Chapter One

As I searched through the file cabinet for some documents, my fingers brushed against an unexpected envelope. My heart raced with anticipation as I pulled it out. It was an envelope I had never seen before. I pulled out the documents with a tensed up face ,my heart racing and full of curiosity. My eyes widened and my face became pale upon reading the document's content.

It was a document that would sever all ties, a symbol of failed promises and lost love. “Petition of Divorce”, my eyes widened in shock, my heart sank as I read, every word slicing through my soul. I stood there with a piece of paper, frozen with surprise, my whole body sweating and trembling.

“I must be dreaming, this can’t be real”, I uttered barely above a whisper.

I lifted my gaze to review the document just in case I had read it wrongly.

I read with bated breath, my anxiety escalating with each paragraph, my eyes widened in alarm as I absorbed the words. Fear gripped me as I delved into the document. The words on the page seemed to leap out at me striking fear into my heart with every sentence.

“Diii…Div…. Divorce”, my voice shaking with emotion, I managed to say as tears streamed down my face, I fell to my knees.

“Mummy, mummy look”, Mia came running to me.

I quickly wiped off my tears and hid the papers behind my back.

As soon as she reached me, her eyes locked onto mine, she stared at me for a moment, her expression unreadable.

“Mummy were you crying”, she asked with her soft inquiring tone as she leaned forward.

“N-no, no, ha-ha,no way”, I laughed nervously as my eyes darted away avoiding eye contact.

“What’s that you're hiding mummy”, her voice full of innocent wonder, she questioned.

Mia is just six years old but her thoughts and opinions are wise beyond her age, her poise and confidence belied her tender age. She always detects even the slightest hint of dishonesty with her sharp instincts. I had to make sure she didn't doubt me.

“ Come here”, I pulled her closer, putting her on my lap.

“I just have a little headache but i am going to be okay, I said as I held her tighter and kissed her forehead.

“I can’t let Mia know anything, she is just a child”, I whispered to myself.

Suddenly a loud voice shattered the silence.

“Hey, anyone home”, it was Harrison.

Harrison Pierce is my husband. Harrison and I have been married for over six years. He is tall, dark with piercing blue eyes and a strong jawline, his broad shoulders and athletic build exude confidence and charm. His chiseled features and bright smile make him irresistibly attractive.

“Mummy it’s dad”, Mia’s smile spread across her face as she ran off.

I jogged behind keeping a safe distance.

The moment I laid eyes on him, my heart skipped a bit. For the first time since we got married, my admiration turned into distrust. I felt a nagging sense of unease as I walked closer towards him.

Emily Pierce is my name, I got the name Pierce from my husband. . Before we got married we dated for only two months and he proposed to me. It was a bit fast but I ignored everything because I was blinded by love.” I will always love you Emily”, Those were Harrison’s best words when we were dating. It's been a while since I last heard them from him.

As I reached him, my gaze locked onto his and I felt my heart swell.

“Hey”, he said, but I remained silent. I continuously looked at him without lowering my gaze, creating tension between us.

He turned and looked at Mia with a look of confusion.

“What’s wrong with mummy?” he asked.

“Mummy has a headache", Mia replied with her cute soft voice.

“Ooh, sorry about that”, he said with a detached and unconcerned tone as he moved away, leaving me standing, my heart shattered.

As I stood there, the words that I had read hung in the air, my expression hardened and my mind shut down the possibility that Harrison could ever divorce me after all that we have been through, and most importantly “Mia”. We had a child to take care of so in all situations we had to put her first, not our feelings and emotions.

For the past few days I have always had hints, several occasions left me doubting Harrison’s intentions but I dismissed all negative thoughts because I didn’t want them to come between us, and besides I thought Harrison could never divorce me.

My marriage with Harrison and my baby are the only achievements I have in life and I wasn’t ready to lose them.

Even though my marriage is not the perfect one I never want to lose it ever. For the sake of my daughter Mia, I had promised myself to always do everything to make this family work because I didn’t want her growing up with a broken family.

However, it’s a different case for my husband. He always tries to find something wrong with this marriage in one way or another. However much I fix everything, he always breaks them back to pieces.

Later that night, as I lay awake, my mind raced like a runaway train. Harrison and Mia were sound asleep. I turned and looked at Mia”, she lay sleeping, her face softened free from worry. Her chest rising and falling with each calm breath.

“Ooh my beautiful baby”, tears streamed down my face as I stared at my little princess, my heart broke for my little girl, I felt like my biggest fear was about to come true. I never wanted my children growing up with a broken family, I could never want them to go through all the challenges and trauma I had to endure, it seems like history is about to repeat itself.