The pen in my hands felt heavy, like I was holding a freaking hammer or something like that. I didn't want to cry, because giving them that satisfaction would kill me even more.
I sighed and put in my signature, the ink imprinting not only on the documents but also on my heart.
I was no longer married.
I looked at my husband, Ethan Smith across the table. Next to him, was his new girlfriend, Ave Johnson. As I looked at her fingers, the ring that Ethan once gave me that belonged to his grandmother was on hers.
I gasped and a single tear spilled.
"Don't cry. It's just divorce. We all agreed to this," his deep voice cut deeper than a blade.
I sniffed as my lawyer rubbed my back.
"Because you didn't sign the prenup, we can discuss the split of your properties," Ethan's lawyer said.
"Hold on," he snapped standing up. "This cold hearted woman will get nothing from me. I'm ready to take this to court if we have to."
Wow. That was a new one. Cold hearted.
My stomach dropped. Fate what he did, I didn't expect him to behave the way he did. He actually offered me money to divorce him. As if five years of marriage wasn't enough. The love. The affection. All gone since the arrival of Ave in our lives.
"Calm down Mr. Smith. It's standard procedure. We can do this another time after you two have a talk," his lawyer said, gesturing for him to take a seat.
He glared at me and then sat down before caressing his hand on Ave's cheek.
"Can I go?" I asked and stood up. "If anything comes up, you can talk to my lawyer about it."
"Sure, I think we are all done here," my lawyer said and after greeting Ethan's lawyer we walked outside.
I couldn't stand either of them. Not for any second longer because seeing Ave in the position that was rightfully mine, was worse than I liked to admit.
"If you need anything just tell me. I'm sorry about this and I will do everything in my power to help you get justice," Micheal said and gave me a tight hug.
"Thank you, Micheal. I will see you soon," I said and he walked away to his car.
As I walked to my car, my phone popped up.
I looked at it, and my jaw dropped. The news headline flashes into my eyes as if the word depended on it. And just like that, tears I hadn't known I was holding spilled out.
I hurriedly got into my car and just cried. Beating the steering wheel as if that would change my fate in this matter.
Ethan just announced his engagement to Ave. And as I scrolled down the comments on instagram, everyone said he looked happier with her then he did when we were together. And just like that, my cold blooded ex-husband was the victim in our loveless marriage.
As I looked up, they were sharing a kiss. Right in front of my car. I started the engine and just stepped on it.
They jumped out of the way and I just drove, tears streaming down my face.
After a while, I stopped at my friend's place. Jumped out of the car and went inside.
As soon as she walked downstairs, I just hugged her and cried.
After having to live with Ethan for the last year and watching him cheat with Ave I thought I was ready for the divorce. But little did I know the outcome.
I thought I would be happier. But all this brought back were bad memories.
"It will be fine," she said and we sat on the couch. Cuddling.
She didn't let me go until after what felt like an hour.
"Nataly, it's over. And everyone thinks I was the villain in that marriage. That man cheated on me with his secretary. Should I have just pretended like nothing happened?" I asked, my voice cracked.
"You did the right thing. And screw everyone for taking his side," she said, rubbing her hand on my back. "Don't listen to the internet. People have no idea what they are talking about. You were right to divorce that piece of crap."
I sighed and just rested on her lap.
I wished for this to be a dream. That him and I were still married. That Ave never walked into our lives. I prayed for everything to be back to normal.
But….
Before I knew it, I slept. Maybe it was a dream.
*
I woke up to Nataly talking to someone. I opened my eyes slowly and it was her boyfriend David.
"Hey," I said, rubbing my sleep away.
It wasn't a dream. I was no longer Mrs Smith.
"Hey, Claire," he said looking at me. "I'm sorry about what happened. But for what she has told me. You did great. He didn't deserve you."
"Tell that to the internet and everyone out there saying otherwise," I said more to myself than him as I got my bag. "I have to go home." I looked at Nataly.
"You can stay here if you want to. You might run into Ethan," she stood up and walked to me.
"He will be at Ave's place. And I can be a burden on you and David. We will talk at work tomorrow."
"You know you don't have to come right? You can tell our boss you need some rest. He will understand."
I rested a hand on her shoulders. "I will be fine. And I need a distraction. Have a good night and thanks," I kissed her goodbye. "Goodnight, David," I waved at him and he did the same.
After driving for an hour I arrived at the Smith mansion. The place that had been a home for the past five years. And now I might lose it. For good.
I walked inside and the first thing that my eyes met was a photo of me and Ethan at our last date night. Our wedding night when he brought me into this mansion carrying me in his arms. All flashed in my mind. A tear dropped from my left eye and I just wiped it away.
As I walked into the kitchen, my stomach groaned to the smell of something I didn't recognize and I ran to the bathroom.
After a while of throwing up, I sat down next to the toilet.
I can't be pregnant, can I?