Chapter 2

Hazel's POV

Liam's statement had my insides quivering as this sudden dizziness kicked in. A divorce? Liam had never brought that up before. First it was his gloomy attitude, and now, this? I pressed my lips together and forced a smile on my lips, “Liam, I understand that you're not in the best—”

“I'm serious, Hazel” Liam's voice rang out, cutting me halfway. He tucked his hands in his pocket and raised his head to stare at me, “Hazel, let's get a divorce.” his voice was hard, stern like he had been practicing this for a while. My breath hitched as my heart pounded against my ribcage. “This has to be a joke” there was no sympathy, warmth, or love in his eyes. He was just like a stone. cold. sculpture. I stared at him for a while, hoping he would reach out for me and tell me it was all a joke, but his piercing gaze shattered all the hope I had left. 

I took a few steps backwards and shook my head, “We can fix this. We don't have to get a divorce. We're fighters, right?” During our first anniversary, Liam had given us the nickname “Fighters” because we've never given up, and I was never giving up on my marriage. 

“We're not fighters” Liam pointed out and my eyes watered, a sharp needle pricking my heart. It was just a sentence, but they were like flames burning the depths of my heart. “We're not?” my voice came out in shallow breaths as I gazed at him, my husband, but Liam wasn't staring at me like he used to.

He closed his eyes and inhaled a deep breath, “Hazel, can you stop overreacting?” this one hit harder, opening a fresh wound in my heart. Overreacting? A tear slipped down my cheeks, then the second, followed by a sharp stinging pain in my chest. A shiver ran like a ghostly touch over my skin, “Two years together means nothing to you?” 

“You were just a replacement for her and you know it.” Liam's voice was stiff, icy, devoid of any warmth and I trembled, my chest heavy with pain. A sob arose in my throat and his eyes wavered, guilt evident in his expression. I should have known my happiness would be short-lived. I closed my eyes and inhaled a shaky breath, “then you never loved me?” trying not to cry was difficult. I've tried not to be weak, but with Liam, all my defensive walls fell like they were never there. 

Liam pressed his lips in a thin line and averted his eyes, “I love you, Hazel, that's why I'm doing this.” he seemed stressed, and hell, I wanted to take all his burdens off his shoulders. 

I walked towards him and wrapped my arms around his waist, inhaling his familiar scent mixed with the heavy smell of alcohol. I pressed my head on his hard, muscular chest and sniffed, “If you love me, then never bring this up again.” It was the best thing I could do now, to let the sleeping dog lie, but Liam pushed me slowly, determination burning in his eyes, “Hazel, stop making this harder than it should.” he whispered, picking up his tie before walking past me, “The papers are ready, you just need to sign it.” 

That was all it took for me to break down in tears. Tears spilled from my eyes like a dam broke and my heart ached with so much pain. I placed my hands on a pillar, leaning on it for support as I watched him ascend the stairs. “Liam.” I breathed, calling out for him, and he halted, waiting for me to say my next words. I wiped my tears harshly, “If you really want to have a divorce, then tell me why.” 

“She's back.” That was all he said before he disappeared into the hallway. I sunk my nails into my flesh and whimpered, fresh, hot tears spilling from my eyes. It was unbearable, hurtful and torturous. The sky must have felt my pain because the rain poured harder than ever before that night. For the first time in forever, Liam and I slept in separate rooms. There was no one to tuck me in and keep me warm, and there was no goodnight kiss on my forehead.

If I was told that Liam would change drastically in just a few hours, I would deny it a thousand times. I walked down the stairs in a better mood, hoping my pain had died the previous night, but the scene before me shredded my heart into pieces.

“Alessandra, eat up.” Liam chuckled softly, placing some egg in a red haired lady's plate. She tucked a few strands of her hair behind her ears and giggled, reaching for her fork to start eating. He really brought his ex over. She's really back, back to claim my own mate.

 I approached them and cleared my throat, “Liam, why is she here?” I asked, skipping the fact that he was eating breakfast without me. Liam wiped his mouth elegantly and turned to me, “Alessandra lives here now.” His voice was firm, leaving no room for arguments, but Alessandra's presence was driving me nuts. 

Puffing out a breath, I flashed her a smile, “I'm sure he told you that he's married.” that should make her understand she wasn't welcome here, but she simply nodded and continued eating. A typical scheming bitch. I pulled out a chair and sat next to Liam, “I'm sure you know you're not welcome here. Can you just..leave?” My tone was unusually polite, but I could still feel Liam's heated gaze on me. 

Alessandra was his ex girlfriend, someone that stole his heart along with her when she left a few years ago. I'd thought he forgot about her when he realized we were mates, but it seemed like I was really a replacement. I leaned back in my chair and crossed my legs, “Alessandra, Liam is my mate. You should know your place” I said through gritted teeth, but she shrugged her shoulders and continued eating, aggravating me to no end. 

I flipped my attention to Liam, “Are you really going to allow this?” I was desperate, desperate for answers, but Liam was only concerned about Alessandra. He ignored me and placed some meat on her plate, “You're okay, right?” His action was like a dagger piercing my heart repeatedly and I blinked back my tears, “Liam, can you just stop? We're married. Married for two years, Liam.”  

“Alessandra and I are getting married.” Liam's voice lingered in the air and I felt my throat tighten.