The Slaters and the Roths were constantly at each other's throats. Always arguing about this, and that.
That was something that people no matter who they were, always seemed to agree on.
For the most part it was true.
There were hundreds of pictures, usually shared by the paparazzi showing Haley's grandfather mid argument with Roth's father. The two men tense despite the artificial smiles on their faces. Haley herself knew that there were countless pictures, sometimes even videos of her and Roth having little spats over the years.
Her younger sisters had also often been caught being at loggerheads with Roth's playboy of a younger brother, Brian.
Wherever Roths and Slaters were, there was an argument to be had.
It did not matter whether the topic was the weather. If it was a stain on the wall, or if it was even about something as simple as the colour of the curtains, Roths and Slaters argued. That was just the way things were.
But it seemed that through a process that Haley would not recommend that anybody try no matter what was going on in their lives. She and Roth had finally stumbled upon something that a Slater and a Roth did not find reason to argue over...divorce.
In a way it was funny. Divorce was one of those things that resulted in people getting into really heated arguments. When parting for good couples had debates that left nothing unsaid. They spewed vitriol at one another, saying the most horrid things. Their intent to tear each other down, and sometimes even coming to blows.
But it seemed that she and Roth were the exception in the one thing that often caused a lot of people to be at loggerheads, the two of them were actually getting along.
After he'd shared his plan for the secret divorce, Haley had gone to take a quick shower and once done, she had stepped out to give him a chance to do the same.
Now the two of them, still in their clothes from the previous night were sitting out on the balcony, a literal feast before them.
There was more than enough food for two people. And Haley was taking advantage of that fact, stuffing her face as much as she could. It was not as good as her own cooking, but it was passable. Biting down on a croissant, she chewed slowly and swallowed. Then she looked over at Roth who was sipping at his pitch black coffee and massaging his temple.
His eyes closed as he did so.
The plate in front of him was barely touched while Haley was already halfway through hers.
"You are not much of a food person, huh? Do you still rely mostly on snacks to get you through the day?"
Roth's eyes shot open and he shot her an incredulous look.
"How do you know that I enjoy snacking throughout the day instead of having a solid meal?"
Finishing off her croissant, Haley shrugged,
"You are aware that you and I went to school together right? I noticed a few things about you over the years. The snacking that you were always doing in class was not at all subtle,"
Roth glared at him, but there was no heat behind the look.
"I'll have you know I am a grown adult, who eats a balanced meal when required. Whether or not I snack is none of your business," Haley shrugged at him.
"Indeed it is not, but it would not hurt you to eat something rather than just relying on coffee, it will definitely help with the hangover,"
Reaching for his plate, Roth speared a bit of watermelon, brought it to his lips, and chewed on it slowly. After he swallowed, he gave her a look.
"There, I've just eaten something. I cannot wait to get this divorce now. Less than a few hours married, and you are already nagging me, I pity whoever ends up with you,"
The words stung a bit, but Haley let them roll off her back.
"You know Roth, you should be glad that it's me, you are divorcing,"
Once again taking a sip from his coffee, Roth raised a delicate brow at her,
"And why is that?" He asked.
Reaching for her own coffee, Haley took a healthy sip, and smiled at him, showing as many teeth as possible.
"In case you have forgotten last night you and I got married, not only that, we don't have a prenup, if I was anybody else, somebody opportunistic. Somebody looking to ruin you. I would definitely be getting a healthy chunk of the Roth empire by now," Roth's eyes widened at that, and Haley could not help but throw her head back and laugh.
"Relax you, I have no interest in your money, besides, just as I would have been entitled to half of everything you own. You also would have been entitled to half of all that is mine. Let me tell you, it would not have been a great time for either of us,"
Roth released a breath.
"You know, Slater you are right. This morning I have found myself in agreement with you, on far too many things. Let's not make a habit out of this," Haley nodded.
"You are right Roth, agreeing with you feels like I'm going against the laws of nature, it's just not right, let's hurry up and get this divorce before anything else unnatural happens,"
After that they finished their meals and silence, and once that was done they set about putting their plan into motion. By the time that the two of them finally walked out of the hotel, leaving several minutes apart, so that no one noticed they had been together. They had set up everything, they had even managed to make an appointment at the courthouse.
All that they had to do now was show up on Wednesday of that very week, sign their divorce papers. Wait for them to be processed, and once they got the green light, the nightmare that they had woken up to would be over. They would no longer be a married couple.
She could go back to living her life without the shadow of being Mrs Deacon Roth hovering over her, and he could go back to doing whatever CEO's stuff, Deacon Roth did nowadays without having to be tied to her.
It was a win-win situation. But as Haley walked out, she could not help, but feel a bit sad, a brief flash of a memory came to her at that moment. 'Roth smiling at her, open and earnest as he slid her ring onto her finger'.
Shaking her head, Haley dislodged the memory, of course Roth had been smiling and she'd been elated, the two of them had been drunk out of their minds. The divorce was the best thing for them, neither of them would regret it.