1

ADELINE

My heart raced at the sound of the front door clicking. All day I had been jittery, unsure if this was the right thing to do. I had been, the entire year but why did it suddenly, just when I was about to have my freedom feel as though I was making yet another mistake in my life?

I walked over to the other side of my bed and grabbed the paper I had spent most of my day staring at or thinking about during chores.

Enough now, Addie. Don't think too much. I tried to tell myself.

I took the papers and left the room, only to meet Grayson on his way up the stairs to his own room. He walked past me without so much as a glance, once again ignoring my presence.

And each time he did so, it hurt.

"Grayson..." I called after him and only then did he stop. He turned to face me, his expression still ice cold as the day I first met him. I don't think he has ever looked at me any other way. I thought to myself. "Can we talk?" I asked, gripping the papers in my hands tightly against my chest. I felt my heart racing but not from fear.

Excitement...

That had to be why.

Soon I would no longer...

"I'm tired, Adeline..." he gruffed, cutting my thoughts off. Adeline. The way he said my name always matched the expression on his face.

Cold.

Stone cold.

"...whatever this is can surely wait until morning..." he dismissed turning to leave but what morning? He was one to leave for work even on a holiday like today or better still spend time with his family, leaving me alone.

I never even get invited by them.

Recalling that, I bit the inside of my mouth, the pain reminding me that this was not worth it.

"No, it cannot..." I forced, pleased with myself as I handed him the divorce papers. "I want a divorce..." the words eased out this time.

Grayson spun on his heels so fast I feared he would have strained a muscle or something. His brows furrowed into an angered expression. His eyes dropped on my stretched hand before finding their way back to my face.

"What? You want what?"

"A divorce, Grayson. I've already signed them, and I'd appreciate it if you do so too. I'd..." he chuckled darkly, before taking a step towards me.

"Need I remind you that you signed a fucking contract to be my wife for the duration of five years?" His voice rose with each word, matching it with steps until he was right in my face. I could even see the veins on his forehead popping out. I gulped.

"Yes, Grayson. How could I forget? Five years to be a nanny to your son. But even those years have passed now. Five years ago on the 1st of February we signed the deal and got married. Today is the 14th, Grayson. Your five years are over...." I was more clear headed now than I had been when the day started. I knew more than ever that I didn't want this. I never wanted it.

I want out.

Thank goodness for this end. I thought triumphantly.

I jabbed the papers in his chest and took a step back to create the space he made sure we had between us all these years. "Sign them..."

Grayson's eyes widened and for a few heartbeats, for the first time since I had known this man, he was speechless and that was because of me.

Did he not know that five years had elapsed already?

I was sure he didn't care about me and would be glad to see me leave but what was this in his eyes?

He took the papers and flipped through them before finally meeting my eyes again. "You couldn't wait to leave, is that it? I gave you everything, Adeline. What's the hurry about leaving when you have everything you want here and with me? Who's going to sponsor your material needs?"

It was my turn to laugh. And I did so with tears in my eyes. "Just sign the papers so that I can leave..." was all I could say without breaking down.

A gold digger was all they thought of me when he was the one who forced me to marry him. I mean, if he just wanted a maid and a nanny for his child, why marry me?

I turned to head back to my room but I felt him grab me, pulling me to a turn that was painful.

"And Johnny? Who's going to look after him? What kind of mother leaves her five year old son?" He yelled in my face, his voice shaking the ground under my feet.

"Your mother or sister, I don't really care, Grayson. He's not my son, remember?"

He had made sure to remind me of this very fact every chance he got. He also made sure to teach Johnny that I was no mother of his, only a caregiver that didn't deserve respect at all.

Grayson froze, the second time in a matter of minutes and it was a sight to behold.

But when I said that, Johnny's door swung open and his little head peaked through the door as though he was afraid to step out. He didn't hear me did he? I wondered.

"Addie?....what's wrong?..." his little voice followed and I felt my heart squeeze painfully in my chest. He used to call me mother.

"It's okay, Johnny. Nothing's wrong. I'm just having a chat with your father..." I didn't know if he heard my answer considering my voice was barely audible even to my own ears.

He remained rooted in his spot for some time while his father shot daggers with his eyes at me. When the boy still didn't move, Grayson looked in his direction and a second later, Johnny's door closed shut.

See? Even his own son wanted to be away from him.

I left for my room without a care about what else Grayson was going to say to me and pulled my suitcase out from the base of the closet. I then stuffed the bag with my things before dragging myself down the flight of stairs. As I made it down to the last step, I felt eyes on me that sent shivers down my spine.

Grayson was seated on the couch with a glass of whatever mix he had poured himself. From where I stood, I could feel the hate he had felt for me radiate all the way over to where I was. The look of pure hate.

Then he got up on his feet and walked over to the minibar as if to top up his drink. Knowing he wasn't going to say anything, or even try to stop me, I tightened my grip on the handle of my suitcase and started to head for the door.

But he did speak. Only it wasn't to say words I had the tiniest bit of hope he would say to me. "You don't think I'll let you leave with my card do you?" He asked, his voice hoarse like one who had screamed an entire neighborhood down.

What card? I asked myself, refusing to give him another glance. I raked my mind for any memory of using his card and found not a single memory.

Five years working like a dog in this house and not a single dime had I spent on myself for whatever reason from his money. Everything I owned, I worked for.

"The card, Adeline. If you want a divorce, you will leave the card behind and everything else it paid for..."

This asshole....

But of course.

"Ask your mother..." I spoke, turning to face the nightmare I was still married to one last time. I knew then what card he was yapping about. "...she snatched it right out of my hand the very day you gave it to me. And everything in this bag..." I pointed to my suitcase, a bitter taste coating my mouth from the memory of how much I worked to own something of my own despite being married to the richest man in the country. "...I paid for it with my hard earned money. Sign the papers and send it in, Grayson. If you don't, I will... Happy Valentine's Day."