Dear, Ex-Husband

Alana's POV “My father is dead. That means there’s no one left to stand in the way. Next month, we’ll get a divorce.” Dave’s voice was flat just like his expression. He didn’t even look at me. I said nothing. I wasn’t surprised. I had seen it coming. Our marriage was never built on love. It was a bond formed out of duty, a promise made by Dave’s father to my late parents, his dearest friends. I lost both my parents in a plane crash when I was fifteen. Since then, I lived under the care of my aunt. On my twenty-second birthday, Dave’s father asked me to marry his eldest son, Dave Harrison. He said it was part of a promise he made to my parents to take care of me, and one day, marry me off to his son. Dave couldn’t refuse. Saying no meant risking his place in the company. And he would never let it fall into the hands of Edward, his half-brother. We’ve been married for three years, but it’s been cold from the start. He’s never touched me, not once. His heart never belonged to me. He’s always loved Kelly. The painful irony is, Kelly was my best friend in high school. She used to defend me from bullies. I’ve kept this pain to myself for three long years, pretending not to know that he was still seeing her behind my back. And he never knew... deep down, I’ve loved him all along. Dave Harrison—A young office manager, 30 years old, strikingly handsome and charismatic. I was his wife... But I never had his heart. I nodded quietly, a single tear slipping down my cheek. I wiped it away quickly. I didn’t want Dave to see me cry, but it was too late. My eyes were glistening, heavy with tears I could no longer hold back. He looked at me with no expression. “Once we’re divorced, go back to your aunt. Find someone who truly loves you.” I couldn’t speak. I didn’t even know what exactly I was crying for. He never treated me kindly. I should’ve hated him. But why did it still hurt so much to let him go? “Why are you crying? We’ve been over for a long time, haven’t we?” His question cut deeper than I expected. No, he didn’t understand. He never saw the love in my eyes every time I looked at him. “It’s nothing,” I whispered. “I was just remembering how much you helped my aunt’s business over the years. How kind you’ve been to my family.” I wiped my tears again. Cold as he was, he always made sure I had everything I needed. “Thank you... for everything. I’m sorry I’ve stood in the way of you and Kelly all these years.” I said it with as much calm as I could gather even as my heart shattered. I was the one in the middle. The obstacle. The one thing keeping them apart. I didn’t even know they were together until after we got married. I had ruined their future without meaning to. But now, it was time to step aside. And yet, there’s one thing I still wanted. I wanted to have a child with Dave. So when all of this was over... at least I’d have someone, someone who would love me unconditionally. Someone who wouldn’t leave. My child. “Before we part ways... is there anything you want?” he asked, still not looking at me. I hesitated. How could I say it out loud? But the longing had taken root since the very first day of our marriage. That dream had died slowly because he never touched me. I took a deep breath, steadying my voice. “I want... to have your child.” Dave’s eyes widened. He looked at me, baffled. “What??” ****** Dave's POV Tonight, for the first time, Alana and I are sleeping in the same room. Three years of marriage, and we’ve never touched each other. Her request still doesn’t make sense to me. She wants a child from me. We’re about to divorce. Why would she want that now? And yet, for the first time, I really look at her. She’s wearing a nightgown I’ve never seen before, something light, sheer, far more revealing than anything she’s ever worn. That’s when I notice… she’s thinner than she used to be. Her eyes are often glossy, her gaze distant, carrying too much sorrow. I’m not heartless. I know she’s suffered. I know she’s been unhappy with me. And I never once gave myself the chance to know her. I locked my heart away because I didn’t want to betray Kelly. Her slender fingers tremble as they clasp each other tightly, like she’s holding herself together. I know she’s not ready. Neither am I. We stare at each other in silence. I can admit now, she’s not unattractive. She’s… pretty. But Kelly... Kelly has always been the woman in my heart. Still, I never imagined Alana would want something like this. This isn’t the quiet girl who never spoke at dinner. This isn’t the girl I ignored for three years without a single protest. This isn’t the girl I refused to touch because I never let love grow. She’s different now. I step toward her. My hand stills in the air before I reach her. "Are you sure?" I ask, my voice quiet. She nods. “Yes. I want something from you. Something that will give me strength… something to carry all the memories of you.” Something in me breaks. Does she… love me that deeply? I close the distance between us and hold out my hand. She takes it. Stands. We’re face to face for the first time in years, truly seeing each other. I reach up, brushing her cheek. My fingers graze her lips. “This won’t change anything,” I whisper. “I know,” she replies softly. I press my lips to hers. She’s nervous. I can feel her breath faltering. “I’ve never done this…” she admits, barely audible. “I’ll be gentle,” I say, to ease her fears. I know she’s a virgin. My wife… untouched. My kiss deepens slowly, gently. She responds, hesitant at first. Her lips are soft, unsure. And yet, there’s something sacred in the way she lets me in. Her heartbeat races. Mine too. I lower the straps of her gown. Touch her skin inch by inch, exploring what I’ve denied myself for years. She lies back on the bed. Her body is stunning, elegant and delicate. I hate to admit it, but she’s… incredibly sensual. This is the body behind all the loose clothing she always wore. The one I ignored. The one I never dared to touch. I kiss her again, and she clings to me desperately. Her arms tighten around me, and I feel the wetness of her tears as they fall, silently, onto my skin. Tonight, she is mine. Completely. This moment burns with emotion, tangled with desire. Perhaps it’s the most intense night I’ve ever known. But it won’t change anything. I will still let her go. Even if… for now… I hold her one last time before she walks away forever.