CHAPTER TWO

Lacey doesn’t say anything. In a situation such as the one she found herself in, what was the right way to react? Was there even one? For one’s husband to be away from his wife without any personal news, only to find out he’s planning to divorce you…What was the reaction here? 

With her phone still to her ear, Lacey started to count down the seconds as they passed. Maybe if she didn’t say anything, Thomas would reveal that it was all a joke, and he was on his way home. Maybe. 

“Lacey? Lacey?! Did you hear me? I filed for divorce last week, but it was delayed because the papers weren’t ready. Be sure to sign it and send it back as soon as possible.”

Up until then, Lacey had listened quietly. Her silly wish for it to all be a joke didn’t look like it was going to come true. 

“Why?” Resignation filled Lacey. Even though she wanted to scream at Thomas and order him to come home that moment, all that left Lacey’s lips was that one word question. “Why are you doing this, Thomas?”

Out of the blue. Was it really that? Wracking her brain as much as she could, Lacey tried to remember if there had been a genesis that led up to divorce. Sure, as a couple, they had their fights and disagreements, but they’d always made up. The day of their six month anniversary seemed to be the turning point. 

Something, and Lacey had no idea what, had changed that day that caused Thomas to lose his love for her. And Lacey wanted to know why. Didn’t she at least deserve that?

“I’ll…I’ll sign the papers,” Lacey promised, “just… why? T-Tell me what changed. What changed, Thomas?” 

Unlike Thomas, it was hard for her to keep the emotions out of her voice. Betrayed, alone, shocked, confused…A harmony, or maybe disharmony, of those emotions caused her voice to break. Was it because of something she did? Or said? Or was there another person in his life? 

Thomas’ responding words were like an arrow through Lacey’s heart. “I grew bored.” And this time, Thomas’ voice sounded a little more lively. He really thought that. “The rigidness of being with you, I realized that I couldn’t do it anymore.”

What Lacey heard was this: “You bore me. I thought about what it would be like spending the rest of my life with you, and came to a conclusion that you’re not someone I want as a part of my future.”

“Thomas!” Lacey cried out. With her legs going weak at the knees, she held onto the wall to prevent herself from falling. 

“Look, Lacey, I have to go now. Don’t drag this out more than it has to. Just sign the papers.”

Before she could respond, the ending sound of the call filled Lacey’s ears. It’s unsure how long Lacey stood there for, in a daze, willing tears to come but not getting any. There was just a feeling of emptiness. 

What jarred out of that daze was her phone ringtone. Lacey was content with letting the phone ring, but after ten calls and it didn’t look like the person was going to give up anytime soon, Lacey bent at the waist to pick up the phone that had fallen out of her hand. 

As she picked it, the phone went quiet, but the next second, a call came in again. Maddy.

Lacey slid to the floor, with her back resting against the wall, then swiped right to answer. She clicked the speaker button. 

“Lacey, what the hell?! Me and Adi have been calling you for over thirty minutes.” She stood in the daze for that long. “Tell me, have you seen the video of Thomas at the press conference? What the hell is that about?”

Press conference? What’s that about? These were the words Lacey wanted to say, but her lips were simply not willing to move. Maddy only got silence in response. 

“Lacey? Girl, are you there? I think she’s in shock; she’s not talking.” To someone off the phone, Lacey heard Maddy say that last bit. “That’s it. I’m with Adi and Sangah. We’re coming over now.”

Lacey couldn’t speak even after Maddy hung up. With what her best friend said about a press conference, Lacey opened the search engine on her phone and typed in Thomas’ name along with the keyword ‘press conference’. 

Articles from minutes ago appeared, but Lacey ignored them all and clicked the one that led to a video. The video rolled around for a couple seconds before showing the contents. Thomas, in a white polo, was seated next to a woman Lacey recognized as the leading lady in the recent series. She was really pretty and quite popular. 

{I want to first start off by thanking the fans who have shown Eliza and I so much support.} Saying this, he looked at his co-star with a smile. {Before we take any questions, I would like to clarify something. About my marriage…} Thomas paused, taking in a deep breath. When he continued, his voice was shaky. 

{I’ve been married for almost nine months, but…I’ll just say it. I’m getting a divorce from my wife. The reason is this: Although we’ve been together as a couple for years, I’ve always noticed that the person I call my wife is not faithful. It has been that way for a long time, but I didn’t break up with her because I thought she would change after marriage. I was wrong.}

Thomas bent his head, and a sobbing sound could be heard through the video. Next to him, Eliza reached out a hand to pat his back. 

There was a moment of disconnect. Being talked about but not being able to reconcile yourself with what was being said about you. That was how Lacey continued to watch the video.

{This person I call my wife, I found out in the second month of our marriage, defiled our marriage bed. It was then I asked for a divorce. She refused, and tried to manipulate me into thinking I was crazy. For my safety, I left home, then sent her divorce papers. I would like to apologize to the fans for worry–}

The video cut off at that point. 

Lacey went crazy.

Her hands moved frantically over her screen to pull up Thomas’ number. The line didn’t connect at all. He’d blocked her number. Next, Lacey tried his social media account. Messaging him there was futile as Lacey found that he’d blocked her on there too. The laugh started off slow, but it soon picked up and filled the room. Soon, the only sound that could be heard was Lacey’s maniacal laugh.