Chapter three

As the evening unfolded, the sound of the key in the lock signaled his arrival. He swung the door open, entering like a storm.

I panicked upon seeing him.

He walked up to me, “are you done with what I told you to do”. He asked.

The question hung in the air like a challenge. I responded with a deafening silence, leaving the question unanswered.

He came closer, his eyes fixed on me. "I am talking to you Ms. Emily”. He said.

“I won’t sign them”. I stammered out a hesitant reply, looking straight to his face.

“You what, say it again, what Emily, I didn’t hear, say it again”, he said with a voice full with marveling curiosity while nodding enthusiastically as he moved closer to me.

I said I won’t sign them”. I stammered out yet another hesitant reply while maintaining a steady gaze despite trembling hands.

I steeled myself to confront Harrison, I stood tall despite trembling legs. A lifetime of dread condensed into this moment. I wasn’t ready to let go of a relationship I have worked so hard to maintain.

“ooh so miss has finally learnt to talk back,awww that’s So sweet, “he said in a mocking manner. “But it’s too late now”, he changed his tone.

“Look at me Emily”, "Sign those papers if you still need Mia or else”, He said as he grabbed my chin.

“Or else what Harrison, tell me , please leave Mia out of this, We can talk this out”, I pleaded.

“I have nothing to talk with you, what could an illiterate like you possibly talk with an educated man” .he replied arrogantly.

“Harrison if not for me, then please do this for your daughter”, I said.

“What did you just say”, he asked with a confused look. “My daughter”, he continued. “Look Emily,are you being for real right now or are you joking, Just because I let you and her stay here doesn’t mean I accepted her”.

“Harrison please, don’t do this, You know Mia is your daughter, when will you ever accept that. Deny all you want but that will always be the truth”.

“Shut up”, he shouted. "I won’t ever consider her my daughter. I have always told you that, the sooner you understand that the better it will be for the both of you”. He said with a voice like a raging storm.

I was rendered speechless.

“Look girl”, he continued.” I don’t know why today you have a lot of courage. You seem to have grown wings but I promise you will fall back to the ground”. He talked aggressively as he pointed a finger at me.

“I am a mother and a mother can do anything for her kids no matter what”, words stumbled out, tangled with emotion.

“I am sorry to say this to you but there is actually nothing you can do okay, so stop playing your emotional drama and go sign those papers”. He said as he bit his teeth in anger.

“I won’t sign and that’s final, I am not ready to lose this marriage, especially when we have a daughter. I am doing this for Mia,You can torture me all you want but you are Mia’s world.Mia needs her father and I cant take that away from her”. I murmured.

He looked at me in disbelief, he smirked and said, “There is actually no good either if you keep her around. I have pretended for So long, one way or another she will find out that I don’t want her nor will I ever. Am sure that will be more worse than you leaving me alone while she is still delusional about me loving her. So the choice is yours Ms.”.

I looked at Harrison and couldn’t believe he was the same loving and caring man I met seven years ago.

"Harrison, she’s just a kid, she needs her father .She doesn’t deserve such a big punishment".

"The biggest punishment you gave her was bringing her into this world knowing well she isn’t wanted nor will she receive any love, it’s all your fault, remember", he said shamelessly.

His words ripped apart my confidence. Why does he always have to hurt me ,what did I do to deserve this.

Tears fell like rain, washing away my dignity. My heart shattered into a million pieces. I drowned in grief, suffocating under the weight of what’s been done. My baby ,my sweet innocent baby.

As I stared at the shattered remains of my relationship. I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was all my fault. I decided to bring a child into this world even after I knew she wasn’t wanted. But how am I to blame, all I wanted was my baby. How could I ever face myself again, how could I ever overcome mom guilt. I only did what any mother could have done.

******

“So Emily, will you sign the papers or should I tell Mia everything”. He said mockingly. “and you know your girl ,she will break down to pieces and cry a river hahaha”. he laughed sarcastically.

My face contorted in disgust ,my lips curling upward in a snarl as I gazed at Harrison with contempt.

“How could you do this to your child, Harrison”.

“She’s not even mine”, he shouted.

“She’s our daughter, yours and mine, you can never change that”.

“Biologically maybe, but I have never considered her mine”, he replied shamelessly.

“I have pretended for So long, I can’t anymore. I think it’s time Mia learns that I don’t love her, she will be broken but it’s better than living a delusional life, right Emily", he teased.

I dropped to the ground, overwhelmed, I felt like I was drowning in uncertainty.

“What’s best for Mia”,I whispered to myself. "Is staying in this marriage truly protecting Mia or exposing her to a toxic relationship". The question echoed through my mind but the answer remained elusive.

After a lot of deliberation, I concluded that leaving the marriage was the best decision for Mia.

The weight of my decision settled heavy on my shoulders, "I am doing this for Mia”, I murmured. “if I can stay for her then I can also leave for her,Mia deserves better than a home filled with arguing and tension”

“It's okay Harrison, I will sign them”, I said barely above a whisper.

I slowly moved to where the papers were, pulled out the pen, hands shaking and trembling. I managed to sign.