we'll never cross paths again after this."

I was confused by his words, but before I could process them, the doors to the marriage registration office slammed open. The police rushed in, handcuffing Ruslan in an instant.

The look in his eyes as they dragged him away is one I'll never forget, guilt, pity, and a strange, resigned sadness as he gave me one last glance.

It didn't take long for Thea, locked up for intentional injury, to start finding a sick sort of redemption. Fueled by rage, she exposed everything about Ruslan, the embezzlement, the bribery, the endless list of crimes I never knew about.

The corruption ran deep, and it unraveled in a way I couldn't have anticipated.

In the end, Ruslan was sentenced to death.

Before the final blow fell, I left the country again. This time, for good.

I went back to my business. Back to my life. Far away from the wreckage he'd left behind, building something for myself, something that was finally mine.