Chapter 3

Matilda

I stand up, still shocked that Michael was standing right in front of me. “Why are you here, Michael? And how did you know I was here? Did you have me followed?!...”

Michael doesn't say anything, he walks towards me and just grabs my arm. I stare at him confused and then he responds. “We're leaving, we're going back home,”

Home? Which home was he talking about?

I wiggle my arm from his grip and push him away. Michael stumbles back a little and then looks at me with surprise.

“I'm not going back to your house if that's where you're planning to take me,” I say a little loud, my eyes turning glassy. There was no way I could go back, not after he had chosen my sister and gotten rid of me. I didn't belong in his home anymore. Only Seraphina had rights to his home from the very beginning.

Michael hisses but he's trying to remain calm. “Don't be stubborn, Matilda.”

“You heard her,” Susie comes to stand in front of me with folded arms. “She doesn't want to go with you.”

“You stay out of this!” Michael responds rudely to Susie and I'm afraid that a big scene will be unavoidable.

“Just leave, Michael. I'm not returning home with you because that's not my home anymore.” I inhale and try not to cry, especially not in front of him. The wounds were still very fresh on my skin and Michael showing up here only makes things more difficult for me.

“What are you talking about? It's not just my home, it's ours.” Micheal says but I suck in a breath and can't help but wonder what he wanted from me.

“What more do you want from me, Michael? I've already signed the divorce papers as you wanted and moved out of your house for my sister. At least now let me be, just leave.” I shake my head, my tears flowing as I run to the room.

“We're still married and we aren't officially divorced yet, Matilda!” Michael shouts and I stop in my tracks.

I turn to look at him, my eyes red and teary. “Well, for me it was already over after I signed those divorce papers.” I turn around and get into the room and slam the door shut.

I rest my back against the door and I can still hear Michael's voice in the living area and Susie threatening to call the police if he doesn't leave.

I start to cry like a child as I slide down and sit on the floor. I hide my face and place my forehead on my arms that rest on my knees. I stare at the floor and watch as my tears constantly hits the floor.

I hear footsteps and Susie's voice echoes from the other side of the door. “You can't go in, I won't let you through! Just go away, isn't what you did to her tonight enough! You made her sign your divorce because you want to be with her sister, then go and be with her sister instead and leave Matilda alone.”

“Look, I just want to talk to her, she shouldn't have just left the house like that. I could....”

“And why shouldn't she leave?” Susie responds coldly while I try to hold in my sobs. “Did you want her to still stay after humiliating her like that, tossing her out like trash after she gave you the best two years of her life? Or did you want to humiliate her more by bringing her sister to come live with you both under the same roof?...”

“What nonsense are you saying!” Michael is furious. “Besides, this has nothing to do with you, I came here to take my wife back home and I won't leave without her, did you hear that, Matilda!”

Susie cracks out a chuckle. “Are you down with amnesia or is your brain not functioning properly? You made her sign the divorce papers some hours ago, she's no longer your wife...”

“Legally she still is! And as long as we're still husband and wife in the eyes of the law, we're bound to still live under the same roof. Come out, Matilda or I'm really going to cause a scene and wake up the entire neighborhood, and if your friend here wants to call the cops then she can by all means, but I'm not moving from here without you so make your choice, Matilda!”

I don't want to come out but I know Michael's strong persistence very well. If he says he will cause a big ruckus then he was definitely going to do it.

“Matilda won't come out and she won't be going back with you.” Susie says to him. “Stop embarrassing yourself and just leave my house right now!”

“Like I told you, I'm not leaving without Matilda.” Michael doesn't budge. “Tell her to come out right now and return home with me. It's her duty as still being my legal wife and also according to the contract.”

I'm not mentally or emotionally prepared for a confrontation so I quickly rise up to my feet and open the door. I come out of the room and pass a glance at Michael who glares at me in return. The nerve of him to be upset at me, only I deserve to be mad at him and not the other way around.

I swallow and inhale, remaining calm. “Why do you want me to come with you, Michael?” I ask.

“Because you're still my wife, yes the divorce papers may have been signed but until the papers gets signed by a judge, we're still legally married. And you're also breaching our marriage contract which states we must stay in the same house as long as we're still husband and wife. You can go to jail for breach, my dear wife,” Micheal replies, he tiltes his head and looks at Susie like he wants to murder her.

“Fine, if I must follow the agreement on the contract, then I will.” I say and Micheal smiles at me, believing he's won but he's very mistaken.

Susie holds my hand, looks at me and shakes her head. “You don't have to listen to this idiot, Matilda. You're staying here...”

“Let's go now, Matilda. It's getting very late.” Michael interrupts coldly.

“I have to get my things...”

Michael shuts me up by grabbing my arm. “I'll send the driver to come pick up your luggage tomorrow morning.”

I don't say anything and helplessly allow Michael to take me away. Michael glares at Susie as we leave her apartment.

Getting into Michael's car was the last thing I would have wanted to do tonight but it seems I wasn't destined to find some peace in my life, only pain and chaotic disturbances.

“Why did you have to make me go back to your house?” I ask quietly while seated and facing the window. The city's bright lights didn't seem enchanting anymore.

“My mom's furious at me all because you left the house! And you know how much I hate it when my mom is upset with me,” He replies sharply. “And mind you, she isn't aware of our divorce happening, so you better not say anything to her.”

“And how long do you plan to keep this from her, the divorce will happen tomorrow...”

“Tomorrow is a Saturday so that gives me some time before Monday to think about what to do.” Michael answers nonchalantly and increases the car's speed. “You know, this is all your fault!”

My two hands firmly hold on to the seatbelt fastened around me and I quickly turn to look at him. “And how is this my fault exactly?” I ask feeling confused by his statement.

“It is your fault because somehow you managed to charm my mom and now she adores you, even more than Seraphina.”

And there it was, always about my sister. Her name always came up in our conversations and it still hurts me deeply that he cares about Seraphina so much and at the same time remains oblivious to my pain.

“There was a time when my mother wanted Seraphina as her daughter-in-law more than anyone else. But now she only talks about you nonstop and calls you her sweet darling daughter. Do you think she'll easily accept us getting a divorce now?” He shakes his head and chuckles to himself.

“So what do you want from me, Michael? I chose to leave but you are bringing me back to your house against my will. I just don't know what you're thinking or what you want from me.” I am exhausted and just want to sleep in order to forget about my pain for a couple of hours.

“Do you know what I want from you right now, Matilda? Is that you're quiet, that's what I want from you.” He huffs loudly and makes a reckless turn on the next street.

“Can you slow down, we're not in a hurry to reach somewhere.” I say as I now look at him.

He looks at me with a hardened expression and instead of slowing down, he speeds up. I widen my eyes in horror and firmly hold the seatbelt. “Oh my God! Are you insane?! You're going to kill the both of us!”

Michael doesn't listen and keeps on speeding. I bite my mouth and my stomach does a flip and I'm close to vomiting.

I start to feel sick and wrap my hands around my stomach until Michael suddenly hits the breaks and the car stops abruptly.

I stare at Michael in horror and he looks at me with a normal expression.

“Next time, don't tell me what to do.”

“You're crazy.” I tell him and quickly undo my seatbelt. I open my side of the door and quickly come down from his car.

“Where are you going?!” I hear him open his door and is tailing after me.

“I'm not getting into the car with you driving because I want to live.” I say with my mouth trembling. The night is very breezy and cold and I wrap my arms around myself for some warmth as I look around for a passing taxi.

I have only taken a few walks when Michael catches up with me and pulls my arm to face him.

“And where do you think you're going, you stubborn woman?! Don't you feel scared walking so casually this late at night, aren't you scared?” He looks at me with raised brows.

“Not as much as if I choose to get back into your car.” I respond and I gulp hard when I catch him now staring down at my mouth. He suddenly leans closer and my chest starts to beat very fast.

“What... are you doing, Michael?” I try to free myself from his grip but Michael grabs my other arm.

“Do I make you nervous, blondie?” He asks, and I try to move away but he's got me in place.

“Michael, stop... This isn't...” My heart is pounding and his cologne is already messing with my senses. I know I shouldn't fall for his tricks but it's Michael, I can't resist him.

His lips inches closer and I breathe heavily, over-expanding my lungs.

He belongs to Seraphina - My subconscious warns me but I'm not listening as my quivering lips await for Michael to make the move, which he did and melts his lips against mine.