More Than His Brother's Ex-Wife

NATALIE A sharp pain stabbed through my chest like my heart was physically tearing apart. My fingers twitched at my sides, my nails pressing into my palm to stop them from shaking. I gazed at Adrian who took another slow sip of wine, his fingers relaxed around the stem of the glass. Like we were discussing a business deal, not the end of a marriage. “What do you mean a divorce?” “Yes, you heard me—” His sophisticated tone filled the room. No act of remorse or regret for what he's said. “This marriage isn't going anywhere.” What? What did he just say to me? “What do you mean this marriage isn't going anywhere?!” Out of hurt, my tone raised but I tried my best to remain calm although it was difficult. “It's not me who goes about claiming to be single in your place of work. I'm not the one who has been cold and indifferent towards me.” “Honey, you're shouting.” “Am I supposed to be cool with this?” I looked at the document resting on the table. According to Adrian, it was a divorce statement. He had signed his part of the deal and now it was left to me. “Why do you think I'll sign this?” “Because you will!” He snapped. Realizing what he's done, he shook his head. “Don't make me say things I don't want to say.” He rose to his feet and dropped the glass of wine on the table, right next to the document before facing me. “This marriage isn't leading anywhere and I want us to end it, Natalie.” Of course, the marriage wasn't going to lead us anywhere—and if it did, it was to our doom. For two years, I was married to Adrian Wolfe—CEO of The Wolfe’s Group. To the world, he was a bachelor. To me, he was a stranger. Our marriage was nothing but a secret. It was hidden from everyone except his parents and family who knew about the union. The more reason why I believed things would be better. Why did I even think that things would get better? “I'll make this up to you.” Adrian's voice cut short my thoughts. I looked up from the couch where I was seated, still not believing my ears even though he'd made it clear from the beginning of this conversation that he would love a divorce. “I can't believe this—” It was hard to believe that two years of my life had gone up in flames. “You have to, Nat—” Adrian snapped. “You're going to be single again. That's what you deserve, after all—nothing more or less than freedom. Aren't you happy I am granting you one?” He pointed at the document on the table. “I have signed my part of the deal. You're the one my lawyer is waiting for. Everything mentioned in the contract will be given to you just as stated. You can take me to court if I don't keep to my end of the bargain, do you understand me?” Was I supposed to understand him? “Come on, say something.” “What happens after that?” “You're no longer my wife, Nat. As soon as you sign these papers. Everything becomes official.” No. I wasn't going to let him use me. I shook my head and asked. “And what if I don't want to sign these papers, what happens?” The look on his countenance hardened. Adrian stared at me - flame in his eyes. His lips curved into a thin smile and he shook his head. “You're not going to push me into doing this the hard way, are you, Natalie? Don't dare push me.” Before I could say a word, Adrian was on his way to the door entrance. “It's our anniversary today, Adrian—” My words stopped him. Adrian sighed, glancing at his watch. "Oh? I forgot.” “The least you could do was respect our union and wish me a happy anniversary. And if you can't, maybe keep the document with you until the day is over. Whatever happened to other days? Did you even respect this marriage for once?” I knew he didn't. But I had to ask. “I don't owe you any of those, Natalie.” Did he— “You and I know this marriage isn't worth it. We both know there's a need to stay away from each other and divorce is the best option. You know this. And I won't blame you for being resistant about it because you need some time. So think about it, but don't forget to sign those papers.” Tears I held back all these while fell down my face. It was hard to believe that things would end up this way, and on a day that was meant to be special for me—us—our marriage. Why did things always have to go wrong? What didn't I do for this marriage to last? My legs led me to my feet and I picked up the document lying on the table so that I could look at it. Even though I didn't want to sign the papers, I was left with no choice but to see them. What was in it, and whatever way of making things up to me Adrian had come up with. Did he think I was cheap? Opening the document, I glanced through it. There were just too many things to read and I could not read them in the state of mind I was in. Not with tears in my eyes. Not with an unsettled heart. Not with anger boiling inside of me. Over and over again, I thought about how long. How long the marriage lasted and how long I wasted my time hoping that things would be better when it was obvious it would not. I had a lot to say to Adrian. More than a lot. Maybe—just maybe I would start by telling him everything I have held back from saying since the beginning of our union. I gripped the divorce papers, the edges crumbling beneath my fingers. My lips parted, a protest forming—one last plea. His phone began to beep before I could mutter the words to speak. Adrian turned towards the door. Opening it, he walked out and shut it, leaving me in the large space of the large living room. He was already gone.