1
“Sign it.”
Those were his first words the moment I walked into his office.
“Huh?” I asked quietly, staring at my boss, while trying to keep the surprise from my voice.
Drex didn't say a word. In fact, he barely ever spoke to me.
I wouldn't have minded if he was just my boss, but this was a man I'd been married to for over three years already.
A man that barely acknowledged my existence since the day I stood on the altar in place of my step cousin.
Which was why being called to his office that Wednesday morning was unexpected.
And when he opened his drawer and retrieved a file, I had a feeling this would not be good.
“What is this?” I asked when he dropped it in front of me.
“Divorce papers. Sign it.”
Four words. Just four.
But they managed to make my head spin. “Wh-What?”
He finally raised his chin, staring with an expression devoid of emotion. "You know I don't like to repeat myself."
"B-But why so soon?"
“Soon?” He scoffed like that was the most absurd thing. “It's been three years. There is nothing soon about this.”
"Drex, y-you can't do this to me." He really couldn't.
If he divorced me, that'd be the end. My life, career, future… everything would be destroyed.
I'd lose the only protection keeping my stepmother from throwing me off to the streets.
No. This couldn't happen.
I didn't even think twice before doing the one thing I never imagined myself doing.
I joined both hands and dropped to my knees. "Please." I begged. "Please give it another thought."
Drex pushed the chair back with a frown. He had clearly not expected this. "What the hell? Get up, Lisa."
"No." I shook my head. "Not until you've promised to think about it."
His teeth were gritted when he spoke. "Get up."
"No—!"
"Get the hell up, Lisa!"
His voice was so loud that it startled a flinch from me.
When I stared at him, something blazed in his eyes. Irritation.
And it was enough to strike right to me.
A drop of tear escaped, followed by another.
Because I was probably the most shameless woman in his eyes.
I had to bite my lower lip to keep from breaking, and slowly pushed myself up till I was standing.
"Think about it." My voice was lower now, rough from unshed tears, as I turned and rushed out of his office (the CEO office).
This wasn't how it was supposed to be!
Heck, when I was dressing in my step cousin's wedding gown, no one told me it was going to be like this.
Drex didn't love me.
He never did. He never saw me as the female who wasn't supposed to be his wife.
But I didn't mind. I didn't even argue.
All I wanted was to be married. And now he wanted to take that from me.
He wanted to throw me back to the hell of my dad's house.
No...
I was so lost in thought that I didn't realize when I bumped into a figure, until the impact made me stagger back.
I was going to fall, but a hand grabbed my elbow and steadied me.
Startled, I stared up at my savior, and a sandy brown haired guy stood in front of me.
“I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there.” He studied me for a second, then frowned. “Are you crying?”
It was only then that I realized my cheeks were wet with tears.
I quickly wiped them, wiggling my elbow free. “Excuse me."
I ran past him, surprised when he followed.
He even started calling me from behind to stop, but I didn't.
It wasn't until I was in the elevator, and he got in that I was forced to listen to whatever he had to say.
“You don't look alright.” He pointed out in a voice that made me grab my shirt hard to hold back more tears.
“It's none of your business.” I snapped, staring at anywhere but him.
“You're right.” The stranger nodded, then leaned against the elevator, pocketing his hands. “It's none of my business.”
For a second, neither of us said a word, silence filling the space, just as the elevator dinged and the doors separated.
I walked out, but he didn't, and when he spoke, his voice was soft and calm. “But if this has anything to do with a guy, then I'll let you know that no man is worth dropping a single tear from your eyes.
“You're more precious than that.”
The way he said it made me pause.
It was like he knew. Like he'd seen right through my soul. Seen the pain in me.
Slowly, I turned to him, eyes filled when they locked on his.
He offered a polite nod, then the elevator door closed and I was left to stand there, the words ringing in my head, because I had a feeling that I might need it.