Chapter 6
Austin jerked his head up to look at me, shaking it desperately.
“No, honey, I don’t want a divorce.
“I know I messed up, I’ll change–please, let’s not get divorced. The baby… we can have another, or–if not, we can adopt. From now on…
I cut him off, impatient. “There is no ‘from now on.‘ You don’t need to pretend to be devoted anymore. At this point, let’s just end things cleanly and keep a little dignity for both of us.
Before Austin could respond, Kayla suddenly burst into the room, interrupting him.
“Austin, I feel dizzy.”
He turned to her, anger flaring in his eyes. “If you’re dizzy, go see a doctor. What do you want from me? I’m not a physician!”
Kayla hadn’t expected that reaction. Tears welled up in her eyes, making her look heartbreakingly fragile.
Austin turned his head away, refusing to look at her. Seeing this, Kayla ran out sobbing.
Hearing the commotion, Austin instinctively started to follow her, only to stop in his tracks as something seemed to occur to him.
What a performance. But I was done caring.
“I’ve already drafted the divorce papers. Once you sign, we’ll go to the
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courthouse.
“Now get out. I don’t want to see you anymore.”
“Eloise, just calm down for now. I’ll come back later and check on you.”
With that, he hurried out–no doubt to chase after Kayla.
Let him be. It’s none of my business anymore.
I used to care about him, used to nitpick and hope he’d love me the way I loved him.
But feelings change. Now, he’s in love with Kayla.
Mindy hugged me, trying to comfort me. “Getting divorced is a good thing. Everything will get better now. You still have me–I’ll always be here.”
I was quiet for a long time. “I want to go home.‘
Ever since I got together with Austin, I’ve barely returned to my family. His family took it for granted that they could push me around, boss me around. They thought I was completely dependent on Austin, that I’d never leave, no matter what.
I was just blinded by Austin’s love for a while.
After calling my family, I signed the divorce agreement.
Austin didn’t show up for days. I ignored his texts and didn’t answer his calls.
If it weren’t for the unsigned divorce papers, I would’ve blocked him
ages ago.
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Today, as I was packing up to leave the hospital, Austin showed up.
He was carrying my favorite chocolate mousse cake in one hand and a bouquet of flowers in the other, smiling as if nothing had happened.
But I didn’t acknowledge him. I simply handed him the signed divorce
papers.
“Sign this. Then let’s go to the courthouse.”
When Austin saw the divorce papers, his face darkened.
He noticed I’d changed back into my own clothes, my bag packed and ready, and his anger boiled over.
“Who told you you could leave the hospital? You never listen—can’t you just rest and recover?”
I knew he was trying to change the subject, and I was done with it. “Austin, stay out of my business. You have no right to talk to me like this. I’m not your pet.
“The divorce papers are signed. If you’re not satisfied, I’ve got proof of your cheating. You wouldn’t want your precious beloved crush dragged through the mud, would you?”
Austin’s tone softened–clearly, he knew he’d crossed the line.
He lowered his eyes, let out a long, heavy sigh, his expression full of
sorrow.
“Eloise, I was awful before. I hurt you. I’ve been thinking a lot lately. I still love you. I can’t live without you.
“I’m begging you, give me one more chance. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”
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“I don’t need that. I just want a divorce.”
was firm and cold.
“I gave you countless chances. You threw them away. You exhausted every bit of love I had for you. Now, all I want is a clean break.
“I don’t love you–not just because you cheated with Kayla, but because of everything you’ve done. You used my feelings to control and exploit me, even humiliated me.
“Being with you, I lost myself. Every day was torture.
“You don’t deserve my forgiveness. We’re done. If you feel even a shred of guilt, sign the papers. Consider it your final act of compensation.”
As I spoke, Austin began to unravel. Tears streamed down his face, and his hands trembled. The cake slipped from his grasp, landing on the floor, picking up dust and dirt, ruined.
Just like our relationship. It started out so sweet, but once it was tainted, there was no way to clean it up. All that was left was to throw it away.
He stood there in silence for a long time, then finally picked up the and signed his name.
After submitting the paperwork at the courthouse, I stepped outside, and the sunlight–something I hadn’t felt in ages–warmed my skin.
I didn’t look back at Austin. I walked quickly toward my family, waiting for me.
pen
Looking back, he was certainly at fault, but I was acting foolishly too.
Thank God I finally woke up. Letting go is the only way to start again.
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