Dear Ex Husband, I'll Ruin You

CHAPTER 2

~Adele

Twenty-one days of darkness. Twenty-one days when I couldn't differentiate when I was awake or asleep. Darkness came, and it stayed.

I still couldn’t decide which is worse: the dream of the crash, where I can see everything in haunting details… or the waking hours, when all I can see is darkness.

Sunlight felt like a ghost—not seen, but felt.

No one visited.

No one came.

Beeps and clicks and footsteps and voices.

The doctor said it shouldn't exceed three to four weeks.

The first two weeks, I cried. The week after that, I felt nothing. The remnants of hope I held onto faded, leaving me increasingly disconsolate.

Over the course of the next few days, my sight returned completely. The little dot of light finally opened up, presenting me back my vision.

I boarded a cab and went home. My memory was still intact.

Giggles and laughter filled the perimeter of the living room as I approached the door. My heart slammed against my ribs.

I pushed through the door and entered; they were too engrossed to notice me. My body stiffened; dizziness hit me like it never left.

Benita lay on my husband's lap, and my son untangled her hair, wrapping it around his little fingers.

Seth kissed her; she looked up and smiled, brushing the lipstick smear from his lips.

What the hell is happening?

I swallowed hard. Finally, I found my voice.

“Seth… What the hell is going on?”

“What does it look like?” He asked.

“Can you explain to me why you're kissing my best friend?”

I frowned, my voice rising with disbelief.

“Because we're married,” he said, flatly.

Then, Seth laughed. He really laughed.

At my desperation. At my confusion.

They remained in the same position. Benita relaxed like a queen in her territory.

Seth tapped Benita lightly, and she sat up.

“This is the woman of my life.” He stood up, staring at me.

I laughed. Cold. Bitter.

I looked at Seth as if he had just made an impossible confession.

“Benita, this is a prank, right?” I smiled, but it didn't reach my eyes; doubt peeked beneath my gaze.

I couldn't bring myself to think of the signs—the kiss, the intimacy.

“You can stop it now. Thank you for taking care of my family. You can leave now. The hospital didn't feel like home. I'll be in my room.” I held a part of my head and angled my body to leave.

The hurt was still laced in my voice, as if what I was seeing wasn't real—wasn't enough.

Benita stood up, like she wanted to clear the air.

“Seth is my husband,” she said carefully.

“What did you say?” I whispered, rage burning in my chest.

“You heard me. I'm sure the accident didn't affect your ears. He proposed…see?” She lifted up her ring finger, and a diamond ring glistened.

Seth's art gallery barely made sales. So how did he afford it?

My gaze moved to where our family picture gone - replaced with a larger picture of Seth, Benita, and my son, Nathaniel.

“You…you changed our family picture?” I said slowly, blinking back the tears.

“You heard me earlier. I was tired of hiding Benita; she couldn't bear it anymore. She was tired of playing the role of a mistress. I was trying to protect your feelings.” He said, his tone casual. Cold. Proud.

“Getting married to my best friend is a way of protecting my feelings?”

“You… I know I married you. But I don't love you. It's all for the inheritance. And your father didn't you give a dime. You have nothing to your name, Adele Harrison.” He said, his tone heartless.

I felt the pain, like a thousand knives stabbing the middle of my chest.

“My parents disowned me because of you, because I got married to you.” I said, regret clawing my insides.

The pain was real, so real that it knocked the breath out of me.

“Adele, tell me. What did you see when you were blind? Everything was dark, yeah, I know.” She said, her words like veiled knives dressed in kindness

Benita laughed.

“Did you see your father in hell?” She said, her voice laced with mockery.

“Benita, stop,” I frowned, raising a trembling finger.

I walked towards her, hands raised. I wanted to hit her with every ounce of fury I had left.

Seth stepped forward. His expression darkened.

Like he could tear me into pieces.

“Don't you dare lay a finger on her.” He gritted his teeth, his voice low but sharp, piercing every bit of my body.

He looked at me now, with something close to disgust.

I stared at him, stunned.

I shook my head slightly.

“You're a betrayer. I did everything… everything to make sure you're happy.”

“I thought you'd remain blind forever.” Benita scoffed, a smirk tugging at her lips.

“Let her leave,” Nathaniel's little voice interrupted.

Benita went over to him and kissed his hair; he snuggled close to her and hugged her. Not even sparing me a glance.

Tears were there—hot and burning. But I wouldn't let them fall, trapped behind my eyes.

Benita turned back to me, looking at me like an fool.

“Now you know. I've always liked Seth.”

True.

A high school friend once told me they were dating. I didn't believe her.

I thought she was just bitter. Benita and I were inseparable.

If I had listened, maybe I'd have retraced my steps.

I turned towards the stairs. I wanted to run to my room and lock the door behind.

I wanted to breathe.

“Where are you going? This house doesn't belong to you.” Benita snapped.

“The house I bought with money. Are you crazy?” I shot back, the reality dawning on me.

“And under whose name?” Seth stepped forward. I had bought the house in his name because I didn't want him to feel less as a husband.

I froze, staring like I didn't know him anymore.

I needed answers. I wanted to yell.

“I'd have been so nice to offer to give you the guest room.” Seth said.

Benita frowned at the statement.

He moved her closer and nibbled on her neck.

She moaned, and I turned my head away.

“But she doesn't want anyone around.”

My shoulders dropped, and the walls around me collapsed like weak bricks under pressure.

“Those are your luggage.” He pointed, and my gaze followed his finger to the corner of the living room.

My throat went dry.

Before I could find the appropriate words to say.

Seth slid a brown envelope and a pen across the table. My hands lingered on the edge—hesitant. I forced it out.

Divorce papers.

He had his signature scribbled on it, like it was the most beautiful art. Like it was a prized calligraphy.

“I arranged everything in case you were going to come back. And here you are.” Seth said, his tone clipped.

My fury rose, slow, deadly like lava.

“Do your worst, Seth... I'm not signing these papers. I gave you everything. I dedicated years of my life and this is how you repay me” I said, my voice loud, fueled with betrayal.

“This place is my home - our home… I decorated it to my taste because I paid for it. I stayed up at night to perfect my designs, and this….”

“You don't raise your voice at me in my house.” Seth said, his voice dangerously low.

He didn't even show guilt.

I ran my hands over my face. Frustrated.

I pointed to my chest and then towards the door.

A tear drop fell on my cheek; I quickly wiped it off, then another one, and another one, till I couldn't control it anymore.

“I left my home because of you...my parents.” I said, my voice breaking.

“Is the baby kicking, Mummy?” Nathaniel interrupted.

My chest tightened.

Benita cupped his cheeks as he grinned widely.

“No, baby, she's still little.” Benita answered, her voice sweet.

She's pregnant.

I dropped the pen on the table.

I paused, the horror gradually setting in.

“Don't make me involve my lawyer. I have the original documents.” Seth threatened.

I shot him a glare and turned to Nathaniel.

“Nathaniel, come to Mummy.” I stretched out my hands, forcing a little smile on my lips.

“I'll stay with her.” He looked up at Benita.

I gasped, a wave of nausea crawling up my throat.

I shook my head slightly. It's not real.

I was hopeful, hoping I could find a piece of the man I married, not the one standing in front of me.

I turned to Seth, reaching out.

“I felt your love. It was real. We were real. What happened to you, Seth? Our vows…?”

Seth let out a laugh, and Benita joined him. They were laughing at me.

“You're just too stupid.” A familiar voice emerged from the corridor. The last time I heard the voice, it was faint, dying, and weak.

I almost ran into her embrace for comfort, to tell me all of it wasn't true.

“Mother,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Your mother is in the hospital .Dying.” Seth's mother cuts through, her voice like a razor.