Her attempt at an apology rang hollow, her eyes darting to Jason for support. Something in her tone snapped the thin thread of restraint I had left.
My palm connected with her cheek, the sharp crack echoing in the small hospital room.
Leslie gasped, stumbling back as she clutched her face. “Jason!” she cried, her voice trembling with exaggerated pain. “She hit me!”
Jason lunged forward, his hand grabbing my arm. “What the hell is wrong with you, Paige?” His voice was furious. “What if something happens to her baby?”
I yanked my arm free, glaring at him. “I don’t care. I’m just done with your pathetic lies.” My words were ice, cutting through the air between us. “Do whatever you want. Stay with her, take care of her, hell, raise her baby together for all I care. This is the last time you’ll see me.”
I turned on my heel, my chest burning. Behind me, Jason’s voice rose, but I didn’t listen. Leslie’s sobs filled the air, but I didn’t look back.
They didn’t seem to hear me as I walked out, the door clicking shut behind me.
When I reached the clinic, the cold air was biting at my skin.
I pushed the door open and walked inside. It was time to let go.
There is no way I’ll let a child be born in this world with a father who cheated on her mother.
Two days later, I lay in the hospital bed, staring at the ceiling. The sterile white walls felt suffocating, but not as much as the silence. Not a single call or text from Jason. Not even a token message to ask if I was okay.
That was the final straw.
I reached for my phone, scrolling through my contacts until I found the number. “Hi,” I said when the attorney picked up. “I need to finalize my divorce papers.”
The words came out cold, detached, but inside, I felt the weight of years crumbling away.
“Of course,” the attorney replied. “I’ll prepare everything and send it to you for review.”
I hung up, staring at the blank screen. The emptiness was suffocating, but not for long. My phone buzzed, breaking the silence.
“Miss Hill?” a polite voice said on the other end. “Your request to rent a yacht has been approved. When would you like to set sail?”
I didn’t hesitate. “Tomorrow evening.”
“Very well. Everything will be ready.”
I pushed open the front door of our house. The silence inside felt suffocating, but it didn’t last long.