Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE

-

CHAPTER THREE

— ELEANOR

*

I slide into Arthur's car, the familiar scent and surroundings choking me with nostalgia.

My heart tugs at itself. Because we’re visiting one of Arthur’s dearest families. Who has also become mine.

It’s not right to pay his grandmother a visit when we’re supposed to be Ex-husband and wife.

It’s deception.

But I can’t refuse his request to visit his grandmother, Cassandra is way too nice and she’s like my own family already, she’s the closest thing to a parent to me.

This divorce will not just be breaking Arthur and I.

As we buckle up, Arthur turns to me, a small box unexpectedly appearing in his hand. His eyes lock onto mine, urging me to take it.

Curious, I open the box, revealing an exquisite crystal necklace that sparkles in the light. "Arthur—" I begin.

But he interrupts, his voice firm. "It’s just a small gift, nothing big. It’s a rare crystal, and it’s aid is for a successful path down your career. It’s like a good luck charm.”

He stares at me and I sigh, resignation washing over me.

"Fine," I nod, defeated.

I take out the crystal necklace and stare at its glassy and pink state.

“I can help you put it on” Arthur offers.

I want to decline but he raises his eyebrows and his face falls in a defensive way I cannot fathom or say no to.

Dammit! He always gets to me.

“Fine,” I say yet again and turn around so he can place the necklace around my neck.

His hand is gentle and his fingertips send frozen factors on my pores as he works his way around the skin of my neck. His breath is warm and I can tell he’s close.

Too close.

My heart is beating so fast I’m scared he’ll hear it.

I don’t realize I am holding my breath until he says.

“Done” and moves away from me.

“Anyways,” Arthur adds. “Why on God's green earth did you say I was your cousin and who was that?”

He should know we’re parting ways and what I do is none of his business.

“He’s my director Arthur. He doesn’t need to know about my private life” I say sternly.

I didn’t mean for it to come out stern but oh well…

Arthur sighs..

“Well… be careful with how you befriend people”

I want to tell him if he cares so much about me then he should shut up and close up this divorce. But I don’t. I just nod instead.

-

It is late when Arthur and I arrive at his grandmother's residence, the night’s darkness has heavily envelop us.

The old-fashioned house, with its charming facade and warm glow, never fails to fill me with a sense of serenity and joy. Each visit feels like a homecoming.

However, tonight's purpose remains unclear.

Why has Cassandra summoned us? My curiosity is piqued.

Upon entering, I'm struck by Cassandra's frail appearance, she's seated at the bane of the living room, and my gosh.

Two months have passed since our last meeting, and the change is noticeable. Her once-radiant face now seems thinner, her eyes sunken, and her skin pale. My stomach twists with concern.

Has her health taken a turn for the worse?

Is that the reason for this sudden summons?

"Grandmother!" I exclaim, my smile a mix of warmth and apprehension as I approach her for a gentle hug.

"Oh, my angel," Cassandra whispers, dismissing her maid with a wave of her hand. Her arms envelop me in a tender embrace, filling me with affection.

I cherish these moments with her, knowing that our bond might fray if Arthur and I part ways. The thought tugs at my heartstrings.

"I'm so relieved you both made it," Cassandra says, her voice tinged with weariness, as I release her from our hug.

Arthur and I settle into our seats, and Cassandra gestures to her maid. "Bring us some refreshments, please."

“Seeing you two, I feel alive again” Cassandra beams at me, her lips trembling a bit as her eyes glitter with joy.

Anyone can tell how much she loves “us.”

Soon, there will be no ‘us’.

She raises her hand and sighs.

“As you can see I’m not in my very best shape and I’m going to be straight with both of you tonight, I’ve been holding it for too long but I can’t anymore. You two need to have a baby. I want a great-grandchild”

I pause.

My eye catches Arthur, but he looks away.

He hasn’t told his grandma about our divorce!!

I stare at him until he finally decides to hold my gaze and I read him like a book as he silently speaks to me with his eyes.

“How could you not tell her” I mutter so quietly so only Arthur can hear.

“I will. Not now” he says under his breath and turns to Cassandra.

“Grandma. We’ll talk about that later. First, you need to focus on your pills. Okay?” Arthur Forces a smile and gets up to where she’s seated.

He’s always good at redirecting subjects.

“I do take my pills” Cassandra grins at him.

Soon they both dive into a conversation that makes Cassandra forget about the baby she just mentioned.

I feel sorry for her. Four years of marriage, down the drain with no effort of a baby but a divorce.

Who am I kidding? I feel sorry for myself.

“Grandma, it’s time for us to leave.” Arthur finally says.

“Leave?” Cassandra scoffs. “Not on my watch. I get that you’re both adults but it’s late and I will not let you leave this house”

I pause.

This is just great.

“Grandma we have a lot to do—

Cassandra's voice takes on a stern tone, cutting off Arthur's protests.

"Arthur, would you really have me suffer the anguish of separation when my time is limited? I won't hear any objections. Tonight, you and Eleanor will stay in your usual room."

Arthur's gaze locks onto mine, his shimmering eyes conveying a silent apology. I sense the weight of his unspoken words: "I'm sorry, I didn't mean for this to happen."

I release a quiet sigh, my mind racing with the implications.

The room Cassandra referred to was ours, a sanctuary we shared during our marriage. Now, the thought of occupying it together feels suffocating.

As Cassandra continues, her determination unwavering, I realize that refusing her request is impossible.

We're trapped.

"Have my maids prepare the room," Cassandra instructs, her voice firm.

Arthur's eyes still hold mine, seeking understanding and forgiveness.

I offer a subtle nod, acknowledging the unavoidable situation we're about to face.

-

As expected, Arthur and I are dead awkward, sharing this small space, this familiar room is a danger zone to my heart.

And I can only breathe now because he’s having a shower and I can properly look around until he walks out again.

Arthur’s phone starts to ring and my direction diverts to it immediately.

I get on my feet, contemplating whether to make the announcement or check the caller and answer the call.

But we’re at the edge of our divorce, I can’t answer his calls, that’s like invading his privacy.

But what if it’s important?

We’re over. I shouldn’t cross the line.

I take a step back and ignore the call, only to jump at my phone ringing.

I pull my phone out and answer it.

“Hello?”

A soft melodic female voice replies almost immediately.

“Hi, Is Arthur Wheeler there?”

Surprised by who this might be, I reply.

“Um. No, he’s in the bathroom. But he’ll call you back after he’s done taking a shower”

“Oh,” The voice says. “Well, okay, thank you,” she says and ends the call.

The minute Arthur walks out of the shower with a towel draped around that defined waist of his, I tell him about the call.

He doesn’t say a word and just grabs the phone and leaves the room to place another call, leaving me alone.

A lump begins to form in my throat, anticipation building as I sit alone, waiting.

But when he storms back into the room, his eyes blaze with fury, his brow furrowed in anguish.

"What did you say to her?" he thunders, his voice shaking with rage.

I recoil, shocked by the intensity of his outburst. "I...I don't understand," I stammer, shaking my head.

Arthur's face darkens. "Don't play dumb!" he bellows, his words piercing the air.

I've never seen him like this before – his anger radiates like a palpable force. My heart racing, I try to process the sudden onslaught.

"What did I say to whom?" I ask, my hands instinctively rising to clutch my chest.

Arthur's eyes seem to bore into my soul. "To Brianna! On the phone! She just...she took her own life." His voice cracks.

—*