04 He wants a divorce

Isabel’s POV

Walking through the hallway of the King’s Mansion, I feel sad.

The hallway Furnished with High ceilings adorned with intricate moldings that creates an aura of spaciousness. The polished marble floors gleam under the soft glow of crystal chandeliers. 

One can feel the air filled with a subtle scent of fresh flowers.

But I sense tension as I walk through the hallway.

Why is everywhere so quiet?

I thought to myself.

Two steps into the big and exotic living room, I was shocked to see Alexander sitting in one of antique furniture pieces near the window.

His gaze feels so cold.

I can tell he’s mad. Ranging with anger, but trying to keep his cool.

“You’re finally home.” 

He says, giving an icy demeanor.

I hesitated.

Unable to say anything for a moment. 

Puzzled and surprised as it’s been a while since Alexander was home by this time of the day.

He’s either already at the office, or he traveled for a business trip from work. While I only got to know about it from his assistant, Susan.

But knowing he might be home because he’s been unable to reach me since last night, made my heart racing a bit.

Did Alexander get so worried about me that he hasn’t left for work yet? 

I can feel butterflies swirling in my stomach.

I let a smile play on my lips.

“Yes I’m home.” I replied.

He gave a slight nod, picking up his phone from the table beside him. “I called several times last night, but no response from you.” 

I stood still, unable to speak.

My mind racing with thoughts.

Everything still feels unclear, except the parts Cynthia explained to me.

My head aches the most.

The room tension feels palpable.

“Where have you been? Where did you spend the night?” Alexander asks, breaking the silence and tension between us.

“I was out with my friend, Cynthia.” I replied, trying to hide my state of confusion.

Remembering I also met with James, Cynthia’s friend. 

I can’t begin to talk about it now.

With the way Alexander’s face is,  I feel it’s not the right time to talk about how everything went.

Maybe just leaving it at me hanging out with Cynthia is best for now. I thought to myself.

I gave a deep sigh.

“I see.” Alexander replied, taking a step forward.

 I see a flicker of something —- maybe doubt, run across his eyes.

“You must have really enjoyed yourself, seeing how you also spent the night out.” Alexander says, sarcastically.

I tilted my head.

Grasping my breath, as I try to comprehend what he said, and why he seems doubtful.

“It’s not what you think.” I say, looking directly at Alexander.

He takes a step closer, his demeanor icy.

“Let’s get a divorce.” Alexander says, taking a deep breath, and leaving me to my thoughts. 

The room tension became palpable.

****************

I shrugged onto the bed, feeling the weight of Alexander’s words.

Tonight is our 2 years anniversary together. 

And now he wants a divorce?

Is Alexander finally giving up on us? 

Tears welling up in my eyes.

I had planned to share the news of my pregnancy with him tonight, and now he wants a divorce?

I say, softly placing my hand on my belle.

I thought sharing this news with him would help ignite back our love, but I was wrong. 

Alexander hates me.

I let the tears drop down my cheeks.

My head aches.

I groaned softly, rubbing my temples. Memories from last night flashing.

I was being led to the room by James and Cynthia, but the memory is still unclear.

Flashes keep coming, but with a fog.

At that moment, my phone buzzes with a text from a restricted number.

“Do you know why your husband doesn’t love you anymore? He’s seeing someone else.”

Come to Euphoria’s club.

Room 412, to see for yourself if you don’t believe.

I furrow my brow slightly.

Who the hell is this?

**************

Alexander’s POV

Fuming, I dashed into my car. Driving to the address sent in the message, my mind racing.

As I drove, images of Isabel and the mysterious guy in bed came flashing in my mind.

I grip the steering wheel tighter.

I wonder who it is that might have caught them and sent the pictures to me.

Few minutes later, I arrived at the club.

The Euphoria’s club, is a lavish, high-end establishment that exudes luxury and decadence.

As I step inside, I’m immediately enveloped by the pulsating beats of the latest music, making the floor vibrate beneath your feet.

I’m puzzled as to why the secret sender would want us to meet in a place like this.

“Hey Alexander.” 

A voice from the background said.

I turned around, and I’m surprise to see Cynthia.

What is she doing here? I thought to myself, looking confused.

“Hey Cynthia,” I replied with a smirk.

“I’m the one you’re here to see.” She says scrolling her fingers round her phone, making weird and suspicious body gestures.

“How’s that possible?” I retorted, taking a step closer to her.

“Well, I care about you and don't want you to get hurt. I have always supported Isabel in all her decisions, but this time, I feel it will be bad to let her keep deceiving you.”

A flicker of doubt ran across my eyes. 

I can’t help but wonder why she would go to the extent of exposing her friend because she cares about me like she said.

I sigh, running my hand through my hair, unable to comprehend.

“Well why not we sit and have a drink, as I tell you more about everything.” She suggested.

“Okay,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady.

****************

We sat inside a stylish, dimly lit room, lined up with deep, velvety booths upholstered in rich burgundy, which offers an intimate and private space for conversation.

I leaned forward from the couch, my hands placed on my thighs.

“I came here as directed from the restricted number, never would I have believed that it was you.”

“You are Isabel’s best friend, so why should I believe you?” I say, furrowing my brows together as I stare at Cynthia.

“Umm.”…… She says, flipping her hair to the side.

She makes a walk towards the dark, sleek, polished mahogany wood table at the other side of the room. Taking the vodka from the table.

She uncorked the vodka, serving me a glass. 

As she serves me the drink, I see a flicker of something flash through her eyes — maybe mischief, or something else. 

I just can’t quite pinpoint.

She sat beside me, offering for a clink.

I can’t help but think she’s being evasive. 

She’s definitely doing this on purpose, trying to not give me a direct answer.

I feel uncomfortable sitting this close to Isabel’s best friend.

But on another thought, who cares. After all, I will be divorcing Isabel soon. I say, shrugging into the sofa. 

I feel a strange warmth spread through my body as I downed the glass of vodka Cynthia handed me.

The fiery liquid slid down my throat, igniting a blaze that made my head spin and my senses heighten. My thoughts became a tangled mess, emotions swirling in a storm of anger, betrayal, and a desperate need for escape.

Isabel’s betrayal gnawing at my heart.

I stood, my legs unsteady. As I approach Cynthia with a newfound boldness.

My eyes locking onto Cynthia, I see a flicker of something — maybe a sense of accomplishment, maybe determination, I can’t quite explain. 

She let a smile play on her lips, her eyes widening slightly, but she didn’t pull away as I reached for her.

At that moment, all I could think about was the need to lose myself, to find solace in the arms of someone who isn’t Isabel.

As our lips met, I felt a surge of adrenaline, a mix of guilt and exhilaration washing over me.

I knew I was making a choice driven by anger and pain, but in that instant, it doesn’t matter.

To numb the ache in my chest, laying with Cynthia was the means to that end.