Sarah’s POV

It's been one week. One week since I told Susan off and three days since I set my eyes on Richard. E would stay away from home before but this was worse. Then he would pop back in after a day or two but now he had been gone for seven days and I had no doubt this was some kind of revenge for the way I spoke to his girlfriend. But what did he expect me to do? She had been very rude to me, had he been expecting me to just take it all quietly and do everything she said? I was his wife, not a slave she had hired on a payroll. Somehow, a part of me wished I could take back everything I did – and said – while another part of me wishes she could have spoken up for herself sooner.

I rolled on my side and slipped out of bed. The day had just begun but I didn’t feel like doing anything. There was nothing to do and most of the time, I spent my time playing on my phone, scrolling through Twitter, checking emails and playing music. I watched a movie or two sometimes but I didn’t like using my phone for that. I preferred going to the cinema for that or watching it on the Plasma screens Richard had installed in all the rooms in this house. I made my way into the bathroom to freshen up and decided to soak for a while in the tub. Usually, I would read a book or watch a movie but not today. Today I was alone with my thoughts, my jumbled and conflicted thoughts. I must have fallen asleep because when I opened my eyes, the water had turned cold and I was now shivering.

Making my way out of the bathroom, I padded across the room naked in search of my towel. Just as I wrapped it around my body, the sound of the doorbell rang through the house and I frowned. Who could that be? It couldn’t be Richard ringing the doorbell because he had a key, the same thing applied to Desmond. I wasn’t expecting any visitors and apart from my mother, no one in my life knew the location of this house.

I ran out of the room, taking the stairs two at a time so I could get to the door in time before the person on the other end broke the doorbell. I unlocked the door and blocked the way, glaring at the man standing in front of me. What was he doing here?

“Richard said you’d be home.” Was the first thing he said as soon as our eyes met and I narrowed my eyes. “May I come in?”

“He isn’t here, Martins.” I reminded him as I stepped aside to let him through. Martins Stan was Richard’s best friend and the family’s lawyer. His father, Luke had been Richard’s father’s lawyer and friend before he died so it was a no-brainer that after he died, the role would be passed on to his son who was already Richard’s friend at the time. As far as I could remember, Martins and I had never conversed not because he never tried, I just never gave him the chance to and always kept my guard up around him for fear that whatever I shared with him would somehow find its way back to Richard.

He slumped on the couch noisily and nodded. “I know he isn’t here, I’m here to see you,”

For a moment, I couldn’t quite understand why Martins would want to see me seeing as we had nothing in common and nothing to talk about. That was until he brought out an envelope from his briefcase and stretched it out to me.

My heart sank to the pit of my stomach and I didn’t have to open it to guess what it contained. Richard was asking for a divorce. “He really doesn’t care about me,” I scoffed, pulling the papers out of the envelope. I was right, of course I was.

“I hate to be the bearer of bad news but it’s one of the hazards of the job.” He continued speaking and I tuned him out, staring at the papers in my hand. “At least now you can finally be free to do whatever you want with your life.

He was right, I was going to be free to live my life on my own terms so why didn’t the thought warm my heart and give me joy?

“He has added a hefty sum of money for you once you have signed the papers.”

How convenient. I thought bitterly but said instead; “I’m not signing this,” I leaned forward and dropped the papers on the centre table. “You tell Richard that if he wants me to sign this, he’d have to come and hand them over to me himself.”

I was being difficult, maybe but I didn’t care. I deserved better than being tossed aside like a rag doll.

****

“Ugh, why is she still here? I thought Martins was supposed to serve her the papers today?” Susan hissed as she walked into the house, Richard behind her. Martins had only been gone for two hours so I guessed Richard thought I would have been gone by now. Too bad for him.

“Why haven’t you signed the papers? Aren’t you tired of this life?” Richard asked and I inhaled sharply.

“What do you mean by that?”

He rolled his eyes and I stood there waiting for an answer. Surely he hadn’t been doing everything on purpose to make me tired so I would divorce him. “I can’t love you the way you expect me to. Wouldn’t you rather be with a man that loves you?”

That was the same thing Martins said.

“Fine, I will sign it.” I sighed, blinking back tears and Susan clapped her hands excitedly. “But you’re going to come back begging me one day Richard and I won’t listen,” I yelled as a tear rolled down my cheeks. “You will regret this decision of yours but by then it will be too late.”

“I’ll go get the wine and some glasses. We should celebrate!” Susan said and excused herself.

I waited for Richard to say something, anything but instead, he just laughed and followed her out of the living room, leaving my heart shattered in a million pieces.

SARAH'S POV

“Hey, Mrs. Sarah,” Desmond’s voice rang out from behind as I placed the papers on the center table next to me. I turned to see him approaching, and his expression was one of pity, causing me to avert my gaze.

“Hey,” I replied, knowing all too well that his sympathetic stare was more than I could handle in that moment. All I wanted was to be left alone, to let the tears flow freely.

“Sir Richard has asked me to assist you with your belongings,” Desmond continued, his voice compassionate.

I swallowed the remaining saliva that had pooled in my throat as I quickly turned my gaze away, hoping to avoid Desmond’s sympathetic look. Tears now streamed down my cheeks, leaving me feeling exposed and vulnerable.

“Oh yeah,” I said, forcing my voice to sound steady as I stood up and began walking towards my room. Desmond followed close behind. When we reached my door, I turned the doorknob, the metal cold beneath my fingers.

"Wait here," I commanded, my voice a little unsteady.

I opened the door halfway and stepped inside the room, closing the door behind me as I leaned against it. The tears flowed more freely now, my chest heaving with each sob. I couldn't hold back anymore. The thought of starting over without Richard was overwhelming, but I knew I had to be strong.

I wiped my face with the back of my hand, composing myself. After a moment, I opened the door again, ready to face the world, or at least Desmond. “Alright, let’s start with the books,” I said, trying to sound as normal as possible.

Desmond nodded, understanding my need for composure.

The task of packing and moving my belongings with Desmond’s assistance took less than a handful of minutes. Before I knew it, we were carrying the boxes to my car.

“Thanks,” I managed to say, forcing a small smile. Desmond returned the gesture with a warm smile of his own, turning to leave.

Just as I was about to get into the car, I heard a voice behind me. “Don’t you dare use my car,” Susan’s voice screeched. I glanced at her, then at Richard, then back at the car, my face contorting into a scowl.

“Your car?” I echoed, my voice icy. “The car that was bought with my husband’s money is suddenly yours?” I took a step forward, standing toe-to-toe with Susan. “You heard me right?, Get your filthy things out of that car!” Susan barked. Richard shifted uncomfortably, glancing from me to Susan and back again. “Sarah, you know this is part of the agreement. Everything stays with us.”

I threw him a withering look, my hands balled into fists. “So I get nothing? No car, no home, and no husband?

“You could use part of the money you got from the divorce to get a new car or a house instead.”Richard uttered.

In annoyance, I turned to leave but felt a hard grip on my hands and it made me turn around immediately. My heart skipped for a moment and I felt a sharp pain on my stomach as I stared right up at Richard. His face was just so perfect and his eyes were ascharming as ever. No wonder why girls drooled for him years back while we were still schooling.

“Are you deaf?.” He questioned and I gulped in another saliva while my gaze were still fixed on his.

“Just use a cab instead!.” He added.

While I tried to speak, Richard cut me off, shoving me to the ground with a sudden force that took my breath away. I let out a cry of pain as I fell, the rough pavement scraping my knees. “This car is strictly for my wife and you’re no longer entitled to it anymore,” he growled, his face contorted with anger.

Overwhelmed by the shock and pain of it all, I lowered my head, hot tears streaming down my cheeks as I tried to process the betrayal and the indignity of being cast aside so cruelly.

Susan, ever the smug snake, smiled at me, as she grabbed the keys from my hands “Maybe if you were a better wife, Richard wouldn’t have come to me in the first place.” That said, she rushed to Richard and held his hands tightly. “Come honey let leave this bitch to herself and go continue our little celebration.”

As I watched, Richard scooped Susan up into his arms with tenderness and care. A jagged pain sliced through my heart as I stood, a crumpled mess on the cold pavement. I couldn't bear to watch any longer as they disappeared into the house, the door closing behind them like a final nail in my coffin.

Sniffing back my tears, I straightened up and gathered my belongings to Richard had thrown on the floor, my hands shaking as I lifted them from the ground.

With a final, deep breath, I looked over my shoulders to catch one last glimpse at the mansion before I began to walk away, each step heavier than the last.

The taxi was a welcome sight as I stood by the side of the road, waves of uncertainty and loss washing over me. “Lulex hotel,” I said, my voice sounding thin and weak in my ears. The driver nodded, and I climbed into the backseat, while my shoulders hunched with exhaustion.

As the car moved smoothly, I rested my forehead against the cool window, letting the breeze caress my face. The past two years flashed before my eyes, a blur of longing, loneliness, and betrayal.

The realization that Richard had been cheating hit me like a punch to the gut all over again. For so long, I had tried to ignore the signs, to convince myself that our marriage was strong enough to survive his absences and attitude. But now, faced with the truth, I felt like a fool.

My thoughts turned to mum, and the inevitable conversation we would have about my failed marriage. I knew her disappointment would be as heavy as my own. How could I explain to her that my husband had chosen someone else over me?

Sarah's POV

“Aren't you getting off miss?.” The driver cut me off from my thought immediately. I shaked my head twice to return to my right senses and the moment I touched my cheeks gently, I realized tears had started dropping down from them.

I was just so lost in thought that I had forgotten that the car had stopped already. “Oh yeah.” I exclaimed.

“Sorry for the interruption,” the driver apologized, his eyes darting to the rear-view mirror as I opened the door.

The night air was a cold slap to my tear-stained cheeks, snapping me back to the present. I stepped out of the car while my legs felt as unsteady as my heart.

“No need to apologize,” I muttered as I handed over the fare and turned away before the driver could catch another glimpse of my distress.

“Over here ma'am.” The security guard’s deep voice jolted me out of my daze, beckoning me towards the open front door. I followed his gesture towards the exposed entrance, the inside of the hotel was visible through the clear glass panels.

“Thanks,” I muttered, managing a small smile as the guard helped me carry my luggage through the heavy doors.

The reception area was majestic, its beauty and style coming from the pretty furniture, shiny lights, and marble floor. As I approached the receptionist, a tall, immaculately dressed man with a friendly smile, I took a deep breath, attempting to put on a brave face despite the turmoil I felt inside. “Welcome ma'am.” He uttered and I nodded my head twice and forced another smile.

“For how long would you be staying?.” He questioned and let out another warm smile. The receptionist's smile was contagious, and I couldn't help but reciprocate his warmth, despite the storm raging inside me.

"A week should be enough," I replied, though I knew I couldn't stay much longer, as I had plans to move on. Richard had made it clear where I stood in his life: nowhere. His actions had left me feeling devalued and disrespected. Martin’s words rang in my mind, urging me to seize control of my life. I had no ties to hold me back, no loyalty to maintain.

My reverie was interrupted as the receptionist returned, her smile never wavering. “Here you go, ma’am,” He said.

“Huh?”

“Your keys.” He added, handling me the keys to my room as he let out another warm smile. This time, Yet this time, the smile felt almost forced, as though it was nothing more than a veneer of hospitality.

With a nod of thanks, I took the keys and began to make my way towards the elevator. As I walked, I tried to shake off the unease that had settled over me.

The moment I got into my room, I heard my phone ring out abruptly. I quickly answered, bracing myself for the conversation to come. “Hey mom.” I uttered while I kept my phone 1 inch away from my ear. I knew If I told mom about my divorce with Richard, she would scream the hell out, so I was very prepared this moment.

“Hey, Sarah! How did it go? Any news?” Mom’s eager voice came through the line, her excitement palpable even through the phone. My heart sank, and I inhaled deeply, steeling myself. “Mom, I need to tell you something,” I said while my voice began to quiver slightly.

For so long, Mom had been my rock, my pillar of support. In my darkest moments with Richard, she'd been the one to pick me up, dust me off, and urge me to stay strong. But now, as I stood on the precipice of shattering her expectations, I felt my knees begin to buckle.

How could I explain that my loyalty and goodness hadn't been enough? That despite my best efforts, Richard had left me in the cold? That I felt worthless, alone, and unable to hold onto the life I once knew?

“Go on baby, did it go well?” She questioned once again.

Mom’s voice on the other end of the line was all it took to trigger the dam of emotions that had been building inside of me. I tried to speak, to find the words to explain, but my throat felt like it was being clenched in an invisible fist. The cruel words and deeds of Richard echoed in my mind, and I felt myself drowning in the misery of it all.

“Mom,” I choked out, my voice barely audible over the lump in my throat. "It's Richard...we...we got a divorce.”

“What?, how is this possible and how could you not inform me about these Sarah. No!. It wouldn't just end this way!” Mum's outraged words slammed into me like a freight train, compounding the guilt and shame that already weighed so heavily on my heart. Before I could even formulate a response, the line went dead.

I stood there, alone in my hotel room, the echoes of Mum's disapproval ringing in my ears. Tears streaked down my cheeks as I sank to the floor, cradling my head in my hands. I felt like a failure, unable to keep my marriage afloat or even keep my mother's approval.