Chapter 2: I want a divorce

Daniel looked at me with a hurtful expression. 

“What is wrong with you? Why are you acting this way? Okay talk, I'm all ears,” he said and sat on the sofa. 

“I want to start treatment for my cancer and hold off the transfer of my shares to you until after I have had a second opinion. I think I should not give up on myself and try to recover,” I said in one breath and saw Daniel's sour expression. He was looking at me as if I had something on my face. 

“What's with that look? Did you hear what I said?” I prompted him when he continued staring at me. 

“Alexa, did something happen? You cannot just change your mind about something we have already discussed,” Daniel said, his voice sounding angry. 

“Do you want me to die so that you keep everything I have to yourself?” The words came tumbling out of my mouth even before I thought about it. 

Daniel looked at me with a gaze I never thought I would ever see on him and snarled. 

“Good! Very good. I never thought you would think so lowly of me. I have been there for you when all your parents could ever do was give you money; I took you out of your rich but seriously lonely life.” He made sure to stress on the “seriously lonely life.” 

I looked at Daniel with tears welling up in my eyes. 'Yes, he was right. I was really lonely. That's why I took his affection seriously when he just gave me crumbs of the love I had been starved of ever since I can remember.' I thought. 

“Don't you dare use my emotions against me. Shouldn't you be happy I want to recover so that I can stay with you longer? Do you want me out of your side so much?” I yelled, my voice choking. I was so angry it was making me cry. 

“You already said you wanted to spend your remaining days with me and not at the hospital; I don't want to see you going through so much pain, spending your last days at the hospital,” Daniel said, his voice gentle, just like he always does when I begin to complain. I would have believed him at first but waited to see what he was up to when he added, 

“You can still transfer your shares to me so that you can relax and get the treatment without any stress; don't worry about the company and have your treatment with peace of mind.” 

I looked at him and started laughing loudly, Why did I never see he was such a fake? 

“Don't worry about my company; I obviously have everything covered.” I sneered, walking away. 

“Hold it there, Alexa! Don't you walk out on me; you used me when you needed me, and you are discarding me when I'm no longer of benefit to you. I always knew you were selfish,” Daniel spat angrily, his fingers pointing at me whilst talking as if I would think he was not talking to me. 

“How did my decision to go for treatment make me a selfish person? You were the one always telling me to go for treatment and not give up on a chance to recover.” I looked at him calmly and then placed a finger on my chin as if I were thinking about something and added with a smile. 

“Were you just saying it at that time because you knew I would surely not go for the treatment?” 

Daniel shifted his gaze and responded, 

“I will always love you and keep your best interests at heart. I never knew you doubted me so much.” 

‘What an award-winning actor he was; no wonder I never saw through his facade. I was so angry, I took the pictures out of the envelope and flung them at him. 

“Then what is the meaning of this?” I asked fuming. The look on his face told me he was not expecting what just happened. 

“A... Alexa, listen,” Daniel said, stuttering, but I cut him off before he spewed more lies and said calmly. 

“I want a divorce.” 

“No! Never, I don't agree." Daniel held my shoulders, 

"Alexa, believe me, whoever sent you these pictures just wants to create a misunderstanding between us; these pictures must be photoshopped. I can call Elena to come here and clear up everything. You can ask her yourself; there's nothing between us.” 

I looked at him, shaking my head at him. I was too speechless to speak. Daniel was still denying everything, even when there was evidence. 

“Alexa I love you; why are you doing this? You are hurting me with your lack of trust,” Daniel added, looking at me with a wronged expression. I just looked at him, still speechless, and ran to our bedroom, locking the door after me. 

I needed to be alone and sort out my thoughts. Daniel was never going to admit he cheated. Was I going to be with him and not divorce after everything I found out about my husband today? No, this is crazy. I have to get a divorce. My thoughts were interrupted by incessant knocking on the door. 

“Alexa, open the door! We need to talk!” Daniel said, knocking on the door fiercely. 

“Go away! I don't want to see you!” I yelled. 

“Alexa, talk to me! Why are you acting like this? I love you!” Daniel said, his tone heavy. 

I gazed at the closed door, my eyes boring a hole through them. 

“Leave me alone, you liar! Don't make me hate you more.” I yelled and heard the knocks stop and the sound of footsteps getting further away. 

I breathed a sigh of relief, but it did not take long before I heard footsteps approaching again and saw the key to the door turning. I had forgotten there was a spare key outside. 

Daniel entered the room after the door opened, smiling gently, but his smile was making me feel as if ants were crawling on my skin, his demeanor giving me a creepy feeling, making me afraid of my husband for the first time ever. ‘What is he up to?’ I thought.