SHATTERED DREAMS

CHAPTER NINE

The quiet after Sbanisethu’s confession felt like the eye of a storm. I stared at him, the man I had once imagined building a future with, now standing before me with eyes full of regret. His words—I’ll do anything—rang in the air, but they couldn’t undo the damage already done.

I had been waiting for this moment, for him to finally see me, to understand that I was more than just his wife, more than just a figure in his life to fulfill expectations. But now that it had arrived, it felt… hollow. The part of me that had once yearned for his love had withered under the weight of his control, under the constant pressure of being molded into someone I wasn’t.

I stepped away from the window, my heart heavy with the finality of it all. The past few days had been a whirlwind of emotions—freedom, fear, guilt—but in the quiet of this moment, I knew I had made the right choice.

“You’re right, Sbanisethu,” I said softly, meeting his gaze. “There’s nothing you can do to make things right. What’s broken between us can’t be fixed with apologies or promises. I don’t want to be your wife anymore. I don’t want to live in a cage, no matter how gilded it may be.”

He flinched at my words, his jaw tightening as he struggled to keep his composure. I could see the conflict in his eyes—the man who wanted to control me battling against the man who was realizing he had lost me.

“Hlelolwenkosi, please,” he said, taking a step forward. “I’ve made mistakes, but we can find a way through this. We’re married. We’re supposed to fight for this.”

“We did fight, Sbanisethu,” I replied, my voice steady. “But the fight wasn’t fair. You had all the power, and I was left with nothing. I can’t fight for something that’s already consumed me.”

His face hardened, frustration seeping through his calm exterior. “You’re willing to throw everything away? The life we’ve built? The future we could still have?”

I shook my head. “The life we built was never mine. It was yours, designed to suit your needs, your family’s expectations. And I was just another piece in your perfect plan. I deserve more than that. I deserve to live for myself.”

Sbanisethu’s hands clenched into fists at his sides, his anger barely contained. “You’re acting like a child, Hlelolwenkosi,” he said coldly. “Running away won’t solve anything. You’ll regret this. You’ll see that life without me, without the protection and status I’ve given you, won’t be what you think.”

I bristled at his words, the arrogance and entitlement that had always simmered beneath the surface finally breaking through. But instead of reacting with the hurt or fear he was hoping for, I felt something else rise within me—strength.

“I’d rather live a life of struggle and freedom than stay trapped in a marriage that suffocates me,” I said firmly. “I’m not afraid anymore, Sbanisethu. I know who I am, and I know what I want. And it’s not you.”

For a moment, there was only silence between us. He stared at me, his chest rising and falling with deep breaths as he fought to maintain control. But I could see the truth in his eyes—he knew he had lost this battle.

Finally, he spoke, his voice low and filled with bitterness. “You’ll come crawling back. You think you can survive out there without me, but you’ll realize how wrong you are. And when you do, I won’t be waiting for you.”

“I won’t need you,” I said quietly, the finality of my words hanging in the air.

He stared at me for a long moment, his expression hardening into one of cold detachment. Without another word, he turned and stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind him.

I stood there in the silence, my heart still racing from the confrontation, but something had shifted within me. I felt lighter, freer, as though the chains that had held me in place for so long had finally broken.

Mthandeni appeared in the doorway, his face unreadable. “Are you alright, Miss Hlelolwenkosi?” he asked, his tone careful.

I nodded, letting out a deep breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “Yes,” I said, my voice steady. “I’m alright.”

But the truth was, I was more than alright. For the first time in what felt like forever, I was free.

I walked over to the window and watched as Sbanisethu’s car sped away, disappearing into the distance. A part of me wondered if I would ever see him again, if he would really let me go. But even if he didn’t, I knew now that I had the strength to face whatever came next.

“Mthandeni,” I said, turning toward him, “it’s time for me to start over.”

He gave me a small nod, his eyes filled with understanding. “Where will you go, Miss?”

“I’m not sure yet,” I admitted, a smile tugging at my lips. “But I know one thing. Wherever I go, it’ll be my choice this time.”

As I packed my things and prepared to leave the safe house, I felt a sense of peace settle over me. The road ahead was uncertain, but for the first time in a long time, it was mine to walk.

And I wasn’t looking back.