Chapter 2 She Refused To Accept

“I’ll send home the divorce paper, so let’s get divorced.”

Huh?

Ariadne stared at Lucien, dumbstruck. Her whole world seemed to have stopped, coming to a stand still as her brain found it hard to process her husband’s very words.

‘Divorce? Just how much had he drunk to be spilling such nonsense.’ The brunette thought and tried to dismiss Lucien’s words.

“You’re tired and exhausted as of now, how about I take you up and get some rest then we can… talk about this in the morning.” She affirmed and forced a smile onto her lips, about to resume her previous mission when Lucien firmly gripped onto her arm.

She suppressed the surprised gasp that was about to leave her lips. Raising her gaze, she was surprised to see Lucien’s face so close to hers.

The look of distrust and disdain clear in his blue-ocean like orbs, almost made her core flatten.

“Let me repeat myself once again. I’ll send home the divorce documents, so you sign them and don’t kick up a fuss.”

Ariadne felt her heart sink. Her gray orbs shook as they stared into Lucien’s blue once.

Without a doubt, the man in front of her knew exactly what he was saying.

Under the influence of alcohol? Ha, that would just be another silly story Ariadne would tell herself to feel better.

But right now, that story wasn’t going to cut it… not with that look in his eyes and that tone… that tone that always seemed to throw icy daggers at her. Never, not one in their entire years of marriage had Lucien spoken nor treated her gently.

To him, she was just some contracted wife that didn’t matter to him.

Yet, why was she so insistent on retaining this marriage. A marriage that has only brought her sorrow and pain.

Why? Well the answer was clear to her and her alone.

“No.” She objected with a strong voice and hardened her stare on Lucien’s gaze. This made a poker appear between the brows of the redhead. Soon, that expression was replaced by one of clear fury.

Lucien scoffed. “You think that’s a request? Don’t be stupid Ariadne. It was clear from the beginning that this was going to be nothing more than a contractual marriage.”

Ariadne felt a pang in her heart at the harsh truth.

To Lucien, sure, this was nothing but a marriage forged solely by a contract, no feeling attached whatsoever.

But to Ariadne, this marriage was her life. Her past, present and future. Her everything.

Or so she tells herself.

Tightening his grip on her arm, Lucien stepped forward, boring his icy eyes into hers more than ever and then in a condescending tone, he uttered.

“Wake up to reality Ariadne. I’ve never loved you and this marriage… It’s bothersome. I’m tired of it and it’s high time we end it.”

Another needle to her heart. Lucien’s words were like sharp needles directed straight for her, making their mark without fail.

It was painful, even for her, someone who had endured humiliation and sorrow for the past five years. Hearing such a thing broke her.

And deep down, her consciousness knew the reason for Lucien’s sudden notion. Daring to ask, she breathed out.

“It’s because of her… isn’t it?” The sad reality portrayed on her face, draining the beautifully tanned skin of any form of liveliness.

Ignoring her question, Lucien released his hold around her arm and retraced his step, not bothering to take a glance at the anniversary dinner as he stepped out, slamming the door heavily to show his discontent.

The sound of his car engine disappeared in the distance as Ariadne stood there, utterly shattered by how her night had turned out.

Yet, she refused to let her tears spill and blinked them back, inhaling deeply.

‘How unfortunate am I?’ She thought and glanced in the direction of her anniversary dinner. A pained chuckle leaving her lips the moment she realized all her day’s worth of effort was once again in vain. This was the same thing she has been through over the years.

Now, she was really starting to regret her decision of abandoning her previous life all for the sake of Lucien’s love.

“Ha.” She breathed out and used her index finger to wipe off a stray tear that had successfully escaped. “Damn.”

That night, Ariadne stayed up later than usual with the hope that Lucien might return. She waited a couple of hours before falling asleep on the couch.

When she woke up the next morning, the brunette had a splitting headache. It was obviously from the fact that she had cried last night and still ended up dozing off on the couch without any form of real body coverage.

Standing up, she headed for the bathroom, about to start her morning routine when she glanced in the mirror and grimaced.

Her appearance looked beyond awful.

Ariadne was a female of top class beauty. With brown lush hair that always hung up in a ponytail, doll like Gray eye, a pair of perfectly thinned pink lips and skin tanned to perfection; the female was sort after by many males, even till date.

However, it was a wonder how her beauty never seemed to work on Lucien. The male always remained cold to her no matter what.

And now, here he was, asking for a divorce.

How had her life turned out this way?

Ariadne’s sigh was drowned in the sound of their doorbell ringing. In an instant, she was down the stairs and at the front door, pulling it open to see a strange man-who she quickly recognized as Lucien’s official Lawyer, Joshua, standing on their front porch.

“Mrs. Albrecht, Good morning.”

“Morning, how may I help you?” The brunette quizzed as she eyed the man, weary of his intentions.

“Mr. Albrecht sent me over… with some documents. I think it would be best if we discussed this inside.”

Ariadne glanced back, skeptical at first, but later giving in. “Sure, come in.” She stepped back, giving enough way for the lawyer to step in.

After they had made their way into the living area and both persons were seated, Ariadne asked. “Is there anything you would like?”

“This is going to be brief, so no. But thank you.”

She nodded and gestured her hand towards the documents direction, somewhat aware of her impending doom.

“This…” The lawyer paused as he drew out the documents, passing them on the table for the brunette to see, and when her gaze landed on the letter heading, her heart did a somersault and landed in a damn painful way. “...is the divorce documents Mr. Albrecht has requested to be sent to you for signing."

"It states here, that once signed, fifteen percent of his properties would be transferred to your name and as per bonus, here is a card containing fifty million dollars ...”

The long list of that so-called compensation hadn't raised any of Ariadne's interest, what she could feel was only bitterness and sarcasm as she listened to Joshua talk on.

Mansion? Money? That's all he thought she married him for?

Did he know how much she had foolishly abandoned all for the sake of becoming his wife?

"Mrs. Albrecht, Mrs. Albrecht, can you hear me?" The lawyer's voice brought her back.

She blinked twice before asking. "He wants the divorce for real?" She confirmed again, with an indescribable sadness in her eyes.

"Yes, Mrs." The lawyer lowered his head a bit, and then handed her the pen and the papers, "Mr. Albrecht requests you to sign the divorce papers."

As the word of "Divorce Agreement" appeared before her eyes, her heart was harshly squeezed by someone.

Those cold words lying there, as if laughing at her naivety these years.

That, was all she got after five years of marriage and devotion to a man who never return any of her feelings.

Was he really that stingy, even not wanting to see her for a second more and at least talk things through?

Forcing her tears back, Ariadne had abruptly stood up and stormed out of the house.

Divorce Agreement? What a joke. She refused to accept it.