001: Divorce

Elena

“Hubby, aren’t you done yet? I hope you haven’t forgotten about our plans.” 

This should be my fourth message to Ronan in the last thirty minutes. I’ve been texting him all night, but there has been no response. 

Today is our third wedding anniversary, and he was never free to celebrate the first or the second anniversary. My heart swelled with so much joy after persuading hubby non-stop, and he finally agreed. 

The decoration I made could make anyone a hopeless romantic. I just can’t wait for hubby to get here. The white lace tablecloth, scented candles, and the scattered rose petals looked so beautiful, but everything looked out of place since I was the only one at the table. 

It’s already 10 o’clock, and the cream on the cake is almost melted completely. Even the candles are almost burnt out. “Hubby, where are you?” 

[Ring!]

[Ring!!]

[Ring!!!]

Is that Ronan? 

“Hello, Auntie?” 

“Elena, dear, happy third anniversary! Time flies so fast, doesn’t it? You’ve been married for three years already, and Auntie is so happy for you.” The joy in my mother-in-law’s voice has caused all the alarm bells to start ringing in my head. When was the last time she talked this nicely to me?

“Is Ronan with you?” This question hit me hard, because my husband should be with me at this moment. He already promised. I could only reply to her awkwardly, blinking fast to prevent myself from crying. “No, Auntie. Ronan is on his way.”

“It’s high time we heard the cries of a child, don’t you think so?” I knew this was coming. She has been this way since she convinced herself that I was barren. 

“Mom…” I had no retort for her words. I also wish I could carry my child in my arms.

“If you can’t give me an heir, get out of my family and stop pulling my son down with you.”

This was all my mother-in-law had to tell me on my third anniversary. I couldn’t even blame her, could I? After all, how was I supposed to get pregnant when her son rarely touched me?

“Madam, it’s getting late. Please don’t sit alone in the darkness. Can I switch on the TV for you?” 

Have I been sitting so long in the darkness? I didn’t even notice it when the candle ran out.

It’s already 10: 45 p.m. “Okay. You can do that.” I can watch TV while I wait for my husband. “Thank you, Benson.” 

“Don’t mention, madam.” 

Benson changed the channel to the live entertainment broadcast and quickly left. I couldn’t help wondering about what could be so important that it needed to be broadcast live at this time of the night. Entertainment news like this usually comes with big scoops that sweep the internet by storm.

Suddenly, on the screen, was my husband, Ronan. As the camera shifted, it focused on his first love, Darcy Taylor. Why is Darcy here? Was she not supposed to be in Europe?

“The CEO of Simpson Group just bought the one-of-a-kind Eternity and Beyond jewellery for Darcy. Could this be Mr Simpson’s way of confessing his love for Darcy?” 

“Hold on, people. Does anyone else think that the Simpson group is holding this high-end charity gala purposely for Darcy? Don’t mind my wild imagination, but I still think this event is mainly to welcome Ms Taylor back to Lockwood? After all, they are an old couple that I remember from three years ago. If this is what love feels like, I want my own Ronan Simpson.”

Huh? Which Ronan Simpson? My husband? Time seemed to stop as I blinked so many times, hoping I’d see differently. 

However, the host’s cheerful words made me stupefied. I couldn’t look away, no matter how much I tried to. Everyone cheered and called them the power couple, yet I was waiting at home. My eyes remained glued to the television screen as I kept reminding myself that Ronan wouldn’t do that to me.

Despite everything, I could feel my blood rushing to my brain, and my body trembled from raw fear. Yes. I am terrified of losing the love of my love, the only man I ever wanted to spend my happily ever after with.

But… It’s Darcy Taylor we’re talking about here. She is his first love.

Ronan may be the love of my life, but Darcy remains his first love…

___

I don’t know how I got to the bedroom, but my tears just wouldn’t stop falling. I felt like something shattered my heart into a million pieces. The pain was so unbearable. 

I just couldn’t get the image of Ronan and Darcy out of my mind. My husband was watching another woman with the same fondness that used to be reserved for me. The longing in his eyes was palpable, and I could feel my stomach churning. It was as if Ronan wanted to swallow her whole. What am I if my husband was looking so fondly at another woman—and so openly at that?

“Hubby, you won’t do this to us, right? ...”

___

“Elena Jones is suspected of plagiarism. The work she provided was surprisingly similar to that of Darcy—in terms of design concept and creative details.” 

“Elena, our college does not allow students like you who do not abide by professional ethics. We are discussing your expulsion.”

“This is shameful, Elena. We have no place for you here!” 

I couldn’t stand up for myself because no one would believe me. To make matters worse, I had no evidence to prove my case.

“Ahh! I didn’t do it! I am not a thief!” I dreamed of that night again—the plagiarism incident just won’t stop haunting me.

[Click!]

The light turned on, flooding the room with a harsh brightness.

I woke up with a start. Cold sweat filled my whole body, soaking the bed and pillow. 

I groaned, shielding my eyes, as I struggled to sit up.

Ronan was standing in the doorway. He was still wearing the same black suit from the gala. It was well-tailored, made of a matte fabric, elegant yet understated, highlighting his tall frame and noble aura.

“You’re back,” My voice was hoarse, and I felt so exhausted. Looking at my husband, I didn’t even know what to feel anymore. 

“It’s been three years, Elena. Now it’s time to end this fiasco.”

No freaking way!

“I wasn’t captured buying jewellery for my ex-girlfriend, Ronan.” I don’t even know why I was bringing this up, but deep down, I hoped he would tell me it meant nothing. Maybe Eternity and Beyond was his way of finally saying goodbye to Darcy. 

But why was he laughing? Did I say something funny? 

“Three years ago, if it weren’t for my parents’ pressure of using the company to threaten me, I wouldn’t have married you, Elena. Now that I’ve taken full control, it’s time to end this charade.” 

Ronan’s voice was cold, and he just stood at the door, exuding that form of masculinity that always caused my knees to turn jelly. Gosh! I love this man and everything he represents, but it felt like he was speaking to a total stranger and not his wife. 

“Is it because Darcy is back?” Again, I’m not sure why I asked, but there was nothing left for me to ask anyway, and the silence was stifling. Even Ronan’s unfriendly stares made my throat go dry. 

To my shock, my husband only lifted his gaze slightly but didn’t answer me. I guess it was suddenly beneath him to respond to me. 

“My lawyer has already prepared the divorce agreement. Once you sign it, we’ll be officially divorced in a week. I’ll leave the house to you, along with 50 million dollars. You sure have nothing to lose, Elena. The sooner you sign the papers, the better for all of us!”

“But, Ronan, why are you doing this? We’ve been happily married for three years…” I cannot lose Ronan. No. I would not survive without him. He is like my oxygen, so how could I let him run into the arms of another woman?

“Enough! Stop selfishly trapping me in this marriage, Elena. I never loved you, and I never will.” 

R… Ronan… How could he say this to me?

“Why the heck did you make love to me if you never loved me, Ronan? Why did you raise my hopes up and then trample on me like this? Don’t I mean anything to you at all? Answer me, Ronan!” I needed no one to tell me I was hysterical, but I just didn’t see myself living without my husband.

I watched as Ronan walked out of the room without sparing me another glance. 

It hurt so much. I could feel my heart twisting from all the pain and frustration. 

“He never told me he loved me.” 

It was all in my head.