4

Chapter 4

Valerie Will

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“You want to get a divorce?” The words didn’t even sound right as they left my mouth. “Have you forgotten about the vows we made to each other?”

Patrick didn’t hold back a scoff. “Yeah, right.”

My mind was racing with different thoughts as I tried to process what was happening. It was the least of the things I expected to encounter when I came back home.

I wanted to have an honest conversation with him to see what was wrong and how we would fix our issues. But Patrick didn’t want any of that. He wanted a divorce.

“Why do you want to divorce? You didn’t even think to speak to me about it before deciding.” Panic surged through me, but I tried to keep my voice calm.

He rolled his eyes. “Like I said earlier, there is no point in talking about it. Just sign the papers, and let’s start the divorce process.”

Patrick extended the brown envelope to me, his face void of emotions. “So you expect me to just sign it without knowing the reason why you’re ending our marriage?” I stared at the envelope with disdain.

He nodded. “You already know what you did, so there is no use talking about it.” His nonchalant tone made my blood boil.

What was he talking about?

We were adults and should be able to communicate if something was wrong.

I wasn’t going to sit back and watch my marriage crumble,

“Are you going through something? You know you can talk to me.” I took a step closer, examining him from head to toe. “Everything has been going well between us. What changed?”

I was genuinely confused.

Even if he had made up his mind to end the marriage, the least he could do was tell me the reason. Or was he just tired and looking for a silly excuse to leave?

Patrick laughed. “Of course, you would want to manipulate me and make it feel like I’m the problem.” He said through gritted teeth. “Things changed after I realized you betrayed me.”

My lips parted, and I blinked. “I betrayed you?”

“I don’t even want to talk about it. Just sign the damn papers!”

His loud voice made me flinch.

What was really going on?

There was a brief silence.

I let out a deep sigh as I closed my eyes momentarily. “Is it because of her? Is she back?” I asked, bracing myself for the answer.

“Who?” He asked without hesitation.

“Madison.” Her name tasted bitter on my lips.

Patrick laughed, a peal of cold and mocking laughter. “So you think I would leave you because of another woman? Madison, especially?” He asked with a chuckle.

Madison was his ex-girlfriend.

They almost got engaged but ended up going their separate ways. I knew how much he loved her, so I always felt insecure when it came to Maddison.

Patrick had assured me several times that she was his past and nothing would make them get back together. But I couldn’t help but ask if the divorce was because of her.

I mean, there was no other possible explanation.

I felt embarrassed.

“So if it isn’t because of her, why are you doing this?”

He responded with a scoff. “Have you been listening to me all this while? This has nothing to do with me! Everything is your fault.” He exhaled heavily. “You ruined what we built over the past three years.”

I was running out of patience, and the suspense was killing me. How exactly did I ruin everything? I had asked multiple times, but Patrick wouldn’t say anything.

“Will you keep on beating around the bush, or will you would actually talk to me about what is going on? I’m genuinely confused.”

Patrick threw his hands in the air. “Come on! Stop acting like you don’t know what I’m talking about.”

My expression turned soft. “I honestly have no idea.”

He paused and looked at me. “You’ve been lying to my face for so long.” He began. “You always made it seem like I was the only man in your life.”

My eyebrows were etched in confusion. “Of course, you’re the only man in my life,” I assured him, but he wasn’t having it. All this time, he was talking about a betrayal. Did he mean that I cheated on him?

Throughout our three years of marriage, I had never cheated on my husband. It was against my principles, and I couldn’t even imagine hurting Patrick like that.

“Spare me that!” He sucked on his teeth. “I know about everything, and you don’t have to lie to me anymore.” He added as he stood up from the chair.

I couldn’t even believe something like this was happening.

It made no sense. It was getting frustrating. Why wouldn’t he just tell me exactly what he found? Why was he being cryptic? I had nothing to hide and was ready to defend myself.

“Patrick.” I took a step closer to him. As I tried to reach out to his hands, he pulled away. “You won’t even give me the benefit of the doubt? After everything we’ve been through, you won’t listen to me?”

I was hurt and disappointed at the same time.

Patrick was acting differently.

A part of me was starting to think that he was lying about everything. If he really found something about me that made him choose to file for a divorce, he wouldn’t hesitate to tell me about it.

“I already saw all the evidence I needed.”

“Wow,” I muttered, more to myself than to him.

“Just sign the papers, and let’s get this over with.”

I was confused about how I betrayed him.

But even if Patrick didn’t want to say anything yet, I knew that the truth would eventually come to light.

I couldn’t even fathom how my life would be if we went our separate ways. The thought of losing him was scary. I was still very much in love with him.

“You know what?” I asked, crossing my arms against my chest defensively. “I’m not signing anything unless you tell me the reason why you’re doing this.”

“Fine.” He let out a defeated sigh. “You cheated, Valerie! Why did you cheat on me?” He asked, his voice crackling slightly.

Did I hear him correctly?

Who did I cheat on him with?

Where did he get such information from?