Dear Ex, You're Erased

VIOLET Ralph had great taste and this time was no different. [Dinner Date! Be reminded!] A smile played on my lips the minute the alarm went off. I looked at the mirror one last time to make sure I looked as stunning as possible. I wanted to look as beautiful and attractive as I could, for my man. It was our third-year anniversary today and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Ralph had woken up gloomy that morning and didn’t utter a word, shattering my heart that he didn’t remember our anniversary. Our dating anniversary. I thought the day had started off for me on the wrong note until he sent me a message a couple of hours later to come join him at Crème De Luna restaurant for dinner and for the first time, I was super excited that my husband wanted to show me to the world. I glanced at myself in the mirror, one last time and I looked.....decent. The red dress hugged my curves in all the right places and my hair fell in loose waves down my back. I gave myself a confident smile in the mirror and stepped out of the house. The driver was already at the car and even though he tried to hide it, I could see the shock in his eyes, seeing me all dressed up without the usual sunglasses or scarf. Tonight is going to be so special and I knew it. The soft glow of the pendant light above the entrance of the restaurant beckoned me inside and I smiled before pushing the door open. It didn’t take too long to sight him, sitting at a table, sipping a glass of wine and looking effortlessly handsome as he tapped a staccato beat on the table. “I thought you did not remember our anniversary; I was a tad bit upset but I was super excited to get your message.” I started as I sat opposite him and his eyes remained fixed on that same point across the room. “I knew you were....” “Meagan is back.” He suddenly spoke, cutting me short immediately and my hands hung mid-air as my eyes widened in shock. “Meagan is back.” He repeated. “Okay?” I let out a nervous chuckle. I still could not understand how it related to me or what he wanted me to do with that information. “How is that any of my business?” “She is back to my life and she is currently carrying my child.” My eyes widened in horror as the words hung in the air. My face felt numb and my skin tingled with shock. Just as the words sank in, my utensils slipped from my fingers, landing on the plate with a loud click. Suddenly causing all eyes to turn in my direction. Ralph rubbed his forehead and shook his head. “This is exactly one of the reasons why I don’t want to be in this shackle of a marriage anymore. You are just so reactive, so uncoordinated, so over-the-top. “His voice tinged with exasperation. “You can’t even have a simple conversation without falling apart. You have of no value to me. You have nothing to offer me. Just take a look at Meagan. Fine, I know she cheated on me and broke up with me but every relationship has its ups and down.” “How can you say that to me?” I could not stop the tears falling from my eyes. My heart was aching terribly and I could not control it. “How can you do this to me? I left everything to be with you and this is what you have to say? When Meagan cheated on you and left you in shambles, I was here for you. How can you....” “I gave you everything, didn’t i? I gave you more than enough money to get every single thing you want so don’t you dare act like I wasn’t good to you too. I have been supportive but the Pierce family name has to continue and obviously, you cannot do that because you are barren.” “I am not barren.” I cried out. “You aren’t?” He snickered. “Please, give me a reasonable reason why you haven’t conceived? The earlier you admit it, the better for you.” “Fine, I know it’s been three years but I promise if you give me one more chance, then...” “I want to call it quit. I want a divorce.” He spoke and my heart skipped a beat. “It is quite late and I am not going to be insensitive by asking you to leave my house this night. I won’t be coming home tonight so you can have the house all to yourself but by morning, get your useless self out of my house because my wife will be coming home.” He took a sip of the wine and turned to leave. Just then, he halted and returned. “No, really. I do not need a divorce.” He leaned in “Because we were never married. All the marriage documents are…… fake and oh, when you return home, I have a little surprise for you on the table.” My jaw dropped at his sudden revelation and he had a smile etched to his face as he left me there, torn and broken. I had to pinch myself multiple times to be sure this was not a dream. I really did hope it was a nightmare but every single second reminded me that this was actually happening. I wanted to scream; I wanted to cry but I could not afford to break down there. The truth slowly began to seep into my consciousness like a slow-moving tide. The clues had been in my eyes all these years yet I never noticed. Going out to take calls, always coming home late, barely spending the weekends at home, barely touching me..... I had thought it was his job taking a toll on him. Now, it was clear. I guess this was what I deserved. Throwing away my whole existence for a man, this was truly what I deserved. Wiping my tears, I stood up and proceeded out of the restaurant. I had to leave. How had I been so gullible? Pain burned in my chest as I got back into the car and headed to what... used to be my home. It now seemed like an alien place to me. With shaky hands, I looked at the ‘gift’ on the table. My heart skipped two beats when I looked at the document on the table. It was his and Meagan’s marriage documents and they had been married for.... two weeks? Suddenly, my phone beeped with a notification.