Don't Ever Think About Divorce
1340 Words
***Ivy***
My world tilted.
“You did what?”
Renee stared at me, her large green eyes twinkling mischievously.
“Yes, I outed your location to the Rogues.”
Before I knew it, my hand cracked across her face, delivering a hot slap.
“How could you?” I yelled, rage exploding through me. “What if they had killed me?”
Her expression flipped instantly. Her green eyes turned glassy, and her shoulders heaved.
“Ivy, please stop beating me,” she whimpered.
Confusion masked my face.
But before I could blink, someone shoved me hard to the side wall.
I crashed unto a table and collapsed with a groan.
On instinct, my hand went to my belly, trying to shield my baby.
After confirming that all was fine, I looked up.
A fuming Jarett was already hovering over Renée, caressing the red spot on her cheek like she was made of glass.
Jarett turned to me, and his eyes were yellow, meaning his wolf was at the surface.
I stared at him, frightened. He must've seen me hit Renee, but he doesn't know why.
“Why did you do that?” Jarett thundered, his voice shaking the entire hall.
Groaning, I managed to push myself up from the floor.
“It's not what you think—”
“I saw you hit her,” he snapped. “Are you trying to lie about that?”
“You don’t understand—” I tried to explain.
“What kind of situation would warrant such humiliation in public?”
“She plotted my k********g!” I retorted, defending myself.
Renee was shaking. “I-I just wanted to apologise for what had happened to her, that's all,” she whimpered, sobbing.
Oh, she's a b***h for sure.
Jarett stared at me, disgust masking his features. My body recoiled at the sight.
“I've been lenient with you, Ivy, but you've forced my hand,” Jarett said.
I felt the hit before the sound came, and for a moment, my vision went black.
It took me a while before realising I've been hit.
Jarett wasn't exactly the perfect husband, but he never laid a hand on me, until now.
When I came to, he was back to Renee, helping her up.
“Wait, let’s get you to a hospital,” he murmured softly to her.
I watched in silent disbelief as he slipped an arm around her waist, carefully guiding her out of the company like she was something precious.
Meanwhile, I just sat there, holding my cheek.
“Ivy, are you okay?”
Carol was rushing toward me, her eyes filled with worry.
My cheek stung, but my dignity stung even more.
Jarett humiliated me, in the presence of the whole staff.
“I’m fine,” I managed to say, even though everything in me felt shattered.
I stood up silently and walked out of the building like a ghost.
“Take me home,” I told Isaac, my driver. My voice didn’t even sound like mine.
All I could think of was getting out of here.
“I'm done, Jarett,” I whispered to myself. “I'm done for good.”
***
At home, I went straight to the bathroom, taking a quick shower.
Jarett had made it clear to the whole public where he stood with me. In his eyes, Renee will always be the victim, and I, the monster.
Under the mirror light, I inspected the new bruise. A large red mark ran across my lower cheek. Angry, ugly… almost mocking.
It wasn’t critical, just another reminder of where I stood.
I grabbed my first aid kit and treated the wound mechanically, refusing to look myself in the eye. I already hated the woman I saw this morning. Weak, broken, miserable.
I heard a car screech into the driveway.
A few seconds later, the bedroom door burst open.
Jarett stormed in, fury rolling off him like smoke.
“What the hell is your problem?” He fumed.
I stared up at him through the mirror.
“Let’s get a divorce, Jarett,” I said quietly, tears blurring my vision.
He froze. “What?”
“I went to the Doctor last week,” I whispered. “He said my heart is failing.”
Jarett had an unreadable expression on his face.
“You've been mating with another woman, and my heart can't bear it anymore. I have just a year to live, and I might not last that long if you continue.”
I hated that he affected me this way. I hated my vulnerability.
“You've made it clear that it's my sister you want, so I'm done. Reject me, and you can have her to yourself.”
For one brief second, he looked taken aback, like he had never considered the consequences of his carelessness.
“Your heart…is failing?”
His voice sounded uncertain, or maybe I was imagining things.
Then, suddenly, his eyes darkened.
He took a threatening step forward.
“You deserve it, for killing my mother. Don't you think this is a small price to pay?”
I took a shaky step back.
“And do you think I don't see how irritatingly obsessed you are with me?”
My robe chose that moment, slipping off my shoulders,and because I didn't bother to secure it to my waist, it fell to the floor, leaving me in my skimpy inner gown.
His eyes followed the movement.
Suddenly, he was behind me. He grabbed me harshly, forcing my chin up toward the mirror.
“You want me badly, Ivy. I know it. You can't resist the mate pull, so we're not getting a divorce. Am I clear?” he repeated.
My mind was clouded by his scent. My mate. The mate bond always did that, twisting my body against me, making me weak in ways I hated.
He released me so suddenly that I stumbled.
He knew the effect he had on me. And he was going to use it to torment me.
“Don’t ever think about divorce. You are mine, Ivy. And I’m not done making you suffer.”
He flung a box at me. It burst open, revealing a green silk dress.
“Put it on. We’re going to Renée's birthday event. And you will apologize to her. Publicly.”
A bitter laugh left my lips.
“Aren’t you even going to hear my side of the story?”
“I’ll hear it when we get back,” he said coldly, “but only after you apologize. Renee is a renowned Medical Doctor, who's also going to be a partner in my company. She needs a flawless reputation.”
“I don't care what happened between you two, but you must apologize to her and admit your shortcomings.”
“I'm not apologizing to anybody, and I'm certainly not attending any event,” I retorted.
Jarett stared long and hard at me.
After what seemed like an eternity, Jarett sighed, taking a step towards me.
“If you come to the event, I'll grant one wish from you,” Jarett said.
I stared, surprised.
“One wish?”
“I know how badly you've wanted me to be in your bed, Ivy. So, I'll grant you that wish tonight.”
His voice was emotionless and calculating, like he was discussing a business proposal, rather than s*x with his wife.
“But keep in mind, we'll only do it once, and it'll be on my terms.”
Without another word, he stormed out of the room.
I stared at his retreating figure, and a laugh almost bubbled out of me. The clown thinks I still want him near me.
I'll rather walk on rusted nails.
Staring at the dress, I contemplated going straight to bed
, but another thought came to mind.
“ But it's just a party,” I muttered to myself.
Besides, this will be the last time I see my family. It'll be rude to leave without a proper goodbye.
- Writer
