"He Asked For A Divorce"

Chapter four 

I stood in front of my father's house, the familiar mansion I'd spent most of my life in felt strange and awkward, suddenly the weight of uncertainty pressed against my chest.

My mom, Linda, opened the door for me. “Avia what are you doing here?” She asked but before I could answer, the tears I've been trying to control spilled out. She hugged me with warmth and assurance.

 “oh, Avia, come here.”

I sat down beside her, gently wiping my tears and wearing a fake smile, trying not to show my pain.

“What happened?” is it a fight between you and Kade? 

I nodded, with my face facing down, hiding the disappointment and shame.

“Why did you come here?” My father asked me while walking up to me, and I looked up meeting his gaze.

I've prayed for comfort, not fire but what I'm sensing is the exact opposite.

 My father, Aaron, face sparkling with fury the moment he saw my face swollen with tears. He scanned me thoroughly looking for possible hints.

“You fought with who? Kade?” Aaron asked 

“He asked for a divorce” the word coming out from my mouth was unsure.

“What! You Idiot, he roared, pressing his hands against his head. Just one child is all I need from you and you'll secure the future of this family forever and now you've ruined it.”

My tears came back flowing the second time, his words hitting more than kade's actions.

I've signed the divorce papers, and I'm not going back to Kade, never. I said in between sobs. Losing myself completely.

I felt Linda's touch on my thigh, reminding me of what felt like home.she rose leaving us both to sort it out.

Aaron leaned forward, forcefully dragging my gaze to meet his.

Do you know what it cost me to put you into that wealth? You thought Kade married you because of love? No, it was pity! , I made sure of it.

“Wake up avia, it's time to wake from that dream and face the reality. Your beauty is like trash to Kade so it didn't secure you to his bed, it was me that drugged you.”

“You what?”

My tears dried instantly blinking nonstop and I trembled, leaning back to the chair, shaking my head in disbelief.

“No! This isn't happening.”

“Yes, Avia, and I'll do it again now, you'll listen to me. I secured that perfect chance and luxury so, you'll fix what you destroyed.”

I rose, panting, walking up and front, trying to recollect that night, the night that ruined my only hope, the same night that reversed fantasy to reality, the deja vu of touch and passion flying in.

“You destroyed me, I fired, my voice shaking, Don't you think I deserve love, Don't you think I… Do I not deserve peace? What's money?”

Aaron's gaze turned soar, as always dismissing my emotions. 

“I want the best for you as my daughter, I'll do anything to make you comfortable, don't be greedy, love doesn't belong to you”

Aaron's words rang in my head, I swallowed hard, I swallowed the lump in my throat but was unable to digest the words I'm listening to from my own father, his words questioning the real me. 

“ If I am the calm daughter, Kade's house wife, the silent victim and nothing I'm proud of then Who's Avia?”

Aaron moved closer, his hand gently holding my shoulder, his shadow stretching across my fragile figure, speaking sense in me.

“ It is an order Avia if you fail to save your marriage, I won't fail to disappoint you, you have no home and no family here. I'm sorry, even your mother can't save you.”

The smirk from Aaron made me realize he wasn't joking, and with fear I held his stare without lowering mine, determined.

 I whispered, my voice shaking, “Maybe I don't need you or your family to build mine.”

“You bastard!” He shouted, his voice rising above my fear, his fits pointing daggers at me as I stood , unable to move. 

You'll do what I say, you have to. I'm your father so you owe me your obedience and even your life he added.

I flinched at the volume of his voice but not at the harsh reality of what's happening, Haunted by my own father who could have saved me and if he could hurt me there's nothing I can't face, alone.

My eyes closed shut, shutting the shame I felt earlier, it is not mine to carry. You trapped me, you sold me to Kade, your daughter because of money. I stated, my voice heavy. 

His hand rose to his chin rubbing it nonchalantly, proud of his decision, he smiled cruelly, without remorse. That's past News Avia and it's not important, the important thing is to fix your marriage now, it's not new that I don't care about your feelings, I care about fortune.

The tears I've been holding filled my eyes again but this time I fought it, I need myself now, brave and strong at least not being weak to Aaron.

Aaron's words ring in my ear, each word sinking my already wounded heart. I hold my head, determined not to hurt further, I can't take it anymore and I'll do anything to secure my peace.

“My chapter with Kade in life ended today, I said further, and I'm not starting a new chapter. I refuse to go back.”

“Then you don't belong here instead, He said slamming the file on the table against the floor, making me flinch. I am no longer your father, not anymore”.

The shock from Aaron outburst weakened the entire bravery that was left in me, I had trusted him all my life, at least as shield and not the other way around.

I damped my eyes with my hand, my lips trembled trying not to sound weak in front of Aaron. If going back to Kade is what it takes to be your daughter, I whispered, my voice breaking, them I'll rather be on my own 

With that I turned for the door, each step heavy with pain and memory, his cruel threats echoed in my ear, but I didn't turn to look back instead I turned t

he knob, broken yet, my first step outside promised a beginning of the strong me.