Divorce Papers
1122 Words
Chapter Ten: The Divorce Papers
Debbie’s Pov
I woke up halfway through the night.
Not properly.
Just enough to realise I was not where I usually slept.
The room was quiet.
The lights were off.
Then I noticed the blanket had been pulled properly over me.
I looked around lazily.
Damian was asleep on the floor.
Wait.
The floor?
I sat up slightly.
The bed.
He gave me the bed.
I stared for a second.
Then laid back down.
That was unexpectedly nice.
I closed my eyes again.
And somehow slept better than I thought I would.
The next morning I woke up to the smell of coffee.
I blinked slowly.
For a second I forgot where I was.
Then the room came back.
Gaming setup.
Books.
Baseball glove.
Okay.
Right.
Damian walked in carrying two cups.
His hair looked slightly damp.
He had clearly just showered.
He handed me one.
“Morning.”
I sat up and took it.
“Morning.”
He sat on his gaming chair and looked at me.
Then after a moment he asked,
“Do you want to talk about last night?”
Of course after everything happened he needed details.
And honestly...
It was sweet of him to be this patient.
I looked down at the coffee.
Took a sip.
Then sighed.
“I dated Jason for almost two years.”
Damian nodded quietly.
I continued.
“At first he was nice.”
I laughed softly.
“That’s always how these stories begin.”
He stayed quiet.
I appreciated that.
I looked at the cup.
“I really liked him.”
That sounded stupid now.
“But I did.”
I shrugged.
“I trusted him.”
Then smiled bitterly.
“And one day I found out he was seeing somebody else.”
Damian frowned slightly.
I continued.
“It messed me up more than I expected.”
I looked away.
“I stopped writing.”
That surprised him.
His eyebrows moved.
I nodded.
“I know it sounds dramatic.”
He shook his head.
“It doesn’t.”
I smiled faintly.
I continued.
“I became insecure.”
I laughed once.
“Started wondering if I was boring or difficult or not enough.”
I took another sip.
Then sighed.
“And Elaine knew.”
His expression changed.
I nodded.
“She knew how miserable I was.”
I looked away.
“She was there through all of it.”
Then I looked down.
“And now apparently she likes him.”
I shook my head.
“That part hurts more than him cheating.”
Silence.
Then Damian spoke.
“That sounds really painful.”
Simple.
Not advice.
Not trying to fix me.
Just understanding.
I looked at him.
Then smiled.
“Thank you.”
He shrugged.
Then smiled.
“For what?”
I looked around.
“The bed.”
His eyes widened.
Then immediately looked offended.
“What kind of person would make a guest sleep on the floor?”
I stared.
“You.”
He laughed.
Okay.
Maybe this was nice.
After a while I remembered reality existed.
I jumped up.
“Oh no.”
Damian looked confused.
I looked at the time.
I immediately started getting ready.
By the time I finished dressing he dropped me off.
When we got outside my hostel I smiled.
“Thank you.”
He nodded.
Then pointed.
“Stay in touch.”
I smiled.
“Okay.”
Then I hesitated.
“And thank you for yesterday.”
His expression softened.
Then he shrugged casually.
“Anytime.”
I got down and headed upstairs.
As soon as I entered the room...
Elaine looked up.
Silence.
I looked at her.
Then looked away.
I opened my wardrobe.
Changed.
Collected my things.
She stood.
“Debbie.”
I ignored her.
She followed me.
“Please can we talk?”
I picked my bag.
Still ignored her.
She sighed.
“Are you seriously not talking to me?”
I looked at her finally.
Then smiled politely.
“Have a nice day.”
And left.
Behind me...
Everything stayed quiet.
Elaine’s Pov
The door closed.
And suddenly I felt stupid.
Yesterday I thought she would yell.
Cry.
Do something.
Instead she looked at me like I did not matter.
That somehow felt worse.
I sat down.
Looked around.
Then noticed her side of the room.
Clean.
Organised.
Normal.
Like she planned to continue life.
Without me.
That did not feel good.
Debbie’s Pov
By the time I got to Professor Sullivan’s office...
Something felt different.
The door was open.
I entered.
And immediately noticed.
He looked better.
Not perfect.
But better.
His eyes looked less tired.
His shirt was properly tucked.
His desk was organized.
When he saw me he nodded.
“Morning Miss Greene.”
I smiled.
“Morning sir.”
Work started.
And strangely...
Today felt lighter.
Class was good.
People laughed.
He explained things properly.
Students looked less afraid.
At some point he even made a joke.
People nearly collapsed from shock.
After class I helped organize materials.
He looked over suddenly.
Then frowned.
“You look tired.”
I blinked.
“Oh.”
He closed his laptop.
Then looked at me.
“Bad weekend?”
I stared.
Then laughed softly.
Unexpectedly...
Words came out.
Not details.
Just enough.
I told him my ex hurt me.
And I found out my roommate was now involved with the same ex when she knew the hell he put me through.
He listened quietly.
Then leaned back.
After a while he spoke.
“You know something interesting?”
I looked up.
He smiled slightly.
“When people disappoint us we start believing something is wrong with us.”
I looked at him.
He continued.
“But usually people’s choices say more about them than they say about us.”
I stayed quiet.
Then he added,
“Try not to make someone else’s decision your identity.”
I stared.
That was...
actually helpful.
I smiled.
“Thank you sir.”
He nodded.
Then smiled.
“Go home Miss Greene.”
I laughed.
“Yes sir.”
I left.
Feeling lighter.
Marcus POV:
I got home feeling strangely calm.
Not okay.
Just calmer.
The boys were with their nanny.
The house was quiet.
I entered my study.
Dropped my keys.
Then noticed something.
A brown envelope.
On my desk.
My chest tightened.
Slowly...
I walked over.
Opened it.
Looked inside.
And froze.
Divorce papers.
I stared at the pages.
Then sat down.
For a long time...
I did nothing.
Just looked at them.
After everything.
After trying.
After staying.
After choosing family.
This was how it ended.
I looked at the signature line.
And suddenly the room felt very quiet.
Too quiet.
- Writer
