Chapter 446

Chapter 446:

Gabriela dialed Tessa’s number again and again, but it just rang and rang without an answer.

“She was acting off last night,” Gabriela muttered, worry tightening in her chest. “I should’ve kept a closer eye on her p>

Loretta, who had grown unexpectedly attached to Tessa over the past few days, felt the same unease. “That silly girl! She wouldn’t have gone back to that place, would she?” Her voice trembled, dread creeping in.

Tessa’s injuries were still fresh, her body nowhere near healed. If Fulton lashed out again, the damage could be worse than before.

And then there was Truett. A child like that, so soft and helpless, deserved nothing like a father like Fulton.

Unable to shake the panic rising in her stomach, Gabriela grabbed her phone and called Tyler. “Tyler, it’s urgent. We need your help right now p>

Tyler was still half-asleep, his voice rough with sleep, but the urgency in Gabriela’s tone cut straight through him. Within minutes, he was in his car, heading toward Fulton’s place.

By the time he arrived, a swarm of journalists had already gathered outside.

𝖡𝗲 𝘵𝗵𝘦 fir𝗌𝗍 t𝗈 rеad оn

When Tessa appeared with a single small suitcase, they were stunned.

Then chaos erupted.

Reporters surged toward her in a wave.

“Tessa! Are you here to admit you were wrong and ask your husband for forgiveness?” one of them shouted.

“You’ve decided to call off the divorce, haven’t you?” another pressed.

“Yes,” she said, her voice calm but empty. “I’m not getting a divorce p>

For a brief moment, she had allowed herself to imagine freedom. But the price of resisting—online harassment, family pressure, public humiliation—was suffocating.

So she chose resignation.

The journalists lit up at her answer, voices tumbling over each other as they fired more questions.

“You’ve finally given up on the idea of divorce. Do you regret going to Gabriela’s house now p>

Bloodied, Tessa’s hand slipped to the knife she had hidden.

In one swift motion, she drove the blade into Fulton’s remaining good leg.

“Fulton, go to hell!” she cried, voice hoarse but unyielding.

Raven and Sigrid froze in shock, paralyzed.

Fulton’s scream tore through the house.

He seized Tessa by the hair, roaring, “You wretched woman! You’re going to regret that p>

Summoning the last of her strength, Tessa yanked the knife free and plunged it into his stomach. His howl shook the walls.

She staggered back, soaked in blood, then stumbled out the door.

The journalists outside froze for a beat, then exploded into motion. Cameras flashed. Shutters snapped. Phones lifted. Tessa collapsed onto the pavement.

“Please, call the police,” she said, her voice ragged. “He’s going to beat me to death p>

Even a police cell felt safer than the nightmare she had just crawled out of.

Better she face the fury alone.

At least no one else would be dragged down with her.

By the time Gabriela and Tyler arrived, Tessa was already in handcuffs, being led toward a police car under a storm of camera clicks.

“Tessa!” Gabriela shouted, her heart wrenching at the sight of Tessa’s blood-soaked clothes. She shoved past the officers and grabbed her friend’s arm. “Are you okay p>

Tessa managed a faint, peaceful smile. “Gabriela, thank you for everything. Please take care of Truett. Don’t let my mess drag you down p>

Gabriela’s eyes burned red. “Don’t give up. I’ll find you the best lawyer. I promise p>

Just then, an ambulance screeched to a stop. Fulton was rushed inside, leaving a grotesque trail of blood across the ground as the onlookers stared in stunned silence.

The police moved Tessa toward the car. Gabriela tried to follow.

But before she could take a single step, a reporter stepped in front of her, recorder in hand, voice sharp with accusation.