Divoce

Chapter Four

I left hishouse, heading to Like house. I climb into the car, feeling the weight of my decision.

Some minutes later, I got out of the car, clutching the envelope tightly in my hand. Inside it was the end of my marriage-one simple document that would break the bond I thought was unbreakable. I fixed my gaze on Luke's door, took a deep breath, and knocked, feeling my heart racing even as the chill settled over me.

The door opens a few moments later, and there he is, Luke stands there in his surprise to see me. Surprises that quickly fade into annoyance as he looks behind him. And there is Sophia, her arms wrapped around him, but with all the smug taunting look in her eyes.

I push the pain that is rising up my chest down into my body by swallowing hard. "I came to give you something," I say, raising the envelope. My voice pitches a little more than I wish it to, and I clutch at composure, keeping my head up.

Luke raises an eyebrow. "You want to talk to me about this divorce you've been making such a big deal over?" He casts a glance in Sophia's direction, and she laughs, her voice sharp and mocking.

Honestly, Rose," Sophia says with a dripping sarcasm. "Who do you think's even going to date you after this? You should be lucky Luke was with you at all.".

Luke laughs, his head shaking. "She's right, Rose. I mean, look at you. Who is going to want this?" He throws a hand out at me, his eyes stone-cold and dismissive. The words sting, every word a slap in the face, but I refuse to let them see how much their cruelty cuts.

Taking a deep breath, I try to calm myself. "It doesn't matter," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'm not here for you to tell me my worth. I'm here to end this." I thrust the envelope out at him, looking at him with as much strength as I possibly can gather in myself.

He blinks at me, his smile intensifying for a moment before dropping, but he's still holding the envelope as he takes the letter from me. He opens it, glancing over the papers inside. I watch as his eyes scan every line, and it slowly sinks in.

Then, casually, he leans over and grabs a pen from the table next to him and without pause signs. He does all this as though this is nothing to him-as though our years together, our memories, all of it amounts to nothing.

"There. Done." He thrusts the papers back at me, and I see some species of satisfaction in his eyes. Sophia wraps her arms around him again, holding on tight as a smile spreads as she watches me.

"Good luck, Rose," she says, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "You're going to need it."

I clutch the signed papers, gulping the falling tears. I will not let them see me broken. I do not utter a word; I turn and walk out of the house, feeling each step as if weight is being removed from my shoulders.

The night air is colder now, different somehow, but freeing. I take a deep breath and tighten my grip on the papers. This is it, the end of a chapter and the start of something new, something that will be at my terms, something that I will build. I have no idea where I'm going from here, but one thing is certain-the door is behind me, and I am free.