Ariana
With a blank expression and the unwrapped parcel present before me, I stared back at the paper before me.
I was at a loss for words to say, trying to wrap my head around how everything could just disappear in the blink of an eye.
With my wobbling fingers, I reached my hands for the paper, a tear slipping down my face.
Slowly, Sebastian’s words about presenting me with a gift resounded in my ear.
Amidst the bout of tears that streamed down my face, a bittersweet chuckle escaped my lips. “Is this what he meant by my birthday gift? Divorce papers?”
Not only did he disrespect me by going back to his ex, but he had the temerity to disrespect me in this manner by ruining my birthday in this manner.
My eyes landed on the wedding picture that was hung on the wall and no matter how much I tried to comprehend things, I just couldn’t place how things fell apart between us. How we drifted apart and got to this point was something I didn’t understand.
To worsen it, he went back to Maya. The same woman who was the reason why he spent years in rehab.
Something wasn’t adding up! Did Maya manipulate him again? I thought he was over her already. Did he lie to me?
Jolting me out of the thoughts that I was starting to drown in, my phone buzzed with a message and somehow, the notification almost made my heart jump out of my chest.
For a second, fear and anxiety took over me and everything inside of me screamed that it was Sebastian who had texted.
Has he changed his mind?
Was he ready to tell me that everything that happened hours ago was just a prank and his greatest nightmare, Maya, was nothing but a clone?
However, my hopes were dashed and my heart sank into my stomach when I saw the message. It was a message from Amanda, trying to check up on me.
Gritting my teeth in anger as the event of earlier replayed in my head, I couldn't get rid of Maya’s face that lingered on in my mind.
All of a sudden, my heart skipped a bit when a knock landed on the door.
Was Sebastian back? He was the only one who would be at the door by this time.
“I knew it! It was just a prank and Sebastian wouldn’t do something like that to me….” Twisting the doorknob, the smile on my face disappeared, replaced with an expression that depicted disappointment.
The housekeeper who was dressed in pajamas held an envelope at the same time, scratching her hair but at the same time, an expression depicting concern spread through her face.
“Is everything okay ma’am? Your mascara is smeared all over your face…..”
Trying to hide my disappointment, I forced out a smile. “Yes, I need to sleep. What are you here for?”
She stretched the envelope to me. “The hospital sent this. Are you sure that you don’t need any help?”
I shook my head. “No! You can go back to bed”
As soon as I slammed the door shut, I leaned against the wall, trying to control the tears that threatened to fall as soon my eyes landed on the divorce papers on the floor.
“How could he do something like this to me? After everything that I have done!”
Taking in a deep breath, I stared at the envelope in my hands and at that very moment, anger rushed inside of me, wondering what type of ailments I was going to be diagnosed with since everything in my life seemed to be going upside down.
Removing the paper inside, I couldn’t help but roll my eyes to the back. Wasn’t it ironic that my birthday was filled with tons of bad news?
However, the reverse was the case when my breath got caught in my throat and I couldn’t take my eyes off the paper in my hands. Rubbing my eyes with my hands to be sure that I was seeing right, all the despair and the mixed emotions that surged inside of me vanished instantly.
My hands flew over my mouth instantly, my eyes glinting with excitement. “I am pregnant?”
“Pregnant!” I repeated.
Without thinking twice, I grabbed the keys, holding the envelope dearly to my heart as I rushed to the car.
Igniting the car, I vowed. “I am going to set everything right! Expose Maya’s hidden agenda”
Taking to my heels, I sprinted through the hallways that led to his office, my heart leaping with excitement. However, as soon as the door opened, the excitement that I felt disappeared like it never appeared in the first place.
Maya swirled in the swivel chair, fixing a stern gaze on me. “Something kept telling me that you would come back here. I am glad that I listened to my instincts”
With eyes blazing with fury, I yelled at her. “Where is my husband”
She mimicked me before rolling her eyes to the back. “Husband? Haven’t you opened the parcel yet? Didn’t you see the divorce papers?”
I raised a brow in confusion, then slowly, it dawned on me that Maya knew about it all along. “You knew he was going to divorce me?”
Maya laughed. “I was the one who recommended the lawyer to him” She smirked.
My stomach tied a knot and at the same time, my fist clenched. “I won’t believe you! I have no business with you until you tell me where Sebastian is”
Maya rose to her feet, clicking her tongue in her mouth. “Why do I feel pitiful for you? You are delusional Ari. Sebastian is never coming back to you!”
I retorted. “That is a lie!…..”
She shook her head. “I love the fact you are living in your head. While you suffered a miscarriage, do you know who Sebastian was with? Me!”
My mouth slackened, staring at her in shock. How did she know about my miscarriage? How did she know?
Maya continued. “Your wedding night, while you waited for him, he was in my bed.” Tilting her head in my direction, she glared. “Do I have to spell it out to you before you know that you have been played?”
“I would never believe anything that you say until I meet Sebastian” I yelled.
She busted into a peal of laughter, laced with contempt for me. All of a sudden, she grabbed me by the wrist, pulling me towards the trash can.
She glanced at me. “Tell me what you see”
Staring into the trash can, I couldn’t believe the horrible sight before me. With tears clouding my eyes, causing my vision to be blurry, Maya laughed. “Now, the truth is before your very eyes! If you have any bit of respect left in you, you would sign the divorce papers and go back to being the poor and orphaned country girl that you are!”
Ignoring her words, I couldn’t get rid of the sight before me no matter how much I tried to.
Sebastian’s wedding ring was in the trash can!
Mustering the last bit of courage inside of me, I turned to look at her. “You have won in the end….”
She remarked. “I always win, my love”
A bittersweet smile crossed my face. “I would sign the divorce papers and I would leave his life forever”
I removed the wedding ring, tossing it to her. “You and Sebastian will get the signed divorce papers tomorrow morning.”