Swallowing the lump in my throat, I pulled away from his arms, forcing myself to ignore the warmth I had once longed for.
“Brian, I want a divorce. Let’s end this—today.”
My voice cracked, but my gaze was steady, unyielding.
His expression darkened with something I couldn’t place—fear, perhaps? He stepped forward, reaching for my hand.
“Elise, wait. Let me explain—”
I cut him off, retreating further.
“There’s nothing left to explain. I just want a divorce.”
The silence between us stretched unbearably, interrupted only when the lawyer arrived with the divorce papers. I watched Brian’s face as he read through them. His jaw clenched and for the second time in my life, I saw his eyes fill with unrestrained emotion. The first time was when my father died.
“Elise,” he said, his voice rough, “you’ve already decided you don’t want me. But this isn’t up to you alone. I won’t agree to a divorce.”
With that, he tore the papers in half and stormed out, leaving me standing in the suffocating silence of our shared home.
***
I didn’t understand why Brian refused to let go. Maybe it was still about his promise to my father. He was a good man, but he wasn’t a good husband. And now, four years later, his true love had returned. I wasn’t blind to it. I wasn’t naive. I didn’t need him anymore.
Determined to end this sham of a marriage, I returned to our home to pack my things and leave. But as I opened the door, I was greeted by a sight that sent my blood boiling.
Kate.
She was standing in the kitchen, wearing my pajamas and holding a spatula like she was the lady of the house. She turned to me with a casual smile, utterly unbothered by my presence.
“You must be Elise,” she said, pushing her chest out in a display of confidence. “Come on in. Brian hasn’t been feeling well these past few days. He’ll be back soon.”
I stared at her, incredulous. Not divorced and they were already living together? It shouldn’t have surprised me, but it did. Perhaps Brian had prepared a place for her long ago, just waiting for me to move out.
Without a word, I walked past her into the bedroom, grabbed my suitcase and started packing.
Kate followed me, her tone indignant.
“What are you doing?”
I didn’t bother looking at her.
“Making space for you two,” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
The sound of shoes being kicked off in the entryway interrupted us. Brian was home.