Chapter Five – Shatterpoint
1027 Words
(Zara’s POV)
My hand trembled on the door handle. I pressed it down slowly and carefully, so as not to make a sound.
Inside, the room was a bit dark. Roman’s tie was on the table. Roman and Tessa tangled together on the couch, and it wasn’t looking like their first time of doing this.
Tessa’s blouse was unbuttoned halfway, almost slipping off her shoulder with her dark curls spilling over the armrest.
Roman’s shirt was pulled open and his hand was resting on her thigh like it belonged there. They looked… comfortable.
My feet didn’t move. But my heart jumped. I can feel it pounding slowly and heavily in my ear like I am underwater.
Tessa saw me first. “Zara– “, her eyes doubled in size as she looked at me with guilt.
Roman turned, frowning his face. There was no shame or fear on his face. Instead, he looked annoyed, as if I interrupted something private.
None of us said anything.
Tessa shifted away from him a little bit, buttoning her blouse with her cheeks still colored from the guilt.
Roman stood up hurriedly buttoning his shirt. “You shouldn’t be here.”
My chest tightened. “I shouldn’t be here?” My voice came out calm. “This is your office, Roman. Not a motel.”
Tessa trembled. “It’s not what you think.”
I laughed shortly. “You’re half-naked, Tess. Please. I’m not dumb.”
My lungs begged for air but none came. My legs felt heavy and useless like the floor was turning to liquid under my feet.
For a second, an image flashed in my mind. I remembered Roman on our wedding day lifting my veil with his hands shaking. “You’re mine forever,” he whispered.
Forever had ended here, on this couch, inside this room.
My throat burned me, but I couldn’t say a word or scream.
I took a step back and closed the door gently, as if shutting the door would erase what I had seen.
I walked down the hallway to the elevator. The ride down felt like it wouldn’t end. When the elevator door opened, I walked past the receptionist’s empty desk and past the security guard who gave me a polite nod.
Outside the building, my driver was at the curb. He came out of the car, ready to open the door. I shook my head and walked past him.
I crossed the streets without looking and horns blared. My phone vibrated nonstop but I kept walking.
Then the rain started.
I didn’t run. I just kept walking until I reached a café. I sat down with my wet hair sticking to my neck.
The waitress asked if I wanted anything. I just said, “Tea.”
The cup sat on the table untouched. My hands were too cold to hold it.
A memory flash hit me again – Tessa in my room the night before my wedding.
“Don’t be nervous,” she said. “Roman is crazy about you. You’re his whole world.”
Is Roman still with her? My best friend. The woman I confide in, laugh with and trusted.
I got up and stepped outside. The rain had stopped.
I didn’t go home. I couldn’t.
I stopped a cab and gave the driver the address of a hotel.
Inside the hotel room, I removed my wet clothes and stood before the mirror.
My ring shined faintly under the light. It looked beautiful. I removed it and my finger felt naked. I placed it beside the lamp and sat on the bed, staring at the city through the window.
My phone rang again. Roman. Then Tessa.
I turned off the screen and lay back, staring at the ceiling.
My body remembered him even when I didn’t want it to. The way that his hands used to hold my ass, the way he would murmur my name between kisses. I hated that memory.
I ran my fingers across the empty space beside me. My throat tightened as another memory came up.
During our honeymoon in Santorini, I walked out of the shower wearing nothing but his white shirt.
Roman looked up from the bed, smiled and said, “If heaven has a body, it’s your body.” And then, he pulled me close and kissed me.
I remembered how we had promised each other never to let the world come between us. I have always believed him.
I pressed my palm to my chest, forcing air out. I need something. I reached for the whiskey I ordered earlier. I opened and took a gulp. It burned. I took the second gulp and I felt numbed.
I picked up my phone and scrolled through my contact – Barrister Anita Cole.
“Zara? It’s late, is everything okay?”
“I need you to file a divorce petition,” I said. My tone was gentle, like I was asking a friend for a lipstick. A friend. Tessa.
“Zara, are you sure you don’t want to – “
“I’m sure I want it to be done,” I cut in softly. “Tonight,” I added.
She hesitated and then sighed. “I’ll start the paperwork first thing in the morning.”
“Thank you.”
I ended the call. I didn’t cry. I didn’t scream. I just sat there, breathing in and out.
The phone vibrated again. Roman. “Stuck at work. Don’t wait.”
I laughed quietly and then blocked his number.
The rain started again. Still dressed in a towel, I lay back on the bed as the rain poured softly against the window.
For the first time since all of these started, I didn’t pray for him to change. I didn’t pray for us to heal. I prayed for peace – for me.
The phone vibrated once more. This time, it was an unknown number. “Dear Mrs Vale. This is The Family Court Registry. Your lawyer sent through your preliminary petition. We’ll be in touch.”
I dropped the phone.
Then smiled.
Not because I was fine, but because I finally can stop pretending.
- Writer
