Chapter 6: Shattered Bonds

I froze, my hand gripping the doorknob tightly. I could swear I heard Jaxon call my name. My heart raced as I turned slowly, bracing myself for the worst. But when I looked back, he was still sleeping peacefully, his chest rising and falling in a calm rhythm.

“Am I losing my mind now?” I whispered to myself, shaking my head. Maybe the guilt and fear were finally taking their toll on me.

I walked back to the nightstand and picked up a small notepad and pen. For a moment, I just stared at the blank page, unsure what to say. Then, with trembling hands, I began to write:

Jaxon,

I don’t know what this night meant to you, but for me, it was a reminder that I deserve to feel alive, even if it just for a moment. Thank you for being my escape, and my comfort. I’m sorry for dragging you into my mess. This will be the last time you hear from me. Be happy, Jaxon. You deserve it.

—Myla

I placed the note beside him, my heart aching with every step I took toward the door.

The morning air outside the hotel room felt suffocating, and my body was trembling—not from the cold, but from the weight of everything I had just done.

Every step I took felt like I was about to shrink. I could feel the piercing gazes of strangers around me, whispering. I couldn’t make out their words, but I knew what they were saying.

"Isn’t that her?"

“ Of course she's the one,” someone muttered.

“She doesn’t even look ashamed,” another whispered.

"The one from the scandal?"

"She slept with Jaxon Brooks, didn’t she?".

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palm as I fought the urge to scream at them to shut up. I felt my face flush with shame, but I couldn’t let them see me crumble—not here, not now. I kept my head high, holding my bag tighter, I pushed past them and hurried towards the elevator.

By the time I made it to the parking lot, my car was there in perfect condition. I slid into the driver’s seat and let out a shaky breath. Turning on my phone, which I had turned off hours ago, felt like a mistake the moment I did it. Within seconds, the notifications poured in—missed calls, voicemails, and dozens of messages.

My father. Vanessa. Damien. Their names flashed on the screen like ghosts I couldn't escape from.

And then there was a notification from the press. My name and face were plastered all over the internet with photos of me entering the hotel alongside Jaxon.

“Breaking News: Myla Calloway’s Secret Affair with Jaxon Brooks has been exposed.”

My heart sank as I stared at the headlines.

But I refused to cry. Not this time. Tossing the phone onto the passenger seat, I gritted my teeth and started the engine.

“All that matters now is my happiness,” I whispered to myself.

“I won’t let them break me. Let them say whatever they want. Let them judge me. It's none of my fucking concern,”

I didn’t care anymore. All that mattered now was getting out of here. My knuckles turned white against the steering wheel as I drove home with a single purpose: to pack up my things and leave the country.

Before leaving, I needed to see my father one last time. I couldn’t just leave without telling him goodbye. The thought of leaving without him knowing, without him understanding why, made my chest tighten.

When I arrived home, it felt like I was stepping into a battlefield. The stares from my neighbors were intense now, more judgmental. I heard someone snicker as I walked past, but I ignored their comments, clutching my bag tightly.

"Slut."

"Shameless."

"Poor Damien."

I froze at the last comment, my chest tightening as I tried to keep my composure. I swallowed hard and pushed open the door to my house, hoping for a moment of peace. But I was a fool to think that would happen.

The moment I stepped inside, Cynthia rushed to me, her face pale with worry. She threw her arms around me, whispering frantically, "Myla, there’s fire on the mountain. Your dad... Damien’s parents... they’re here."

My heart dropped, and a cold chill ran down my spine. Before I could even ask what was going on, my eyes darted to the living room. There they were: Damien, his parents, my father, and... Vanessa. The smirk on her face was the first thing I noticed. That cruel, triumphant smirk that made my blood boil.

And then my father’s voice cut through the tension like a knife. "You disgraceful child!"

Before I could react, a head–turning slap struck my face, sending sharp pain across my skin. The sting was immediate, sharp, and humiliating. I stumbled back, my hand flying to my cheek as tears welled up in my eyes.

"You dare show your face here after everything you’ve done?" he roared, his face red with anger.

"I..." My voice broke as the tears spilled over. "I don’t understand what you’re talking about!"

Vanessa’s laugh was cold and mocking. "Oh, please, Myla. Don’t act like you’re innocent. You’ve been all over the news. The whole world knows about your little affair with Jaxon Brooks."

I turned to her, my anger bubbling. "Shut those dirty holes you call a mouth, Vanessa! Do not forget you slept with Damien first and I caught both of you in bed.”

The room erupted into chaos. Damien shot up from his seat, his face twisted in anger. "Don’t you dare talk to my mother-in-law like that!”

I turned around to face him, my voice shaking with rage. "Your what? She’s my mother too, or have you conveniently forgotten that, Damien?"

"Enough!" my father bellowed, silencing everyone. His glare was fixed on me, filled with a disgust that cut through me. "You have brought shame upon this family. Do you know what people are saying about us? About you? I curse the day you were born."

Those words shattered something inside me. My legs felt weak, and I had to grab the edge of the couch to steady myself.

"I didn’t do anything wrong.” I muttered, my voice was barely above a whisper.

Damien’s father scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. "Didn’t do anything wrong? You've been caught having an affair with My eldest son! Damien's elder brother. Do you have any idea what this scandal has done to our family’s reputation?”

“ I didn't know he was your son..." I snapped, but Vanessa cut me off.

"You’re pathetic, Myla. Always playing the victim. You’re nothing but a disgrace, and I regret ever giving birth to you."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. My vision blurred with tears as I looked at her, the woman who was supposed to be my mother, my protector. "And I regret ever being your daughter," I spat back, my voice trembling with pain and anger.

Vanessa rushed me, attempting to slap me, but Cynthia stepped in between us, stretching her arms protectively. "Enough!" Cynthia shouted. "Can’t you see she’s had enough?!"

But they weren’t done. The accusations kept flying, Myla this. Myla that.

"All of you—stop!" I screamed, my voice raw and broken. "I am done being your punching bag. You want to talk about disgrace? Look in the mirror, Vanessa. You slept with your daughter’s fiancé. And you, Dad? You’ve been nothing but a coward, letting her manipulate you while you blame me for everything. Damien, you’re just as pathetic as the rest of them."

The room fell silent, the weight of my words hanging in the air.

"I’m done," I said, my voice quieter now but no less firm. "I’m done with all of you. You want to hate me? Fine. But I’m not staying here to be your scapegoat anymore."

I turned to leave, but my father’s voice stopped me. “If you walk out that door, Myla, don’t bother coming back.”

"Watch me leave, Dad,” I whispered, stepping closer to him. I could feel his heart pounding hard against his chest as I stared into his eyes.

“The weak, obe...dient Myla is dead now, Dad. Watch and see what I'll do now,"