Chapter Five

POV Azalea

     The days that followed seemed to unravel in slow motion, the tension between us palpable in every glance, every touch. At night, we lay in bed like strangers, our bodies curled away from each other while the silence between us grew heavier with each passing moment.

One morning, as Thorne prepared to leave for work, I noticed him surreptitiously checking his phone, his expression a mix of guilt and concern. A stab of suspicion twisted in my gut, but I pushed it aside, unwilling to give voice to my fears.

"Thorne," I called out softly, watching him turn towards me with a wary look in his eyes. "Have a good day at work."

"Thanks," he murmured before quickly leaving the room, the weight of unspoken words bearing down on us both.

Throughout the day, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that there was more to Thorne's secretive behavior than mere stress. As much as I wanted to believe in him, that there was nothing between him and Vanessa, the shadows of doubt continued to creep into my thoughts, fueled by the lingering presence of Vanessa Ivanov.

In a quiet moment alone, I decided to confront my suspicions head-on. With trembling hands, I picked up Thorne's phone from the nightstand, hesitating briefly before unlocking the screen. I knew it was a breach of trust, but the uncertainty gnawed at me, demanding answers.

As I scrolled through his messages, my heart raced, my breath caught in my throat. And then I saw it—a text message from Vanessa, filled with intimate details and innuendos that left no doubt about the nature of their relationship.

"Darling Thorne, last night was incredible. I can't wait to be in your arms again. Love, V."

The phone slipped from my fingers, clattering onto the floor as the crushing weight of betrayal settled upon me. Hot tears streamed down my cheeks, blurring my vision as I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to hold together the broken pieces of my heart.

How could Thorne do this to me? To us? I had given him everything—my love, my trust, my loyalty—and in return, he had shattered our bond beyond repair.

As the tears continued to fall, I knew that I had a choice to make. I could continue to live in this suffocating silence, pretending that everything was fine while my dreams crumbled around me, or I could find the strength to confront Thorne and demand the truth.

"Love isn't enough," I whispered to myself, echoing the words I had spoken days before. "Not without trust."

And so, with a heavy heart, I made my decision. There would be no more secrets, no more lies. It was time to face the truth, no matter how painful it might be.

****

My fingers moved with purpose as I researched the legal steps for my divorce. I read about documents, waiting periods, and possible outcomes. Each detail was a brick in the wall between my old life and the one I yearned for. With shaky hands, I clutched the papers to my chest and vowed to take back control of my own life. A single tear slid down my cheek, but I wiped it away and decided to be strong. 

I set aside my  laptop and gathered the paperwork for our divorce. Shaky hands held each document, but I remained firm - this was a necessary step towards independence.

"Thorne, you may have taken so much from me," I murmured, clutching the papers to my chest, "but I will take back control of my own life."

Mustering courage, I opened the heavy wooden door to the lawyer's office - the final barrier to my future - and refused to let Thorne's betrayal control me any longer.

I entered the office with trepidation. The reception area was warm and inviting, and a reassuring smile from the receptionist helped to ease my anxiety.

"Welcome, Mrs. Lamont," the receptionist said, gesturing towards the hallway. "Mr. Donovan is expecting you."

"Thank you," I replied, feeling my heart race in anticipation.

I saw sympathy in Mr. Donovan's eyes when I entered his office. It was the same understanding I'd seen in Axel's face.

"Mrs. Lamont, I've been reviewing your case," he began, and I braced myself for the conversation ahead. "I understand how difficult this must be for you, and I want you to know that I'm here to help guide you through the process."

"Thank you," I murmured, my voice barely audible and unrecognizable. "I just—I never thought it would come to this."

"Sometimes life takes unexpected turns," Mr. Donovan said softly, passing me a box of tissues. "But we can only control our own actions, not those of others. You have every right to seek a better life for yourself."

I dabbed at my eyes and took a deep breath, determined to stay focused. "What do I need to do?" I asked, my voice stronger now.

"First, we'll go over the documents you brought in," Mr. Donovan replied, gesturing for me to hand them over. As he reviewed the papers, he explained each step of the divorce process with care, ensuring I understood every detail. The weight of it all threatened to crush me, but I refused to let myself be overwhelmed.

"Are you ready to sign the divorce papers, Mrs. Lamont?" Mr. Donovan finally asked, his gaze meeting mine.

I hesitated, considering the weight of my decision. It would sever me from Thorne and all we had shared—laughter, whispers, tenderness—but also the heartache, betrayal and pain that now marked our relationship.

"Let me move on," I thought, gripping the pen tightly. With a determined nod, I signed my name on the dotted line, symbolizing the end of her marriage and the beginning of my new life.

As I handed the papers back to Mr. Donovan, I felt both relief and sorrow wash over me. But despite the storm of emotions raging inside, one thing remained constant - my resolve to heal and find happiness once more.