THE DIVORCE

I got home, still crying. The tears were refusing to stop pouring, my heart would not stop bleeding. I felt pain. Too much pain and none was physical.

Even the cabman who had driven me home had been worried about how hard I was sobbing. He’d asked questions but I didn’t answer any.

Now I was home and in my room. I studied myself in the mirror. Just a hour ago, I’d been happy about celebrating my second anniversary with Alex.

“I’m such a joke. A big fool!” I cursed my reflection in the mirror. “I hate you so much Alex for doing this to me! You’re wicked! So mean!” I tell no one in particular.

The dress I'd saved up money to buy just to look good for him was now an ordinary fabric to me. I stared at me in the mirror in anger and pain. “Stupid dress!”

I ripped the hem off with my bare hands. Next I went for the pair of scissors in my bedside drawer and impatiently tore the dress off my body.

Leaving it a shredded mess on the floor, I walked to my wardrobe and put on some comfy clothes. I headed for the bathroom, washed my face and cuddled up in bed, trying so hard to stop crying.

But I couldn’t. More often than I’d like to count, salty liquids touched my lips.

I picked my phone and dialed my brother’s number. The same one who had shipped me off to Alex just to pay our family’s debts.

I needed to go away for a week and I had no one to call. No friend. He was the only one and he was not even picking.

A knock on my door.

“Whoever you are, go away.” I ordered in a hoarse voice.

“Mr. Saint asked to call you, ma’am.” It was a maid.

I bolted up the bed, my heart beating wildly against my chest. “He’s back?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Okay, I’m coming.” I went back to the bathroom to wash my face for the second time.

Cleaned my face while studying my puffy eyes and blotchy nose. I shrugged and walked out.

I got to the base of stairs and saw she had come home with her. His office was not enough, he had to bring her into our home.

His audacity was overwhelming.

“You called.” I did everything within my power not to give in to more tears or to pay proper attention that the lady beside him was gorgeous, hair and dress.

I felt like a tubby in my oversized shirt, shorts, and matted hair.

He threw documents across the table. “Sign those.”

“What is this?” I asked, looking at the documents with a racing heart.

“Can’t you read? Weren’t your parents able to afford your education?” The lady gave me a condescending stare.

My gaze moved from her to Alex. He was going to just stand there and let her insult me?

Saying nothing but bleeding more inside, I picked the documents and read. “Divorce? You’re divorcing me?”

“Why act so surprised? What did you think when you walked in on us having wonderful sex, hm?” She curled a brow, I heard the taunting laced in her words.

My eyes watered but I fought back the tears. “You cheat on me and still serve me divorce papers, Alexander Saint?”

The lady stepped forward and hit the back of hand against my face before I could see it coming. “Who are you? Know your place before you call my boyfriend by his name. Such a disrespectful bitch!”

I held my cheek, unable to hold the tears, they came flowing. I looked at Alex. “You stand there and let another woman insult and disrespect me?”

“Call me another woman one more time and see what I’ll do to you. For your information, I am not another woman. I am his first and only love. I only went out of the picture for a while but hey, I’m back to reclaim what is mine.” She trailed a perfectly manicured finger down his chest.

He was not saying anything. In fact, I dare say he was enjoying this.

No, this was the height of it. I took the pen on the table and scrawled my signature on the boxes that required it. “All done.”

“Good.” He sounded pleased. Happy even. I swallowed more pain. “Now, about the alimony. I’ll give you…”

I raised a hand to him. “Not interested. You wanted a divorce, you’ve got it. If you’ll excuse me, I have some packing to do.”

“Wait.” His tone stopped me.

I turned. “Yes?”

“Why are you rejecting the alimony?” He didn’t seem so pleased anymore.

“Because I don’t need it.” I retorted.

A certain emotion crossed his face, but before I could make it out, it was gone.

“What is wrong with you, Alex. Let the girl go, she doesn’t want any alimony.”

He didn’t say anything else. The girl noticed the sudden change in attitude, he didn’t seem so sure of what was happening.

“Can you get me a glass of water, please Alex. I’m thirsty?”

“Let me tell the maid to get it for you.” He said.

“No. I need you to get it for me. I don’t trust any of these maids yet, especially since she’s still here.” She eyed me, contempt in her eyes.

“Alright, I’m coming.” Alex left.

This was new. Alex had never gotten me anything before. He never helped me with anything but suddenly he was a gentleman. Wow! I really have been a fool all this time.

I made to leave, she pulled my hair.

Anger swirled as endurance snapped in half. I’d endured more than enough. “How dare you! Don’t touch me next time, lady. I no longer have anything to do with you or your boyfriend."

“I’ll not let you come in the way of my relationship.” She spat.

“I have no interest in your man, not anymore.” I told her.

“Then why still wearing his ring?” She accused.

I raised my hand and looked at the ring. Without hesitation, I pulled it off and dropped it on the table, close to the divorce papers. “There. I don’t need it.”

I made to leave, she blocked my path.

“What is your problem? Get out of my way!”

“And if I don’t?” She challenged.

Not replying, I tried to walk past her, but she kept pushing me back.

Soon, I heard footsteps. It was Alex. Just as he was coming into view, she grabbed my hands and put them on her, the next thing I knew, she had flung herself hard to the floor and screamed.

He saw and rushed towards her. “Isabelle!”