Cracks in the crown

Sloane's POV 

I sat at the dining table, hands clasped as I stared at the grandfather clock before me. I watched as its pendulum swung side to side, a soft tick echoing across the empty house. 

I had just put Daisy to sleep and I could hear her soft snores. While tucking her in, she had asked about her father–wondering when he'd be coming home. I didn't have an answer so I just told her to get some rest. I couldn't wash away the image of the disappointed look she had on her face as I pulled the cover over her. It wouldn’t be the first time and that was what hurt the most. 

I sighed, rubbing my temples as the tick tock of the clock resounded through the walls of my mind. The candles I had lit had slowly burned out, the last now faltering in the breeze coming from the air conditioning. The food I had prepared had gone cold now and I couldn’t take my eyes off the briefcase still laying on the table. 

My eyelids felt heavy with exhaustion, but I forced myself to stay awake. I turned my gaze to the digital clock above the grandfather clock. The screen glowed faintly, the digits on it blinking with a steady pulse. 

“Half past one and he still isn't home," I said to no one in particular as I picked the glass of whiskey in front of me. 

I was about to take a sip when I heard the sound of a car pulling up outside. Pulling my robe over my shoulder, I stood from my seat and walked toward the window. I pulled the curtain to the side, and the headlights from the car outside streamed into the house. 

Two figures stumbled out of the vehicle, laughing as their shadows flashed across the curtains. I couldn't make out their faces but I recognized one voice really well–Adrian’s. 

“Mmm," I grunted as I finished my glass with one gulp and turned to the front door. 

A few seconds later, the door creaked open and in walked a large frame–the one I knew to be Adrian's. I stood patiently, waiting for the second to come in as his laugh echoed through the house. 

He placed a hand on the wall, staggering as he whispered something to whoever followed behind him. They laughed and I couldn't help but notice the softness in the other person's voice–gentle like a woman’s. 

A car drove pass and its headlights flashed across the house, briefly revealing Adrian's messy hair and half buttoned shirt. The strong stench of alcohol hit me before his next words did. 

“Quiet," he whispered, placing a finger at his lips. "We don't want to wake her up.”

And then, she stepped into the house. 

Another passing car outside illuminated her face for a second–just enough time for me to recognize who it was. 

Mia–my friend. 

Her make up was smudged all over her face, her hair tied in a messy bun and her blouse half open. She wrapped her arms around my husband, planting a deep kiss on his lips as she pinned him to the wall. I stood in the dining room, frozen, watching as she snuck a hand into his trousers. 

My husband and my friend…

“But you told… her to… sleep in, didn't you?” Mia asked after pulling her lips from his. 

“Yeah, but… you… know Sloane,” Adrian replied, his words slurred. "She's always inquisitive about my… whereabouts… and… and…” He let out a soft chuckle like he had said something funny. "And… she's always trying to play smart like–” 

He froze, his gaze meeting mine. For a moment, we both stood still–the only sound between us was the faint tick of the grandfather and Mia's soft breathing. 

I waited–waiting for him to push Mia away and come to me, begging for my forgiveness. I thought he'd fall to his knees, telling me it wasn't what it looked like. 

But that never happened. 

Instead, a sly smile formed on his face. “Get used to it," he whispered as he grabbed Mia's waist and pulled her, kissing her deeply. He lifted her into his arms and walked up the stairs, laughing loudly. 

I showed no emotion–it wasn't the first time this had happened. I was only mad at myself for being foolish to think he'd come to beg. 

Sighing softly, I picked the whiskey-stained tie he had dropped in a bid to pick Mia up and walked up the stairs. I already knew they were going to use our bed so I wasn't going to bother going there. I'd just sleep in the guest room for the night. 

As I turned down the hallway toward the guest room, I passed by our door, and the sound of our bed creaking stopped me in my tracks. I didn't want to look, but I couldn't help myself. 

I turned to the open room and watched as Adrain slipped Mia's bra off of her. He zipped his pants down and climbed the bed, Mia following after him. She placed a leg over him and moaned as he inserted himself inside her. Their screams echoed across the house, laughing as they looked at me. 

I wasn't moved by their ridicule–I was already used to it. But when I heard, my daughter call my name, something inside me snapped. 

“Mummy?" 

I turned sharply to see Daisy standing halfway down the hallway, tears streaming down her face. Her room was open and she still had her teddy bear clutched in her hands. 

Their ungodly noise must have woken her up. 

"Daisy,” I whispered under my breath as her gaze began shifting to the open door. 

“Mummy," she called in-between sobs. “Why… why's daddy doing that?" 

Before she could look into the room, I grabbed the handle and closed the door shut. "Daisy, go back to your room,” I said quietly, fighting hard to stop the tears threatening to fall. 

Daisy remained standing for a few seconds before nodding and walking back to her room. As she closed her door shut, I let out a loud sigh, all of my pent up frustration melting away as tears streamed down my cheeks. 

Sniffing, I immediately wiped my face with the back of my hand and walked back into the room. I ignored their moans and taunting laughs as I picked up my laptop from the desk, closed the door behind me, and headed into the guest room.

Sitting on the bed, I placed my laptop on my lap and logged in. Without thinking, I opened a page I had bookmarked weeks before and filled out the form on it. When I was done, I hit submit. 

Then a page flashed across the screen:

‘Your divorce petition has been successfully filed.

I  shut the laptop as I exhaled, letting the silence of the room swallow me whole.