Regretful Divorce 

MARION He asked me for a divorce after we made love. I could still feel the warm trace of his kisses on my skin when my husband handed me the papers that would end our marriage, along with a pen to sign. I couldn't believe it; I had given myself to him, and he rejected me seconds later with his hollow caresses. I held onto the sheets around my body, not understanding what was happening with him. I felt the tears burning behind my eyes. "Why?" I asked myself in my head. "Sign the papers, Marion, let's end this once and for all," said the love of my life, without even giving me the tormenting gaze I had longed for since I was a child. "Why are you asking me now when I've just given myself to you?" My broken voice denoted my pain and sadness. "Couldn't you at least wait until I was dressed?" " I just wanted to feel you in my arms, to see if that would change my mind, but I felt nothing. I want a divorce, Marion," he said without hesitation, shrugging. He made me feel like just another cheap woman on his list. I should have known, as he never introduced me as his wife to society. I was nothing more than a rumor. I felt like a part of my soul had completely shattered. I felt like my world was disappearing, sucked into a black hole. He had mocked me. I had given him my innocence, yes, I was a bit old-fashioned in that aspect and I don't regret it. It hurt because I married him a year ago and eagerly awaited the day he would make love to me and tell me how much he loved me, but it simply didn't happen. It was a gulp of cyanide, bitter and straight to the heart. "Why are you doing this to me? Bruno, I love you, I always have," I said in a whisper. " But I don't," he smiled with a certain irony. "I'm sorry, I feel nothing for you, I don't love you. You can't be so naive to expect me to love you when a year has passed and you've forced your way into my bed. When I married you, it was because I had nothing else to do." "But I've always been in love with you and you know it. Since we were kids and…," I couldn't hold back the treacherous tears. "You were just playing with my love… I gave you everything, Bruno. Why do you treat me like this?" The tears began to run down my cheeks, leaving traces of pain on my face contorted in sadness. I felt like I was already dying inside. I had worshiped this man, he was my adoration and he broke my heart. "Because who would want an ugly wife like you?" Said Bruno, without any regard for me. I have always known I am not pretty. People used to make fun of me for always being without makeup, my long, messy hair with awful split ends and wild frizz. My protruding eyes were a popular target for bullying; they called me "frog eyes" because my eyes were big, green, and protruding. Not to mention the constant line of acne that plagued my skin. What hurt me the most was that he hadn't seen beyond my appearance. "It seems you wanted it that way at first," my voice trembled, unsure if it was from anger or disappointment. "And now you despise me for being ugly, you make love to me and then toss me aside like garbage." "Don't act innocent, because the truth is you and I both know that since you were old enough to know, you've dreamed of sleeping with me. I've fulfilled your wish, now sign the papers, Marion, and get out of my house." Bruno's face was red, not from alcohol, I was sure of that, he was truly furious with me for some reason I couldn't understand. I felt so stupid for being hurt by a man as cold as him. Why had I been so stupid to fall in love with a man who made me aware of my ugliness? Who made me feel less? "You're a damn i***t! If you think I was desperate to have s*x with you, then you don't deserve my love!" I shouted with all my strength. I never knew you could go from love to hate in under a minute, just as I experienced at that moment. I wasn't sure if it was the adrenaline, but I knew I had to stop. "You've never been even half of what Pamela was! You'll never be like her, not even in your wildest dreams! I don't want your absurd love! The only thing I want is for you to get out of here!" He spat it in my face like a stream of acid, hoping to dissolve my entire being in the most agonizing way possible. "Pamela,"I said to myself. I hugged myself, feeling my body tremble at the sound of that name. I decided to get up. With my naked and slightly trembling body, I picked up my clothes from the floor and decided to get dressed. It wasn't worth it, being there with him, without being valued. I had placed so much faith in him, only to be met with the disappointment of his disdain. That charismatic, handsome, multimillionaire man with a successful career in law was cheerful with everyone but me. Everyone talked about what a good person Bruno Storm was, but I got to know his cold side, his wild and calculating side. I searched for a small suitcase then. It was too much; I had lost myself, loving him all my life, but I wouldn't let him humiliate me any longer. I put together my most important belongings, such as my mother's necklace with a heart-shaped pendant. Inside, there was a photograph of us hugging. I had missed her dearly since she passed away. I packed some clothes to protect myself from the piercing cold outside, some shoes, and personal hygiene items. Suddenly, my bag dropped to the floor. At first, I didn't understand what had happened, but then I saw Bruno glaring at me. "You have no right to take anything. You'll get compensation for this miserable marriage, and I hope to never see you again in my life," Bruno told me. I couldn't believe it. I shoved him with all my strength. The tears had defeated me. I felt them burning my cheeks because of his words. I wiped my tears immediately. I had decided at that moment. I slipped on the warmest coat I had and a pair of sneakers, the only things I could take with me at that moment. I took the divorce papers in my hands and, without hesitating for a single second, I signed them. I hurled them at his face, furious about what he had done to both of us, what he had done to me, for killing this love. "I hate you, Bruno," I said through clenched teeth as the pages fell scattered at his feet. "I hate you, and you don't know how much I curse the day I met you and thought I loved you." I truly meant it. A small part of my soul was hating him. For a moment, I could see a hint of surprise on his face at hearing it that way. He didn't expect it, to be honest, neither did I, but it felt good to say it. "Did you really sign them?" He smiled with sarcasm. "So that's the extent of your loyalty to me. I didn't think you would be so disloyal, after all, you had promised to love me despite everything." He approached me slowly. I held his gaze. Maybe I was about to do the bravest thing I had ever done in my life. "Here are the papers, Bruno," I said dryly. "After all, I think you have a certain degree of intellect. From now on, you have nothing to do with me," he told me coldly, glaring at me. "You're free. I'm done loving you." I took off the wedding promise ring and left it on his side of the bed as a symbol that I would no longer love him.