Chapter 3 3

Claire's POV

As I listened to the silence of the house, the memories I had built with Xandro flooded in. The life I had built with him, even though he had treated me like invisible trash. One didn't deserve to be here, but I wondered why he had even asked to marry me. I had wondered for years why he didn't let me when it was clear I was just a tool for a perfect wife model.

I glanced at the divorce papers on my desk. When I handed the papers to him, he was angry and shocked. I couldn't understand why he was upset. I had taken the bull by its ropes and given what he wanted. There was also something that flickered in his eyes when I had asked him why he wanted me to stay. Was it regret or pain? A part of me believed it was regret for all the things that could have been with us and now, I was walking away and he couldn't stop me.

The bed creaked as I settled on it. I clutched the bedsheet and allowed a little smile to form on my face. Last week, Saturday was the night when he had finally taken me as his. He had touched me like he was hungry for me. His kisses were so slow, slow, but not intent. I had felt how he paused several times to trail fingers around my face-maybe to remind himself I wasn't the woman he wanted but needed at that moment.

I was a fool then. I had happily accepted him and made fantasies in my head as he made love to me that night. I had accepted everything he gave to me, even though they were distant, and I could always feel his mind trailing away every time I touched him.

I was never the woman he had fallen in love with. He just used me to take care of his needs that night. This explains why the next day, he had been so cold with me and refused to speak about what happened to us. I clutched the sheets tighter as reality hit me hard. It was all a lie.

If he wanted me, he would be here, pleading and asking for another chance. I was ready to look the other way and allow him to bring his illegitimate child into our matrimonial home, but right now; now; I don't think I would accept him, nor the woman who took him from me. I would be back one day and I was going to remind him of how he treated me like a second class wife while he married with his concubines.

My phone buzzed as I picked my suitcase. A glance at the phone showed it was my best friend, Quinn. I smiled as I picked the call.

"Hi, babe. How did it go?" she asked in a sleepy tone-she was probably about to sleep or still working.

"Are you still working? You sound so tired." I replied with what she didn't ask.

"I'm good. How did it go? Spill the details. I saw the news, by the way, so don't lie."

I sighed as I took some dresses off the hanger. "It was a disaster, Quinn. He didn't even plead for me to change my mind. He just demanded I stayed and spoke to me in that disrespectful tone. Can you imagine he got someone pregnant and defended her more than he has ever defended me?. Four years and what do I have to show for it?"

"Oh, dear. I'm so sorry,sorry, but I warned you not to marry him then. We warned you."

"Now," I gritted my teeth as I threw a dress into the suitcase. "... the time to remind me of the things I should have done and not done, Quinn. I'm leaving though. I already served him the papers."

She muttered an apology and said, "I guess he didn't do that well, either. He must have been wondering where you had gotten the courage to stand up to him."

I chuckled as she mimicked his voice. "Stop it. Tonight is my worst night, Quinn. It's all over. I don't even know where I'm going to go."

"You could come over to my place, but it's a four-hour drive, and, and it's late. Can you risk it? Or you want to try the other option, which is your best bet, actually, actually?"

I sighed as I thought about the other option,option, which was my dad. I had walked out on him because I agreed to marry Xandro. He wouldn't tell me the reason other than he wasn't the right fit for me. I ignored him as usual and stood by my ground. I have even laid out all the reasons I was in love with Xandro and why he should accept my choice. But my dad had merely shaken his head and told me to not return with regrets because he won't be there to comfort me.

I had been so angry at his words that I slammed the door and never looked back until now. Xandro knew the whole story. That was why he reminded me I had no one to turn to. I had, but she knew I wouldn't come. It was her family house, and, and I wasn't really the most liked friend because of my marriage to Xandro.

I glanced at my phone and said. "I guess I will become the prodigal daughter, Quinn. I can't come to your place and I can't stay here. Thank you for all you did and do. You are the best."

She cooed as I chuckled. "I'm glad I could be of help. I hope he signs it, though."

I glanced at the divorce papers once more and dragged my suitcase. "He will, Quinn. I will make sure of that. I gotta go. I will call you later."

She blew a kiss through the mouthpiece. "Stay strong, Claire. The battle for your freedom just started."

I closed the door behind me and handed my wedding ring to the housekeeper, who had been waiting for me. "You know what to do with it, Lisa. Goodbye."

The housekeeper sniffed as she helped me with my suitcase. I took a last glance at everything in the house

And I breathed slowly. This was it.