TMUW 3 - Annulment

I left the house early. Even before the sun rose, I was already out. I didn't really want to go to work today, but I had no other choice but to leave the house.

I didn't know what that man would do to me again. It's not unlikely that he'll hurt me once more.

I looked at the Trion Building in front of me and yawned. I haven't even slept yet, damn it.

I grabbed my cell phone and typed a message to Noah. I won't be coming in today.

I turned the car to head towards my condo. I'll rest and sleep there for a bit.

What kind of life do I have? I was lucky with my upbringing and parents, but unlucky with the man I married.

I didn't even choose that man! I just woke up one day and I'm already getting married. What the hell is that? I trusted my parents to arrange a decent marriage for me, but why did it turn out to be the complete opposite?

They didn't even give justice to the dream family I wanted. If I had fought my parents then, would there be a chance that I wouldn't have ended up marrying that Lucas?

Where else can you find a husband who would bring his mistress to your home, where you're a married couple? He didn't even treat me like a person, let alone a wife, but of course, even though I say I'm used to it, it still hurts.

I can't help but question myself about what I did to deserve all of this. If I had known that marriage would be like this, it's likely that everything was planned from the beginning.

I rubbed my eyes and stopped crocheting. I wasn't even halfway through, but my hands were already numb.

I put it down and grabbed my cell phone. Since last night, I hadn't turned it on because the battery was low, so I powered it off.

As expected, no one reached out. There was only a chat from Noah and an unknown number.

Noah:

Are you okay?

That was his only message after I told him I wouldn't be coming in. I hesitated to reply because it was already late. I just shrugged and left it at that.

I was about to place it on the night table when another message came in.

Lucas:

Where are you?

I chuckled while reading it. What's next? He's probably preparing some form of punishment for me.

Lucas:

Don't leave my message on read.

I turned off my cell phone and got out of bed. I ordered food since I had nothing to cook in the condo. It's a good thing the food here is delicious.

The next day, I didn't go to work again. I stayed quiet inside the condo and bought some yarn to knit a cardigan.

I was dawdling about going back to Trion. I was considering whether I should return or just hand in my resignation letter.

I rubbed my eyes and stopped crocheting. I wasn't even halfway through, but my hands were already numb.

I adjusted my eyes and finished dressing up. I realized that it was just right for me to leave. The sun was starting to set, and it seemed like the right time to start a new chapter.

I grabbed my resignation letter and made my way to Trion Building. I knew that heads would turn and eyes would be on me, especially when Miss Bernadette found out that I am finally here in our building.

I glanced at Noah, who looked surprised, but he couldn't escape the gaze of Miss Bernadette, who was standing in front of me.

I look at him and then finally entered Miss's office.

"What's this? A resignation letter. You've been out of touch for a few days and now you're hitting us with this?" she pointed at the sealed envelope I handed over.

"But that's fine. It will be easier for me to explain that you've been inactive for the past few days. That's enough reason for this to be approved. I'll take care of this. Start packing up your things outside. I'm making sure that you're out today," she grumbled.

I managed a tight smile and bid my farewell, leaving the room to organize my belongings.

It was almost like they wanted to attack me, especially when Miss Bernadette left. Poor Noah would be stuck in his cubicle, while I faced the music head-on.

I tidied up my things without a word. I welcomed their gazes and didn't shy away. I even found it amusing how jealous they looked. They all wanted to leave but had no choice.

I straightened up and smiled to myself.

"You deserve a break, Aurora. You deserve everything," I told myself.

I bit my lower lip as Lucas crossed my mind. I would go home and grab some clothes and belongings from my room to transfer to the condo.

At the condo, I thought. I would age prematurely if I stayed with Lucas. I'll let him have his fun, and when he decides to file for a divorce, then I'll be happier.

I arrived home around two o'clock. I felt relatively safe since I knew Lucas wasn't here. There was no one around, especially at this time.

I didn't bother to bring my things inside, opting instead to head straight indoors. I neatly arranged the important items, and once I had everything, I headed downstairs.

I looked around the house. I was almost certain that this would be my last visit here, if not then maybe second to the last.

I almost dropped my laptop when I noticed Lucas leaning against the doorframe. He raised an eyebrow at me. "Uh-huh. So you know how to go home now? I thought you got lost and didn't remember the way back here or got eaten by a monster and suddenly you disappeared after that night," he said with a chuckle. "Scared?" he added, amused.

I raised an eyebrow. Why should I be scared? Scared that he might hurt me again? Wasn't I used to that already, to the point where I'm no longer afraid of whatever he might do next?

I remained silent as he approached. He reached for the shoulder bag I was holding, as if he intended to take it away from me.

"After a few days of not coming home, you suddenly show up carrying this... What's inside of it? Your trash things?" he insulted.

"Yes, so don't touch it. The moment you touch it, you become trash as well," I retorted.

"Don't you ever talk back to me. I still vividly remembered how you interrupted me and Iris," he said.

I chuckled. "Look at that. The wife gets scolded after her husband has sex with another woman. Impressive," I said sarcastically. "You're really something, Mr. Martin."

"Why don't you just file for a divorce?" I asked. "It's been seven years, and... you're about to marry Iris. Wow..." I marveled, looking at him. "The martyr wins the battle," I continued. "It turns out the power of sex is truly remarkable. Iris got you through it, huh."

"What did you say?" he demanded.

"Which one? The martyr or the fact that you got Iris back through sex?" I repeated the last statement.

I tasted the familiar metallic taste of blood on my lips. I chuckled lightly. "I thought you loved Iris, so why did you choose her to be your mistress?" I continued.

"Don't try me, Aurora. You know what I am capable of," he threatened.

"Uh-oh!" I exclaimed, hugging the laptop I was holding. "I'm so scared," I said sarcastically. I acted as if I was pleading to him. "Please don't hurt me!" I screamed in mock desperation.

I raised an eyebrow when I saw his face turn red. Due to his lack of an upper garment, I could see the reddening of his chest as well.

I poked him. "This is a suggestion from your only wife. Listen carefully," I whispered, signaling him to bend his ear so I could whisper.

I wanted to laugh, but even though he had an angry expression, he still followed my request. "File for a divorce. I don't care if you twist the story. You're good at that anyway. Say that I am an abusive wife who has harmed you during our seven years. That's reason enough for it to be approved. After that, marry Iris. Have some shame and stop making her your mistress," I advised, smiling at him before turning away.

"Call me when there's a hearing. I know you have my number, you even messaged me," I said as I walked away.

I placed my things in the back of the car, along with the bag I was carrying.

I furrowed my eyebrows when I saw that he was still following me. I shrugged it off and got into the driver's seat, but I hadn't even closed the door when he blocked it.

"What now?" I asked.

"Maybe you left something in your room. Just take everything with you. I won't fucking hold your things and drive you to the ends of the earth to your little dwelling," he said. "I mean, it's less hassle for the both of us. I can file a divorce as soon as possible."

I rolled my eyes at his arrogance. Of course, he would use his power again.

"I'll deal with that stuff later and make sure you're not in the house. It's not just you who's annoyed every time we meet," I said.

I tried to close the door, but he didn't let go. I took a step back as he leaned closer.

"Go and tell your parents that this annulment was your whole decision. I don't owe any explanations from you and from them. You got it, Aurora?" he said firmly.