Chapter five

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps. It was Harrison. As he walked in, my heart skipped a bit. The atmosphere shifted, like the calm before a storm, He walked up to me.

“Ooh Emily, you're done packing already, it’s like you were eagerly waiting for this day, just like me”, he said mockingly.

Lost in my own world, I ignored his presence.

“Emily, so you hate me already, just yesterday you were begging me to stay and today you're showing an attitude, uhmm….”, he continued mocking.

I didn’t give him any attention and proceeded to leave, as I was just about to reach the exit. I stepped back to where Harrison was.

“Before I go, I have a favor to ask you, in case you don’t mind”, I said looking straight into his face.

“You can go on, as long as it’s not taking you back”, he said with his head held high, and a slight tilt backwards. “I can at least fulfill your last wish, you know i'm not as bad as you think I am”, he smiled with his bottom teeth.

“Why did you suddenly become so cold towards me, I just want to know so that I don’t repeat the same mistake in my next relationship if I ever have one”. I asked, my voice tangled with emotion.

“Ha..ha”, he chuckled with a hint of superiority. “Your next relationship, ha..ha, Emily you're too funny”. His mocking gaze pierced me. “You actually think someone out there can love you”. He continued, his eyes sparkling with amusement at my expense.

I just stood there motionless, like a statue , unmoving and unyielding. His taunts represented the rejection I feared.

“Look Emily”,he changed his tone. “Since you're already leaving I think it’s the best time to tell you . Your heart's already broken, a few more truths won’t hurt that much right”, he smirked as he stood upright with an exaggerated straightness.

“I have never loved you Emily”, his expression turned grave, forewarning trouble. “You 're just too delusional, or maybe let’s say you are just too stupid”.

“According to how I have always treated you, any smart person could have known I just wanted to use them, but you, Emily, you're so dumb”. His tone was laced with sarcasm.

My eyes widened in disbelief, I stared, frozen in shock .His words felt like a slap to my face, the sneer in his voice made my skin crawl. His mocking tone resonated in my ears, my world was turned upside down.

“If Mia wasn’t my daughter,I could have cursed you, for your daughters be treated the same way you have treated me Harrison”, I spoke through gritted teeth. My voice cracked with pain, my tone strained and pained.

“And yes Emily, I wasn’t done with the truths yet, would you like to listen to one more please”, he smirked.

“I wanted to divorce you years ago if it wasn’t for my mother, but since she’s gone, no one can stop me now”, he continued with his taunting.

I stood frozen ,unsure of what to do.Tears rolled down my cheeks as I listened to all the torments of Harrison. I felt like my heart was about to explode.

“So what did you want to use me for?, I am uneducated and have no class. Why did you ruin my life Harrison please tell me". I stammered.

“Well, ha…ha.., let bygones be bygones”. He said mockingly. “I will get myself a woman who is better than you in everything, educated,smart and classy. Unlike you who doesn’t even have an identity of your own.”

At this point I felt like my heart was being ripped apart. Yes I was already hurt and heartbroken but his words were just making it worse. It was like rubbing against the wounds.

“You have ruined my life, shattered all my dreams, broken my heart in all ways that a heart could be broken, You have hurt me so much but I promise I will heal and build myself back”, I uttered, barely audible.

“One day you will look at me and regret why you ditched me Harrison, for that I promise”, I murmured as I wiped off my tears.

“And as for Mia, Just consider her dead, Mia doesn’t deserve a father like you. The thought of me having ever refused to sign divorce papers thinking I was protecting her makes me disgusted”. I hissed with anger.

“And who said I wanted her”, he spoke with a grin, his words infused with amusement.

“If I knew this was who you really are, I promise you wouldn’t have asked for a divorce, I would have”, i spoke looking straight to his face, my voice full of resentment.

He stood there, looked at me with a smirk, clearly entertained. His mocking gaze made me feel like a fool.

“Are you scaring me now", he questioned.

“Yes I am, and my advice to you is you should be scared, because you don’t know what is coming to you", I replied with a firm tone and a hint of tremble. My fearless facade hid the turmoil within. Maintaining eye contact but with a flicker of doubt.

My hand moved mechanically to my suitcase, My eyes drifted back at Harrison. I felt a pang in my chest, a lingering attachment I couldn’t change.

My gaze fell on our wedding photo, still smiling and hopeful on the wall , I turned, my heart heavy with the weight of my choice. My thoughts replayed the arguments, the torture, the disappointments and the loneliness I always felt in this house. I was about to leave it all behind.

One last glance at the man who has betrayed me, I stepped out of the familiar doorway, My heart raced with mixed emotions- fear, anxiety and a hint of liberation. The world outside seemed to yawn open like a chasm.

My feet felt rooted to the spot, unsure of the next step. Fear whispered in my ears, “You are not ready”. Despite the fact that my world was shattered, the sound of cars reminded me that the world was moving forward. The unknown future loomed like a shadow, the uncertainty of tomorrow hung over my head like a cloud.

I steeled myself for the difficult life ahead. I summoned every ounce of courage to face my fears and finally forced myself to keep going even when it felt impossible.