4: Zora, Atleast Accept The Offer

ZORA

W-What do you mean by that statement, Zayn? Tell me it's a prank," I stuttered, completely stunned as my husband introduced the lady to us.

The audacity stabbed deeply into my chest. How could he be so bold to say that to us?

"Don't act surprised, Zora. It's nothing new, is it? You already knew there's no love in our union, but you overlooked it, forcing things that are not meant to be," Zayn remarked, worsening the pain I'm feeling.

"No, Zayn. There is love. I have loved you and will always do. What is it that I'm not doing right, Zayn?" I stuttered, my voice weak.

"Yes, I know, Zora. But haven't you asked yourself if it's the same for me too? Come on, it has been a one-sided love. You should be grateful because I made it open to you that I'm no longer interested instead of keeping you in the marriage to torment you," he said, his voice bold and exuding authority.

My throat felt so dry upon hearing that. Even Blake and Daisy, my friend, were shocked to their marrow as well. The truth is that no one expected this.

"Uhm, hi," the tall, slim woman spoke for the first time.

I couldn't bring myself to look at her.

"I can understand how you feel because I'm a woman as well," she went on, not minding that I wasn't giving her any attention.

"You might have heard of me. I'm Paige, as Zayn had stated earlier," she said and took off her sunglasses.

"I'm Zayn's ex-girlfriend. Don't know if he told you. We went to the same high school and had some misunderstandings before we graduated. We couldn't sort out our issue because I left the country immediately to further my education."

"Well, as fate may have it, I and Zayn met again when he visited England, where I stay, and we sorted our beef because it's never too late to rekindle our love," she stated, smiling and glaring at Zayn, who was smiling sheepishly.

I couldn't say a word but kept staring in the empty direction. I was totally broken down. Something I thought would be a good meeting has started turning into the worst meeting of my life. Had I known, I wouldn't have requested his comeback since it's not going to be beneficial to me but worsen my situation.

"Well, Zora, I can understand how you're feeling. You might be shocked, but..."

"Yes, Zayn. She's shocked. Zora is shocked to realize the man she had been building with for a whopping three years decided to reward her this way. Tell me why she won't feel bad," Blake reprimanded him, cutting him off his speech.

Zayn let out a short smile. "I know, Blake, but do you think it's crucial to force things that are not meant to be? It's okay to go where you find joy rather than forcing yourself into a situation you know won't yield anything to both parties," Zayn said, still smiling at Paige and even stroking her hand tenderly.

This broke my heart into more pieces. He doesn't act and sound like someone who could be corrected.

From his words and replies, I already know that this meeting isn't going to yield anything positive.

I gazed at Blake, and I could see confusion portrayed on his and Daisy's countenance. None of us was able to digest the shock the incident unfolding in our presence was giving us.

After a few seconds of silence among us, Blake sighed and cleared his throat to speak. "Alright, at least you both should have a seat first so we can discuss and settle this issue properly. We didn't call this meeting to banter words with each other."

Zayn and the lady then walked up to enough space and sat down, clutching their hands like legally married people.

I dragged a long breath and finally raised my gaze towards the lady, as I couldn't withstand it anymore. How could Zayn have the nerve to invite his mistress to a meeting concerning our union, and she boldly accepted to follow him?

"I understand you're his ex-girlfriend, but don't you realize he's married and doesn't belong to you anymore? He's mine now," I said without thinking much of my words. I didn't even know when I yelled out those words out of frustration.

Hearing this, Zayn let out a chuckle. "I don't even know if I've been talking to a statue or a human. Well, I repeat, that's where the divorce comes in. Sign the divorce papers so I could have my way out of this bondage called marriage," he said, turning to the lady.

Gently, he cupped her cheeks and turned to me again. "Let's finalize this divorce so I could spend the rest of my life with the love of my life," he added.

To be honest, his statement was like a punch in my gut. Seeing how rudely he talks to me and berates me just because of his ex. At this point, I realized there was no need to try to convince him anymore.

Daisy was actually right when she mentioned Zayn being in a relationship with Paige, his ex.

"Zayn, are you really sure you want to do this? You want to divorce your lovely wife for your ex-girlfriend?" Blake asked him, as he was also tired of convincing him.

"She was never my lovely wife, and she knows it," Zayn replied. "Zora, you know very well I never loved you and also know that I married you so I could inherit my father's billion-dollar assets."

"Don't tell me you weren't seeing the red flags when we were dating. I settled for you because Paige left me and I was lonely. If you really know the value of what I'm doing, you would end this back and forth and grant this divorce," he paused and dragged in a long breath.

"Don't think you're doing me a favor, but both of us. You'd also be free to meet your right spouse, not stay where you aren't loved," he added.

I couldn't stand it anymore, so I left the gathering and rushed upstairs, crying while heading to my room. I was so defeated and felt like a commoner. I just wish I could have the opportunity to meet my creator and question Him why all this was happening to me.

It wasn't up to a year since I lost my parents in a ghastly car accident, and now this. My husband insists on divorcing me.

A few minutes later, while I was in my room, the door opened, and Daisy barged in.

"Zora, I think we should inform the Human Rights Authority about this," she said as she sat next to me.

"We need to get rid of this lady trying to break your marriage."

I breathed a long sigh and turned to look at her. "Do you really think that would help, Daisy? There's no point in that because there's no law against divorce," I said, wiping the tears in my eyes.

"So what do we do?"

"I'm going to sign it," I said and gulped hard.

Daisy's countenance changed instantly, and she glared at me with caution in her eyes.

"Yes, Daisy. That's the best decision so I could have peace of mind. No doubt I would miss him, but I'll definitely heal with time," I said with tears. I had cried so much that I developed a runny nose.

Daisy was startled. She was short of words, and tears strolled down her cheeks as well. She held my cheeks and dabbed the tears and running nose on my nostril, and we hugged each other tightly.

A few seconds later, I wriggled free from her and encouraged her I was not making a wrong move before strolling down to meet Zayn, Blake, and Paige.

Upon arrival, he had already presented the divorce papers on the table while convincing Blake to support him, but Blake didn't pay heed to any of his words.

As soon as Zayn saw me step down from the step, a smile forced out of his lips as he stared at me. "Have you decided to sign it?" he asked, looking curious.

I didn't respond to him but went straight to the table, picked up the pen, and signed the papers.

"Yes!" Zayn yelled as soon as I penned down my signature on the papers. He hugged Paige. They had a long, passionate kiss that lasted up to about five seconds before Blake disrupted them.

"Zayn, are you aware we're still here? At least have some respect for me and my wife, even if you don't have for your wife."

"Point of correction, ex-wife, not wife anymore," he said and turned to look at his mistress, who cheered him up with a smile.

"Moreover, I don't think there is anything important to talk about since the main motive of this meeting has been finalized. Is there?" he added and Paige waved her head in support.

Blake clenched his jaw in fury. From his looks, I could see he was really disappointed in Zayn.

"Alright. I know she's expecting compensation," Zayn went on, turning in my direction.

He then dipped his hand into his file, took out a stack of papers, and dropped them in front of me.

"This is the legal document of my estate in Freemantle district. I'm giving it to you as compensation."

"Isn't that much? A whole estate!" I could hear Paige attack him.

"Don't worry, sweetie; I don't want her to come up with any excuse to disrupt our union. No worries, I have many estates," Zayn responded to her with a whisper.

A wry smile escaped from the corner of my lips after hearing those words. "I don't need your estate, Zayn. My love for you couldn't be measured with your wealth. After all, I married you when you were not yet wealthy, and I wouldn't have done that if I didn't love you," I said and left the scene immediately while Daisy rushed after me.

"Zora, at least accept this offer," she whispered.