Chapter 6
On the phone, I told my lawyer to get Anthony to sign them. She sounded unsure, saying Anthony probably wouldn’t sign so quickly. I said, “That’s fine. I’m not in a hurry. I’ve survived three years. I can wait a little longer.” ·
The lawyer, a woman in her forties who was usually sharp and efficient, told me it wasn’t that simple. She’d seen plenty of couples who threatened divorce, made a big scene, and then ended up patching things up.
I let out a sigh and said, “I know, but I’m not like them.”
That night, he called. I stared at his name on the screen, but didn’t pick up.
Then he texted: [Come back. Don’t be like this.]
I looked at those words, feeling speechless. He still thought I was just acting up. In his eyes, I was just some stubborn girl.
If I got upset, he would try to smooth things over, and if that didn’t work, he would leave me alone until I cooled off and came home by myself. When I got off work, I saw him waiting downstairs at my office.
I walked out with the crowd, and as soon as I reached the entrance, I spotted him. He was leaning against his car, looking casual and relaxed. People passing by couldn’t help but glance at him.
“Kayla,” he called out.
“Is there something you need?” I asked.
“I’m here to pick you up. Let’s talk,” he said. He probably didn’t expect me to be so distant, and his voice had a hint of hurt.
“Talk about what?” I asked.
“About…” He hesitated, like he was reluctant to say it. “About when you’re coming home.”
I looked at him, my face blank, my voice cold.
“Unless it’s about the divorce, there’s nothing left to talk about. Just sign the papers. It’s better for both of us,” I said.
He frowned.
“Kayla, why are you doing this? You’ve always done well as My wife, and my family has always been happy with you. Our Marriage has always been perfect. So what’s really wrong?” he asked.
People passing by glanced at us, some even turning back for another look. He reached out and grabbed my wrist, but I pulled away, stepping back to break free.
“Kayla.” His voice dropped. “I know you’re upset, but acting like this…”
“Anthony.” I cut him off, “have you signed the divorce papers yet?”
I just felt so tired, not just physically, but a kind of exhaustion that started in my
chest and seeped into my limbs, like My whole body had been hollowed out, leaving nothing but a skeleton standing here.
When he stayed silent, I snapped at him. “If you haven’t signed them, go back and do it. Once you’re done, have your lawyer contact me.”
I sidestepped him and kept moving, not looking back.
“Kayla!” Anthony snapped, his voice
burning with anger. “You think I’ll just sign because you say so? You think you can just leave whenever you feel like it? Life doesn’t work that way!”
People all around were gossiping and whispering, so I made a quick exit.
I figured after everything I said, Anthony would just sign the papers and get it over with.
But on his end, it was total silence.
It had been almost a Month since the
papers were sent over, and every time I checked in with My lawyer, the answer was always the same: “Mr. Cooper still hasn’t responded.”
He wasn’t refusing the divorce out of love or anything. It was just habit. After three years of having a tame little kitten, suddenly, I showed my claws, scratched him, and walked out on him. No wonder he couldn’t handle it.
In his mind, I was always the good girl, quiet, obedient, never making trouble. Now that I wasn’t playing nice and even bit back, of course he couldn’t let it go.
Nothing stayed a secret forever, especially not after that scene at the office entrance.
Word was out everywhere, even on social Media. People said I couldn’t keep Anthony, that his first love was back, and she was the one he’d really cared about all these years.
The gossip kept spreading, and after a while, even I started to feel dazed, like I’d just been holding a spot for three years, and now that the real deal was back, it
was time for me to step aside. Even women I hadn’t seen in forever
started coming out of the woodwork. I couldn’t even remember their names.
Back in school, one of them chased after Anthony like crazy, but when nothing happened, she disappeared.
Now, she suddenly Messaged Me: [Three years of Marriage? So what? You were just a replacement.]
My best friend called me right away, sounding way more anxious than I was. “You loved him so much. Can you really let him go?”
I opened my mouth, wanting to say Something, but in the end, all I managed was, “Don’t worry about it.”
I stood by the window, staring out at the gray sky, feeling empty inside.
Whether I could let go or not, what was the point of talking about it now?
But what really gave me a headache was that Anthony still hadn’t signed the papers. Instead, he started trying all sorts of tricks to get close to me.
First, it was flowers. Every day, the hotel front desk had Massive bouquets waiting for Me, each with a card that just said “Sorry.”
I told the front desk to just toss them. And of course, he sent lilies, My least favorite flower. The scent alone Made My head spin.