Chapter 1: I won’t sign it

“It’s either you sign these papers or you see the other side of me!” Teddy shouted at Jane who was standing in front of him trembling.

“I won’t sign them, you can do anything you want!” Jane also fired back at him, still trembling.

Angrily, Teddy took hold of Jane's slender neck and strangled her. He was so angry that the veins on his neck kept rising as he pressed her against the wall. He felt choking her to death will appease the rage fuming inside him.

Jane coughed out eagerly to appease her difficult breathing as she slid down the wall, after Teddy took away his hand from her slender neck that had turned blue due to the choking.

Teddy didn’t feel sorry for his actions. Tossing the papers at her face, he walked out of the room angrily. It has been three days since he had been forcing her to sign those papers which she doesn’t seem to agree to.

Looking at his back view as he left the room angrily, she couldn’t help but laughed mockingly at herself as she touched the side of her cheek that had been cut by those papers he slammed at her face.

She knew their relationship would reach this phase sooner or later. She knew he had never loved her since he married her a year ago. If not because she had what he needed at that moment, he wouldn’t have married her out of desperation. He has always treated her badly since they got married, due to her devious way of getting married to him.

She thought she would be able to melt his cold heart, but seeing how he didn’t feel any remorse as he choked her just now, she realised that nothing can melt this heartless man cold heart. He doesn’t even care whether she lives or dies.

Looking at the divorce papers littered on the floor, she picked them up as she scanned through them.

Since he brought up the idea of wanting to divorce her after what happened at the hospital three days ago, she had been thinking about everything that had happened since the day they got married.

It has been a year now, but he had never looked at her the way he looked at that woman, which was a pain in her heart. He had never treated her gently as he treated his childhood sweetheart.

Remembering what happened at the hospital two day ago, she couldn’t help but smile painfully at her pathetic self.

********

Three days ago,

Jane could be seen sitting on the couch in the living room, playing with her cell phone as she smiled foolishly at herself.

“I think this would be better.” She said to herself as she looked at the plan she made. Tomorrow would make it a year she and Teddy got married.

She had been making plans on how to make their anniversary special for two months now. No matter what, she wouldn’t stop until Teddy was able to fall in love with her. She loved him so much that his indifference towards her always hurts her.

Looking at her plans that was titled “winning his heart”, her smile grew wider.

She had been learning how to play his favorite song on the piano for a while now. She had already booked a villa with a breathtaking view for their anniversary. The problem is how to convince Teddy to be there due to his indifference to their relationship.

Dialing his number on her phone, she had already rehearsed how she would convince him to be there in her mind. On the last ring, he picked up the call.

“Hello!” His voice sounded cold and distant.

“Teddy, our anniversary is coming up.” She said, trying to sound casual. “I’ve booked a beautiful villa in Bora Bora. Can you please join me to make this day special.” Jane’s words were chosen carefully, trying not to make any mistakes.

The silence from the other end was deafening to the point that alarm signals were immediately transmitted to Jane, making her heart almost explode in her chest, as she patiently waited for his reply.

“You want me to leave my busy schedule and leave with you to Bora Bora?” Teddy’s voice was laced with incredulity. “What’s the point, Jane? We are just going through the motions.”

Jane’s grip on her phone tightened. That’s not true Teddy, I love you and you know that. Our anniversary is very important.” She protested trying to keep her voice steady.

Teddy snorted. “Important to you maybe. Jane, I appreciate the gesture, but I don’t have time for your romantic getaways.”

Jane felt a sting from his words, but that didn’t stop her from convincing him. “It’s not just about romance, Ted” she said, desperation creeping into her voice. It’s about us, our relationship.”

Teddy was already feeling annoyed as he shouted at her through the phone. “Have you forgotten that our marriage is a contract which will end anytime soon.” Teddy’s voice was laced with irritation. “We are just fulfilling our obligations, Jane, don’t make this more than it is.”

Still stubborn and pretending that his words are not hurting her, she said through the phone. “Teddy. Please, just for a few days, for me.” Her voice barely above a whisper.

Teddy, not wanting to be disturbed by her anymore, accepted reluctantly. Fine, I will be there, but don’t expect too much.” He then hung up.

Jane's heart was filled with joy, after Teddy accepted her offer. She was over the moon that he didn’t reject her like he always does this time around.

She rushed into her room to check her luggage one more time, just to make sure she wasn't forgetting anything.

Her flight is by seven o’clock tomorrow morning. From Los Angeles to French Polynesia is an eight hour journey. Everything has already been prepared. All she needs to do is to get there and check out maybe things are placed in order.

With this joy, she left for bed that night.

The next day, she woke up early preparing for her trip. She was putting on her makeup when she was interrupted with a phone call.

Seeing the familiar name flashing on her screen, she immediately picked up the call, her lips spreading in a wide grin.

“Hello!” Her voice was as soft as possible, as she tried to please the person from the other end, but the person at the other end of the phone wasn't interested in that.

“Meet me at the hospital right now! Ava needs you urgently.” Teddy sounded impatient. After saying that, he hung up.

Jane shivered unknowingly hearing that name. She knew what Teddy’s statement signifies.