An Empty Home.
977 Words
Damian's Pov.
I just got back from work, I was expecting Cassie to rush over to me, but no one came.
I went upstairs, into our bedroom and she wasn't there, but the divorce papers were there.
“Cassie…” I called, no response.
I picked the papers up, and she had signed them.
I rushed downstairs, looking everywhere.
Cassie was gone!
I called her line once, twice with no answer. Seems like she'd changed her number.
I walked inside, I looked around.
“It's so empty, I sighed.
For the first time in a long time I felt alone, I hadn't realised our house was this big, not until Cassie was gone.
Buzzzzz…
“Hey.. Cassie's gone, she signed the papers.”
I could hear Max from the other end of the line.
“I knew it was going to end this way, you were being too hard on her. I told you.” Max said.
“Hey max, I guess I never thought about this.”
“What if I was only overreacting, what if she was really telling the truth?”
“If that was to be the case, then my friend you're screwed.” Max replied.
I sighed, rubbing my palms on my head, before going down on my face. I ended the call shortly.
I guess, I never thought Cassie would leave.
“If I had known, honestly I wouldn't have made her cry, I would have given her a hug.”
I missed Cassie, her smell, her smile, everything about her.
“I must be crazy, but I miss her so much.”
I looked around, “Damn.. why does the room look darker.” I scoffed.
It looked that way, maybe because Cassie's pink stuff was no longer there.
She had all sorts of cute stuff hanging around the room.
She really was the colour to our house, so was my life.
Cassie's closet was bare, I couldn't think straight.
Rain slid down my windshield. I'd been driving for an hour and half with no destination, but somehow the headlights led me here.
To the house with the white porch where Cassie grew up.
I killed the engine. The world went quiet except for my ragged breathing.
Cassie's perfume still lingered on my jacket from the night before.
I pressed my forehead to the steering wheel, as I whispered.
“Don't do this, Cassie…” before forcing myself out into the rain.
I knocked, I could see movement behind the curtains, before the door opened a c***k.
“Damian?” Mrs. Ward blinked at me, her hair messy, eyes lined with sleep.
“It's after midnight. What's wrong?”
“Is she here?” My voice was hoarse. “Tell me she's here.”
“Slow down…” she said.
Mr. Ward appeared behind his wife.
“No. And if she were, you wouldn't be welcomed.”
My breath came shallow, I could feel the anger that came from his tone.
“Please. I can't…” I swallowed hard. My hands shook at my sides, “I can't find her…”
Mr. Ward's tone was final. “If she left, she had a reason.”
The porch light flickered in the rain. I stared at them, unable to blink.
"I have to find her… I was wrong, I was so wrong, I misunderstood her.” I blurted.
Mrs. Ward's eyes softened, but she didn't step forward.
“Then give her space,” she murmured. “If you really love her, let her breathe.”
I shook my head, in desperation.
“I can't possibly do that, I need her.”
“You don't understand, Cassie is…”
I couldn't finish the sentence, so I backed away.
“I love her.” I said finally, it came out like a confession.
“She deserves peace,” Cassie's dad said. “Maybe you should let her have it.”
“We haven't spoken to our daughter. We have no idea of her whereabouts.” he added.
My fingers trembled, “please. Just tell me where she is.”
“There's nothing we can do Damian, she already made up her mind.” Cassie's Mom said.
Before I could argue more, they shut the door, with a quiet click.
I stood there for a long time in the rain, until the cold seeped into my bones.
Then I staggered back to the car and sat, dripping.
My phone glowed in the dark.
No messages. No calls, I dialed Cassie's number again.
Straight to voicemail.
“Cassie please,’’ I whispered into the phone. “Wherever you are… just answer me.”
“Cassie…” my voice cracked. “I'm sorry, come back home. Please.”
The message ended with the sound of my uneven breathing.
By the time I returned home, it was past 2am.
The city skyline blurred through the rain streaked window.
I poured whiskey into a glass, but didn't drink it.
Cassie's ring sat on the table, exactly where she'd left it. I picked it up, rolled it between my fingers.
“Where are you, Cassie.” My voice broke again.
Months went by, and the silence became heavier.
It was like Cassie vanished into thin air, and I was left wondering if I'd ever find her.
Every night, I came home to the same empty bed.
I opened our wedding album, swiping through faces, kisses, and her laugh.
“A man who built empires, now seated alone, on the floor of his living room.”
I scoffed, “how pathetic.”
I clutched onto Cassie's ring, so small it disappeared in my fist.
“I don't know how to stop looking for you.” I whispered into the quiet.
The clock ticked, and for the first time in years.
Damian Hartman, the man everyone thought untouchable, felt very, very small.
- Writer
