Gone

As Damien pulled the divorce papers out, he noticed a small object in the envelope, and when he brought it out, his face saddened as he saw that it was their wedding ring.

“She went this far?” He muttered, accessing the ring on his finger before looking at the shiny diamond ring his father got for her.

Damien went from heartbroken to angry in two seconds, and before he could stop himself, he signed the papers.

He felt like he lost this battle to her when she was at fault.

How could she have signed the papers before he did?

Yes, he mentioned the divorce to her and disappeared for a few days, but couldn’t she wait to hear from him before processing the divorce?

Damien was confused. He was supposed to be relieved with her gone, but why did his chest feel tight instead? It’s not like he ever loved her.

Right?

His father would be furious with him if he were to find out. But then, he could always tell them that she cheated.

That’s what happened, after all.

He was no devil.

As soon as he got in, his phone rang, and he quickly picked it up, thinking it was Harriett. But his jaw ticked when he saw who the caller was.

It was none other than Adrian who had been calling him repeatedly since he found out about his escapades with his wife.

He gripped his phone harshly and was about to cut the call when he decided to pour his anger and frustration on his little brother.

“What the fuck do you want, Adrian? Aren’t you content with the damage you have caused?” He growled into the phone. As soon as the call went through, he heard Adrian groan.

“I always knew you were an idiot, but I didn’t think you were this big of an idiot.” Adrian shot back, taking Damien by surprise.

“If you wanted to divorce Harriett, you should have just done it rather than calling her a cheater. Being this petty doesn’t suit you.” Adrian continued without giving Damien a chance to speak.

“You fucking slept with my wife!” Damien yelled into the call, feeling his blood boil, but all he got was a laugh from Adrian.

“You are unbelievable, Damien. Fine. Let’s believe that I had something for Harriett and wanted to have her. Do you think she will spare me a second look at how obsessed she is about you? Was, rather, because she’s done with your fucking ass!” Adrian countered, sounding just like Damien’s friend, Eric.

Damien was slowly getting worried as everyone kept saying the same thing and calling him a fool.

Was it that obvious to the whole world that Harriett was in love with him?

“You never loved Harriett and continuously compared her to that sly bitch you brought from England. I’m happy she has finally left you. I’m sure she’ll find someone better who deserves and trusts her.” Adrian said and cut the call angrily, leaving Damien all confused.

When the call ended, he found himself asking questions he should have asked before mentioning the divorce and leaving the house.

Should he have believed Harriett?

Everyone couldn’t be wrong about a person, could they?

He quickly went to his table and pulled out the picture that an anonymous person had sent to him earlier. The one that made him believe that Harriett was cheating on him with Adrian.

He took out his phone, sent the picture to Eric, and dialed his number. It rang once, and Eric’s frustrated voice came alive.

“What is it?” He murmured.

“I just sent a picture to you. I need to find out if that picture is real. Immediately.” He said impatiently, and Eric immediately understood why when he opened the message.

When he saw the picture, he also understood why Damien believed that Harriett would cheat on him. The picture was too detailed.

But he knew that this was a manipulated photo, and when he finished accessing the picture, his doubts were confirmed.

It was indeed photo manipulation.

Five minutes later, he called Damien.

“I told you. The picture isn’t real. A professional did it.” He said, and Damien felt his chest tighten.

“What have I done?”

*

*

His hands were sweaty as he stood outside the Edwards mansion. He didn’t know what to say to her now that he realized she was innocent.

‘Fuck’ He cursed himself for being an asshole.

If only he could get one chance to apologize to Harriet.

“Mr Damien?” A maid called out from behind him, wondering why he was standing there looking like a lost puppy.

“If you are looking for Miss Harriett and her family, I’m sorry, but they are already long gone. They left the country first thing this morning.” The maid left to care for the house while the family was away, said Damien’s eyes widen out of shock.

‘Why the fuck is everything happening so fast?’ He murmured bitterly.

“Where are they?” He asked, but the maid shook her head.

“I’m sorry I don’t know. All I know is that they won’t return anytime soon.” She said.

Damien was then belatedly woken up by the fact that they might never return.

It was all because of him.