Chapter 5: The Woman Who Watches
The world around her was crumbling, shattering into irreparable pieces. Aveline could barely feel the cold air biting at her skin, nor the numbness spreading through her trembling limbs.
Then, warmth draped over her shoulders, its weight foreign yet oddly grounding.
Aveline's sucked a deep breath, her swollen, tear-streaked eyes barely registered the manicured nails resting gently yet firmly over her shoulders.
She flinched. Her body tensed from the raw betrayal. But the hand on her shoulder didn't retreat. It was steady, calm, and unwavering.
Aveline hesitated, her breathing still uneven as she turned her head slightly, her teary gaze catching the faint silhouette of a poised, elegant woman. The dim lighting cast silver streaks through her hair, shadows covering most of her face.
Aveline didn't resist as she was helped to her feet.
The woman spoke, her voice smooth yet firm, cutting through the stillness like a blade, "Once you are done crying, always stand back on your feet."
Aveline's brows quivered. The words should have felt empowering. Instead, they felt... distant. She had just watched her husband betray her, watching the life she was building crumble into nothing.
How was she supposed to just stand back up?
The woman continued, her tone steady as though she could read Aveline's mind, "Girl, we don't need a man. We are what a man needs."
Aveline's throat tightened. Her fingers clutched the blazer without realizing it. Her heart wanted to believe those words, but her mind screamed otherwise.