Divorce
1202 Words
"You're leaving for court now?" Joseph asked as he crossed paths with Ivana in their mansion.
"Yes, Dad," Ivana replied.
"Ivana, are you really okay?" Joseph asked, his eyes filled with concern as he looked at his daughter.
"Yes, Dad. I'm fine," she answered softly.
"Honestly, I wanted to speak with Arsen first—to understand what's really going on between you two. But you've kept stopping me from doing that," Joseph said, clearly confused and still struggling to grasp what his daughter was going through.
"This is for the best, Dad. I'll explain everything one day. You trust me, don't you?" Ivana asked.
"Of course I do. I just worry that you’ll get hurt," Joseph said, gazing at her with sorrowful eyes.
"I believe I'll be alright," Ivana said with a small smile.
"Alright. Looks like your lawyer is here to pick you up. I'll be waiting to hear from you," Joseph replied.
"Yes. I’m heading out now." Ivana turned and walked away, leaving Joseph behind, staring after her with worry etched across his face.
"I hope this isn’t the wrong decision, sweetheart," Joseph murmured to himself.
Ivana stepped out of the car cautiously, followed closely by Reno, the lawyer who had been supporting and guiding her through the legal steps of the divorce.
As they approached the courthouse, Ivana couldn’t help but stare at the grand building in front of her. Though it stood tall and firm, it now symbolized the uncertainty she felt inside. The path she had chosen stirred a mix of emotions—pain from having to bury her feelings and let go of the man she loved, but also a sense of relief that offered new hope for a better future.
In her heart, Ivana prayed this difficult decision would mark a fresh beginning—one that would free her from a chain that might have ruined both her life and her family's. She had to be strong, ready to face any consequences that might come, and brave enough to convince herself that this divorce was the only way forward to avoid what could have been a devastating future.
With unwavering resolve, Ivana steadied herself and stepped forward toward the courtroom—toward the new future that awaited her, filled with hope and challenges she would have to face.
"Let’s go inside, Ma’am," Reno said.
Ivana nodded and followed him into the grand courthouse.
Together, they walked to the room where both parties and court representatives were to meet. With every step, Ivana felt the weight of her own burdens pressing down on her. Her heart felt crushed under the weight of a thousand stones, yet she pushed forward—even as a storm of emotions swirled within her: a love that once felt pure and the pain that refused to fade.
In her mind, her life—and her father's—were the top priority, especially after everything that had happened. A love that once tasted sweet now felt like a dagger twisted into her gut, shattering her piece by piece.
Finally, she stopped at the door to the meeting room, where she unexpectedly ran into Arsenio—who wasn’t alone. He was accompanied by another man, clearly his attorney, a presence that only intensified the tension in the air.
It had been a week since their last meeting, and now, their eyes met in a silence that spoke volumes. A moment heavy with anger, disappointment, and memories that refused to die.
Ivana tried to keep her expression blank, fighting hard to hold back the tears that were threatening to fall. Deep down, she didn’t want to show any more weakness in front of the man who was about to become her ex-husband. It was a tragic, almost absurd situation—how love could so quickly turn into deep wounds.
"How are you?" Arsenio asked, breaking the silence.
"I'm fine," Ivana answered coldly and walked past him into the room, with Reno right behind her.
Now seated beside her lawyer, Ivana faced Arsenio and his attorney. Between them sat the judge, ready to help facilitate a swift divorce without a full court trial.
"I won’t ask for or demand anything from my ex-husband. I only want a divorce," Ivana stated firmly, her gaze fixed on the judge, refusing to even glance in Arsenio’s direction—though she could feel his eyes locked on her.
"Is there nothing else you wish to say?" the judge asked.
"I believe this is the best decision for both of us," Ivana replied, her voice calm but flat.
Finally, after long mediation and discussions, they reached the agreement they had been working toward. In a room filled with tension and quiet relief, they sat with the notary to sign the documents marking the end of their marriage.
As the pen touched paper, document after document was signed, sealing the end of their journey as husband and wife. At that moment, they were legally divorced—a decision that changed everything.
Ivana felt a sharp pain in her heart, as though a piece of her had been ripped away. She clenched her hands tightly, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. It felt like a black mark on her life—a point where all dreams and hopes they once shared collapsed, leaving behind shards of memories too broken to piece together.
Even so, she tried to remain strong, determined to rise from this heartbreak and rediscover herself amid the painful fragments of her past.
Ivana was the first to leave the room, while Reno stayed behind to talk to the notary.
"Ivana, wait!" Arsen called after her, stopping her in her tracks. She turned around, and he was standing right in front of her.
"What is it?" Ivana asked.
"Are you happy now?" Arsen asked with a sorrowful expression that made Ivana feel disgusted—it felt like he was still acting.
"Yes," she replied. "By the way, I’ll have someone deliver your belongings from the house. Just send the address where they should be sent," Ivana said. "Or maybe I can just send them to the villa from before."
Arsen remained silent, staring at her.
"And one more thing. Please leave the company. There’s no need to make a scene or submit a resignation letter—I’ll take care of everything. I just ask that you don’t show up at the office again," Ivana added coldly.
"Do you really have to go this far?" Arsen asked.
"Yes. So I never have to run into you again by accident. I want you to disappear completely from my life," Ivana said.
"Do you hate me?" Arsen asked, their eyes locking.
"I don’t hate you," Ivana replied, then looked down. She reached for her ring finger and took off her wedding ring.
"It’s okay to take this off now, right?" Ivana asked, placing the ring into Arsen’s hand.
"Goodbye, Arsenio."
With that, Ivana turned and walked away without looking back. Arsen stood frozen in place, his eyes still fixed on her receding figure.
He was stunned when he felt something wet fall from his eyes. He touched his cheek with a frown.
"Tears? Am I… crying?" Arsen thought, completely shocked.
***
- Writer
