Chapter 3

THE DIVORCE

Lana’s POV

“What do you think you’re doing?!” I yelled in anger, my heart thumping heavily in my chest.

“What… does it look like?” He answered, his attention solely focused on the stranger he brought into our matrimonial home. He guided her steps and had her sit comfortably on the bed… our bed!

“Donovan, I need an explanation for this!” I yelled again, putting up the files in his face, and deciding to revisit the presence of the stranger later on.

I mean, I was going crazy and I was dying for a response… an explanation in fact. I wouldn’t dare to entertain any distractions else I would be throwing a fit.

He was about to unbutton his shirt when he caught sight of the files in his face. Disgusting. He didn’t even care about my presence at all. How really disgusting.

“Oh,” he mouthed, turning to face me. “You found them,”

Huh?

What?

“I found them?!” I batted my eyes, finding his comment ridiculous and unbelievable. How could he give such a response?

“Okay, you found them, Lana. So what?”

Fucckk. I was mad. So mad that I almost lost it. I had never felt this stupid and angry before.

I exhaled heavily, trying to put myself together. “I need an explanation, please,” I begged

“You read them. Didn’t you? It is what it is, Lana,” he said nonchalantly.

I held my chest tightly, trying so hard to keep it in check but then while I struggled with it.. tears streamed down my eyes uncontrollably.

I was heartbroken.

I was deeply shattered.

The thirty-five-year-old man I had known as my boyfriend for years in college and I had lived with for five years in marriage as my husband had just confirmed that it had all been foolery for him all these while.

“Why?” I managed to ask shakily in tears. “You said you love me,”

Donovan's expression changed, his eyes darting away from mine like he couldn't bear to look at me. His jaw clenched, and his lips pressed into a thin line. He seemed to be battling with himself, his soft side warring with the cruel expression he wore.

I felt a pang in my chest as I realized he wasn't going to answer me. He just stood there, his silence deafening. I took a step closer, my hands reaching out to him, but he forcefully removed my hand and turned his face away, refusing to look at me.

“Donovan, please,” I jolted softly and whispered, my tears spilling over. “Tell me the truth. Did you ever love me?”

His shoulders tensed, and his hands balled into fists. He seemed to be fighting with himself, his body language screaming that he was struggling to maintain his tough exterior as he spoke.

“These questions are useless and meaningless. Don’t waste your time trying to get a response,” he replied icily

I nodded in tears, taking it all in.

“So, you mean to tell me that you deceived me into marrying you? You know your inability to birth a child but you still let me blame myself over it!” I said angrily.

“Lana…” he tried to speak but I interrupted by attempting to slap him.

Slap!

I suddenly felt hot. What?

“Did you just slap me?” I queried, shooting daggers at the stranger whom I had almost forgotten was in the same room with us.

“And I will slap you again if you try to raise your hand at him!” She stated

I got angrier. How dare she? She could have stayed out of this but she chose to show herself!

I attempted to return the slap but Donovan held my hand instantly. “Lana, get out of my house,”

“What?” I huffed

“It’s over. We’re done with this marriage and here’s…” he ruffled through his briefcase, pulling out a big envelope which I believe had the contents of some documents. “…the divorce papers. Sign them and get lost immediately,”

“What?! Divorce papers? Why?!”

“Fine, I’m sorry. I won’t interfere with whatever you have with her and I won’t ask questions anymore. Please, don’t divorce me,” I begged in tears

“It’s too late, Lana. We’re done for good,” he said coldly, throwing the papers and a pen in my face.

I hesitated a bit but ended up signing them with tears in my eyes.

“Have a good life,” the stranger mocked me as I put my stuff together.

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

Arriving in Lower Hutt City— a city near Wellington city in New Zealand. I settled into a small home I could find and afford.

I tried to put everything that had happened behind but unfortunately, life was yet to start with me.

Two months later after I settled in and became a little acquainted with my environment, I found out the most shocking thing I would never have thought of.

I was pregnant and I was months gone without noticing. Trust me, I had tons of emotions running through me. I was happy, scared, surprised, uncertain, and even confused.

I was happy that I finally got the proof that I wasn’t the problem.

I was scared that I didn’t know if it was Donovan’s or the older man from the bar.

I was surprised, uncertain, and confused about how it happened and how I’d go about it, especially now that I had no job and I was broke as hell.

Donovan divorced me and left me empty-handed. I invested everything I had in our marriage with the hope that it would be forever. But now I know better…

I gently cupped my stomach, trying to feel my baby’s presence. My mind wandered off to the older man from the bar. Could this be his? I mean, it was clear enough that Donovan was impotent, or could a miracle have happened?

While thinking critically about the situation, a sudden wave of sadness washed over me. When I put to bed, what would become of me and my child?

How do I manage the situation?

What should I do?