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.

Sarah's POV

“You really shouldn't have agreed to sign the divorce Sarah, I'm so disappointed right now.” Mom uttered as she began to pace around the hotel room.

I sat still in the bed while my gaze was fixed right on the floor. Somehow, I was beginning to regret agreeing to Richard's divorce. But still, I needed my own happiness. Was I the only one to endure this pain. “I'm so sorry mom, I just had to, I need to be happy once again mom. I really need to find my own happiness and depart from Richard. I can't endure everything anylonger.” I responded. My voice had began to crack a little and I felt my palms were already sweety.

Mom took her gaze aside for a few seconds and then darted them back to me. “You're right baby, I think it time you find what really makes you happy rather than spending the rest of your life with that coward.” As soon as I heard her words, my frown turned into a broad smile immediately. I felt a gentle touch on my hands and it made to look up instantly. Mom sat next to me and squeezed my hands tightly. “I just want the best for you honey. Whatever decision you make, just know that I'm always here to support you.” She added.

As she spoke, I felt a tear drop from my eyes down to my cheeks. “Don't you dare cry Sarah, you shouldn't okay?. Stay strong for me.” Mom uttered while she look her hand up to my cheeks and began to wipe my tears away. I sniffed a little and then drew closer to her and embraced her tightly. It was almost like she had pass through the same situation with my dad. He had never treated her like the wife be claimed she was to him. At age seven, I was only entitled to just one parent because dad had left mom and I alone.

There was mum, always crying all night. At age ten, I got the chance to have another dad. It was like everything I had everything dreamt of. He showered me with so much love but after a few years, we lost him to the ruthless hands of death. Every since my stepdad’s death, mum vowed never to get married anymore. She felt she was destined to be a single mother and there we have it, I was raised with love and attention just by a single parent.

“I'll be leaving for Madrid in a week.” I said while I broke away from our embrace. Mom arched her brows surprised by my quick decision. “So fast?” She responded. “Yeah!. I think it's the right time I got a new job and live peacefully. I feel Madrid is just the best place.” I declared.

Mom inhaled and exhaled a deep breath and then rubbed my head gently. “If that's what you think is the best for you, then go foe it honey.” She finally said. With a warm smile I drew closer and embraced her once again.

*

I sat straight up in my bed and rubbed my eyes gently to clear away the last traces of sleep. Mom had left the hotel for London a few hours earlier. With a loud yawn, I climbed out of the bed and headed straight for the refrigerator where I poured in a bottled water into a glass cup and gulped down everything.

The moment I was filled up, I sigh a bit and then paced my eyes around the hotel room for a few seconds. “I guess it's right time you got your life back together.” I murmured almost to myself. As walked down to the center table and grabbed the menu, I began to paced my eyes around the menu for a short while. I just couldn't decide on what to eat. As my gaze frozed at a boldly written word, roasted turkey. A smirk creeped at the left corner of my lips instantly.

Without hesitation, I reached out for the telephone placed on one of the cupboards and quick dialled the number that was written on the menu. “Hello ma'am, what can I help you with.” I heard a lady's voice from the other line. “I'd love to get the roasted turkey.” I responded.

With that, I ended the phone call immediately and lay back on my bed. Within a few hours, I held a gentle knock on the door. “You delivery.” The lady uttered from the other side. With a deep breath, I rose to my feet quickly and walked straight to the door. As soon as I opened the door halfway, the lady smiled broadly.

“Come in.” I declared and opened the door the rest of the way. The attendant pulled in the food cart and stepped inside as well. “Thank you.” I utter and she nodded her head in affirmation. Without another word, she walked out of the room instantly.

As I settled down with my dinner, flipping through the channels, the television brought with it a fresh wave of heartbreak. Like a punch to the gut, I was hit with the sight of Richard and Susan, their smiling faces beaming from the screen. My jaw dropped in shock and a solitary tear slid down my cheek as the reporter revealed the truth: Richard and Susan were now an official couple, and to celebrate, Richard had gifted her with a brand new BMW. The stinging salt of betrayal seared my skin as the reporter read out the final words: "Richard Wright announces his divorce from Sarah Williams.”

With annoyance, I switched of the television and threw the remote on the couch instantly, my raw anger and grief spilling out in a burst of frustration. I squeezed the bedspread tight, while my knuckles turned white with rage. “Why?” I whispered to the empty room, my heartache clouding my mind.

I laid on the bed and stared at the ceiling while tears began to blur my vision. The dinner remained untouched and my appetite long gone. In the stillness of the night, I let my tears flow, trying to wash away the pain.