She Signed The Papers

EZEKIEL

Vivienne’s lips curled into a bitter smile as she looked at me. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter anymore, Zeke.”

A dry laugh escaped my lips.

"Are you serious?" I asked, finding her words absurd. "Are you expecting me to believe that you might be pregnant?"

She flinched, the color draining from her face.

“This is a joke. A bad one. If you really are pregnant, then whose baby is it? We both know it can't be mine, not with the precautions we've taken."

Her eyes widened, a mixture of hurt and fury flashing across her face. I could tell she would be a great actress.

"You think I'd lie about something like this? You think I'd cheat on you?" she snapped, her voice laced with deep disappointment rather than anger.

I shook my head, a mocking smile playing on my lips.

"Oh, come on, Vivienne. Really? This is your big play? Pretending to be pregnant to keep me around? It's pathetic."

Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, her entire body trembling, but it wasn't rage that I saw in her eyes—it was an obvious sense of betrayal. I almost applaud her acting.

"You... you asshole," she whispered, her voice breaking. "You think you can just walk away and leave me with nothing but doubts and accusations? You're cruel, Zeke."

"Maybe I am," I admitted, my voice cold and uncompromising. "But at least I'm being honest."

She stared at me, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, her expression a storm of emotions. The disappointment in her gaze was almost unbearable, a silent accusation that cut deeper than any words.

For a moment, I almost felt a pang of regret. But the damage was done, and there was no going back.

"I've given you everything you need to live comfortably," I continued, my impatience growing. "If that's not enough, if you need more to make this work, just name your price. But let's stop pretending this is about love."

Her face turned pale, and for a moment, I regretted my harshness. But the truth had to be said, even if it hurt.

"This is goodbye," I said, turning towards the door.

As I walked away, the realization hit me that I had crossed a line, and that the fallout from this confrontation would be severe.

As I got in the car, I couldn't help but think about all the years I'd spent with my wife. The memories, both good and bad, played in my mind like an old, worn-out movie.

I drove off, leaving the house and the confrontation behind, but the weight of it all stayed with me. Then, only a few minutes later, my phone rang. It was my assistant.

"Mr. Zeke," he began. His tone was professional but tinged with something I couldn't quite place. "The paper was signed."

An ironic smile crossed my lips.

I knew it. It was all about the money. I had called her bluff, and she had folded.

"I knew it," I said, more to myself than to my assistant. "It was always about the money."

As the words left my mouth, I felt a grim satisfaction. All these years, I'd suspected her motives. I had often wondered if she loved me or just the comfort I provided. Now, her signing the papers without a fight seemed to confirm my thoughts.

She had tried one last desperate move, pretending to be pregnant, thinking it would keep me tied to her. But I wouldn’t just fall for her childish trick.

"Actually, Mr. Zeke," my assistant continued, "there's something else you should know."

I sat up straighter.

"Vivienne, she didn’t take anything. No demands, no conditions. She just signed the papers and left."

I was stunned into silence. This was unexpected.

"She didn't ask for anything?" I repeated to myself, trying to process the whole thing.

"That's correct," my assistant confirmed.

I leaned back in my seat, a mixture of confusion and something else swirling inside me.

"Alright," I said finally, my voice sounding distant even to my own ears. "That will be all."

As I hung up the phone, I stared out the road.

The idea unsettled me more than I cared to admit.

Had I misjudged her?

But yeah. I don’t give a damn.

I don’t. Right?