Chasing The Woman He Lost

Chelsea “Pack your bags and leave this house now! You ungrateful brat” The voice of my mother in law resounded in the living room as she ordered the maids to take my things out. “Mother, what did I do? I’ve been all you ever wanted of me since I got married. I’ve told you, I don’t know who switched the files. Immediately I noticed it, I called your attention” My voice was barely audible as I explained to her. A stream of tears rushed down my cheeks and I immediately wiped it off with the back of my palm. “I always knew a day like this would come. I warned Nicholas but he wouldn’t listen to me. He doesn’t. Ever.” She continued and at this point, I was already on my knees. I couldn’t afford to leave Nick. Not at this moment he’s lying in the hospital bed, battling between life and death. Before I could say another word, I heard Ethan walk up to me with a file in his hands and a smirk playing on his face. “What’s this?” I asked him, taking the file from him. My mother in law spoke up almost immediately. “Sign it and let’s get it done with. You’re not needed in this house anymore. My son is lying in the hospital all because of you!” Confusion etched over my face as I opened it slowly. The moment my eyes landed on the title- DIVORCE AGREEMENT, I felt my breath hitch. And then I saw his signature. I could feel my knees buckle as my eyes widened in disbelief, scanning the name over as if it would magically disappear. “No… no,” I whispered, my voice almost cracking. My vision was already blurred with tears and I could feel my heart shattering into a million pieces- not because of the papers but because he had already chosen to divorce me even before the accident. My grip on the documents loosened as it fell to the floor. I could hear my mother in law’s laughter as it echoed around me. BEEP BEEP BEEP The sound of my alarm clock on my nightstand brought me back to reality. It was 6:50 am. The sunlight was creeping in through the curtains already. I pulled my duvet and laid back on my pillow but I knew sleep was gone It had been three years. Three years since the divorce. Three years since Nick walked out of my life and left me to pick up the pieces. Three years of raising Ava on my own and pretending the hole in my chest didn’t still bleed at night. I thought I’d be over it by now. I thought wrong. “Mama?” Her little voice pulled me back. I jumped out of my bed and went into her room. Ava was already sitting on her small bed with her hair sticking out in soft curls and her stuffed bunny on one arm. “I heard the alarm,” she said, rubbing her eyes. “Yes sweetheart, it’s time to prepare for school.” I bent down and kissed her forehead and she nodded as I helped her out of bed. I carried her to the kitchen, kept her on her seat and started making breakfast. Pancakes and scrambled eggs with apple slices. Our routine was the same. Routine kept us in check. As she ate and sang to herself, I poured a cup of coffee and opened my laptop. I got a reminder of Ava’s school fees that made my stomach tighten. And just immediately, I received an email from Brian- the CEO’s secretary about the presentation I had today. This presentation was a big one for me and if it goes well, I’d be able to use the bonus to sort out bills. I looked over at Ava and all I wanted was to give her the best life. I quickly got our things together, and dropped Ava off at school while I went to the office. “You’re 10 minutes late, Chelsea. What happened? You’re never late” Brian asked as I entered the building. He’s been my closest friend since I moved into town. “I’m sorry,” I said as I moved to hug him. “Hmm, loving this new fashion recently” I smiled at him. “Girl, no time for that, everyone is waiting for you, go in and show them what you’re made of” I gave out a small laugh and quickly moved to the board room. I was certain I was going to do my best as I’ve always done. I stood at the door, smoothed my jacket, and walked into the boardroom. The first thing I saw were the windows, spilling light across a long marble table. Executives in tailored suits sat lined up, folders open, eyes sharp. For a moment I couldn’t breathe, but I kept walking to the front where the projector was set up. And then I saw him. At the head of the table. Nick. My stomach dropped to the floor. He looked almost the same, but sharper, older. His dark hair was shorter, his jawline harder, his suit more expensive than anything I’d ever touched. But his eyes, those eyes I used to know better than my own, were colder now. The air left my lungs. My heart was pounding so hard I was sure they could all hear it. Nick leaned back in his chair, folding his hands in front of him like he had all the time in the world. And then he smiled. But it wasn’t kind. “Well,” he said, voice slow, smooth, and cutting. “Hello, Chelsea.” My throat tightened. “Or should I say,” he paused, eyes locked on mine, “my runaway wife?”