THE PRICE OF LEAVING
1758 Words
The word divorce still hung in the air long after Elena said it.
No one spoke.
The room felt colder than before, even though nothing had changed.
Elena could hear her own heartbeat, loud and uneven, like it didn’t belong to her anymore.
Dominic stared at her.
He wasn't too shocked, not hurt, but a little bit quiet.
Selene was the first to break the silence.
“Well,” she said with a small laugh, crossing her arms, “that was easier than I expected.”
Elena didn’t look at her.
She kept her eyes on Dominic.
Because this… this was between them.
Six years.
Six years of her life.
She wasn’t going to let it end with him looking away.
“Say something,” she said softly.
Dominic let out a slow breath and reached for his shirt on the floor, putting it on like nothing important had just happened.
“Fine,” he said.
One word.
Just one.
Elena blinked.
“…Fine?”
He buttoned his shirt calmly, his expression unreadable.
“If that’s what you want,” he added.
Her chest tightened.
“What I want?” she repeated, her voice shaking again despite everything. “You think this is what I want?”
Dominic finally looked at her.
“Isn’t it?” he asked. “You’re the one who brought it up.”
Elena felt like laughing again.
But this time, no sound came out.
Of course.
Even now, he didn’t understand.
Or maybe…
He just didn’t care.
Selene walked over to him, slipping her arm through his like she belonged there.
“Just sign it and let her go,” she said lightly. “Dragging it out won’t help anyone.”
Elena’s fingers curled.
That simple action—Selene touching him so freely, so confidently—hurt more than anything else.
Like she had already taken Elena’s place.
No.
She had always had it.
Elena swallowed hard.
“I’ll have the papers prepared,” she said, forcing her voice to stay steady. “You can sign them when they’re ready.”
Dominic nodded once.
“Do it quickly,” he said. “I don’t like delays.”
Each word cut deeper than the last.
Elena nodded.
“Don’t worry,” she whispered. “I won’t hold you back any longer.”
Silence filled the room again.
But this time, it felt like that's the end.
Like something had truly ended.
************
Elena didn’t stay.
She didn’t scream.
Didn’t cry and didn't fight.
Because there was nothing left to fight for.
She turned and walked out of the room.
Every of her step felt really heavy, but she didn't stop.
Not when she passed the large mirror on the wall and caught a glimpse of herself.
Her hair was messy, her face pale.
Her eyes… empty.
She looked like a stranger.
“Mommy?”
The small voice made her freeze.
Elena turned.
Axel stood there, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
Her heart broke all over again.
She quickly wiped her face, forcing a smile.
“Hey, baby,” she said gently, walking toward him. “Why are you awake?”
“I heard voices,” he said softly. “Are you okay?”
Elena knelt in front of him, pulling him into her arms.
“Yes,” she whispered.
But the word felt like a lie.
Axel wrapped his small arms around her neck.
“You’re crying,” he said.
She closed her eyes.
“I’m just tired,” she replied.
He pulled back slightly, looking at her with innocent concern.
“Did Daddy make you sad?”
The question hit harder than anything else.
Elena couldn’t answer.
Because what could she say?
That his father had just destroyed everything?
That the man she loved had never loved her back?
That their family… was already broken?
She forced a smile again.
“No,” she said. “Daddy didn’t do anything.”
Axel frowned, clearly not convinced.
But he didn’t push.
He never did.
That was the kind of child he was.
Quiet.
Understanding.
Too understanding for his age.
Elena kissed his forehead.
“Let’s go back to bed, okay?”
He nodded.
She held his hand as they walked back to his room.
Every step felt like she was walking away from something important.
But maybe…
Maybe she had already lost it a long time ago.
*********************
That night, Elena didn’t sleep.
She sat by the window in the small guest room, staring at the city lights.
Her mind was empty.
Or maybe too full.
Memories came and went like waves.
The first time she saw Dominic.
The way her heart was filled with emotions, when he spoke to her.
The way she believed… foolishly… that she could make him love her.
She let out a quiet laugh.
How stupid.
Six years.
Six years wasted chasing something that was never hers.
Her gaze dropped to her hands.
They were still trembling.
She clenched them into fists.
“No more,” she whispered.
No more waiting.
No more hoping.
No more loving someone who didn’t even see her.
A soft knock on the door broke her thoughts.
“Elena?”
It was Mrs. Carter, the housekeeper.
Elena stood up quickly, opening the door.
“Yes?”
Mrs. Carter looked at her with concern.
“I heard… some noise earlier,” she said carefully. “Is everything alright?”
Elena hesitated.
For a moment, she wanted to tell the truth.
To say everything.
To let it all out.
But instead, she smiled faintly.
“I’m fine,” she said.
Mrs. Carter didn’t look convinced.
But she nodded anyway.
“If you need anything, just call me,” she said before walking away.
Elena closed the door.
The room felt even quieter now.
She leaned against the door, sliding down slowly until she was sitting on the floor.
Her chest tightened again, and this time.
She didn’t hold it in.
The tears came silently.
Slow at first, but then really faster.
Until she couldn’t stop them anymore.
****************************
Morning came too soon.
Elena stared at her reflection again.
Her eyes were swollen.
Her face looked pale.
But there was something different now.
Something… calmer.
Like the storm had passed.
Or maybe…
Like she had simply gone numb.
She got dressed quietly, choosing something simple.
No makeup, no effort.
There was no reason to try anymore.
When she stepped out of the room, the house felt different.
Like it was never her home to begin with.
She walked downstairs.
Selene was already there.
Sitting comfortably at the dining table.
Drinking coffee.
Like she owned the place.
“Elena,” she said with a smile. “Good morning.”
Elena didn’t respond.
She walked past her.
But Selene wasn’t done.
“You should eat something,” she said. “You look terrible.”
Elena stopped.
Slowly, she turned.
Their eyes met.
And for the first time.
There was no fear in Elena’s gaze.
“Enjoy it while you can,” she said quietly.
Selene blinked.
“What?”
“This house,” Elena continued. “This life. Him.”
Her lips curved slightly.
“Because I’m leaving it all behind.”
Selene’s expression hardened.
“Don’t act like you’re the one walking away with dignity,” she snapped. “You’re being replaced.”
Elena didn’t react.
“Maybe,” she said simply.
Then she turned and walked away.
Leaving Selene speechless.
*************************
By afternoon, the papers were ready.
Elena placed them on the table in Dominic’s study.
Her hands were steady now.
Too steady.
Dominic walked in a few minutes later.
He glanced at the documents.
“You work fast,” he said.
Elena nodded.
“I said I wouldn’t delay.”
He picked up the pen.
For a brief second.
Just one.
He paused.
Elena noticed.
Her heart tightened.
But she didn’t say anything.
Because she already knew.
It didn’t matter.
Dominic signed the papers.
Just like that.
No hesitation, no regret, no second thoughts.
The sound of the pen on paper sounded loud in the room.
And with it,
Six years ended.
He dropped the pen.
“It’s done,” he said.
Elena nodded.
“Yes, then siilence followed."
Like they were strangers.
Maybe they always were.
“I’ll leave today,” she said.
Dominic frowned slightly.
“So soon?”
She almost laughed.
“You want me to stay?”
He didn’t answer.
That was the answer.
Elena picked up the papers.
“I’ll send someone for the rest of my things,” she added.
Dominic nodded.
“Fine.”
She turned to leave.
But just as she reached the door,
“Elena.”
She stopped.
Her hand tightened on the handle.
“Yes?”
There was a pause.
“Take care of Axel.”
Her chest tightened painfully.
She turned slowly.
“He’s my son,” she said. “I always will.”
Dominic looked at her.
Something flickered in his eyes again.
But she didn’t wait to see what it meant.
She opened the door.
And walked out.
****************************
That evening, Elena stood at the gate of the Vaughn mansion.
A single suitcase by her side.
Axel held her hand tightly.
“Mommy,” he said softly, “are we going somewhere?”
Elena looked down at him.
Her heart softened.
“Yes,” she said gently.
“Where?”
She smiled faintly.
“Somewhere new.”
Axel nodded.
“Will Daddy come?”
The question made her pause.
She crouched down in front of him.
“No,” she said softly.
“It’ll just be us.”
Axel thought for a moment.
Then he smiled.
“Okay.”
Elena felt her throat tighten.
Children were so simple.
So trusting.
She hugged him tightly.
“I promise,” she whispered, “I’ll protect you.”
No matter what.
No matter how hard it gets.
No matter who stands in their way.
She stood up, taking his hand again.
Then she looked back.
At the mansion.
At the life she was leaving behind.
At the man who never loved her.
“Elena!”
The voice came from behind.
She froze.
Slowly, she turned.
Dominic stood there.
Breathing slightly heavier.
Like he had rushed out.
For a moment, they just looked at each other.
Six years.
All reduced to this.
“What is it?” she asked quietly.
Dominic hesitated.
Then shook his head.
“…Nothing.”
Elena nodded.
“Goodbye, Dominic.”
She didn’t wait this time.
She turned, and walked away.
Without looking back.
- Writer
