Chapter 2
On the day of my grandmother’s funeral, my husband was accompanying his first love.
After I made countless phone calls, he finally came.
But he said, “She’s pregnant, I have to be with her.”
I turned to look at my husband’s uncle, “Take me home, uncle.”
Grandmother’s funeral is being held on a gloomy day.
I am alone, with no one to comfort me since no one else bothered to attend my grandmother's funeral.
I can’t help it anymore, I burst into tears, falling on my knees by her grave as it dawns on me fully that she is really gone.
I hear confident footsteps approaching me.
My heart races and hope swells inside of me when the person puts a hand on my shoulder.
I whip my head around, expecting to see Adam but my hope quickly shatters when I see that it is Adam uncle, Regis.
“Here,” He hands me his handkerchief.
I say a barely audible thank you.
“I came as soon as I heard, I’m sorry about your Grandmother, Aria.” He says in a sincere and kind voice.
Regis has always been kind to me even when I was just a secretary.
He left the country to study a few days before our wedding and only returned not too long ago.
This is the first time seeing him since his return.
“You didn’t have to.” I say quietly.
Regis looks around as if searching for something and then he frowns when our eyes meet again.
“You’re alone? Where the hell is Adam?” He asks, his voice a little hard.
I force a smile and begin to pack the excess things I bought for my grandmother's funeral.
Regis joins me wordlessly and I sigh in silent appreciation of how he doesn’t ask anymore questions.
“Come on, we’ll take my car.” He says and walks in front of me. I have no choice but to follow him.
We have just gotten outside of the cemetery when a car drives into the parking space right beside Regis’ car.
It’s Adam who wears Royal Blue suit.
I feel the slow brewing of anger inside of me.
How could he show up wearing that?
It is clear that he came from the office.
Three days since Sophia announced that she was pregnant and shook my world.
I didn’t need anyone to tell me who the baby belonged to as he walks towards me now, I feel nothing but resentment for him.
“Is it over? Crap, I must have lost track of time.” He says before turning to his uncle and giving him a tight smile.
I find it disgusting.
“Thank you for being here with her, uncle.”
“Care to explain why you are only just coming?” Regis thows the question.
“Yes, Adam. Tell me what was more important than being at my grandmother’s funeral.”
I already know the answer but I still wait to hear him say it so I can have a reason to hate him even more.
“I really wanted to be here, Aria but you know…” He trails off, running a hand through his hair, “I had to be with Sophia.”
This name is the reason I wasn’t around to witness grandmother’s dying moments.
“Did you really come all the way here to tell me you were with another woman you slept with and impregnated?”
“Let’s not do this here, Aria. You know I can’t just leave her.”
“I never stopped you. You know what? You should have never come here. You should have stayed with her since that is where your loyalties lie now and I am no longer in the picture.”
Adam frowns, moving closer, “What does that mean? You are my wife.”
“Ex-wife,” I say the words without even thinking.
“I want a divorce, Adam.”
His eyes grow wide, unable to contain the shock at my words and I am proud of myself that I finally got a reaction that isn’t anger or coldness from him.
“Both the divorce papers and my resignation will find their way to you soon.” I don’t wait for him to reply as I turn to an equally stunned Regis.
“Take me home, Regis.”
I’m thankful that Regis doesn’t ask any questions as he drives me back home.
I wait till he drives off before I sigh and walk into the house.
I am no longer the mistress of the house.
Right now, I have only one resolve–to leave Adam for good.
I begin to pack while that resolve is still strong, not even stopping for one moment to think about the fact that I have nowhere to go
When I about to leave, Adam comes back with a bunch of Lilies.
After married for three years, he doesn’t even know I’m allergic to them.
“The flowers weren’t for you.” He says.
I barely even feel anything when he says that because I genuinely don’t care anymore.
I just want to get out of this house and never return.
I don’t even care about the rest of my things which I am yet to pack, I just want to turn my back on this horrible life already.
I face Adam squarely, taking in the same clothes he wore to the cemetery earlier.
It's getting reminded of all the reasons why I am making the best decision of my life.
“As I said before, it is over between us. The divorce papers and my resignation letter will find their way to you soon.”
I say, ignoring the way his face twisted, “Goodbye, Adam.”
I have barely taken a step outside the door when Adam’s strong hand grabs my upper arm and twists me around to look at him.
“Let me go.” I snap at him.
“You can’t just leave, Aria.” He growls.
“You can’t tell me what to do, Adam. At least not anymore. Let me go!”
“What about grandfather? You are taking such a big step without talking to the old man who set it all up anyway. The man who has been nothing but good to you.”
I turn back to face Adam, hating his attempt at making me feel guilty.
However, I don’t waver.
I refuse to put the wish of another over my own happiness.
“I will talk to grandfather. Believe me, you have nothing to worry about.” I say and make another attempt to leave.
He stares me down, “I won’t sign the papers and I won’t accept your resignation either.”
“You have Sophia, don’t you?” I shoot at him and his brows furrow.
“What does that even mean?”
“Everyone adores Sophia. She is smart, beautiful and capable. oh, don’t forget the fact that she is also pregnant with your child! How perfect is that?”
“Aria, it was an accident.”
I nod, like I am agreeing to his words.
“Three years ago, you didn’t think the same way.
You didn’t think you accidentally slept with me but instead believed I had gone as far as drugging you to sleep with you.
What changed, Adam?
Because all I see right now is a hypocrite and a coward who would rather blame others for his mistakes.”
When I turn my back to him this time, I don’t stop walking. I don’t turn around.
“Aria! Aria, get back here while I am still being nice.
Aria, I swear to God if you walk out that door, I won’t take you back even if you go on your knees.
You need me, Aria. You can’t survive without me!”
Adam yells after me but I don’t stop walking as his arrogant words only fueled my desire to get away from him as fast as I can.
I block out the rest of his words as I open the door and welcome my peace and freedom.
I am never going back to that sad reality.