PROLOGUE

I tapped my foot on the hardwood floor and bit my lips in anxiety as I waited for my name to be called. I’ve been here multiple times, but I never seem to have the strength to push through with my decision. This time around, though, I promised myself that I’d finally be able to file our divorce papers. My heart may not like the idea of divorcing Clyden, but my mind tells me that this will be the best decision for the both of us. I’m also pretty sure the Clyden would love the idea of us finally separating. I am the only one who’s still holding onto our broken relationship, after all. 

“Mrs. Gonzalo. The attorney is ready to see you now.”

I stood up and wiped my sweaty hands on my jeans. I probably should have worn something more formal, but this was a last-minute decision. 

I entered the room and looked at the familiar interior. 

“Good day, Mrs. Gonzalo. It’s nice to see you again. Please take a seat.”

I cleared my throat and sat on the hard and uncomfortable chair. “Good day, Mrs. Furrow. It’s nice to see you again too.”

“So, is your reason for coming here today the same as always?”

I nodded my head. “Yes.”

“Are you sure this time around, Mrs. Gonzalo? You’ve been wanting to file divorce papers since last month, but you never seem to do so. Are you certain this time?”

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. Am I really sure that I’m ready to leave the only man that I’ve ever loved? If I was being selfish, then I would have probably said no. But, this isn’t only about me now. I can feel that Clyden doesn’t love me anymore— that is if he even loved me in the first place.

Without any hesitation, I firmly nodded my head. “Yes, I’m sure this time around.”

“But will Mr. Gonzalo agree with your decision? Maybe, you can talk about your problems with him once more so you wouldn’t have to result in getting a divorce.”

I looked down on the ground and chuckled. “I’m sure he’ll be delighted by my decision.”

Mrs. Furrow frowned and looked at the application form that she was holding. 

“Well, if your decision stands firm, then I still have to ask you a couple more questions before we can push through with the application. Please tell me why you want to dissolve your marriage with Mr. Clyden Gonzalo?”

I hesitated to answer and just looked down at the table.

“I know that this is a sensitive issue for married couples, but these are the necessary questions that need to be answered so that your application may become valid. I would also hate to ask this question if it wasn’t for the law requiring it. So, I hope for your full cooperation.”

The “reason for divorce” on the form was in bold letters, and next to it is the word “mandatory.” I pursed my lips together and stayed silent for a while before saying, “He doesn’t love me.”

Her eyes widened slightly as she pushed her glasses back into her face. 

“A lot of married couples have also fallen out of love with each other, but they opt not to divorce each other because of the socio-economic advantages. Do you want to think about it again?”

She gazed at my stature deeply as I fiddled with my fingers. I was uncomfortable with her gaze, so I looked away. 

“I can see that you still have deep feelings for your husband, Mrs. Gonzalo. Just by reading your information and looking at you right now, I can tell that you don’t necessarily want this divorce. Have you tried any other ways to save your relationship?”

“I have,” I smiled bitterly. “It’s disgusting how I’m still trying to make him love me up until now when he probably hates me. No… he despises me.” 

I reminisced about our past, how I used to cook for him every day and wait for his return despite all of the uncertainties. I even tried provocative gestures at one point in my life, but they still didn’t work. Looking back at it now, I must have been such an eyesore. There’s no wonder that he never loved me and that he never will. 

Mrs. Furrow’s eyes showed pity, but I didn’t want that from her. 

“If Mr. Gonzalo really doesn’t love you, then I think he would take the initiative to file the divorce himself. He’s not here right now, so why don’t you discuss it with him first? He may just be aloof in nature.”

I shook my head. 

“He’ll be back this evening. He just went on another business trip, but he’ll be coming back today.” I responded. “I’m sure that he’ll sign the papers without any hesitation. He had already made up his mind even before he went on the business trip.”

Mrs. Furrow took a sip of her coffee. “Can you please elaborate?”

I coughed slightly to ease the pain that I was feeling in the back of my throat. “From the moment he started working, he’s had business trips multiple times a year. It would last for a week, sometimes even up to a month. This business trip, though, is different since he had to leave for two months. But, just as he went, he told me to pack and prepare my things and go. I don’t exactly know what he means by that, but I’m guessing that he wants me to move out of the house before he comes back.”

“Maybe that isn’t what he meant by that.”

I chuckled in disbelief. “I don’t really know what else he can mean by that. Where else will I go?”

I thought back on the times that he’d let me stay in the hotel when his friends and family would have gatherings. He wouldn’t even take me to their family dinners because he was so embarrassed by me. 

I continued speaking, “I would really appreciate it if you just approved my application. My husband… No… Mr. Gonzalo has a very unwavering mindset. I’m sure that he’ll sign the papers without any problem.”

Mrs. Furrow’s frown became even deeper. “It seems like I can’t persuade you anymore. But I would also appreciate it if you’d think about it again. I have seen your bank details, and it has a negative balance. Would it be wise for you to divorce Mr. Gonzalo if your situation is like this? I know that you’re also having a hard time since your father—”

“That’s enough,” I interrupted her. “I have already made up my mind. I don’t think bringing up my bank account balance and my family is pertinent to this matter.”

She sighed and looked over the form once again. “Then I’ll approve your application for now, but you still don’t have to sign it unless you change your mind. It’ll only be effective once both parties have signed it, okay?”

I sighed in relief and nodded. “Yes. Thank you, once again, and for every other time that you listened to me.”

She smiled bitterly and patted my back. “I was rooting for your relationship, and I still am. I hope that you'll be able to find happiness, Maia.”

“Thanks, Auntie.” I stood up and dusted my pants. “I better go now.”

I walked slowly out of my aunt’s office. There was a lot on my mind, so I mindlessly walked down the halls. My trance was broken, however, when my phone rang in my pocket. I looked at the caller ID and saw that it was Karl, Clyden’s personal assistant.

I looked at the phone for quite some time before picking up the call. I wasn’t in the mood to talk to people associated with Clyden, but I felt like this was an important call.

“Hello,” I greeted.

“Oh, thank god you picked up.”

His voice had a sense of worry and urgency, so I stood straighter.

“What—What happened?”

“Clyden got in an accident.”

Without any explanation, I hailed a taxi and told him to go to the location of the hospital that Karl texted me. I fidgeted in my seat and bit my nails. I felt like the taxi wasn’t moving fast enough, but I couldn’t ask him to move past the speed limit in fear of anyone getting hurt. 

In about 15 minutes, I arrived at the Haven Hospital, out of breath and with unruly hair. 

“705A,” I muttered under my breath as I pressed the “7” button on the elevator. 

The elevator opened on the seventh floor, and I ran to the fifth room. I could see some of Clyden’s relatives outside of the room giving me disgusted looks, but I paid them no attention. Clyden was the only one in my mind right now.

“Mrs. Gonzalo,” Karl went up to me and led me to the room.

“Is he okay? Was the operation successful?” I rambled while looking at Karl with frantic eyes.

He scratched the back of his head and looked away. “He’s fine… great, even! It’s just that—”

He hesitated for a while, so I became even more worried. “What? Did something happen?”

“I think it’s best if you just see it for yourself.”

I quickly entered the room to see my good-looking husband with a neckband, sitting on his bed, and leisurely reading a book. He seems fine, which made me sigh in relief.

What he said next, though, made me believe that he really wasn’t fine. 

“Hi, love! Did you miss me?”