CHAPTER 3- DIVORCE

AUTHORS POV

“I can't believe he didn't stay with you during postpartum.” Avery drove Sydney home. Ethan and Emily were asleep in the back seat.

Sydney had dark circles under her eyes; she didn't look like the immaculate businesswoman everyone knew. She's spent three days being tormented by Xavier's spirit and Gavin didn't take the liberty to visit her.

Sydney sniffed.“He must still be hurt, I understand.” He had come to take Ethan and Emily home, but Emily didn't want to leave their mother; on the other hand, Ethan was mad at him for lying.

Avery held a scoff. “That doesn't justify his actions. No man would leave their wife after she just put to bed.”

Sydney didn't want to talk about it but Avery kept on talking. “Syd, I know you are blaming yourself for Xavier's death; you should stop. It isn't healthy.”

Sydney bit her lips. “I should have listened to Gavin.” She had decided to be defiant for five years and see where it got her.

Avery rolled her eyes. “Oh please, a man has no right to treat you as his maid.”

Sydney remembered her mother and clenched her fist. “Not that, I should have gone for prenatal.”

“Maybe that was your fault but Gavin had no right to leave you half dead in the hospital.”

“He was just angry about Xavier's death.”

Avery sneered. “A code for he's taking out his anger on you because you chose not to be his handbag.”

Avery's words hurt Sydney because she believed it. Gavin hadn't been the same man she met in high school since she chose to go to college and have a life for herself.

She could remember the day she told him she wanted to go to college, the look in his eyes.

“You aren't saying anything, Gav.” Sydney stared up at her husband.

Gavin's eyes were glacial. “What the hell do you want me to say?” He mumbled a curse word, and she flinched at his tone.

He had never raised his voice at her. Her eyes grew moist.”You are shouting Gav.”

He ran a hand through his hair and his eyes softened. “I'm sorry babe,” his tone was soft. “You can't go to college, what about Emily? She's barely a year old.”

“I'll drop her with Avery.”

“Avery has a job.”

Sydney frowned. “So, why can't I? Why can't I go to college and make money for myself.”

Gavin paced around the room. “Don't I give you enough money? What the hell do you want again!”

Sydney froze at his words. She could hear her father saying those words to her mother. Afterward, she heard a loud slap and her mother sobbing.

Sydney stood defiant. “I don't want your money, I don't want to be a man's handbag.” She didn't want the past to repeat itself just like Avery had warned her.

Gavin scoffed. “You watch too many reality TV shows. Grow up, Sydney.” he turned to leave.

“You won't change my mind, Gavin.”

He looked at her with flames in his eyes, “Suit your bloody self.” Then he left. She didn't see him for a week.

—————————

Sydney laid Emily on the bed and spread the Barbie-themed duvet over her chest. She had cried so much that she fell asleep. Sydney blamed herself, their house had never been so quiet.

“Dad isn't home yet.” Ethan stood by the door in blue pajamas. They all had matching pairs, Xavier too.

Sydney stood and looked at him. “He said he'll be back soon, you shouldn't worry about him.”

Ethan was scowling.” I wasn't worrying about him. He left you in the hospital, I don't want to see him again.”

Sydney's heart broke but she had to smile. She went to him and hugged him. She almost pulled back; the feeling was strange; she couldn't remember the last time she hugged him. Was Gavin right? Had she been so busy with work that she forgot her family? No! She had always thought of them.

“I told him to leave because he had something important to do.”She lied.

“Nothing is more important than you.”

Sydney pulled away and held his cheek; she was so surprised at how much taller he was becoming. “I know, baby, but your dad isn't at fault; I wanted him to leave.”

Ethan folded his arm around his chest. He had temper issues just like Gavin, and Sydney hated it, but she was grateful he had a friend like Kelly to put him straight.

“I'm still angry with him.”

Sydney smiled weakly and kissed his forehead. “You'll gnaw before thirty if you keep frowning like that, and Kelly won't find you attractive.

Blush coated Ethan's cheek and he moved away. “Leave my room, Mum; I want to sleep.”

Sydney chuckled and immediately regretted it when pain engulfed her chest. The scar from the surgery was still fresh. She turned before Ethan could notice.

Ethan got into the bed, “Good night mum.”

Sydney held her chest.”Good night baby.”

—————

Sydney dreamt.

She woke up when she heard the crying of a baby. “Xavier.” She rubbed her eyes and sat up.

She was in the hospital bed. The cacophony of the baby became unbearable. Sydney winced and lazily got out of bed. She checked the baby bassinet but Xavier wasn't there.

Her heart leaped. “Xavier.” She looked around the room but didn't see him. Her eyes widened and she followed the sound of the cry.

She stopped by a ward door and then pushed it open. The crying ceased. She saw a nurse carrying Xavier, “I'm sorry, Sydney, but Xavier is dead.”

Sydney shot up from the bed when she heard the door opening. She was sweating like she had been in the desert. Gavin didn't look at her as he entered the room.

“Are you okay?” He asked, taking off his blue blazer.

Sydney took a strand of hair away from her face. She had no intentions of telling him she dreamt of Xavier.

“Yes, just a bad dream.”

He didn't ask for details but just kept unbuttoning his shirt.

Sydney stood up and stared at the sexy silhouette of her husband standing next to the floor-ceiling window. She had never missed him so much. She was tired of controlling herself around him because Avery told her to test if he actually loved her or if it was just all about sex.

Of course, she did it. She had doubts about his love for her especially since their relationship had always been sensual.

She stood behind him, suddenly scared to touch him. “Ethan's mad at you.”

He stopped unbuttoning his shirt halfway.“He'll get over it.”

Sydney hesitated but wrapped her hand around his waist. He stilled. “I'm sorry about Xavier.” She was crying. “I'm really sorry.”

Gavin's heart squeezed. He hated the effect she had on him. He didn't reply. “Gavin.”

He moved away from her and walked to the bed. She followed. “Go back to bed.”

“I said I'm sorry.” Would that bring back Xavier?

He glared at her. “What should I say? You are forgiven?”

The cloak of self-consciousness Avery had sown for her, covered her at moment. “It wasn't entirely my fault he died.”

He couldn't believe he actually felt pity for her. “Who else refused to go for prenatal care? Who else carelessness killed my child?" He didn't say ‘our’.

She took a step forward, “If only you had supported my decision and stood by me, I would have gone for it.” Would you?

His gaze moved pointedly over her. “Don't throw your black linen on me. Yes, I didn't support you at first but after a while, I did. I paid all your fees. I made Alfred Patel hire you.” He wasn't meant to say the last part.

“You did what?”

He ran a hand through his hair and reached out to her but she moved away. “I told you I wanted to find a job by myself. I told you I didn't need your help.”

Gavin stared into her moistened brown eyes. “It's not like you would have gotten it anyway with your terrible grades.” Another mistake.

She stared at him unbelievably. He knew her father mocked her about her grades; he would always compare her to her younger sister Anita, yet he said that.

“I didn't mean it, I'm sorry.”

Her voice quavered,” Leave me alone.”

His eyes darkened; why was he the one saying sorry? She had managed to turn the blame on him.

“Your solitude has always been important to you anyway.” He took off his shirt aggressively and walked to the bathroom.

“Why did you leave me in the hospital?”

He stopped. He remembered what he had done with her so-called best friend and his conscience pricked.

“You know the answer.”

“I needed you.”

“I was busy.”

“Busy with what?”

He froze. She noticed his muscles tensed and went to him. For some reason, her heart pounded in her chest. “Busy with what Gavin?”

He avoided her gaze and she grew impatient. “What's wrong?”

He had to say it and he had to say it now. Drawing in a sharp breath, he turned to her.“I want a divorce Sydney.”