Ditching Me for His 'Soulmate'? His Loss. Next Stop: My New Life novel Chapter 62

Chapter 4

For the time being, I moved into the company dormitory. It was an old-fashioned apartment building, with four girls sharing each unit. Not terrible by any means, but the walls were so thin I could hear everything.

That night, after dinner, the voices from the next room floated through clearly, the girls gossiping as if I were right there with them.

“So she really got kicked out? Like, the actual Mrs. Caldwell?” one whispered.

“Why else would she be wearing long sleeves in this heat? Probably hiding bruises,” another speculated.

“She probably sold herself to some rich family and got burned. That’s always how it ends,” the last voice concluded.

I shoved my earbuds in and buried myself in writing copy for the upcoming video launch, trying to drown them out.

The next morning, I headed to the assisted living home on Eastside. The director greeted me with a bright smile. “Melanie, your mom’s been doing so much better! She can even recognize your photo now.”

I followed her down the hall to my mom’s room, but the smile faded the moment I stepped inside.

Jessica was there.

My mom sat at the small table, her hands messy as she gnawed on a cookie, while Jessica filmed her with a phone.

“What the hell are you doing?” I demanded.

Jessica looked up, calm as ever. “Relax. Just visiting my godmother,” she said with a smirk, wiping her hands on a damp napkin.

I narrowed my eyes. “Where’s your boy toy today? Didn’t drag him along?”

I quickly checked my mom—no injuries, no signs of distress. Then I shot Jessica a cold, hard glare.

My so-called god-sister.

Our mothers had once been part of the same girl group, but their friendship had ended badly. Hers crashed spectacularly, mine fell ill. Instead of growing closer, Jessica and I became bitter rivals. And since Ryan entered the picture, her hatred for me only deepened.

“Lauren’s back in town, huh? Heard you two are doing a livestream. What is it—an amateur strip show?” she sneered.

“Ryan not backing you anymore? Must be tough falling so far,” she added with a cruel smile.

I was tired—too drained to argue. After confirming my mom was okay, I grabbed Jessica by the arm and pulled her into the hallway.

“Stay away from my mom. I mean it.”

Jessica rolled her eyes, stepping closer, her jasmine perfume engulfing me—the same scent I’d caught on Ryan last night.

“Still clinging to him, huh? He can’t stand you. You’re like gum stuck to the bottom of his shoe,” she taunted.

“I’ve already asked for a divorce,” I interrupted coldly.

Her smile faltered.

“He said no,” I added, voice icy.

“So if you want him so badly, go ahead. Set me free.”

“Liar!” she snapped. “This is you and that old witch teaming up again, isn’t it? Forcing him!”

She meant Ryan’s mother—the woman who had never liked her and was the root of their breakup.

“Try walking a mile in my shoes,” I shot back. “Being stuck between that man and his mother? Good luck with that, sweetheart.”

I scoffed. “Hope you enjoy playing secret mistress. It gets old fast.”

I told the nurse I’d hired that Jessica was no longer allowed near my mom.

Behind me, Jessica lost it. She grabbed my arm.

“You’re just like your mom—low-class trash!” she spat.

“And don’t you dare go on that livestream tomorrow. You’ll humiliate yourself.”

In the struggle, the burn on my arm was exposed. Jessica’s eyes locked onto it, then she laughed cruelly.

“Wow, so you really got burned? And he still didn’t come running? Pathetic.”

“How the hell do you expect to compete with me, Melanie?”

I didn’t even flinch.

“Forgot how to speak like a normal person? Whether I go live or not is none of your damn business.”

“I’m going to Lauren’s company event tomorrow,” she sneered. “I don’t want to see your sorry face there.”

Her voice was sweet—but her manicured nails dug into my burn.

The pain made me shove her away, splashing cold rainwater across her face.

Ryan jumped out, shielding her like some hero, then glared at me.

“That’s enough! What the hell is wrong with you?”

I laughed bitterly.

“Me? I’m the problem? Look in the damn mirror.”

“Keep your precious Jessica.”

“Just stop dragging her out like some prize show dog every time you want to guilt-trip me.”

I rubbed my throbbing arm and stared him down.

“Jessica, next time you touch my burn on purpose, I’ll see you in court.”

“I don’t care how many followers you have.”

My ride finally arrived. I got in without a word.

As the door slammed shut, I heard Ryan yell through gritted teeth, “Melanie, you’re doing just fine without me, huh? Let’s see how long that lasts.”

The blaring horn cut him off.

So did I.

In the rearview mirror, I caught sight of him gently wiping Jessica’s tears.

I told myself it didn’t matter.

Kept telling myself over and over.

The more they acted like soulmates, the more leverage I’d have when the divorce went through.

I was going to make damn sure I walked away with every penny I deserved.