Breaking All Ties

I stood a few feet before my house. The lights of the house were on but it was hushed, no big difference from the streets eating my back. It was all dark from the sky to toe. I spotted a black SUV parked at the side of the house. My heart tensed, upon seeing it. No, he couldn't be here, why was he even here?

Of course, he wants you back, my inner voice shouted at me. No fucking way. I silenced it shut.

I hesitated with my steps for passing seconds the cold breeze brushing past my face and sweeping my hair aside. I gathered all the courage I got. All the rehearsed lines arranged in my head, I took one last deep breath and made my way up the stairs and into the house.

Closing the door behind me, Miley who sat on a sofa immediately stood up and came to where I stood.

She was a bit taller than me so I had to slightly look up to meet her grey compassionate eyes. Brown skinned her curly hair that I always admired tied in a messy bun, she blinked several times curving her lush lips into a nodding weak smile. She knew what was coming. Miley gave me a warm hug her eyes displaying worry for me. I nodded at her meaning I’ll be okay and she understood immediately. We didn’t need to use words so we could understand each other’s feelings.

“There you are,” a voice came from behind us, deep and sensual, sending a ripple of awareness through my entire body. Miley looked at me one last time and headed to her room leaving the two of us.

I took my coat off and hung it on the coat rack ready for anything ahead of me my standby lines ready for a rattle on Corbin Leigh. My so-called husband.

I took my time and slowly turned around, secretly sucking in short breaths. He stood tall and straight like a towering spruce at the doorway from the kitchen, holding a mug of coffee. I guessed.

Perfect as he is in his late thirties, and the very owner of Habby fitness center.

He looked handsome in an olive green shirt that strangled his biceps un-disturbingly and revealed his broad chest from the upper undone buttons along with black pants.

His boldly handsome face smiled warmly down at me. We stood feet away from each other but I could perfectly make out his aquiline nose and generous mouth. His smile was wide and his teeth were strikingly white against his tanned face.

“Can we take our seats, please? You’re uh…staring for too long,” he said softly yet mockingly. He sat on the small sofa while I sat on the one next to him, my palms buried between my thighs rubbing them together to calm my nerves.

“uh…Hi, nice to see you again,” my voice came out weakly while maintaining a dramatic grin. “what brings you here?” I spoke as reasonably as I could manage.

Corbin seemed so relaxed, resting his body on the sofa slowly taking a sip of coffee.

“pleasure to see you too and–about me being here,” he took another sip from the coffee. “I missed you, baby,” his words loaded with ridicule.

I knew he was here for that same reason, he wants to act nice so that he can get me back easily like all the other times we’ve fought over the years. This was different, I wasn’t going to–

“here take it.” His voice cut the silence snapping me out of my sentiments. A white envelope floated before me.

“what is this?” I demanded scanning the envelope.

“before you go on further with your daydreaming, I suggest you should open that first.” He grinned with sarcasm which only made my heartbeats accelerate.

I slid the envelope from him slowly like it was a ticking bomb, I guitared it and tore it slightly, a neatly folded white paper was in it.

With curiosity I shot a glance back at him, he just sat there smiling while drinking his coffee like he owned the place. I unfolded the paper and my stomach flipped at the sight before me.

No, this wasn’t happening to me. I hoped everything was just okay and still okay between us.

Yes, I was mad, until now after seeing what he prepared for me, I needed him in my life. Still.

Black bolded letters enveloped my vision, DIVORCE AGREEMENT. Tears welled up blurring my vision but I forced them back.

I looked up again at scowling Corbin not believing he filed a divorce and he signed them already. He looked satisfied with how I reacted. Yes, he wanted to see me break down and look hopeless.

“What is this, Corbin?” I asked even though I knew clearly what was it I just didn’t believe that what I was seeing was exactly what it was.

What was this? Just what the hell was this? Was he that serious about filing a divorce?

God, this can’t be happening to me now. What if Dad hears about this? And mom?

They’ll be disappointed in me just as they always are.

Failed work. Failed maternity. Failed marriage. I’m always a failure.

He chuckled probably enjoying what he made me feel. Placing the mug on the table he stood up straightening his shirt sleeves. He looked like a palm tree standing before me.

“read it carefully Maryse and take your time to sign them baby. I’m not that eager.”

He picked up his coat and slowly made his way to the door. Rage coated over me, he wasn’t doing this to me, no–he won’t do this to me.

It’s been six years of nothing. Watching the house, I built so hard trembling apart. My marriage with Corbin wasn’t the happiest of the happy but I accepted everything from him and loved him and all his flaws.

I endured all, the cheating, the beating, and insults from him and his family thinking that one day it would pay out and that we’d last longer but no. Was this the payment?

It’s hard fighting for love but it’s even harder when everything goes against you.

“Hold on,” I stopped him my voice sounding out a bit shaky. Only a few seconds remained before tears welled up in my eyes.

I stood up and followed him to where he was. “so, you sent me this, thinking I'll just accept them?” I raised the papers to his face a slight chuckle escaping my lips.

He looked fazed trying to catch what I meant. I raised my other hand to the paper and tore it apart into two pieces. Put them together and tore them once more. No one was getting divorced, ever.

“How can you think of divorcing me, Corbin? don’t you know which state I’m now in?” I threw the papers on his face, my voice rising.

He watched the papers as they swirled down, his jade eyes flickering embers but quickly plastered it with a smile that had nothing to do with his eyes. I could feel my eyes twitching due to the anger built in me.

“you doing this because she told you, right?” I uttered pointing at the door as if she was there, “She had your ears capped to the point of divorcing me, that slut?”

As I finished my sentence a slap landed on my left cheek so hard, I felt stars flickering before me.

“don’t you dare call her slut, ever.” He growled pointing a finger at me, his eyes showed no remorse, no regret. Foremost no more love.

He strolled to the door closing it with such a force it trembled, leaving me standing fragile. A palm on my burning cheek.

I gulped hard, hot tears slipping down my cheeks, eyes glued to the door when I heard a car engine humming before it hurriedly fed away.

I stood glued to the spot I wanted to move but didn't. Wanted to call Miley but couldn't.

This was the same man who claimed he loved me with all his heart. The same man who fought for me after my outbreak.

“You’ll be alright,” Miley whispered from my back her hand resting on my shoulder. “You'll be alright, Maryse." She repeated embracing me in a hug.

A warm tear fell down my cheeks, I gulped hard, and my lips trembled even though I bit them hard to force them to stay still with no success. My vision blurred. I couldn't hold it longer than this. A choking sob escaped out of me, weeping with all my cracking voice.