our whole family was planning a vacation together but when my husband's childhood friend Bianca found out she begged to join us without a second thought Leonardo canceled my plane ticket and gave it to her arranging for me to travel in a hard seat on a 36-hour train ride I looked over at my in-laws and to my surprise they all agreed with my husband's decision so I went along with the plan I took my train ticket and traveled West I ended up staying away for 3 months and the whole family panicked it was rare for my husband to get an extended vacation so our family decided to take a long trip together I started planning everything 6 months in advance choosing destinations creating an itinerary and booking everything since everyone in the family was so hands off I ended up being responsible for flights hotels meals and all activities I didn't mind doing the work as long as everyone was happy flights were hard to book so I purchased tickets for the entire family early on when my sister-in-law mentioned she had never experienced first class I even paid out of pocket to upgrade everyone's tickets shortly before we were set to leave my husband suddenly told me that Bianca had heard about the trip and wanted to join us our flight is full so you'll need to take the train I've already bought your ticket he said sending me the electronic train ticket via WhatsApp what's the meaning of this I asked this is supposed to be a family trip and you're bringing Bianca along if Bianca wants to come I have to bring her she's practically family Leonardo replied I was Furious when my sister asked to join us you were very clear that this was a family trip and you didn't want to bring anyone from outside now that Bianca wants to come you agree immediately Bianca and your sister are different he said we're closer and family we're practically family I scoffed in disbelief I bought the plane tickets ages ago why do I have to take the train there are no seats left on the flight so I had to refund her ticket and get one for Bianca the only option left for you is the train Leonardo Shrugged completely indifferent to my opinion I looked at the electronic ticket he sent it was for a 36-hour hard seat so you bought Bianca a first class plane ticket while I sit for 36 hours on a train I asked incredulously he smirked didn't you say you liked watching the scenery from the train here's your chance to see it all I looked toward my in-laws and my father-in-law quickly turned his face away my mother-in-law tried to comfort me Camilla Bianca and Leonardo have been friends since they were little they have so much to talk about it makes sense for them to sit together just bear with it for now we'll meet up once you arrive my sister and in-law Julia chimed in sis Bianca has a delicate Constitution there's no way she could handle such a long train ride you're strong and healthy you can manage I laughed bitterly who is actually it starting to look like Bianca is your real daughter-in-law Leonardo frowned it's just a train ride it's not a big deal and Bianca is practically family to us it's only fair to ensure she's comfortable can you be a bit more gracious and set a good example at that moment the doorbell rang my sister-in-law ran to open it it was Bianca Bianca you're here I've been waiting for you Julia said enthusiastically as she dragged Bianca's two large suitcases into the house oh Bianca I missed you so much if you hadn't gone abroad you could have married my brother and we'd all be family she exclaimed hugging Bianca meanwhile my mother-in-law held Bianca's hand and said exactly I always thought you and Leonardo would be the perfect match in my heart I've always seen you as my daughter-in-law no one else could compare to you they said this openly in front of me without a hint of Shame at that moment my heart grew cold toward this family although Bianca and Leonardo had been childhood sweethearts when Leonardo's family fell on Hard Times she left the country without hesitation it was me who helped the olera family repay a $500,000 debt and out of gratitude Leonardo married me I had given so much to this family my parents-in-law weren't in great health and I've been caring for Julia since she was 10 handling everything from cooking and laundry to picking her up from school helping with her homework and attending her parent teacher meetings now she was 15 and I had essentially raised her for 5 years though I was only her sister in-law I felt more like her mother I had been generous to my in-laws as well giving them a monthly allowance of $10,000 and taking care of all the household chores and meals practically spoon feeding them instead of feeling like a daughter-in-law I often felt more like a live-in maid who paid out of her own pocket to care for this family I never expected something in return but despite all I'd done for them they still treated me as less than an outsider Bianca walked up to me with a mug smile sorry Camila if I hadn't suddenly decided to join you wouldn't have missed out on the plane ticket and been stuck with a train seat at first I thought I'd skip the trip since there weren't any tickets but Leonardo said he'd handle it I didn't expect he'd make you take the train though I even offered to take the train myself but Leonardo was worried about me sitting alone for so long so I guess I have to thank you for taking the inconvenience Julia looped her arm affectionately around Biancas exactly there are all kinds of people on trains and if a girl like you were targeted by some creeps what would we do Camilla on the other hand has such a fierce look like a warrior she'd scare them off in no time when she finished speaking the two of them burst into laughter seeing the anger on my face Leonardo softened his tone all right I know this Arrangement isn't ideal for you but it's the best solution we have just last week you were eyeing that bag you wanted why not go ahead and get it I held out my hand sure $5,000 that's so expensive I already agreed you could get it but now you want me to pay too don't push it he snapped I smirked and sarcastically replied since when do I need your permission to spend my own money how much do you even earn in a month at that instant his face flushed with embarrassment that's not fair his monthly salary was only $3,000 while I earned $100,000 his salary didn't even cover his own expenses I'd been supporting this household from the start when we got married he didn't give me any dowy I paid off that $50,000 debt and even added $30,000 as a wedding gift plus I bought her house this comfortable life they now enjoyed was all thanks to me if they loved Bianca that much then they could have her as their daughter-in-law instead Camila hurry up and make dinner it's already late and everyone's hungry my mother-in-law urged I didn't reply to her and turned to Bianca with a smile Bianca you and Leonardo grew up together so I assume you used to eat here a lot of course back then Leonardo and I practically had every meal together Bianca chirped so after all these years abroad you must really miss mom's cooking right I looked at my mother-in-law and continued Mom shouldn't you get started on dinner for Bianca after speaking I sat down on the couch and turned on the TV shortly after Leonardo came over annoyed how could you make mom cook you know her health isn't great get up and make dinner figing surprise I replied mom you're unwell is it serious why didn't you tell me my mother-in-law snapped back irritated who's unwell I'm fine stop trying to curse me then why don't you want to cook for Bianca don't feel like it I asked in Amusement instantly her expression soured who said I wouldn't cook she went to the kitchen and spent the next 2 hours preparing dinner when it was ready Julia pulled Bianca into my seat sis Bianca is a guest you don't mind giving up your spot right my mother-in-law chimed in handing me a bowl if sitting at the edge is uncomfortable why don't you take your plate to the kitchen in and eat there and while you're at it clean up a bit so now I wasn't even allowed at the table no need you all enjoy my friend invited me out so I'll eat with them I flatly declined Leonardo looked irritated we're leaving for our trip tomorrow and you're still going out did you pack yet don't you have hands why don't you pack I argued back stunned by my response he fell silent and I headed out I treated myself to a high-end din at a fancy restaurant ordering steak wine and lobster with my own money I could dine wherever I wanted I stayed out until well past midnight enjoying my time when I returned the house was dark despite me being out so late no one had called or texted to check in apparently they had all gone to bed without a second thought feeling my way through the darkness I entered the bedroom and sat on the bed only to be startled by a piercing in Scream ah I quickly turned on the light and saw Bianca lying in my spot the sight made my blood boil without thinking I slapped her across the face Bianca burst into tears and Leonardo sat up shielding her why did you hit Bianca we were just talking and must have fallen asleep accidentally oh really so you just accidentally ended up in bed together holding each other I huffed in Anger we were waiting for you you were out so late so Bianca stayed toimi company we talked for a while and then we fell asleep It's Perfectly Normal Leonardo thundered then why didn't you call or text me too busy talking with your best friend and you two couldn't wait in the living room and had to come to the bedroom Leonardo scowled you're being unreasonable Camilla I was done arguing I turned to Bianca I'm back now so why don't you leave or do you expect all three of us to share the beds ignoring my remarks Bianca clutched her face and whimpered Leonardo it really hurts Leonardo filled with concern replied I'll get you some medicine after they left the room I immediately shut the bedroom door and locked it then I changed all the bed sheets and covers put on earbuds and went straight to sleep the next morning Leonardo stormed up to me Furious what was that last night I knocked for a long time yet you didn't open the door mom and dad woke up because of it you did that on purpose didn't you sneering I dead panned yes I did it on purpose I thought I'd give you a chance to sleep with Bianca you should be thanking me hearing my words Leonardo looked exasperated are you nuts Camila why would I sleep with Bianca after that morning something inside me shattered completely it wasn't just anger it was a mix of humiliation exhaustion and a Clarity I had never felt before I spent the entire day pretending everything was fine helping with the final preparations for the trip but inside my mind was racing every word every gesture from these people seemed to push me further toward an inevitable decision at dinner I sat at the table observing the dynamic around me Bianca was laughing loudly holding Julia's hand making exaggerated comments about how excited she was for the trip my father-in-law barely looked at me too busy with his phone and my mother-in-law intentionally ignored my presence treating Bianca like she was the host of the house Leonardo as usual acted like nothing was wrong as if this whole situation was perfectly normal I knew if I spoke up they'd accuse me of making a scene or not understanding their bond so I stayed silent letting my disdain grow like a poisonous plant inside me after dinner while everyone was laughing in the living room I went upstairs and started packing but not for the trip I gathered important documents credit cards and some valuable items packing them discreetly into a small suitcase I left most of my cloes behind since my departure needed to be quick and quiet before heading downstairs I took off my wedding ring and placed it on the dresser I stared at it for a moment feeling nothing it meant nothing to me anymore I walked down the stairs calmly glancing at the scene in the living room Leonardo was sprawled on the couch with Bianca sitting beside him laughing at something she said Julia was taking selfies with Bianca while my mother-in-law brought tea for everyone no one noticed when I grabbed my bag and walked out the front door without looking back I hailed a cab and went straight to a hotel I didn't want to return to my parents house where I'd likely be judged or pressured to save my marriage that night I started organizing my next steps I called the bank Froze all joint accounts and canel the credit cards under Leonardo's name I also messaged my lawyer asking him to initiate divorce proceedings immediately the next morning I went to the bank in person to transfer money from our joint accounts to my personal one Leonardo had no Savings of his own and could barely cover his expenses with with his $3,000 salary without my financial support I knew he wouldn't be able to maintain the comfortable lifestyle he'd grown used to later that afternoon Leonardo began texting and calling me where are you did you forget your passport why aren't you answering I read his messages but didn't respond that evening Bianca called me from her number I ignored it but she left a voicemail Camilla this is getting serious Leonardo is really worried you should have handled this more maturely I don't know what you think you're doing but it's not helping anyone if you need help I can talk to you help I laughed bitterly in my hotel room Bianca genuinely thought she had the moral High Ground to lecture me about maturity I blocked her number immediately the following day I visited the house I had bought with my own money and instructed my lawyer to start the process of removing Leonardo from the property I wasn't about to let him live off me any longer while treating me like dirt since he had contributed nothing financially my lawyer assured me the house was legally mine before leaving town I stopped by my parents' place and made it clear I didn't want interference or any attempts at reconciliation I briefly explained what had happened and told them I needed time for myself they seemed shocked but understanding Leonardo eventually managed to contact me through his father's phone Camila what do you think you're doing you can't just disappear like this and leave us all worried what kind of wife does that my laughter was cold what kind of husband gives his wife's plain ticket to his mistress disguised as a childhood friend Leonardo you should be grateful I put up with this for as long as I did now enjoy your new life I hope Bianca can afford to support you because I'm done you can't do this to me Camila it's not fair think about Julia about my parents you can't just abandon us I've already done more for your family than you deserve maybe it's time for all of you to learn how to fend for yourselves I hung up before he could respond I felt a mix of relief and anger it wasn't easy but it was necessary over the next few days Leonardo and Bianca tried different tactics to reverse the situation first he tried to reconcile claiming I was overreacting then Bianca attempted to play The Peacemaker saying she didn't know how much her presence had upset me I didn't care I was gone I left the city for a few months and focused on myself I Revisited personal projects I had put on hold and started rebuilding my life away from all that toxicity when I returned things had drastically changed Leonardo desperate filed a claim to try and get part of my assets he claimed he was entitled to the house but when I learned that Leonardo had filed a claim to take part of my assets I wasn't surprised it was predictable that he would try to exploit some loophole after all he had never been capable of supporting himself let alone someone like Bianca who seemed to live in a fantasy world funded by others what he didn't expect was that I was prepared on the day of the hearing I entered the courtroom with my lawyer head held high Leonardo was there accompanied by Bianca who seemed eager to show how much she was supporting him but their confidence quickly turned to unease when my Lord lawyer presented evidence proving that I had paid for everything the house the family's $500,000 debt and all household expenses he also revealed bank statements showing that Leonardo had spent over 80% of the joint account funds on forties often gifts for Bianca as made clear by receipts included in the evidence as my lawyer laid out the case it became apparent to everyone in the courtroom that Leonardo had no right to my assets he hadn't contributed anything financially or emotionally during the marriage even the judge seemed irritated by his audacity in trying to claim what wasn't his Bianca who had been smiling smugly started to look visibly uncomfortable as more evidence piled up but I wasn't done yet when it was my turn to speak I stood and looked directly at Leonardo for years I was your wife your partner and the only reason your family managed to recover from Financial ruin I paid off your debts supported your home cared for your parents and practically raised your sister and how did you repay me by giving away my plane ticket to your so-called childhood friend letting her take my place in every sense of the word while I was treated like an unpaid servant and now you have the audacity to come here and try to take what's mine the house that I bought with my own monies Leonardo tried to interject but the judge silenced him reminding him that he would have his chance to speak speak I continued turning to Bianca as for you Bianca you act like you're special like you're above everyone else but deep down you're just someone who leeches off others you left this country when his family faced financial troubles only to return when their comfortable life was restored thanks to me and now you're sitting here thinking you'll walk away with something let me make this clear you two deserve each other because you're both shallow selfish and have nothing of self substance to offer anyone Bianca turned red looking nervously around the courtroom while Leonardo avoided meeting my gaze the judge after hearing everything not only denied Leonardo's claim but also ordered him to pay court costs and a fine for filing a baseless lawsuit when the verdict was read I felt a wave of satisfaction wash over me they had tried to take everything but I walked out with my dignity intact and there's in shreds after after the hearing Leonardo tried to approach me in the hallway Camila wait can we talk I looked at him unable to hide a bitter laugh talk now you want to talk after everything no Leonardo I think I've heard enough enjoy your new life with Bianca I hope she's ready to support you because I'm done I walked out of the courthouse without looking back there was nothing more to say or hear in the months that followed I heard that Leonardo's life fell apart without my financial support he lost his car and was evicted from the house he was living in Bianca of course vanished as quickly as she had reappeared in his life leaving him to deal with the consequences of his choices alone I heard he had moved back in with his parents who were also struggling now that my assistance was gone Meanwhile my life moved forward I invested in myself grew in my career and even bought a new home bigger and more beautiful than the last one I realized that the freedom of not carrying the weight of ungrateful people was the greatest wealth I could have I made new friends reconnected with old ones and allowed myself to live without fear of being manipulated or taken advantage of one day while walking through the city center I saw Leonardo sitting on a park bench looking tired and defeated he noticed me but before he could say anything I turned and walked away he was a ghost of my past and I had no interest in resurrecting him at last I was free free from them their manipulations their ingratitude and the burden of supporting a family that had never valued me for the first time in years my life truly felt like my own