2. The final Verdict...

ELOISE

“Have you really thought this through?” Roxanne’s voice was soft, almost hesitant.

I raised my coffee cup to my lips, allowing the steam to rise as I softly uttered, "Yes, I believe it is time.”

Roxanne Brooke, my childhood best friend, and one of the most esteemed divorce attorneys in the city, and also, my boss.

People all over the world seek her expertise for complex cases. Sitting across from me, her gaze studied me with a hint of pride and worry.

We had grown up dreaming of changing the world together, side by side. While I had stumbled into love and heartbreak, she had climbed unerringly, and now, she is one of the best.

Yet here she was, patient and gentle with me, as if I were still the scared little girl who would once cling to her hand in the schoolyard to avoid bullies.

I set my cup down and reached for her hand. “Rox, let’s make it happen soon. I don’t want to wait any longer.”

She watched me carefully; a lingering skepticism remained evident in her gaze, which, in turn, only intensified my resentment.

It wasn't her fault, though; rather, it was my decision to prioritize Damien over my own wishes and career.

“I see…” She muttered. “I'm always with you. But what about Diege?”

“Don't worry about Diego.” The name slipped out like a protective charm over my heart.

“You— sure?” She still looked quite hesitant.

“Yes.” I forced out a smile, though the tremor in the very center of me betrayed me. Although I said it, my heart trembled violently. They say every choice has consequences, and in my case, it's Diego Santos, our 5-year-old son.

Roxanne exhaled, finally a relief escaping her. "Honestly, I'm glad you finally made this decision. That moron—" she hissed under her breath, "he's been dragging you down for years!”

“I wish I could sue him for every second he wasted breathing in your presence.” Her venting was sharp, yet somewhat comforting to my heavily wounded soul.

I allowed myself a small laugh, though inside storms raged.

Walking out would mean leaving Diego, when the truth is I was stuck with Damien mostly because of him.

Otherwise, it would have ended at least two years ago when he first insulted me and my career.

However, with time, I had realised that Diego had only grown as an exact shadow of his father.

“And…” She glanced at me again. “Does your parents know?”

And again, the twist in my chest appeared. I shook my head slowly. “No… not yet.”

She exhaled softly, choosing not to prolong the matter. After all, she knows my matters from scratch.

This decision was not made hastily, in just a day or a month. Years had passed to reach this point.

Leaving Damien had never been about me. It was about Diego and my family's reputation.

The two barriers had kept me bound to a man who never truly saw me.

For five long years, I had endured insults, neglect, and the cold dismissal of everyone who should have cared. And it only worsened with the appearance of Selene.

My husband, who was still settling around me, stopped caring for me even at the bare minimum. My son followed his father's footsteps and became too intimate with her, so that at times, he would only stay with her.

And my in-laws? Well, to them, I never mattered even before Selene's arrival.

In fact, I never mattered to my own parents, as they always found Selene better in every aspect.

Last night simply marked the conclusion, bringing us a step closer to legal finality; otherwise, this relationship had already died three months ago.

Three months ago, I came down with a terrible fever that wouldn’t go away. I begged Damien to take me to the hospital, but he was always too busy with work.

When Damien finally noticed my fever, his eyes had narrowed. They sharpened with suspicion rather than care.

‘How can you be so careless?’ he had shouted. ‘Why don't you just leave your damned, useless job and be a proper wife so no such shits would happen again?’

'Or, is it all just your excuse!?' He had looked at me suspiciously, as if I was trying to ruin his fun.

'Mom, you’re too annoying!' Diego too followed his father proudly. 'Aunt Selene was upset about her puppy, so Dad had to go!'

I had swallowed the ache quietly, as I always had, ignoring the anguish of my own heart.

“Diego will be fine, I won't be separating him from his ‘favourite mom’.” I spoke softly, my voice unwavering, despite my hands being tightly clasped.

After all, he has all his favourite people beside him. After everything, nothing truly was left for me. Ice had replaced my heart, and tonight it had finally solidified.

Rox reached across the table, squeezing my hand gently. “No matter what you decide, Eloise, I’m here. Always.”

“I know,” I whispered, letting her warmth seep into my soul. I couldn't remember the last time I relaxed.

More than working in the office, I had always been busy perfecting myself as the woman of the house.

I had to do restless chores for my husband and son. I never complained, though; I always did everything for them by heart, yet they never cared.

Now, I have finally realised how to spend time on myself.

And tonight, in her presence, I allowed myself to breathe after five long years.

******

The next morning, Rox laid the printed divorce papers before me.

The sight of them should have burnt down my soul, yet the contempt was cold enough to mend the burning.

“Here it is,” She said softly. “Your way to freedom. Sign it, and it’s done.”

“I will,” I replied, my voice rolled out quiet, yet firm. She pulled me into a tight hug.“Never hesitate to call me. I’ll always have your back.”

I returned the embrace, feeling the strength of her words settle into my battered soul.

__________

Once I reached the hospital, the couple was the talk of the town.

Everyone was raving about how in love they were.

The whispers followed me like shadows. “Damien Santos saved her… shielded her with his own body!”

“She’s so lucky! I wish someone looked at me like that!”

“I've heard, he even uttered her name even in his unconscious state!”...

I only smirked as I unhesitatingly passed those whispers and walked into the private ward where they had been shifted.

However, just as I stopped before their room, a childish tone rang, directly stabbing right to my bleeding soul. “Auntie Selene, you're so good! Unlike my mom!

Mom is annoying!” A twist of pain coiled in my chest.

My own son had become just like the entire family, they're always oblivious to the sacrifices I made.

“Baby, don't say that, your mother will be hurt if she knew.” Selene's gentle words were a playful attempt at a scolding, though she was far from it.

“No!” Diego’s cry rang again. “Mom is not as pretty as you! I want you as my mother! Can I call you mom?”

Those words of him were nothing but strikes of lashes to all the sacrifices I had made for the past five years.

My fingers instinctively tightened around the envelope I carried. ‘Fine sweetheart, if that's what you want…’ I let the bitter thoughts coursed through me.

“Damien, look what he's saying.” Her voice is a sweet complaint, clearly not meant. “You should stop him, otherwise—otherwise Eloise will again misunderstand me. She'll think I have returned to steal her life.” Her tone dropped as though she were sad.

When, five years ago, she left everything behind, without giving any reason, I thought perhaps she never just wanted Damien.But then, six months ago, she returned again.

Worse, no one ever asked her for a reason. They just accepted her with open arms...

Just then, Damien’s chuckle followed, it was a bit low and ragged, sending a shiver of cold through me. So, he's awake as well…

“What did he say wrong?” A sharp, familiar female tone cut through. Rebecca Santos, my mother-in-law. “

You're pretty, educated, perfect! Unlike her, who couldn't even look like a proper woman!” The venom in her tone dripped, making my lips twitch coldly.

‘Yeah, Mother-in-law, soon you'll have your favourite woman as your daughter-in-law.’ “See, grandma also agreed!” Diego's childish words felt like a silver-wrapped dagger, slicing my soul into more pieces.

Perhaps, he didn't even realise what he was saying. “Don’t take it to heart,” Damien reiterated, his tone somewhat coarse yet dismissive, as though he were downplaying something trivial. “Children only say what they see.”

“Oh, you’re all going to make me blush…” Selene spoke softly, her voice sweet and melodious.

I could even imagine the faint curve against her lips.

Fake… These people are perfect for each other.

And now, it's time to give them what they deserve. I didn't waste a second, I just pushed the door open and went right in with a quiet authority.

All of them were startled; their gazes shot up. Diego hurriedly shrunk behind his grandmother.

“Don't worry, kid, I'm not here to take you away.” I smiled to him.

His doughy, wide eyes blinked up at me. “Re-really?”

“Of course.”

“Then why are you even here?” Rebecca hissed out, shielding Diego behind her. “How dare you show up like this, after leaving my son alone to fight here?”

I raised a brow. “Alone? How so? I thought—” my gaze fell on Selene. “—he had company, didn't he? The one he preferred the most."

They froze. They certainly didn't expect my defiance to be like that. After all, they had never seen such behaviour in the last five years.

“Eloise,” Damien’s voice came out a bit groggy. "What do you mean?" His brows drew together. "How can you speak to Mom in that manner?”

“Oh?” I smirked, “I thought to return what she sowed. Why? What did I do wrong?” He blinked, he looked too confused to speak.

“Sis, Ple-ease…” Selene tried with her pitiful acting, but I raised my hand.

“Oh, you shut up.” I shut her up, bored by her pretences, only to earn silent gasps, until Rebecca burst out, “How shameless!” She barked at me, fury looming over her. “Before I take action, get lost!” Her statements no longer had an impact on me; they seemed akin to the indistinct barking of a dog.

With a calm smile, I shook my head, "Well, I'm not you, so creating drama isn't my cup of tea.” “I am here to give your son this…" I said, throwing the envelope toward Damien, which landed over his lap. His brows drew together, deepening in confusion.

“What is this?” I let a soft, cold smile curve my lips. “Something that will make me the happiest…” I chuckled lightly, then shrugged slowly.

“It's the divorce agreement.”

“Damien Santos. I'm officially divorcing you...”