Chapter 5 Broken

(Dean)

"That's enough Dean!" Ethan says as he drags the glass away from me, eyebrows raised.

"You're only hurting yourself. Drinking won't solve anything," he retorts. "You need to go home and at least hear Bella out,"

I chuckle bitterly. "And listen to more lies?" I blurted out. "Those pictures are all the proof I needed. She's a slut, Ethan."

Ethan shakes his head. "This is quite confusing. Bella loves you, I'm sure."

"Pretense, all pretense, man. She deceived me into believing that. But truth is, she still craves her old life, she wants to be out there fucking them dudes. She's on birth control, didn't want to ruin her perfect shape," I snap.

"My mother, Aunt Elena, they were right after all. Bella is a filthy slut, no redemption."

"You're drunk, Dean. We need to get you home," Ethan says, skipping right past my tantrums.

I scoff. "Home?" I laugh. "That's no home. She disgusts me, I can't even stand her," my phone insistently buzzes in my pocket, again, and again.

I pull it out, and then put it on DND.

I turn to Ethan. "I can't believe Bella would hurt me like this. I'm done with this marriage, told mom I want a divorce,"

"A divorce? You're not handling this well, Dean. Isn't it too early to ask for a divorce?"

I cut him off "No! I want to free her, she feels trapped in this marriage. She needs to go out there and live the life she desperately crave,"

Ethan gulps the content in his glass, unsure of what else to say to me. 

"Just spend the night at mine. You're too drunk to think straight,"

*********

I wake up with a pounding headache the next morning.

I roll over and the bed is empty. Wait, my hazy mind is slowly piecing things together. This isn't my house, it's Ethan's.

It hits me, Bella's betrayal and excessive alcohol last night.

The ache in my head is nothing compared to the one in my heart.

Yesterday I stormed out, threatening to divorce her. Her tears, her wails, everything echoes in my head.

Bella, the one I loved the most, sacrificed a lot for, has ripped my heart into a thousand pieces.

I remember telling mom I wanted a divorce and she said she'd handle it.

I force myself out of bed and shuffle to the bathroom to freshen up. I need to speak with Bella one last time, let her know I'm willing to set her free before we finalize the divorce.

Inside the bathroom, I splash cold water on my face, and stare at my reflection in the mirror. My eyes are bloodshot, my hair's a mess and I look like I've been hit by a truck.

I have a quick bath and throw my clothes back on. Just then a knock comes to the door and Ethan invites himself in.

"You're up already," Ethan gives me a skeptical look.

I nod. "I need to see Bella,"

"Glad you want to talk things out," Ethan shrugs, relieved.

I shake my head. "I'm going through with the divorce." I blurted out. "I just want to let her know that I'm willing to set her free, she's free to do whatever she wants,"

Ethan runs his hand through his hair. "Think this through, man. Is this what you really want?"

I hesitate for a second and then I nod.

"Yes," I mutter, the word as simple as it sounds feels so heavy in my mouth.

Is this what I really want?

A divorce?

Two years of blissful marriage thrown away? But cheating is a deal breaker for me.

It won't ever be the same knowing she's fucking other dudes.

This divorce is what's best for the both of us.

*****

When I got home. I scanned through the whole house for Bella, but she isn't here.

The cold silence of our home keeps gnawing at me with each search.

Quickly I walk back to our room and the closet. Her clothes are gone.

I remember telling her that I want her gone before I get back. Wait, does this mean she left without even trying to save this marriage? Not like I'd agree but putting in a little effort would show she cared about us.

But it's clear she's so eager to divorce me, she never really wanted this marriage.

She wants to be out there, hawking her body to those crazy ass men.

But all those tears yesterday, was it just an act?

Bella's unbelievable, with each passing second I find a reason to believe everything, every damn thing.

Fuck everything I used to believe in.

Frustratingly, I grabbed my car keys and head to mom's house.

"Dean," mom's voice wafted into my ears as I step into her living room. She's seated with Aunt Elena, who turns to face me with a smile.

"Bella isn't home." I retort, skipping right through pleasantries.

Mom and Aunt Elena share a knowing look.

Then she turns to me, face flat. "She's gone, Dean. She signed the divorce papers already," mom lets out.

I furrow my eyebrows. "Divorce papers? I didn't ask George to serve her just yet,"

"Well, I handled that for you, son. Didn't you say you wanted a divorce over the phone?"

"I did. But this should be between Bella and I," I spat.

Before Mom can respond, Aunt Elena speaks up from her seat. "Chill, Dean. Your mom was just doing you a favor," she says firmly, backing her up like always.

"I needed to do it, someone has to anyway. I don't want you changing your mind and forgiving that slut. Let her be exactly where she belongs, the streets Dean,"

Aunt Elena sits up straighter. "Exactly, marrying that bitch against your mother's wish was a bad idea, glad you can see that now,"

"She didn't even bat an eyelid before signing the papers, more like she's eager to leave you, son. Such an ungrateful whore,"

My chest tightens.

It hurts to realize that Bella played me, deceived me and lied to my face.

I bit down hard on my teeth, trying to keep my emotions in check.

As much as it wasn't in mom's place to present the divorce papers to her. I feel like that's the best way out.

My fragile heart might not be able to get through with it.

Aunt Elena's right. Mom actually did me a favor.

She'd probably move on with the next available rich guy. After all, she has all it takes to get any man she desires.

Damn her, I scoff inwardly, storming out.