1- Divorce

“Divorce?” Elara placed her hand on her chest, “You want to divorce me? Why?” This was unexpected. They were having a late dinner when her husband blew the bomb.

Her husband Aiden Lockwood hesitated a moment and tapped the file placed on the table beside his plate, “These are the divorce papers. I have already signed them.”

What was Aiden saying? It seemed like a normal business file to her.

“Hold on, Aiden. You haven’t eaten your dinner properly,” Elara went into denial. She quickly went to the kitchen and came out holding a tart tray, “See? I baked some Caramel pecan tarts for you. With lots of caramel topping. Just the way you like it.”

She placed the tray before her handsome husband and looked at him with a proud grin. He scrunched his nose and looked up,

“Did you even hear what I just said, Elara? You need to have a look at these divorce papers.”

“Stop cracking such jokes, Aiden. This is not funny. Ok?” For some reason, Elara could feel her heart, drumming in her ears.

Not understanding, she opened the file and read the words.

DIVORCE DECREE

“Wait a minute!” she gave him a lopsided grin, “You seemed worried about something for the last few days. Is it something about business? These divorce papers don’t belong to me. Right, Aiden?”

She was married to him for the last three years. They didn’t share a romantic lovey-dovey relationship, but she thought he liked her.

“Aiden. I made you these tarts thinking…”

“Life is much more than these tarts, Elara!” Aiden snapped at her, “Can’t you listen? We are getting divorced. I asked my lawyer to prepare these papers. You need to sign them. I already did.”

What? He had already signed the divorce papers?

“But why?” her voice dropped to a low whisper, “What did I do wrong? I … I thought you liked my baking that’s why I used to …”

“Good, God, Elara!” Aiden rose to his feet in exasperation, “Can you stop talking about damn tarts and cupcakes?” She felt as if he wanted to strangle her neck.

“Then what is it?” she also stood up, “Is it about my ginger hair? Is it about my weight?” she looked down at her bulging tummy, “I can’t change my hair color. But I am trying to shed off these pounds, Aiden. That’s why I joined the gym. I haven’t taken any carbs for the past year.” She didn’t know why her eyes welled up with tears.

“Yeah. I know. You haven’t taken carbs, but you are gulping down these cupcakes, tarts, and French toast dipped in heavy syrup.” She went silent after that.

She used to bake those cakes for him, but she had already stopped eating baked goods for the last year. Still, her weight was not in her control anymore. For the last month, she had been gaining weight like crazy.

“Listen, Elara. I don’t want to play dirty. There was everything in this marriage except love. Just sign the papers like a good girl. Don’t worry. You will get a lavish settlement. As we don’t have kids, obviously there is no question of child support.” He put back the file and picked up his car keys, “I married you because Grandpa forced me to. I never loved you, Elara. You are free to leave my place and do whatever you like with your life.”

Elara could not take it anymore. He was coming late from the office for the last few days, but he never spent his nights outside.

“Where are you going?” she couldn’t stop herself.

He smirked and shook his head,

“None of your business.” With that, he turned on his heels and left.

As soon as he left, Elara broke into tears.

“What did he say? He never loved me? Oh, God. What did I do to deserve this? I gave him everything. I know I am bulky. But I tried. Good, God, I tried.” She was weeping.

“I think Mr. Lockwood is leaving her,” she heard the voice of a maid in the kitchen.

“Obviously. Who would stay married to a heavy girl like her? He deserves someone better.” This was another maid.

She was very well aware that her servants used to talk about her weight behind her back.

“No!” she wiped her face with determination, “I won't give up on our marriage. I won't give up on Aiden. He is my husband and I love him. Tomorrow morning, we will talk like adults, and everything will be sorted.” She went to her room and tossed the file on the bed.

Due to a severe headache, she swallowed painkillers and sat down on a couch. However, her eyes were on the same king-sized bed where she spent her nights in his arms.

She was not planning to sleep. She would wait for him and tell him how much he meant to her. Just then her phone beeped.

It was a text message from a number that was not saved in her contact list. She opened it and read the text.

‘Interested to know about the whereabouts of your husband, baby? Countryside Hotel. Room number 1313. Trigger warning: He will be with the love of his life. Ha-ha.’

Love of his life?

Aiden was involved in some woman? No!

“Daniel! Daniel! Please ask the driver to bring the car. I need to go somewhere.” She hurriedly changed into a long maxi. That had been the only dress she was wearing to hide her heavy body.

The moment the driver stopped the car near the hotel lobby, she opened the door in haste and almost jumped out.

‘This can’t be true. Whoever this person was, he was lying. Or was this person a ‘she’?”

Standing outside room 1313, she inhaled a sharp breath and raised her hand to knock on the door. However, her hand stilled midair when she heard giggling sounds coming from inside.

She twisted the handle and opened the door just enough to look inside.

A man and a woman were busy kissing each other. The man’s back was facing her. The woman placed her perfectly manicured hands on the man’s shoulders and turned him a little. Now she could see the side of their faces and then she gasped with shock.

Aiden?

“Please don’t go!” Her husband was pleading with the woman and was not letting her go, “Please. Come here.” His voice was muffled because he didn’t want to detach his mouth. His hands were all over the sleek body of the woman. They were half-nak*ed and Aidan’s black hair was tousled.

He couldn’t seem to stop himself from squeezing her bottom and front and could not seem to let her go. The woman giggled again, and her eyes looked straight and met Elara’s eyes.

Elara sucked in a sharp breath, her eyes widening with shock. She knew the woman.

Vicky Barone.

Her childhood best friend and Aiden’s Ex. When did she return? She left the country three years ago. Right after attending their marriage.

“Vicky!” she muttered under her breath. Her one hand was still placed on her mouth to muffle the cries that were trying to escape her mouth when she closed the door and turned away to leave. There was no reason to stay there.