Chapter 4 The Decision at Last
1311 Words
The evening sky had begun to darken when the car I was driving pulled up in front of Sophie’s apartment. I stared out the window for a few seconds before finally stepping out, trying to steady the uneven rhythm of my heartbeat. Everything had happened too fast.
In a single day, my life had changed from a wife silently enduring to a mother who had to start thinking about the future.
My hand instinctively moved to my stomach again. There was nothing to feel yet, no visible change, but I knew something was
there. Something that made it impossible for me to keep living the way I had before. I could no longer stay silent and simply accept everything.
“Al?” Sophie’s voice called softly from beside me.
I turned. She was already standing outside the car, watching me with concern.
“Are you coming in?” she asked.
I let out a quiet breath, then nodded.
We walked into her apartment. The moment the door closed, a silence settled over us. But unlike my house, which felt empty because it had lost its meaning, this place felt warm and alive, even in its simplicity.
Sophie headed straight to the kitchen. “Sit down. I’ll make you some tea.”
I sat on the sofa, staring blankly ahead. My mind was filled with so many things, but for the first time, they all pointed to the same conclusion.
Divorce.
“I want a divorce, Soph.”
The words slipped out just like that.
Sophie, who had been pouring hot water, froze. She didn’t turn around right away, but I knew she had heard me clearly.
“Are you sure?” she asked quietly.
I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me. “I can’t raise this child in an unhealthy marriage.”
She brought two cups of tea and sat across from me. “Have you really thought this through?”
I gave a faint smile. “I have.”
That night marked the beginning of something different. Sophie and I talked for hours about everything I had kept buried for so long. About Lucas. About three years that now feel wasted. About the child who had become my greatest reason to stop holding on.
I didn’t cry anymore. Somehow, the tears that had come so easily before disappeared the moment I chose to leave.
“So what’s your first step?” Sophie asked.
I looked at her. “I need to talk to my brother, Julien.”
“Your brother?” she confirmed.
“Yes. I need someone from my family who knows everything.”
The next day, I stood in the lobby of Laurent & Partners Law Firm. I rode the elevator up to the fortieth floor to meet Julien, my chest heavier than I had expected. It had been a long time since I had truly talked to him about my life. I had always told him I was fine.
It had all been a lie.
I took a deep breath, then told his secretary I wanted to see him.
Fortunately, Julien was in the office and wasn’t with a client. I walked toward his office.
A few seconds later, the door opened.
“Alicia?” Julien looked surprised. “You?”
I gave a small smile. “Can I come in?”
He immediately stepped aside. “Of course. Come in.”
I walked in, my heart pounding. This might be the first time I would truly be honest about my marriage.
“You came alone?” he asked, closing the door behind me.
I nodded. “Yes.”
Julien studied me for a few seconds longer than usual. “You look different.”
I smiled faintly. “I came because there’s something I need to talk to you about.”
We sat on the sofa. There was no small talk. I knew that if I hesitated, I would lose my courage.
“I want a divorce from Lucas.”
Julien froze instantly.
“What?” His voice rose slightly.
I lowered my gaze for a moment before looking back at him. “I’ve made up my mind.”
He ran a hand over his face. “What happened?”
The question was simple, but the answer wasn’t.
I took a deep breath and began to tell him everything about the silent first night, about three years without warmth, about living with someone who never truly saw me.
Julien didn’t interrupt. But I could see his jaw tighten with every word I spoke.
“So you’ve been going through all of this alone?” he asked quietly.
I nodded. “Yes.”
Silence hung for a few seconds.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” His voice changed deeper, more emotional.
I gave a bitter smile. “Because I thought I could endure it.”
Julien suddenly stood, pacing a few steps before turning back. He looked angry but not at me. In the situation.
“He treated you like that for three years?”
I didn’t answer. My silence was enough.
“Lucas is a bastard,” he muttered.
I looked at him, slightly worried. “Julien…”
He clenched his fists. “I can’t accept this.”
I gave a small smile. “Neither can I anymore.”
He looked at me again, calmer this time. “So you’re really sure?”
I nodded. “I can’t keep living like this.”
Julien took a deep breath and sat down again. “What do you need from me?”
I met his gaze. “I need your help with the divorce.”
He didn’t hesitate. “You have it.”
Relief washed over me, something I hadn’t felt in a long time.
“But there’s one more thing…” I said softly.
Julien frowned. “What is it?”
I swallowed before finally saying, “I’m pregnant.”
Silence.
This time, Julien didn’t move at all.
“You’re… what?”
“I’m pregnant,” I repeated quietly.
He stared at me, as if making sure he hadn’t misheard. “Does Lucas know?”
I shook my head. “Not yet.”
Julien ran his hand over his face again, slower this time. “And you still want the divorce?”
I nodded. “Because of this.”
He looked at me intently. “Are you sure?”
I exhaled softly. “I don’t want this child to grow up in a cold home. I don’t want them to feel unwanted the way I do.”
Julien was silent for a moment. Then, slowly, his expression softened, more understanding now.
“You’re right,” he said at last.
I looked at him, a little surprised.
“If you’re not happy,” he continued, “you don’t have to stay.”
My eyes began to sting.
“You have a family,” he added. “You always have a place to come home to.”
I smiled this time, genuinely.
“Thank you.”
He nodded. “When do you want to start the process?”
“As soon as possible.”
He stood immediately. “Alright. I’ll take care of everything.”
I stood as well. “But I need you to promise me one thing.”
Julien looked at me seriously. “What?”
“Don’t tell Mom and Dad yet.”
He frowned. “Why?”
“I’ll tell them myself. At the right time.”
He was silent for a few seconds before finally nodding. “Alright.”
I let out another breath of relief.
“Thank you.”
He patted my shoulder gently. “You don’t have to thank me.”
I smiled softly because for the first time in so long, I didn’t feel alone.
And for the first time, I knew I was finally walking toward something better.
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