2. Barren

KIMBERLY

~•~

When I realized that Jackson had made up his mind and nothing I said was going to make him change his mind. I wiped off my tears with the back of my hands and pulled out the paper from the envelope.

He already had his signature on it. I placed the pen on the spot where I was meant to sign but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. My hand was shaking and my lip was wobbling. I couldn’t do it. I wouldn’t.

Confused about what to do, I tore the papers and squeezed them into a ball before getting up from the floor. “I’m not ready to get divorced, we will find a way to make it work.”

Jackson's face twisted in disgust as he watched me throw the ball of paper at him. He caught it mid-air and stared at me in disbelief.

“What did you just do?” He asked angrily. “You think this is going to change anything? I have more copies and the earlier you sign it, the better for you.”

I needed to think of something else to do that would make him rethink his decision. I wasn’t ready to be divorced.

I never imagined myself saying something like this but I had to say something. “Why can’t you be with both of us? You don’t have to divorce me.”

Jackson let out a soft chuckle when he heard me say those words. I could tell he was surprised by my suggestion but I was surprised too. I never thought I’d be reduced to something so pathetic because of love.

“Look how desperate you are.” He replied in a mocking tone, hurting me even more. I knew I was desperate but he didn’t have to point it out. “Just sign the divorce papers, and I’ll compensate you. I’ll give you any amount you want. Name your price”

With that, he walked back into the room and I followed him. “Jackson, please.” I continued, trying to make him change his mind. “I haven’t done anything wrong, I have been a good wife all these years, I don’t want to lose you.”

“Kimberly, did you miss the part where I said Paige was back in my life?” He questioned, giving me an irritated look. “She is back with my son, I have an heir now.”

“But the doctors said nothing was medically wrong with me. I’ll give you an heir too.” I cried but Jackson wasn’t having it.

He brought out another divorce paper and handed it to me. My mouth fell open in disbelief. Did he expect this to happen? Was he that determined to divorce me? I let out a bigger chuckle. He wanted to divorce me so badly yet here I was making a spectacle of myself.

Feeling devastated and embarrassed, I took the pen and paper from his hand and signed on the paper.

I trembled in my spot as I realized I was no longer married to Jackson. I went from Mrs. Kimberly Clarke to Miss Kimberly Watson in a few seconds.

“Thank you,” Jackson said as he took the signed papers from me. He sounded so relieved that it embarrassed me even further. “That wasn’t so hard, was it? I’ll ask my accountant to transfer some money to you.”

Before we got married, his mother had forced us to sign a prenup, just in case. I thought it was odd, especially because she used to be nice to me, but I didn’t question it.

“I don’t need your freaking money!” I spat at him, my voice radiating with anger and frustration. “I didn’t get married to you because of your money.”

Jackson smiled. He was so calm about the situation and it angered me. “I’ll send the money either way, you can choose to spend it or not.” He informed me. “Make sure you leave the house before I return tonight because I’m coming back with Paige.”

It felt like I was in a terrible nightmare and I wanted to wake up. What was I going to tell my family? What would the media say about me?

Before I could open my mouth to say anything else, he left the room. I stood there alone, standing in the middle of the room, trying to process what had just happened.

I was confused and hurt and I needed someone to talk to desperately so I dialed Reiya’s number and it rang multiple times before she finally picked up the call.

“Reiya,” My voice was trembling as she answered.

“Kimberly? What’s the problem?” Reiya asked with a hint of concern in her voice. “Why are you crying? Talk to me.” She demanded, her voice soft and gentle.

Reiya was my best friend and the first person I always called when I was in trouble. She was so supportive and non-judgmental and I was glad to have her in my life.

“I just signed the divorce papers,” I ran my hands through my messy black hair. I still couldn’t believe what was happening.

“What divorce papers?” Reiya questioned. I could tell she was confused by the way her voice sounded.

“Jackson gave them to me this morning.”

“Why would Jackson want to end the marriage? I thought everything was going smoothly?”

I let out a heavy sigh and continued. “It was not until five days ago when he stopped coming home for dinner,” I explained everything that happened to her.

“I’m so sorry, Kimberly.” Reiya sympathized with me. “What are you going to do?” She inquired.

“I’ll stay back until he returns. Maybe he will change his mind.” I wasn’t going to give up easily, even if he asked me to leave before he returned, I wasn’t going anywhere. If he hadn’t filed the divorce, he could just tear the papers and we could go back to normal.

“Okay, babe. But I want you to know you can come back to my place.” Emily said in an attempt to make me feel better. “You’re always welcome here.”

Emily and I used to live together before Jackson and I got married. We were roommates back in college and decided to move in together when we graduated.

We stayed together for some years and worked in the same law firm until I got married to Jackson. After the marriage, I moved in with him and gave up my law career.

He said he would provide for me and I didn’t need to work. Looking back, that was a big mistake.

“Thank….. ”

I didn’t even complete my sentence before the door to our bedroom opened. I hung up the phone and turned around to see Jackson’s mother. What the fuck was she doing in my bedroom?

Before I could speak, his sister walked in after his mother. I couldn’t help but wonder what they came over to do.

“I overheard you saying something about my son changing his mind.” Her tone was mocking and so was her laughter. “Why haven’t you started packing your bags?” She asked as her eyes darted around the bedroom.

I couldn’t help but think of how long they had been standing outside the room, eavesdropping on my conversation with Emily.

“Jackson has made his decision and he isn’t going to change his mind.” His sister, Emily added. It was clear they had come over as soon as they heard the news to gloat about it and make me feel even worse.

When I remained quiet, his mother spoke again. “Jackson Clarke finally came back to his senses. I always told him Paige was the right woman for him.”

I chewed my teeth to keep back the tears that were threatening to break out as I heard them speak.

When we first got married, Jackson’s mother was nice to me but everything changed when we couldn’t conceive a child a year later.

“You even had a grandson all these while and we wasted our time on this lowlife.” Emily sneered and my eyes glistened with tears.

“Why are you still standing there? Do you need me to call the house help to help you pack your bags?” His mother asked.

I was already feeling angry, hurt, and frustrated. Their presence in the room wasn’t even helping, they just made me feel even worse.

I remained silent even if they kept on saying terrible things about me, hoping they would get tired and leave. But I was wrong, they didn’t give up and kept on talking.

“She doesn’t need to leave with any bag. Jackson gave her everything she owns, so she should leave without them.” Emily added.

They continued to talk about me like I wasn’t present in the room, their words piercing like a dagger. Emily began rummaging through my belongings and folding my clothes with a condescending smile.

“A barren woman who can’t even do something as simple as packing her bags.” His mother whispered but it was loud enough for me to hear.

I couldn’t take it anymore. My chest tightened and my vision became blurry. I didn’t know how I landed on the floor but I could feel it when the darkness started to take over.