8

Chapter 8

Valerie Will

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My gaze darted to the time on the phone.

1:11 A.M.

Why did my mother choose to call me by that time of the night? Shouldn’t she have waited until dawn before interrogating me?

She continued talking and asking questions but her voice faded because I lost concentration.

“I’ll talk to you in the morning.”

I ended the call before she could say anything.

I hadn’t even signed the papers yet and she already knew about the divorce. Patrick didn’t even come back home. Did he tell my parents about the divorce already?

A low breath escaped my lips as I tossed my phone away and covered myself under my blanket. The thought of my failing marriage made my heart sink.

I closed my eyes and forced myself to get back to sleep. It was sort of an escape from my reality. I could only hope that it didn’t come haunting me in my dreams.

Surprisingly enough, I slept peacefully for the rest of the night. My eyes only fluttered open when I heard someone open the bedroom door.

I looked up to see Patrick, staggering as he walked into the room. Immediately, I stood up from the bed and assisted him to the couch.

“Have you been drinking? Where did you spend the night?” My voice was filled with awe as I looked at him from head to toe. “Did you drive yourself home?”

Patrick wasn’t one to get himself drunk.

What has gotten into him?

I kept on asking him questions that he didn’t give me the answers to. I wasn’t even sure he understood anything I was saying. He looked like he was far gone.

Frustrated, I helped him remove his shoes and took him to the bed. Maybe he would feel better after sleeping. Just as I tucked him into the bed and was about to walk away, he finally muttered something.

“I hope you have signed the papers. I need you to leave the house today.”

I looked at him in shock. Before I could even respond, the soft, steady rhythm of his snores filled the room. He was already asleep.

And I was wide awake in my heartbreak.

With a disappointed scoff, I turned around and went to the bathroom. I washed my face and looked in the mirror for a few seconds.

Suddenly, tears started streaming down my face.

My chest tightened as I thought about all the accusations. It was surprising to see that Patrick didn’t have any faith in me. He gave up on me so easily, that he didn’t even care enough to show me the proof he said he had.

Did he even have any proof?

I thought our marriage was perfect.

Everything was going great. Why did he get tired of me?

He didn’t even want to fight for our love. Did our love even mean anything to him? He wanted to throw three fucking years down the drain.

I felt so miserable. Disappointed. Hurt.

I turned on the tap and allowed the water to flow as I cried my eyes out. I wanted it to be a dream. I didn’t want it to be my reality.

How would I move on from the man I was still in love with? The thought of being away from Patrick was so scary. But he didn’t even care about me.

How was it so easy for him to make such a big decision? Why was he giving up on me so easily? The more I thought about it, the more my heart ached.

I didn’t even know how to convince Patrick to change his mind. Even in his drunken state, he still wanted me to sign the papers.

My mind was conflicted.

Should I just sign the papers and leave or should I fight for my marriage and get to the bottom of whatever was going on?

My mind raced with different thoughts, causing a throbbing headache. After a few minutes, I washed my face and dried it off with a clean towel.

I couldn’t stay in the house at the moment, but I didn’t have anything planned for the day. So I just decided to take a shower and head over to my best friend’s office.

If I stayed alone with my thoughts, I would be extremely sad. I spent a few minutes in the bathroom, before heading out to get dressed.

Patrick was still fast asleep.

I couldn’t help but wonder where he spent the night. Or how he even came back home. But it was a good thing that he was safe.

After getting dressed, I picked up the divorce papers and headed outside. I already texted Celeste to let her know that I was on my way to her office.

When I arrived there, she was having a meeting with a client. So I stayed by myself for a while before she finally let me into her office.

“Busy morning?” I asked as I sat down across from her.

She laughed. “That’s what happens when you’re the best defense attorney in the city.” I smiled as I watched her brag about her occupation.

And she was right. My best friend was one of the best lawyers in New York.

“Do you want some coffee?” Celeste asked as she passed me a cup. “I figured you could use one, so I asked my assistant to get an extra cup this morning.”

I rolled my eyes as I took it from her. “I really need one.”

“So what is going on?” Her expression became serious as she asked sympathetically. “Have you talked to Patrick about it again?”

I shook my head. “No, he came back home drunk and reminded me to sign the papers, then he fell asleep right away.” I sighed, leaning back into the chair. “He wants me to leave the house.”

Celeste gasped. “What has gotten into that man?”

“I wish I knew,” I replied, trying to fight back the tears that were threatening to fall out. “I just wish I could see the proof he is talking about. At least I’ll know what to do from there. That’s if there’s even any proof.”

Celeste went silent for a while, as though she was contemplating something. Finally, she exhaled sharply. “I think I have a way to find out, but you might not like it.”