His Ex-girlfriend

The sound echoed in my ears as I stared at the door. Powerless. Tired. Hurt. Different emotions went through me, but more was the feeling of disappointment.

How did it turn out this way? It was supposed to be perfect.

I had planned everything, from how I would break the good news to him as we ate dinner, only for him to dash my hopes like it was nothing.

Wiping the tears from my face, I reached for my bedside drawer and removed the test results from it. Staring at it, I recalled how happy I was at the news.

After two years of marriage, I was finally pregnant. And I thought this would bring his heart closer to me.

I didn't blame him for all that happened over the years. Just like me, he was driven into this marriage after we had a one-night stand.

Which was why I felt having this baby would smoothen things over for us. I believed he would start treating me better than before, but at that moment, I couldn't see any hope in that.

Not with the divorce paper staring at me.

Clutching the pregnancy results, I leaned on the headboard and looked up at the ceiling, heaving as I wondered what to do about this. Knowing how Dashiell was, talking to him at the moment would be like pouring petrol on the raging fire.

Wincing from pain, I got up from bed when I heard his car and limped towards the window. Every part of my body hurts, and I knew it would only worsen tomorrow.

Frowning, I looked down just as he drove his car out of the compound.

I wondered where he was heading by that time of the night. It was late, and he was partially drunk. Where could he be heading?

......

He didn't return last night. I waited for him until dawn, but he didn't show up. I tried his number thrice, but it wasn't reachable. I only dozed off around 6, and by the time I woke up, refreshed, I had already determined what to do.

Signing the divorce papers like he asked me was out of the question. I needed to confront him about it, to know why he did that out of the blue when he had not shown any different signs. This way, I would know his reasons and also tell him about the baby.

Sighing, I placed my hand on my stomach and rubbed it. Imagining how happy he would look when he heard about this caused me to grin.

Even though I wasn't certain about his reactions, I couldn't afford to let anything wipe the smile off my face.

Decision made, I got ready. Kicking the unpleasant memory to the back, I got dressed. I paired the gown I chose with the only pair of sandals I had. The silver nude sandals were the ones Mama Kaka got for me after my wedding with Dashiell. I had only worn it thrice. Dressed, I left the house for his office.

I struggled to hide my nerves as I walked past the receptionist to the lift. I wasn't stopped, since they had gotten used to seeing me each day whenever I delivered his meals. You could say I was a constant in their lives.

As the lift went up, my nervousness increased. I rubbed my palms together, as I tried to tell myself, there was no cause to be scared, but my mind wasn't listening, not when the reminder of how mad he looked last night flashed through my mind.

The moment the lift opened on my floor, I exhaled. Now it was time for this.

It was funny, though. I bet I was the only one in the entire world scared of speaking with my husband. The thought of meeting him always made me wish to seek the nearest exit. All the fucking time.

Dashiell was a walking time bomb, one you couldn't afford to tick off.

“Good morning,” I greeted his secretary as I walked past her office, which was just two doors away from Dashiell. She nodded at me, smiling when I waved.

“Are you here to deliver his food?” She asked, already aware of what I always come for. “You don't have to bother with it today. I can help you,” she offered as she got up from her seat.

“Oh, it's no worry.” I held my bag tight as I forced a smile. “I will deliver it to him. Thanks for the offer, though.”

“… Oh. It's alright. Just don't forget to knock, okay?”

“Got that.”

Smiling, I continued on my way, taking steps towards the Lion's den. I gulped as I held my bag tight.

We are already here, Nova. You don't have to be scared.

I told myself as I walked forward. In my bid to lecture myself on what to do and how to act composed, I forgot to knock as she asked me to. I turned the doorknob and stepped in, only to freeze on the spot.

I rubbed my eyes as I tried to tell myself I was imagining things, but I wasn't. Dashiell was fucking kissing a woman in his office.

However, that wasn't what broke my heart. It was how gentle he was to her. He had never kissed me before. Even on our wedding day, I only got a peck on the cheeks from him. But there he was, kissing her like she was the best thing that ever happened to him.

Sadness gripped me hard as I took a step back. Tears welled in my eyes, but I didn't allow them to fall.

The woman moaned, partially turning her face so he could kiss her neck. And that was when I saw who it was.

Lilith fucking Wintercup. His ex. The girl dumped him because of her career. The most beautiful ballet dancer in the country.

It hit me like a bullet at the moment as I watched him. Dashiell had never been kind to me because I wasn't Lilith. I could never be her. Not her grace. And certainly not her charm.

Sniffing back tears, I closed the door as gently as I could so they wouldn't notice me before I left.

The secretary asked a question, but I didn't get it. I only shook my head at her as I ran towards the lift. I told myself I wouldn't shed any tears, but I couldn't hold it in.

…

I broke down at home. I couldn't hold it in as I gripped the divorce papers in my hand. So that was why he asked for a divorce? He wanted me out of the way so he could get together with his ex-girlfriend and become the perfect couple, while I got kicked to the side like a rubbish bin.

Sniffing, I looked up at the chandelier in the sitting room, wondering what steps to take. Divorce wasn't among that, mind you. Despite what I walked in on, and how heartbroken I was about that, the last thing on my mind was a separation. Wouldn't want my kid to grow up in a broken home like I did. It was the last thing I would wish for my child.

Sighing, I reached for my phone and dialled his number. Unlike last night, I was able to reach him. After the phone must have rung thrice, he answered.

“Hello.” His words were curt as if he wanted to do anything else but be on a call with me.

I gulped, feeling nervous suddenly.

“Nova? What's it?” He demanded, his tone harsh.

“Can you… Can you come home tonight?” I whispered.

“Tonight?” There was a momentary pause on his side before he sighed. “Was that why you called? Have you signed the papers I gave you?”

“… No, I mean… I have something urgent to tell you. Can we discuss it when you return tonight?” I shut my eyes tight, waiting for his reply.

“Okay.” And that was all. He disconnected before I could say anything. Not that I had anything to say, though.

Sighing, I threw the phone on the table and relaxed back on the couch. Tonight, it will be. Since I didn't get him to listen to me last night, I will try my best to do that tonight.